Alain Patriarche

MEURSAULT — I started working with Alain Patriarche in 2003. He was one of the best and most respected winemakers in the renowned village of Meursault. Alain died suddenly in 2012, leaving a huge void for me and his family. Fortunately, Alain’s son-in-law, Marc, had already worked with him for 15 years. Marc is now the seventh-generation winemaker in this talented family that began making wine in 1830.

The family’s philosophy revolves around PASSION: passion for their famous white-wine town, passion for the Chardonnay grape, and passion for quality winemaking. Nothing is left to chance. The soil in their well-situated vineyards must be environmentally maintained. The vines must be worked and harvested by hand only. Only the highest quality fruit is chosen for their wines. Then, the winemaking process is watched every step of the way with complete respect for the traditions with which the great Chardonnays from Meursault have always been made.

Marc and his wife, Maud, now manage the estate. Alain’s widow, Christiane, is mostly retired. It’s still a true family affair, producing a tiny amount of wine each year. Their entire barrel wine cellar is smaller than my garage. Not just tiny production — micro production.

Stylistically, the family makes wines meant to accompany a meal. Burgundy has one of the greatest food reputations in the world and these Meursault wines complement each course of a dinner. Truthfully, the Burgundian lifestyle revolves around the table. The family’s motto is “Qui boit du Meursault, ne vit ni ne meurt sot!” Translated, this motto says that whoever drinks the great wines from Meursault will neither live nor die a fool. In French, it is a play on words. Please enjoy the wines of the Alain and Christiane Patriarche family … with passion.