Santenay, somewhat forgotten village and spa in the Côte de Beaune district of Burgundy producing red wines from Pinot Noir and occasional whites. The soils in Santenay are a little richer in marl than most of the Côte d’Or, producing red wines tending to the rustic more than the elegant. This is largely the fault of a poor selection of Pinot Noir vines whose vigour has often been tamed by the cordon de royat training system in place of the usual guyot.
Most of the best vineyards, the premiers crus La Comme, Clos de Tavannes, and Les Gravières, form an extension from Chassagne-Montrachet. Also reputed are La Maladière, situated behind the main village, and Clos Rousseau on the far border of Santenay, beyond the casino and thermal waters of the higher village.
