Domaine Sylvain Pataille is a 15 hectares large domaine, located in Marsannay-la-Côte, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy. Sylvain Pataille has been the winemaker since 1999 using biodynamic and organic approaches. The domaine has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2008.

Sylvain Pataille’s wines are excellent examples of what dedicated farming, matched with one of the brightest oenological minds, can produce. The wines of incredible balance, seamless textures, and clearly defined minerality that can only come from the one the greats of Burgundy.

The top wines of the domaine are: Marsannay Cuvée L'Ancestrale, Marsannay La Chapître, and Marsannay Longeroies.

The Marsannay Cuvée L'Ancestrale 2017 scored 93+, the Marsannay La Chapître 2017 scored 92+, and the Marsannay Longeroies 2017 scored 92 by the Wine Advocate.

Robert Parker’s tasting notes on the Marsannay Cuvée L'Ancestrale 2017: “From Pataille's oldest vines in the Lieux-dits of Clos du Roy, Clémengeot and Les Ouzeloy comes to the 2017 Marsannay Cuvée L'Ancestrale, a brilliant effort that unwinds in the glass with aromas of raspberries, plums and cherries mingled with hints of smoked meats, orange rind and rich soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with a concentrated core of fruit framed by a muscular chassis of powdery tannin, this will need and reward some bottle age.”

Sylvain Pataille has been the winemaker of the domaine since 1999.

Sylvain Pataille grew up around wine, though his family didn’t own any vines. His father spent a lot of his free time helping his friend, a vigneron Jean Fournier.

Sylvain Pataille obtained his diploma in oenology back in 1997 and still consults other domaines.

Domaine Sylvain Pataille started making wines on its own 1-hectare large plot in 1999 which has grown up to 15 hectares by now.

The domaine’s label was developed in 2001. Almost all his grapes come from fermage contracts, which means that some parcels are owned by someone other than Domaine Sylvain Pataille.

Sylvain Pataille’s older brother Laurent Pataille, a qualified oenologist himself, joined the domaine in 2008, becoming Sylvain Pataille’s right hand.

Domaine Sylvain Pataille is farmed according to biodynamic principles and has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2008. Sylvain Pataille is a leader in organic and biodynamic viticulture in his area.

Sylvain Pataille practices very low yields and horse-ploughing and earned the reputation as one of the finest farmers in Côte-d’Or.

Sylvain Pataille prefers to crush the whole bunches, and very few people crush their Pinot grapes these days before fermenting them in open-topped vats. Sylvain Pataille uses only indigenous yeast.

Ageing takes between 15 to 18 months but can be longer. If a certain vintage and certain vineyard require 24 months, Sylvain Pataille will do so.

Sulphur use ranges from non-existent to minimal, and bottling is relatively late - after at least 24 months for the l’Ancestrale cuvée.