Aux Coucherias

Aux Coucherias occupies the upper part of the Beaune slope in the Combe, positioned west of the town of Beaune and directly below the climat Les Monsnières. The vineyard rises between 220 and 300 metres, making it one of the higher-elevation sites among Beaune's Premier Crus. Its position in the Combe gives it a distinctive microclimate shaped by the natural topography of this side valley. The steep gradient of the slope encourages good drainage and concentrates heat absorption during the growing season.

• Sits in the Combe west of Beaune, above the main slope corridor
• Bordered above by Les Monsnières
• Steep slope gradient promotes drainage and ripeness
• Elevation range of 220 to 300 metres is notably high for Beaune Premier Cru

The west to southwest facing aspect is central to understanding both the vineyard's name and its wine character. 'Coucherias' derives directly from this orientation toward the setting sun, a linguistic nod to the French word for sunset or lying down toward the west. The soils are a combination of clay and limestone, with reddish clayey material prominent through much of the site. This clay-dominant profile retains moisture well and contributes to the generosity and fruit weight that characterises wines from this climat. The limestone component provides structure and minerality, balancing the richness the clay soils bring.

• West to southwest aspect captures afternoon sun, aiding phenolic ripeness
• Name derives from the French for westward sunset exposure
• Reddish clay soils contribute fruit generosity and mid-palate weight
• Limestone component underpins structure and mineral tension

The vineyard was planted in the 1960s, making it relatively young by Burgundian standards, though the site itself was included in the original Beaune AOC classification of 1936 as a Premier Cru. This classification remains in force today under the Beaune Premier Cru appellation. The climate appears under three recognised names in various producer labels and records: Aux Coucherias, Clos des Coucherias, and Aux Coucherais. The continental climate of the Côte de Beaune, with its warm summers and cold winters, defines the vintage-driven character that students of Burgundy need to understand when assessing wines from this appellation.

• Classified Premier Cru in 1936 with the establishment of the Beaune AOC
• Vines planted from the 1960s onward
• Three recognised name variants appear across producer labels
• Continental climate shapes vintage variation and phenolic development

Pinot Noir from Aux Coucherias produces red wines of generous fruit character, with cherry and liquorice notes as defining aromatic markers. The wines are described as elegant and refined, with fine tannins reflecting both the clay-limestone terroir and the west-facing aspect that allows gradual, even ripening. Notable producers working this climat include Domaine Boris Champy, Domaine Pierre Labet, Domaine Joseph Voillot, Domaine Machard de Gramont, and Guillemard-Clerc. The combination of site elevation, clay-rich soils, and afternoon sun exposure produces wines that sit comfortably within Beaune's reputation for approachable, fruit-forward Premier Cru Pinot Noir with genuine aging potential.

• Aromatic profile centres on cherry and liquorice
• Fine tannins and elegant structure are hallmarks of the style
• Five notable producers with established track records at this climat
• Aging potential supported by limestone-derived structure