Vougeot is a charming little village that combines the beauty of its architectural heritage with the richness of its winemaking traditions. It is located on the Route des Grands Crus, which runs through some of the most prestigious vineyards in Burgundy, offering stunning landscapes and numerous wine tasting opportunities.
Vougeot is renowned for its wines, particularly the Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot, which has earned it widespread fame and occupies three-quarters of its vineyard area. The village designates only around fifteen hectares under the communal appellation, nearly 12 of which are classified as Premier Cru. No fewer than 85 owners share the 50 hectares of Grand Cru and maintain the walls of this iconic clos. The vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir, which imparts great complexity and rich aromatic character to its wines.
Its red wines, with their deep color, elegance, notes of red fruits and spices, and well-structured tannins, are reminiscent of those from neighboring Chambolle-Musigny. It is also worth mentioning the Chardonnay-based wine from Clos Blanc, a 2-hectare Premier Cru monopole owned by Domaine de la Vougeraie. Located just outside the Clos de Vougeot, on its northern edge, this white wine may surprise some, although it should be noted that the famed Clos itself was co-planted with white grape varieties (Chardonnay and Pinot Beurot) until the early 20th century. The white wines under the Vougeot village appellation are known for their precision, purity, finesse, and subtle fragrance.
The village’s charm is further enhanced by its picturesque lanes lined with stone houses and historic buildings, such as the ancient wheeled wine press and the lovely old washhouse. One cannot speak of Vougeot without mentioning its château, rising from the heart of the vineyards. Built in the Renaissance style, it once served as a residence for the abbots of Cîteaux and stands in the upper part of the Clos. Its construction was completed in 1551 under the abbacy of Dom Loisier. The elegant building retains several Romanesque elements: a 12th-century cellar and a remarkable 13th-century vat house with roofs that nearly touch the ground and four massive medieval wine presses at each corner.
The French Revolution ended the monastic management of the estate, gradually plunging the château into neglect. It was the wealth and commitment of two men — banker Gabriel-Julien Ouvrard and wine merchant Léonce Bocquet — that saved this gem from complete abandonment.
Restored at the end of the 19th century, it has belonged since 1944 to the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, which holds its ceremonial gatherings—known as “chapters”—there. One of the most famous takes place on the first day of the “Trois Glorieuses,” during the Hospices de Beaune wine auction, and traditionally concludes with a lavish, Rabelaisian-style banquet that draws gourmets from around the world and contributes to the site’s renowned reputation.
Classified as a historic monument in 1949, the château is now the headquarters of the Climats of the Burgundy vineyard, which were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list on July 4, 2015. A true symbol of French conviviality, the château hosts numerous events throughout the year, notably the unmissable festival Musique et Vin au Clos Vougeot, which for the past seventeen years has brought together internationally acclaimed musicians and some of the region’s finest wine estates.
Gastronomy is also celebrated here, particularly through the World Championship of the Œuf en Meurette, a classic Burgundian dish.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a wine lover, Vougeot—this emblematic heart of Burgundy’s wine country—offers a unique and unforgettable experience.
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