W.Saintot (William Saintot)

The Saintot family has been involved in Champagne viticulture since 1918, when Firmin Saintot settled in Avenay‑Val‑d'Or. In the following years the next generation expanded the property and its activities: William purchased the first parcels and also started a nursery. In the 1990s and 2000s management passed to Henri and Nathalie, with investments in the winery and pressing facilities; the younger generation, Morgann and Gwenn, later joined, strengthening the estate’s image and environmental focus.

The approach prioritizes soil care and minimal intervention: no herbicides or insecticides, limited use of copper, sulfur and plant-based products, fermentations with indigenous yeasts and parcel-by-parcel winemaking. The winery focuses on artisanal work, low doses and on producing wines that reflect the terroir rather than the winemaker's style.

The vineyard is located in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, with parcels mainly in Avenay‑Val‑d'Or, Mutigny and Bisseuil, all classified Premier Cru. Soils range from silty‑clay to marls and fragmented limestones; the estate also owns several plots in the Aube at Champignol‑lez‑Mondeville, which broaden the diversity of exposures and soils.

Certifications and practices: Haute Valeur Environnementale — certification issued on 10/10/2014; participation in Viticulture Durable en Champagne; partial conversion to organic agriculture underway.