In 1982 Vincent Girardin took over his quarter share of his parents’ vineyards, mostly in Santenay, and gradually built into a sizeable domaine with close to 20 ha. He developed his business as a negociant and that gave him an advantage in able to obtain the best grapes from best-sited vineyards, plus his wine-making skills mean that the domaine can turn out consistently fine range of wines. The success from the merchant side also allows Vincent to purchase more vineyards.
In 2002 Vincent acquired a lease for 10 ha in Puligny, giving him the first grand crus in Batard, Bienvenues-Batard and Chevalier-Montrachet. He put in place biodynamic viticulture to revitalize the soils there to improve its quality. Vincent is also an astute producer, and he changed the portfolio of 80% red to 80% white to capture the growing demand for Cote de Beaune whites.
He also made changes in using significantly less new oak. In 1999/2000 he basically was using 100% new oak, but in 2007/2008 the premier crus and grand crus were using 25% and 35% new oak only. However, at the same time the ageing in barrel was extended, to 18 months for all premier and grand crus, providing a better richness and texture to the wines. 
The reds at all levels have an abundant soft silky fruit, and in good vintage the excellent natural ripeness of their Santenay is the best to be found, especially the Gravieres and Maladiere, with a good medium-term ageing potential. The whites include splendid ready-to-drink wines from Chalonnais to impressive and concentrated Cote de Beaune. The honeyed Abbaya de Morgeot and the leaner, finer Cailleret are exceptional. 
The success of Vincent Girardin over the past 15 years is one of the great stories in My collection:
- Santenay 1er Cru Clos de Tavannes 2006
- Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravieres 2007
- Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Le Cailleret 2007
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