Pinault family completes winery renovations at historic Clos de Tart estate

The Pinault family has concluded an extensive revitalization of the historic Clos de Tart estate in Morey-Saint-Denis, marking a new chapter for one of Burgundy’s most storied properties. Since acquiring the 7.53-hectare monopole in April 2018 through the holding company Artémis Domaines, the new owners have undertaken a methodical re-evaluation of the estate’s viticulture and production facilities. The renovations, overseen by interior architect Bruno Moinard, emphasize a departure from the traditional, austere cellar aesthetic, introducing an upper-floor tasting room that offers a direct visual connection to the vineyard slopes.

This transition follows nearly nine centuries of history, during which the vineyard remained an unbroken parcel — a rarity in a region often defined by fragmented land ownership. Founded by Cistercian nuns in 1141, the estate was managed by the Mommessin family from 1932 until the 2018 sale. The acquisition by the Pinault family — who also hold interests in Château Latour and Christie’s, intensified the presence of luxury conglomerates in the Côte de Nuits. The completion of the works was marked by a concert featuring an octet of musicians drawn from the Berlin Philharmonic and leading French orchestras, signaling the family's intention to integrate the estate into their broader portfolio of cultural and luxury assets.

Related imagery

Modernizing Traditional Winemaking

Under the guidance of Artémis Domaines CEO Frédéric Engerer and estate director Alessandro Noli, the winemaking philosophy at Clos de Tart has shifted to prioritize finesse over power. The team has implemented several tactical changes to preserve the expression of the site’s unique limestone-rich terroir:

• Precision Vatting: The winery now utilizes a range of vat sizes, from 20 to 40 hectoliters, allowing for the separate vinification of specific vineyard plots.
• Reduced Extraction: The team has opted to keep caps wet and humid while avoiding aggressive extraction methods, aiming to minimize excessive tannins.
• Oak Management: The reliance on new oak has been systematically reduced from the previous standard of 100 percent to approximately 60 percent for the Grand Vin.
• Whole Cluster Research: In collaboration with the University of Bordeaux, the estate is testing the impact of stem inclusion, reaching 52 percent for the 2022 Grand Vin.

The renovation also includes a change in the estate’s classification hierarchy. The Pinault-led team has introduced a third wine, a Village AC bottling, to utilize grapes from younger vines. This ensures that the primary Grand Vin is reserved exclusively for the most mature and balanced fruit. Furthermore, the estate has lowered yields, recorded at 28 hectoliters per hectare in 2022 and 35 in 2023, to focus on quality over volume.

Despite the high-profile nature of the investment, Artémis Domaines has indicated a desire for further growth. Engerer has noted that the firm’s current portfolio is concentrated on red wines in Burgundy and white wines in the Rhône.

"In Burgundy, we are so happy to be here in Clos de Tart, but we have only red wine with both Burgundy estates, so rebalancing the two colours a bit would be amazing."

Frédéric Engerer, CEO of Artémis Domaines, via Lux Magazine

As they refine their understanding of the distinct plots, noting that the northern side offers more complexity while the south provides more structure, the team continues to monitor how these elements contribute to the final blend.

What to Watch Next