Aux Cras (1er Cru, Beaune)

The name Aux Cras derives from the medieval term 'crai,' meaning stony or limestone soil, a reference that captures the vineyard's character precisely. The Romans recognized the viticultural potential of this site, and the land has been cultivated for wine for centuries. Crucially, the vineyard is situated on the grounds of an old limestone quarry, which explains both its rocky subsoil and the impressive limestone walls that divide it into three distinct terraces. These walls are not merely structural; they reflect heat back onto the vines, accelerating ripening and contributing to the site's reputation for aromatic intensity.

Aux Cras lies at around 250 meters elevation with an east to south-east aspect, giving it good morning sun exposure across the growing season. The soils combine clay and limestone with an abundance of stones and rocky material, the direct legacy of the site's quarrying history. This stony profile drains well and stresses the vines appropriately, concentrating flavors and reinforcing the mineral quality for which wines from this lieu-dit are known. The limestone walls that separate the three terraces amplify warmth within each level, creating a microclimate that consistently delivers ripe fruit even in cooler vintages.

Both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are cultivated at Aux Cras, making it one of the appellations within Beaune Premier Cru that produces wines of both colors. The reds tend toward a firm, mineral style with stone fruit and floral notes, while the whites show citrus, stone fruit, and a distinctive chalky minerality derived directly from the limestone-rich soils. The early-ripening conditions created by sun reflection on the quarry walls mean that fruit can achieve good phenolic maturity without losing freshness, a balance that defines the better examples from this climat.

• Pinot Noir produces firm, mineral reds with stone fruit and floral character
• Chardonnay delivers citrus and stone fruit whites with chalky mineral tension
• Early ripening conditions preserve freshness alongside phenolic ripeness
• Stony soils contribute to textural grip and mineral precision in both colors

Several of Burgundy's most reputable houses work with fruit from Aux Cras. Louis Latour and Joseph Drouhin bring the resources of major négociant houses to the site, while Louis Jadot produces the wine under the Domaine Gagey label, reflecting their estate-grown holdings. Château de Chorey rounds out a producer list that spans both négociant and domaine-driven approaches. Together these producers represent a reliable cross-section of Beaune Premier Cru winemaking at a serious level.

• Louis Latour: major Beaune négociant with long ties to premier cru vineyards
• Louis Jadot (Domaine Gagey): estate label reflecting direct vineyard ownership
• Joseph Drouhin: respected négociant known for terroir-focused Burgundy production
• Château de Chorey: estate producer bringing a domaine perspective to the site