The History of Maison Ex Nihilo
Ex Nihilo is a Burgundian micro-négociant founded by Morgane and Alban Desazars, based in Auxey-Duresses, in the heart of the Côte d'Or. Their project, summed up by the motto "following one's dreams beyond one's roots," is driven by the desire to craft wines in small quantities, through a parcel-by-parcel, confidential and artisanal approach.
What sets Ex Nihilo apart is its close relationship with raw material. The house buys grapes exclusively, and Alban himself tends part of the vines from which the cuvées are made. This hands-on involvement allows him to follow how each parcel evolves throughout the vintage, to better understand their soils and environment, while retaining full control over key decisions right through to vinification.
Viticulture and Vinification: The Philosophy of Ex Nihilo
At Ex Nihilo, vinification is intended to be minimally interventionist and tailored to the identity of each parcel. The grapes are hand-harvested in small crates, then handled with precision, favoring gravity flow. Fermentations start spontaneously through indigenous yeasts, while aging takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and oak barrels, depending on the characteristics of each cuvée. For the white wines, pressing is gradual and carried out at low pressure to ensure a steady, even flow of juice.
The Wines of Maison Ex Nihilo
Ex Nihilo offers a deliberately limited range that explores different terroirs of the Côte d'Or. Chardonnay holds a prominent place with Le Mont in Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Mainbey in Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, Les Monsnières in Côte de Beaune, and Porusot Dessus in Meursault 1er Cru.
The house also works with Pinot Noir through Le Petit Clos Rousseau, a Santenay 1er Cru made from 60-year-old vines. Through these different cuvées, Morgane and Alban seek to discover and express the many terroirs of Burgundy while retaining full control over the winemaking process.
