Domaine Bruno Clair

With a history dating back to World War I, the Clair family of Domaine Bruno Clair has been crafting exceptional pinot noir and chardonnay for over a century, becoming a mainstay in Burgundy's Côte d'Or. Holding 27 hectares across 32 appellations and 8 villages, including top Grand Cru sites like Chambertin Clos de Beze and Clos Saint-Jacques, the family is now in its sixth generation of winemaking and continues to dazzle wine enthusiasts across the globe. An incredible mix of elegance and intensity has set Bruno Clair wines apart from their competition, leading to the estate being labeled one of Burgundy's greatest producers.

Bruno Clair: World War I Beginnings

Margaret Dau, a French nurse, and Joseph Clair, a French soldier, met on the battlefield during World War I and quickly cemented their relationship, marrying a year after its end in 1919. The pair then returned to Margaret's family vineyard and began their winemaking journey before leaving to create Domaine Clair-Dau. Based out of Burgundy's small Marsannay region, the domain quickly grew to become one of the region's biggest success stories, renowned for their pinot noir and chardonnay. After decades of success, Joesph passed away in 1975, leaving the estate's property in the hands of arguing siblings who each found a piece of land.

Bruno Clair, Joseph's grandson, inherited a small piece of the fortune and, in 1979, opened Domaine Bruno Clair. By 1986, he held 17 hectares in top vineyards and gained a reputation for creating unmatched wines out of Cote d'Or. 

Domaine Bruno Clair: Top Burgundy Vineyards

With over 27 hectares of land spread across Burgundy, Bruno Clair wines are created from famed Grand Cru vineyards such as Chambertin Clos de Beze, Corton-Charlemagne, and Bonnes-Mares. The Bruno Clair Clos de Beze is quite possibly the estate's finest bottle, produced from a vineyard just under 1 hectare, with pinot noir grown as far back as 1912. The wine has been noted for its length, complexity, and deep red nose, leading respected critic Neal Martin to state, "This producer is fast becoming one of my favorites."

Among Bruno Clair's other trio of stunners is Corton Charlemagne Bruno Clair, a chardonnay planted on clay limestone and loved for its beautiful aromatics and yellow-golden hue. Lastly, Bonnes-Mares Bruno Clair is produced from the Grand Cru site of the same name, made from pinot noir, and displaying notes of dark fruits and spices. 

No matter the vineyard, each bottle of Bruno Clair wine is meticulously crafted using traditional techniques and organic farming. No chemical fertilizers are used on the grounds and, instead, compost is used for the vines and the soils are ploughed. After each harvest, the fruit is hand-picked, carefully sorted, then partially destemmed before being put in vats. A pre-fermentation consisting of a week-long cold soak precedes a slow alcoholic fermentation, instigated by indigenous yeast. The wine is then matured in oak casks, which vary from 20-50% new oak, on lees for 16-22 months. The final product is a stunning expression of Burgundy's finest pinot noir, dominated by an unmistakable purity and balance.

Grab a Bottle of Bruno Clair Wine

With nearly 30 different wines produced at the domain, there are a multitude of options for Burgundy lovers to experience the greatness of Domaine Bruno Clair. From beloved Grand Cru bottles to underrated village gems, the Clair family have perfected winemaking on pristine terroirs, giving wine enthusiasts one of the region's greatest bottles. Celebrate Bruno Clair winemaking today and add a bottle to your collection.