Les Grèves

Les Grèves sits within the Beaune Premier Cru appellation on the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy. At 31.3 hectares, it is the single largest climat among Beaune's 44 Premier Crus, giving it an outsized presence both physically and in terms of producer diversity. The vineyard faces east to east-southeast, capturing morning sun efficiently and benefiting from the temperate, mild climate of the Côte de Beaune. Elevation in key parcels sits around 260 meters, placing it comfortably within the sweet spot of Beaune's hillside vineyards.

• Largest Premier Cru in the Beaune appellation by area
• Located on the Côte de Beaune, Burgundy's southern slope region
• East to east-southeast aspect maximizes morning sun exposure
• Elevation of approximately 260 meters in notable parcels

The name Les Grèves is no accident. It comes directly from 'graviers,' the French word for the small, sandy stones that characterize the soil here. The profile is loose, gravelly, and almost sandy limestone with clay beneath, giving the wines excellent drainage and a pronounced mineral character. This combination of gravel, sand, and limestone encourages vines to root deeply, concentrating flavor and producing wines with both power and finesse. The soil structure also warms quickly in spring, supporting consistent ripening across this large vineyard.

• Gravelly, sandy limestone soils with clay subsoil
• Loose, well-draining structure promotes deep root development
• Soil composition directly reflected in the vineyard's name
• Rapid drainage and heat retention support reliable ripening

The most storied parcel within Les Grèves is the 3.9-hectare Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus, a monopole owned by Bouchard Père & Fils since 1791. Before the French Revolution, the vineyard belonged to Carmelite nuns. The name itself carries a remarkable legend: Sister Marguerite du Saint-Sacrément reportedly predicted the birth of the future King Louis XIV, and the vineyard's name honors that prophecy. When the revolutionary government seized religious properties across France, Bouchard acquired this parcel and has maintained it as a monopole ever since. Today it stands as one of the most recognizable single-vineyard wines produced within any Beaune Premier Cru.

• Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus covers 3.9 hectares within Les Grèves
• Formerly owned by Carmelite nuns before the French Revolution
• Name linked to Sister Marguerite du Saint-Sacrément's prediction about Louis XIV's birth
• Bouchard Père & Fils has held the monopole since 1791

Les Grèves produces predominantly red wine from Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay representing less than 1% of plantings. The wines are known for being full-bodied and powerful by Beaune standards, with a complexity that sets them apart from many of their appellation peers. Expect subtle red fruit, earthy undertones, floral lift, and a mineral backbone that reflects the gravelly soil. The large size of the vineyard means stylistic variation exists across producers, but the underlying terroir signature remains consistent. Leading producers include Bouchard Père & Fils, Joseph Drouhin, Michel Lafarge, Domaine de Montille, Le Grappin, and Château de Meursault.

• Pinot Noir dominates; Chardonnay plantings are under 1%
• Style tends toward full-bodied, powerful, and complex
• Characteristic notes of red fruit, earth, florals, and minerals
• Multiple top producers ensure diverse interpretations of the terroir