The Burgundy vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage site and the spiritual home of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Cote d'Or stretches 50 kilometres from Dijon south to Santenay, passing through legendary villages: Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. Each village produces wines of remarkable individuality, shaped by the subtle variations in soil, slope and exposure that Burgundians call climat. Walking or cycling the vineyard paths between these villages is one of the great pleasures of wine travel.
Cellar Visits in Beaune and Beyond
The town of Beaune is the wine capital of Burgundy and an ideal base for exploration. The Hospices de Beaune — a spectacular 15th-century charitable hospital — hosts France's most famous wine auction every November, drawing buyers from around the world. Many small domaines in the surrounding villages open their cellars to visitors by appointment. Expect to descend into cool, low-ceilinged caves lined with oak barrels, tasting wines directly from cask before they are bottled. Domaine visits here tend to be intimate and unhurried.
Planning Your Burgundy Wine Visit
September brings harvest excitement to the Cote d'Or, but May and June are arguably the best months for peaceful vineyard walks and uncrowded cellar appointments. Dijon makes an excellent arrival point, with excellent train connections. Cycling is the local favourite for exploring the Route des Grands Crus — a dedicated wine route linking the finest appellations. Budget for a range of wines: Bourgogne Rouge offers great value, while a Premier Cru or Grand Cru tasting is a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth the investment.
