Aux Serpentières

Aux Serpentières sits within the commune of Savigny-lès-Beaune on the Côte de Beaune, one of Burgundy's two principal sub-regions. The vineyard occupies a south-facing slope at 260 to 270 meters elevation, a positioning that provides reliable sun exposure in what is otherwise a cool continental climate. The site is also known under the alternate names Les Serpentières and Serpentières, though Aux Serpentières is the official designation.

• Commune: Savigny-lès-Beaune, Côte de Beaune
• Elevation: 260 to 270 meters
• Aspect: South-facing for optimal ripening
• Climate: Cool continental

The soils at Aux Serpentières combine sandy, brown earth with marl and a limestone-rich subsoil, a combination typical of the better premier cru sites in Savigny-lès-Beaune. The sandy component promotes drainage and keeps vine stress in check during wet periods, while the marl and limestone contribute to the mineral character that distinguishes the wine. Only Pinot Noir is grown here, as is standard for the red premier crus of the Côte de Beaune.

• Sandy brown topsoil with marl components
• Limestone-rich subsoil contributing mineral complexity
• Exclusive cultivation of Pinot Noir
• South-facing slope aids consistent ripening

The vineyard was first planted in the 1930s by Paul Lebreuil, establishing a relatively modern foundation compared to some of Burgundy's ancient sites. Domaine Pierre Guillemot has been bottling wine from Aux Serpentières continuously for 79 years as of 2023, making it one of the defining estates for the appellation. The vineyard has earned recognition as one of the most highly acclaimed premier cru labels in Savigny-lès-Beaune, attracting interest from producers across the region.

• First planted in the 1930s by Paul Lebreuil
• Domaine Pierre Guillemot has bottled the site for 79 consecutive years as of 2023
• Considered among the top premier cru sites in Savigny-lès-Beaune
• Multiple prominent négociants and domaines hold parcels here

Aux Serpentières produces medium to full-bodied red wines with generous, delicate fruit and a structured tannic backbone. The south-facing exposure and limestone-rich soils combine to deliver wines with notable aromatic complexity, including red berries, cherry, spice, and a distinctive mineral thread. The wines balance richness with elegance, a characteristic often cited as the hallmark of Savigny premier crus at their best.

• Body: Medium to full with structured tannins
• Aromas: Red berry, cherry, spice, mineral notes
• Style: Elegant with good aging potential
• Typicity: Reflects the limestone-marl terroir of the site

A strong roster of producers holds parcels in Aux Serpentières, spanning small family domaines and established négociants. Domaine Pierre Guillemot is the benchmark name given its uninterrupted bottling history. Other significant producers include Domaine de Montille, Domaine Dujac, Maison Joseph Drouhin, Domaine Patrick Javillier, Domaine Michel and Joanna Ecard, Domaine François Gay and Fils, Moillard, Patriarche Père and Fils, Domaine Giboulot Jean-Michel, Domaine du Bois Noël, and Les Terres de Philéandre from David Duband.

• Domaine Pierre Guillemot: benchmark producer with 79-year bottling history
• Domaine de Montille and Domaine Dujac: prestigious domaine representation
• Maison Joseph Drouhin: major négociant presence
• David Duband (Les Terres de Philéandre): newer but acclaimed producer