If you were making a list of the world’s greatest wineries, and another of the finest wineries in Burgundy, you’d find a lot of overlap. This quaint corner of eastern France is synonymous with sublime wine, and rightfully so. The diverse terroir and continental climate has given the world two of its most celebrated grape varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Centuries ago, Burgundy defined and developed that bond between place and wine. That still resonates today, resulting in wonderful wine – wine that is transcendent to the taste, and spiritual for the senses. But with so many options, where do you start? Here is our guide to the best wineries in Burgundy.
“Great weekend spent in Burgundy, expertly organised by Grape Escapes. Program ran like clockwork, and Chateaux visited were friendly and welcoming, offering a broad selection of their wines to taste. Accommodation, transport and lunches were all excellent, hard to find any faults at all.” (Ian, Google Review)
The Best Burgundy Wineries – The Exclusive
In this most prestigious region of the wine world – the Côte de Nuits – lie some of the most celebrated wineries on the planet, many of which rarely open their doors to visitors. These estates guard their secrets closely, but we can take a peek behind the curtain.
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is the jewel of Burgundy, and possibly the most revered winery in the world. As such, visiting is virtually impossible. The production is limited and the family run estate is highly private, reserved for long term trade partners.
- Clos de Tart is equally legendary. Founded in 1141, this is one of the oldest vineyards in the world still producing wine today. As with DRC, opportunities to visit are exceedingly rare.
- Though it cannot claim the same longevity, Meo Camuzet is every bit as enchanting as its contemporaries. Since the 1980s, its vineyards have been shaped into a world class domaine that values modernity, but remains deeply rooted in the authenticity Burgundy is renowned for.
These historic vineyards represent the best of the best. Wineries so revered they have become almost mythical. Of course, as you may expect from the best of the best, these vineyards are both exclusive and reclusive. It is rare that anyone beyond close friends and business partners are allowed inside – but thankfully, they are not the only great wineries in Burgundy.
The Best Burgundy Wineries – The Luxurious
Through a bespoke Grape Escapes tour, you can experience the exquisite grand crus in private, age-old cellars – a celebration of quality craftsmanship and an experience that speaks to your soul.
- Jean Féry et Fils is a famed family-run estate, dedicated to a biodynamic viticulture approach. There are wines with character and an elegant finesse that embodies the essence of Burgundy.
- Vincent Girardin represents true technical mastery. A domaine renowned worldwide for its technical precision and modern finesse, these hand-harvested and heavily extracted wines let the soil speak. You’ll like what they have to say – aromas of white flowers and a textured palate that lingers with confidence.
- By contrast, the Grand Cru appellation at Clos des Lambrays is defined by a consistent and unified viticulture. The 8.8 hectares is a near monopole, nearly unheard of in Burgundy, granting the wine a harmonious elegance and muscle achieved through its intimate terroir. Walk alongside the ancient stone walls and you can sense the slight slope beneath your feet – that’s where the wine draws its precision and poise.
- Domaine Mugnier is a family-run estate, and that intimacy comes through in every glass of its Grand Cru. The taste is precise and patient, the finesse of the vine preserved as much as possible. The result is a wine of quiet confidence, with an aroma of cherry and spice that lingers with grace.
These exceptional wineries are thankfully more accessible to private visits. However, they do sit at the luxury end of the spectrum and the price for a full day wine tour with visits and tastings at these level of estates costing typically between £5,000 and £10,000 for the day.
With a Grape Escapes bespoke wine tour, you can combine the authenticity of Burgundy’s best wineries with expert guides and exquisite dining experiences. We take care of accommodation and travel too, ensuring you can fully indulge in the experience.
The Best Burgundy Wineries – The Classics
This handpicked selection of some of the larger estates offers all the wonders of Burgundy’s finest wineries, within vineyards that are more accustomed to welcoming visitors.
- Château de Meursault is also built upon 12th century monastic cellars, which visitors can explore through guided tours. Renowned for its exquisite white wines, it stands out as one of the best burgundy wineries.
- Château de Pommard offers a journey through history via bold red wines. Founded in 1726, this 20-hectare walled vineyard was the passion project of Louis XV’s secretary. The Pinot Noir here is deeply rooted in both historical significance and the clay-limestone soil, resulting in tannic, elegant wines.
- Caves Patriarche is an iconic maison that has been producing and perfecting its wine over more than two centuries. A walk through the vast cellars and a taste of the exquisite appellation and it’s impossible to not be swept up in the sense of history.
- Domaine Olivier Leflaive is much younger than the previous three producers, dating back just over 40 years. Based in the prestigious village of Puligny Montrachet, they have a strong emphasis on sustainable vineyard management and a focus on the white wines of the region with a range of wines from the affordable to the truly spectacular.
The wineries listed here offer a polished experience, and are well worth visiting. These particular estates are more commonly known, and as such, tend to be more commercially minded. Still important, but a touch less intimate than many of the smaller or hidden away domaines that are also widely visited and loved on Grape Escapes tours.
With our unrivalled expertise and strong bonds with the chateaux of the region, we at Grape Escapes can tailor your trip to what you desire, ensuring your journey is nothing less than luxurious.
“We had a brilliant tour of Burgundy wineries, thanks to Grape Escapes. They took care of everything – booking us a fabulous hotel in Beaune, a friendly and knowledgeable driver for the day, and of course three fantastic tastings. Rachel was really helpful throughout and nothing seemed too much trouble. It was everything we’d hoped and a proper treat. Next time we’ll be booking for longer!” (Sarah, Google Review)
Best Burgundy Wineries: Book With Grape Escapes
The best way to experience Burgundy’s best wineries, including some of the less well known, hidden gems is through an exclusive tailor-made tour. Organised by experts with access to wineries that many operators never reach, we at Grape Escapes can take you beyond the typical.
We have a curated collection of tours – self-driving tours, walking and wine tasting tours, elegant extended stays – each designed to help you uncover the very best wineries in Burgundy.
These vineyards are undeniably exclusive, but that’s the brilliance of booking with Grape Escapes: we have the contacts and the insider knowledge to take you to tastings unmatched anywhere else in the world.
From accommodation and travel to pairing historic vineyards with ideal dining experiences and recommending activities in the local area, everything will be arranged for you. Contact us today – your unforgettable journey through the best wineries in Burgundy begins here.
