Marc Soyard & Domaine de la Cras: Burgundy's Rising Natural Star
Marc Soyard is one of Burgundy's most exciting and innovative winemakers, known for his commitment to natural winemaking at Domaine de la Cras and under his eponymous "Marc Soyard" label. Born in the Jura, his journey into wine was significantly shaped by a six-year tenure as vineyard manager for the revered Jean-Yves Bizot at Domaine Bizot in Vosne-Romanée. This experience instilled in him a profound respect for organic farming and a "hands-off" philosophy in the cellar.
In 2013, the City of Dijon acquired a 160-hectare agricultural property, including 8 hectares of vineyards, overlooking the city. They sought a passionate young winemaker to steward this unique "monopole" site organically. Marc Soyard was chosen, given free rein to run the estate in exchange for bottles of wine as "rent" and an agreement to open the winery to the public. He immediately implemented what he learned from Bizot: meticulously farming organically (certified since 2016) and moving towards biodynamic practices.
At Domaine de la Cras, Soyard cultivates Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the unique clay and iron-rich soils of the "Coteaux de Dijon" appellation. In the cellar, his winemaking is characterized by minimal intervention: indigenous yeasts, whole-cluster fermentation for reds (Bizot's influence), direct pressing for whites, and extended élevage in a mix of old and new wood. Crucially, his wines are made with little to no added sulfur dioxide, with many "L'Equilibriste" cuvées being entirely sulfur-free.
Beyond Domaine de la Cras, Marc also tends to small personal parcels in Ladoix (producing the sought-after "Hermaïon" cuvée) and Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, bottled under his own name. He is also the winemaker for Tercet, a collaborative project. Across all his endeavors, Marc Soyard's wines are celebrated for their purity, energy, and a Burgundian elegance that belies their minimal-intervention approach, quickly making him a must-follow name for natural wine enthusiasts.
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Online Retailers/Importers with Broad International Reach:
Vins & Millesimes (France-based, ships to Europe, North America & Asia) - https://www.vins-grandscrus.com/(Search for "Marc Soyard" or "Domaine de la Cras")
IDealwine (France-based auction platform with international shipping, often lists various vintages)
France: https://www.idealwine.com/fr/ (Search for "Marc Soyard" or "Domaine de la Cras")
Germany: https://www.idealwine.com/de/
Hong Kong: https://www.idealwine.com/hk/
Singapore: https://www.idealwine.com/sg/
Uncharted Wines (UK-based online retailer) - https://www.unchartedwines.com/collections/domaine-de-las-cras
Cave Pur Jus (France-based online natural wine shop, ships to some countries) - https://www.cavepurjus.com/en/vigneron/domaine-de-la-cras.html
Marée Haute Vins Naturels (France-based, ships within EU) - https://www.mareehaute.vin/en-eu/collections/domaine-de-la-cras
Notable Retailers/Distributors by Region:
United States:
McCarus Beverage Company (Major US Importer/Distributor) - https://mccarusbeverage.com/producer/domaine-de-la-cras-marc-soyard/ (Check their website for a list of retailers they supply in your state.)
Leon & Son Wine and Spirits (Brooklyn, NY) - https://leonandsonwine.com/blogs/news/soyards-most-personal-wines (Check for current stock of Domaine de la Cras and Marc Soyard wines.)
Wine Empire (Massachusetts) - https://wineempire.com/ (Search for Marc Soyard/Domaine de la Cras)
Solano Cellars (California) - https://solanocellars.com/ (Search for Marc Soyard/Domaine de la Cras)
Many independent, high-end, or natural wine shops across major US cities.
United Kingdom:
Uncharted Wines (as above)
Fink Wine (UK online natural wine shop) - https://finkwine.co.uk/search?q=Marc+soyard
Specialized UK wine merchants focusing on Burgundy and natural wines.
Germany:
Weinskandal (Online retailer) - https://weinskandal.at/collections/domaine-de-la-cras (Ships to Germany)
Hong Kong:
IDealwine Hong Kong (as above)
Only Cellar (Online retailer) - https://onlycellar.com/ (Search for Marc Soyard/Domaine de la Cras)