Maison A&S

The History of Maison A&S

The Maison A&S story began in 2018, when two passionate young Burgundians with complementary skills, Pierre-Alexandre Soltana and Alexandre Aires, joined forces. Both honed their skills at leading estates in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. Alexandre began his wine career with the 2009 harvest. In 2011, he became assistant cellar master at Domaine de Bellene, run by Nicolas Potel, where he spent eight years while also completing winemaking internships in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the United States. Today, he is cellar master at Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair. Pierre-Alexandre holds the coveted position of vineyard manager at the prestigious Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Meursault.

The duo aims to oversee every stage, from vineyard to sales, with a focus on exceptional quality. Their first three vintages—2018, 2019 and 2020—were made in a rented 17th-century vaulted cellar in Chagny. In 2021, Maison A&S took a decisive step forward by acquiring a winery and land in Nantoux, in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Its first pinot noir plot in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune followed in 2022, then a plot in the Pommard village appellation in 2023. Spring 2024 also brought the first planting around the winery, in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune AOC, marking a gradual transition from négociant-winemaker to a fully fledged estate.

The Terroirs and Vineyards of Maison A&S

Maison A&S is now active across the Côte de Beaune, with a firm base in Nantoux, a charming village in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Its own vineyards cover nearly one hectare across the Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Pommard, a growing holding that the house continues to expand. For the remainder of its grapes, the two friends buy from growers who farm organically, favoring the same plots year after year and building genuine relationships of trust with their owners.

The clay-limestone soils of the Côte de Beaune, with their varied exposures, provide ideal conditions for pinot noir and chardonnay. Old vines, particularly those planted in 1960 at Mandelot for the Hautes Côtes de Beaune red, attest to the house’s commitment to characterful grapes from patiently selected plots. Vineyard work is rigorous and attentive to the soils and vines, with a firm commitment to organic practices.

Winemaking at Maison A&S

At its Nantoux winery, Maison A&S has invested in premium winemaking equipment designed to preserve the integrity of the grapes: wooden and stainless steel vats, a destemmer, a vibrating table, a sorting conveyor belt and a mechanical horizontal press with an open oak cage. The grapes are sorted with meticulous care on arrival and destemmed or left whole depending on the vintage and the desired style.

Winemaking takes place without added inputs, using indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes. Foot treading and gentle extraction preserve the wines’ fruit, freshness and easy-drinking character. Aging is slow and careful, in oak barrels with very little new oak, aiming to support the wine without leaving a pronounced oak imprint. Bottling follows at least a year of aging, with minimal sulfur additions, sometimes only at bottling. This small-batch approach yields balanced, fine and delicate whites, and vibrant, juicy reds defined by pure red and black fruit and the elegance of pinot noir.

Maison A&S Cuvées

Bourgogne Aligoté: a tribute to a grape long underestimated, this Bourgogne Aligoté from Maison A&S reveals the variety’s rediscovered nobility. Aromas of citrus, white flowers and green apple lead to a mouthwatering palate with vibrant minerality and a long finish. A refreshing white wine made for the table, it perfectly reflects the house’s expertise.

Bourgogne Chardonnay: this white Burgundy opens with inviting aromas of white fruit, pear, sweet apple and fresh almond, with delicate hints of vanilla. Fresh and rounded on the palate, it offers a rich texture that coats the mouth, seamlessly integrated oak and fine acidity that brings everything together. A balanced, refined wine for an aperitif or a meal.

Bourgogne Chardonnay Le Fourneau Sud: a single-plot selection from a specific lieu-dit, this cuvée takes the expression of chardonnay further. It stands out for its denser texture, precise mineral character and long finish, with toasted notes and a touch of butter that speak to its careful aging.

Hautes Côtes de Beaune white: made from chardonnay grown on the heights of the Côte de Beaune, this white reveals delicate aromas of white flowers, citrus and flint. Freshness, vibrancy and finesse come together on the palate in a delicate, elegant and particularly easy-drinking style.

Hautes Côtes de Beaune red: made from vines planted in 1960 at the Mandelot lieu-dit, this cuvée captivates with its remarkably clear color and expressive aromas of raspberry and tart red berries. Light, fresh and lively on the palate, with gentle tannins, it perfectly reflects the house’s pure, vibrant and easy-drinking style.

Maranges red: a village-level cuvée from the Maranges appellation at the southernmost end of the Côte de Beaune. More generous in character, it offers aromas of dark fruit (cherry and blackberry), forest floor and sweet spice. A structured yet supple palate makes it an excellent match for hearty food.

Pommard village: a new cuvée from the estate’s own vineyards following its acquisition of a plot in 2023, this Pommard expresses the appellation’s restrained power and noble structure. Deep in color, it has an intense nose of fleshy dark fruit, licorice and spice, and a dense, structured palate with supple tannins and a persistent finish built for aging.