Olivier Bernstein is one of Burgundy’s most celebrated micro-négociants, a producer whose rise since his first vintage in 2007 has been nothing short of meteoric. Despite initially owning no vineyards, Bernstein has quickly earned a reputation that puts him on par with the Côte d’Or’s top estate names.
He has access to around 7 hectares of vineyards across Burgundy, controlling production from seven grands crus (Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Charmes-Chambertin, Mazis-Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Bonnes-Mares, Clos de Vougeot) and three premier crus (Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champeaux and Cazetiers, plus Chambolle-Musigny Les Lavrottes), plus a village-level Gevrey-Chambertin.
Though functioning under a négociant model, Olivier farms all vineyards himself — or leases them — ensuring that viticultural practices meet his exacting standards. His long-time collaborator Richard Séguin, a respected local vigneron, oversees operations alongside him.
Bernstein’s winemaking approach blends tradition with precision and innovation. His vines are predominantly old—between 40 to 80 years—providing concentration and depth. He employs whole-bunch fermentation (typically 60–80%) for aromatic complexity, paired with gentle extraction (cool maceration, light pump-overs, minimal punch-downs). Wines are aged in French oak, with cooper selection handled by Stéphane Chassin tailoring toast and wood origin (Jupilles for roundness; Fontainebleau for structure) to each cuvée. The final wines are bottled by hand, unfined and unfiltered.
Consistent acclaim from critics like Jancis Robinson and Allen Meadows underscores the quality: Bernstein’s wines are now among the most sought-after in Burgundy. His style is defined by textural elegance, structural clarity, and terroir transparency. In his own words, “I did not consider myself a négociant—I wanted to farm myself,” paying vine owners up-front and ensuring hands-on care.
Olivier Bernstein represents the new generation of Burgundy terroir-focused producers, where tiny quantities, exceptional old-vine sites, and uncompromising precision converge to create wines of rare intensity and elegance.