Domaine Ecard is one of the hidden gems of the Côte de Beaune, a small family estate whose reputation has been built through uncompromising vineyard work rather than commercial visibility. The domaine was established in 2004, when Michel Ecard made the bold decision to leave his family’s centuries-old estate and create his own winery by taking over the vineyards that once belonged to his paternal grandfather.
This independent project reflects Michel’s personal philosophy of craftsmanship and precision. Together with his wife, he carries out virtually every task on the estate himself, from vineyard management and winemaking to bottling. Apart from seasonal help during harvest, the domaine operates without permanent employees, allowing every bottle to reflect the direct involvement of its owners.
Today the estate covers just 4 hectares, producing around 20,000 bottles per year. Such a small scale allows Michel to work each parcel individually and to maintain an intimate understanding of every vineyard under his care.
One of the domaine’s greatest assets is its remarkable collection of old vines, many originating from the historic massal selection carried out by Michel’s grandfather. These vineyards preserve the traditional “Très Fin” Pinot Noir selection, highly prized in Burgundy for producing naturally loose, lightweight clusters with exceptionally small berries known locally as mirandes. These ancient genetic selections naturally deliver low yields and extraordinary concentration without sacrificing elegance or balance.
The viticultural philosophy is based on minimal intervention combined with rigorous early-season selection. At the beginning of the growing cycle, severe shoot thinning is carried out to naturally limit production. Afterwards, the vines are largely left untouched: leaves are not removed and bunches are not thinned, allowing each plant to find its own natural equilibrium throughout the season.
The same philosophy extends into the cellar, where the objective is never to shape the wine artificially but rather to preserve the purity of fruit and the unique identity of each vineyard. The resulting Pinot Noirs combine concentration with finesse, expressing the elegance and transparency that define the finest Burgundian wines.
Among the estate’s signature wines is the Savigny-lès-Beaune Village, sourced from three separate vineyard parcels outside the Premier Cru climats. It perfectly illustrates the character of the appellation, offering expressive aromas of red berries, delicate spices and floral notes, supported by silky tannins, generous texture and remarkable persistence.
Across the entire range, Domaine Ecard produces wines distinguished by purity, structure, elegance and exceptional ageing potential, qualities that have established Michel Ecard as one of the most respected artisan growers among Burgundy enthusiasts seeking authenticity over prestige.
