Georges Lignier et Fils
Summary
Georges Lignier et Fils is a fourth-generation family estate in Morey-Saint-Denis managing 16 hectares across the Côte de Nuits, including significant Grand Cru holdings in Clos de la Roche, Clos Saint-Denis, and Bonnes Mares, where they craft primarily Pinot Noir wines from limestone-clay soils. Their traditional winemaking approach balances hand-harvesting, partial whole-cluster inclusion, and measured oak aging (40-50% new oak for Grand Crus) with minimal intervention techniques to express the distinctive character of their historic vineyard sites.
Heritage & Leadership
Georges Lignier et Fils was established in 1880 in the village of Morey-Saint-Denis in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. The domain has remained in family hands for over 140 years, with each generation maintaining the estate's focus on expressing the distinct terroirs of their holdings. Following Georges Lignier, the domain passed to his son Maurice, who was succeeded by his son Georges.
Since 2008, the domain has been directed by Benoît Stehly, the great-nephew of Georges Lignier, who had previously worked alongside his uncle for nearly a decade before assuming full control of winemaking and vineyard management. This gradual transition ensured continuity in the domain's approach while allowing Benoît to implement subtle refinements to vineyard work and cellar practices.
The domain's headquarters and cellars remain in their original location in Morey-Saint-Denis, at the heart of the Côte de Nuits, positioning them in close proximity to their most significant vineyard holdings.
Vineyards & Wines
The domain manages approximately 16 hectares of vineyards spread across several communes in the Côte de Nuits. Their holdings include parcels in three Grand Cru vineyards: 1.5 hectares in Clos de la Roche, 0.38 hectares in Clos Saint-Denis, and a small 0.13-hectare plot in Bonnes Mares, straddling the border between Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis.
Their Premier Cru portfolio includes vineyards in Morey-Saint-Denis (Les Chaffots, Clos des Ormes, Les Façonnières), Gevrey-Chambertin (Les Combottes), and Chambolle-Musigny (Les Baudes, Les Chabiots). The domain also produces village-level wines from these three communes, along with a Bourgogne Rouge.
The vineyards feature the classic limestone-clay soils of the Côte de Nuits, with variations in the limestone-to-clay ratio and the presence of marl contributing to the distinctive character of each site. The vines in their Grand Cru parcels average 60 years of age, with some plantings dating back to the immediate post-war period.
Pinot Noir dominates their production, though the domain also cultivates small amounts of Chardonnay and Aligoté for their white wines, including a Morey-Saint-Denis Blanc and a Bourgogne Aligoté.
Philosophy & Practice
The domain adheres to traditional Burgundian winemaking methods while incorporating modern precision. In the vineyards, Benoît Stehly has implemented more rigorous canopy management and yield control to ensure optimal ripeness. Harvest is conducted by hand, with careful sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery.
For red wine production, the grapes are partially destemmed, with the percentage of whole clusters varying by vineyard and vintage conditions. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with gentle extraction methods favoring pump-overs rather than punch-downs for most cuvées.
Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with the proportion of new oak calibrated to the wine's classification: 40-50% for Grand Crus, 25-35% for Premier Crus, and 15-20% for village wines. The aging period typically spans 18 months for Grand Crus and Premier Crus, and 12-15 months for village-level wines.
The domain bottles without fining but employs light filtration when necessary. Their approach prioritizes transparency of terroir, seeking to translate the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard site into wines that balance structure with finesse, built for medium to long-term aging.