A third-generation vigneron, Bruno Clair is the grandson of Joseph Clair, founder of the historic Domaine Clair-Dau. By all rights, Bruno should have managed the estate, but sibling dissention led to the sale and/or long term lease of the vineyards. A winemaker by birth and by choice, Bruno founded his Domaine from scratch with a vineyard in Marsannay, a rented plot in Fixin, the “En La Rue de Vergy” parcel in Morey-St. Denis and the Dominode vineyard in Savigny-les-Beaune. Over the past 33 years, Domaine Bruno Clair has grown to encompass 56.83 acres, with holdings in Clos de Beze, Cazetiers, Clos St-Jacques, Vosne-Romanee, Clos du Fonteny and Chambolle-Musigny. In the 1990’s, additional vineyards were purchased in Corton-Charlemagne, Pernand-Vergelesses, Aloxe-Corton and Gevrey-Chambertin Petite Chapelle. Like his father Bernard, Bruno maintains a rigorous selection of the best pinot noir and chardonnay vines by cultivating those that produce small grapes with perfect ripeness and demonstrate good resistance to diseases and viruses. Bruno does not use chemical fertilizers, relying instead on plowings and harrowing of the soil throughout the year and compost. Grapes are hand-harvested and selection is carried out primarily in the vineyards. The wines mature for 16-22 months in oak barrels; the percentage of new oak barrels will vary from 20%- 50 %, based on the vintage. Bruno firmly believes in a non-interventionist approach. Says Clair, ”We are here to accompany the wines in their voyage, not impose our will.”