Antoine Lienhardt

is a rising star in Burgundy, a young winemaker whose work is quickly gaining a reputation for producing high-quality, expressive, and terroir-driven wines. He is the fourth generation of winemakers in his family, which is based in the village of Comblanchien, in the Côte de Nuits.

Antoine took over the family domaine, which had been in a long-term lease, in 2011. Since then, he has implemented significant changes, driven by a deep conviction that the vineyards of Comblanchien are undervalued. His philosophy is to farm and make his wines as if they were Grand Crus, a belief that has helped him create wines that transcend the reputation of their appellation. His sister, Héloïse, joined him in 2017 to manage the administrative side of the business.

Lienhardt's winemaking philosophy is centered on respect for nature and minimal intervention. A dedicated "green-thumb" from a young age, he began the conversion to organic farming in 2016 and the domaine has been certified organic since 2019. He now farms biodynamically and is moving towards regenerative practices, including planting trees and working the soil with a horse to minimize compaction.

In the cellar, he employs a minimalist approach. He uses 100% whole-bunch fermentation for his red wines, with gentle, short macerations to avoid over-extraction. The wines are vinified without sulfur and bottled relatively early to preserve the purity and vibrancy of the fruit. He uses older barrels, and sometimes cement eggs, for aging, with a minimal amount of sulfur added only at bottling.

Antoine Lienhardt's wines, particularly his regional and Côte de Nuits Villages cuvées, are known for their energy, drive, and purity of fruit. They are a true testament to his belief that great wines begin in the vineyard, and they are quickly earning him a place among Burgundy's most exciting producers.