These three words alone sum up the metamorphosis. The metamorphosis of Men who, for almost a century, have been crafting a very different kind of fine wine from Burgundy. One that is made to measure, one that reflects the coming together of tradition and savoir-faire, heritage and commitment. Established in the Burgundy region since 1926, the wine is the image of those who breathe life into it every day. It is free, proud and defiant.
Free, because the vision of one Man was all that was needed to guide the others. Proud to cultivate this centuries’ old terroir that bears witness to an ancient and glorious past. Defiant in the face of adversity « Life is in the here and now and must be savoured at every opportunity ».
With the only limits being those of one’s own imagination. « The world cannot be revolutionised by being prudent ». Proud of our savoir-faire which has made Burgundy famous. Continuing to hone our traditional methods in a constant quest for perfection. Defiant in the face of mediocrity. « We cannot become the best by simply following trends ».
Embodying the changes we wish to see in the world. Proud to have the opportunity to pass on our life’s work to future generations “because we want the best for our children”. Defiant when faced with the dictates of the big wine companies who try to impose their rules upon us.
Inspired by the beauty of Nature. Proud to proclaim, loud and clear, our position as the leading producer of Crémants de Bourgogne. Defiant in the face of passing time, our sights remaining fixed on the future.
For Sainchargny, maintaining a style and a signature is the guarantee of longevity. Drinking our wines is like stepping into our heartland. This is because they are created in our image: free, proud and defiant.
For almost a century, the history of Sainchargny has been closely linked with the history of three renowned cooperative wineries in Burgundy: Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé, Chardonnay and Lugny, established in the 1920’s as a result of the vision and desire of men and women who sought to take destiny into their own hands.
Sainchargny has a resolutely forward-thinking mindset, but it believes it cannot envisage its future without taking account of its past. The new brand name for the Cave de Lugny’s Crémants de Bourgogne was chosen as a homage to its history and traditions. Its name is the reflection of its freedom, pride and commitment. Sain-char-gny.
The Saint-Gengoux-de-Scissé, Chardonnay and Lugny wineries were respectively founded in 1926, 1927 and 1928 as the outcome of a combat.
One man’s vision was instrumental in guiding the vision of all the others: the promise of a better future for the wine-growers. “We need to fight for our independence in the face of large négociants who are trying to impose their rules upon us”. This idea struck a chord with the wine-growers who knew only too well that their voice is stronger when united. The three wineries therefore decided to join forces in order to strengthen their presence.
Sainchargny has earned a reputation for its high-quality sparkling wines. Its wine-growers are proud of what they have accomplished and reaffirm their commitment each year by devoting either all or part of their vineyards to the production of Crémant de Bourgogne. This constancy is what has given the brand its strength.
After years of producing sparkling wines, Lugny created its first Crémant de Bourgogne in 1975.
Protected by AOC status, it is produced using the traditional method and respects a set of stringent specifications. Over the years that followed, this new sparkling wine captured the imagination of wine lovers in France and around the world. Less than twenty years on, this Crémant de Bourgogne is enjoyed in 4 continents.
Sainchargny continues to push the boundaries even further.
Its name has become a reference for those who work, season after season, to produce high-quality Crémant de Bourgogne. The outstanding quality of its wines has earned it its place as the leading producer of Crémants de Bourgogne.
Around 180 hectares of vines have been selected for the production of our Crémant de Bourgogne. Our constant quest for perfection has enabled us to ensure increasingly high-quality wines, year after year.
It has taken Sainchargny almost a hundred years to build up a palette of the finest nuances of Burgundy.
The vineyards are situated in the Mâcon region, on the eastern edge of the Massif Central. The subsoils, which provide perfect conditions for the production of Grand Crus, are characterised by the presence of Kimmeridgian strata, a marly limestone formation composed of large quantities of tiny oyster fossils.
Over 100 wine-growers work year round on these ancient lands. It is the diversity of its terroirs that gives Sainchargny its strength and unique style.
Of all the grape varieties grown throughout the world, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are undeniably two of the most well known, respected and acclaimed. They are considered as “noble” varietals owing to their ancestral origins and the purity of their aromas. This Burgundy heritage, which has been passed down from generation to generation, is particularly well-suited to the soils of Sainchargny and it is for this reason that the cooperative has chosen to produce its wines using these two varietals. Because noble grape varieties result in noble Burgundy wines.
Sainchargny is well aware that the decisions it makes today will have an impact on the future and is therefore committed to sustainable winemaking.
Its viticultural choices have long been influenced by a sustainable ethos and it endeavours to take into account environmental, social and economical factors in order to preserve its heritage for future generations. The wine-growers know that Nature is priceless and they work together each day to preserve the environment.
As part of its process of continual improvement, Sainchargny’s development respects environmental and societal norms. Since 2014 it has proudly borne the VDD label (Wine-growers in Sustainable Development), a symbol of evolution, innovation and ethics. The future is in our hands and Sainchargny is doubling its efforts to ensure that its heritage is preserved for many centuries to come.
The Cellar Master lets his intuition guide him when selecting the finest terroirs from which to craft the future blends. With its modern and timeless style, Sainchargny strives to create wines that reflect its own personality and values: free, proud and defiant.
Sainchargny places the selection of the vineyard plots at the heart of its winemaking process.
Ever since its creation, the production of high-quality grapes has been the top priority for Sainchargny as this is the guarantee that its savoir-faire and the quality of its Crémants de Bourgogne will be preserved. The human factor is, and always has been, at the heart of its winemaking ethos.
Several months before the harvests, the cellar master and the teams in the winery and vineyards decide together which plots will be used for the future blends.
Each harvest is a crucial stage for Sainchargny as this is when an entire year’s work takes shape before our very eyes. The entire team rolls up its sleeves to ensure that pressing is carried out in the best conditions possible. Our 7 pneumatic presses allow us a high degree of freedom when extracting the juices. Extraction takes place at very low pressure in order to preserve the aromatic complexity of the future wines. It is like a new page being written with a multitude of expressions being created for our Crémants de Bourgogne. It is the meeting point between the pride taken in a job well done and the freedom to create a fine Burgundy wine.
Respecting the work of the wine-growers is my priority. Each year brings us new surprises and it is an indescribable pleasure to be able to work with the raw materials. Revealing their potential to the world, the way I see it, is one of the greatest gifts I could offer. Each stage of the vinification process is carefully monitored in order to preserve and enhance the purity of the fruit whilst remaining true to the characteristics of the terroir, which is the pride of our wine-growers.
For Sainchargny, maintaining a style and a signature is the guarantee of longevity.
Every Sainchargny wine is an emotional tasting experience! Created in our heartland, Extatic and Catharsis have an uncommon style, promising you an exhilarating sensation of freedom. A unique experience and the unforgettable memory of pleasurable and exciting wines.
To choose one path rather than another, without compromising or conforming. To let oneself be guided by the ancient soils of our terroirs in order to retain only what is the most essential. The purity of the Chardonnay. The power of the Pinot Noir. The fruitiness of the Gamay. To see the pride in the eyes of our wine-growers who work hard each day to create the N°56 and N°82, the iconic wines from our heartland.
To know how to understand the times and make them one’s own. To create aspirational high-quality wines. Emérite and Immémorial are the culmination of pure talent, the reflection of our style and the signature of our brand. They remain defiant in the face of passing time in order to affirm their status as fine wines from Burgundy. Drinking our wines is like stepping into our heartland. This is because they are created in our image, free, proud and defiant!
