2022 Saumaize-Michelin Saint-Veran, Maconnais

Roger Saumaize and Christine Michelin are based in Vergisson, which is to Pouilly-Fuisse as Montalcino is to Tuscany, and home to the region's greatest producers, including Domaines Guffens-Heynen & Daniel Barraud. They have been farming old vines (aged 50+) biodynamically since 2005, with a focus on "optimum expression of terroir" and an attempt to "capture the energy of the place". The grapes are hand-picked, and the wines undergo some gentle lees-stirring during elevage and judicious usage of new oak.

The resultant wines are utterly gorgeous. There's richness and volume, the faint hint of something exotic, but then there's also incredible tension, drive and energy.

Domaine Saumaize-Michelin's portfolio features captivating Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint-Véran wines, each a testament to the Mâconnais landscape. From the expressive Pouilly-Fuissé "Clos sur la Roche" to the mineral-driven Saint-Véran "En Crèches”.

Christine and Roger Saumaize preside over this fine 9.5-hectare domaine in Vergisson. Biodynamic farming, limited yields and manual harvesting are the fundamentals of their approach in the vineyards, followed by fermentation in barrel and maturation on the lees. The various parcels have been vinified separately since 1985. The wines are concentrated and structured, exemplifying the artisanal excellence that seems to proliferate in Vergisson,

Saumaize-Michelin was founded in 1977, when Roger Saumaize received 4 hectares of vineyards from his father. Roger had grown up in the vineyards and began working them at age 14. In 1978, he completely took over his father’s estate.

Roger owns the estate with his wife Christine, whose maiden name is Michelin, hence the winery name. Their logo represents the Roche de Vergisson, a huge rock formation, just on top of the Village of Vergisson.

Roger and Christine built their winery & expanded their vineyards over time. In 1979, they purchased 1.6 hectares of “La Roche” vineyards in Vergisson.