Stephane Magnien
Summary
Domaine Stephane Magnien is a fourth-generation family estate in Morey-Saint-Denis with 4.5 hectares across the Côte de Nuits, focusing on Pinot Noir from limestone-rich soils with many vines exceeding 50 years of age. Stephane maintains traditional Burgundian practices including hand harvesting, open-top fermentation vessels, and judicious oak aging that allows each vineyard's distinctive personality to emerge in his small-production wines.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Stephane Magnien represents at least the fourth generation of winemakers in the Magnien family, continuing a long-established tradition of viticulture in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. Based in the commune of Morey-Saint-Denis, this family estate embodies the multi-generational approach to winemaking that characterizes many of Burgundy's finest producers.
Stephane Magnien assumed control of the family domaine between 2004 and 2008, taking over from his father Michel Magnien. The estate was previously known as Domaine Michel Magnien before Stephane's leadership. Under Stephane's direction, the estate has maintained its identity as a small, family-owned and operated producer focused on expressing the distinctive terroirs of their holdings. The transition of leadership to Stephane marked a continuation of the family's commitment to traditional Burgundian winemaking while adapting to contemporary standards of quality.
The Magnien family's roots in Burgundian viticulture run deep, with their stewardship of vineyards in the Côte de Nuits spanning multiple generations. This continuity of family ownership has allowed for the transmission of accumulated knowledge about their specific vineyard sites from one generation to the next.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine Stephane Magnien manages approximately 4.5 hectares of vineyards spread across three prestigious communes in the Côte de Nuits: Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, and Gevrey-Chambertin. This collection of parcels includes holdings in Premier Cru vineyards such as Faconnières and Sentiers in Chambolle-Musigny, as well as small parcels in Grand Cru vineyards, with Clos Saint-Denis among them.
The vineyards feature the limestone-rich soils characteristic of the Côte de Nuits, providing the mineral foundation that contributes to the distinctive character of Burgundian wines. Many of the domaine's parcels contain old vines, with some exceeding 50 years of age, contributing to the concentration and complexity of the resulting wines.
The domaine's viticultural focus centers primarily on Pinot Noir, the signature red grape variety of Burgundy. These plantings align with the regional tradition of the Côte de Nuits, which is renowned for producing some of the world's most distinguished red Burgundies. The estate may also produce a limited quantity of Chardonnay, though red wine production remains their principal focus.
Philosophy & Practice
Stephane Magnien adheres to traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques that honor the region's centuries-old approach to viticulture and vinification. The domaine's commitment to quality begins in the vineyard with hand harvesting, ensuring that only optimal fruit reaches the winery.
In the cellar, fermentation typically takes place in traditional open-top fermenters, a method that allows for gentle extraction of color, flavor, and tannin from the Pinot Noir grapes. Following fermentation, the wines mature in French oak barrels, with Premier Cru wines receiving a measured application of new oak that respects rather than overwhelms the fruit character.
The domaine practices sustainable viticulture with minimal intervention, an approach that reflects a broader philosophy of allowing the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard site to express themselves in the finished wines. This commitment to terroir expression exemplifies the Burgundian ideal of wines that reflect their specific place of origin.
Through this combination of respectful vineyard management and traditional cellar practices, Domaine Stephane Magnien produces wines that capture the essence of their Côte de Nuits terroirs, continuing a family legacy of quality-focused Burgundy production.