Barging in France: Canal du Centre

Visit the Jean Baptiste Jessiaume Santenay wine estate on your Burgundy barge charter with French Hotel Barge Finesse. Heritage, innovation, and the timeless art of winemaking shape the story of every bottle here, which Finesse guests are invited to savor in every sip.

French Hotel Barge Finesse

Learn about the estate

The luxurious hotel barge Finesse enjoys the unique privilege of mooring just steps away from the domaine. A leisurely walk or scenic bicycle ride leads to the estate, where a memorable two-hour experience begins.

In the heart of Burgundy, the historic Jean Baptiste Jessiaume wine estate proudly stands as a testament to nearly two centuries of winemaking excellence. The Jessiaume family has lovingly tended this cherished estate, which spans nine hectares of prime vineyard land, since 1830. Sixth-generation steward Jean Baptiste honors his legacy through tradition and innovation.

The crew aboard Finesse welcomes guests with a guided tour through the vines of Clos sur Santenay, a picturesque section of the vineyard located a short drive from the winery. Discover how they cultivate the perfect wine grapes, from vine to soil.

The excursion continues in the domaine’s remarkable cellars, where a member of the Jessiaume family will host an intimate tasting of six exquisite wines – three whites and three reds. The inclusion of Burgundy’s iconic cheese-infused choux pastry (gougères) elevates this tasting and perfectly complements the wines’ nuanced flavors.

Photo: Jean Baptiste Jessiaume

Relying entirely on nature rather than chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides, Jean Baptiste Jessiaume crafts its wines biodynamically. The use of Joel Sternheimer’s innovative protéodies method is what sets this estate apart.

This groundbreaking technique, developed in the field of agrobiology, involves the application of specific sound frequenciesThese sound waves create resilient vines and enhance the wine’s flavor by targeting key growth stages. The result is a product that not only reflects the terroir but also embodies a profound respect for the very roots of the natural world.

Exploring the Santenay Wine Region

Santenay is a truly picturesque village, located in the south of the Côte d’Or of Burgundy. It’s nestled in a valley at the foot of the mountain of the Three Crosses. It even boasts a medieval castle complete with two massive Plane trees, said to be the oldest in France. And, wherever you look around the village you are surrounded by vines. The famous Sorine windmill, built in the early 1800s, stands like a Burgundian lighthouse overlooking those vines.

Photo: Vecteezy – Andres Ramos

Granted AOC status in 1937, the wines of Santenay are made up of 90% Pinot Noir grapes for the reds and the rest in Chardonnay for its white. The Pinot Noir from this area gives hints of red fruits and a top note of liquorice. It is supple yet intense in flavor. The Chardonnays are fresh, with floral notes and hints of hazelnut.

What also makes Santenay unique is its thermal waters. The village is pre-Roman in origins, and it is believed that it was the waters that attracted the Romans to the area. The waters have incredibly high salt content and play an integral part in adding to the diverse terroir of the area. This manifests most notably in a rich salinity of the whites. Making this 10% of Santenay wines truly unique. Worth taking note of as you taste the wines at Jean Baptiste Jessiaume.

Learn more about the Canal du Centre:

• The Canal du Centre: An Overview
• The Canal du Centre: Towns & Villages
• The Canal du Centre: Best Places to Visit

French Hotel Barges Cruising the Canal du Centre

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