A figurehead for Patrimonio, and one of the most charismatic Corsican winegrowers, Antoine Arena produces wines of extraordinary precision. He has managed the property since 1980 (which originally only consisted of three hectares of vines) and was joined by his sons Jean-Baptiste and Antoine-Marie in 2004. The vineyard now covers 11 hectares, with red (Nielluccio) and white grapes (Vermentino, Bianco Gentile and Muscat à Petits Grains for the sweet wines). No chemical fertilizers or herbicides are used; and in the winery, the most natural techniques possible are employed. The Arena''s philosophy, besides the careful observation and ploughing of the soil, is to bring out the best in their terroir; to accomplish this, a plot by plot approach is taken. The vineyard is managed according to biodynamic principles and has AB organic certification.

This Chassagne-Montrachet comes from a premier cru emblematic of the appellation, owing its name to its location on a sharp, dogtooth rock. There, Olivier Leflaive owns a surface of 6,400 square metres at varying altitudes (25 to 300 metres). The Chardonnay vines come from a particular terroir where the shallow soil is rich in chalk, clay, and pebbles. It is also influenced by classic, southern vegetation like almond trees, white oak, and box trees. The grapes ripen quite early, developing an expression of great finesse. The domain practices sustainable growing, manual harvests, and a delicate vinification that involves the direct pressing of whole bunches and a 15-month maturation in oak casks.
In the glass this is a wine with a golden hue and a bouquet that exudes elegant notes of honeysuckle and honey. Subtly persistent, it will pair nicely with delicate dishes like noble fish and crustaceans.