Les Lurets

Les Lurets sits within the commune of Volnay on the Côte de Beaune, carrying the prestigious Volnay Premier Cru classification. The vineyard occupies elevations between 230 and 280 meters, placing it in a band typical of Volnay's finest sites. The predominantly eastern and southeastern aspect ensures good morning sun exposure while the altitude helps preserve freshness and aromatic complexity in the finished wines.

• Parent appellation: Volnay Premier Cru, Côte de Beaune
• Elevation: 230 to 280 meters
• Aspect: Eastern and southeastern
• Cool continental climate governs the growing season

The soils of Les Lurets reflect the geological character common to Volnay's premier crus: limestone-rich, stony, and well-drained. Clay-limestone loam and chalk underpin the profile, providing structure while contributing to the mineral tension that defines the appellation. The stony surface promotes drainage and restricts vine vigor, concentrating fruit character and preserving the delicacy for which Volnay is celebrated. This combination of limestone and chalk is a key factor in the vineyard's capacity to produce wines of refinement rather than power.

• Limestone-rich soils with stony character
• Clay-limestone loam provides structure and drainage
• Chalk contributes to mineral tension in the wine
• Well-drained soils restrict vine vigor and concentrate flavors

Les Lurets carries one of Burgundy's more unusual historical footnotes. During the 18th century, excavations beneath the vineyard uncovered a skeleton wearing a golden helmet, a find that points to the deep human history of these Côte de Beaune hillsides long before viticulture took hold. The discovery adds a layer of intrigue to a parcel already distinguished by its terroir, and it serves as a reminder that Burgundy's vineyard landscape has been shaped by centuries of human occupation and activity.

• 18th-century discovery of a skeleton wearing a golden helmet beneath the parcel
• The find highlights the ancient human history of the Côte de Beaune hillsides
• Burgundy's vineyard history predates the classification system by many centuries

Les Lurets produces exclusively Pinot Noir, the only grape permitted under Volnay's appellation rules. The wines are characteristic of Volnay's house style: light to medium-bodied, with silky tannins, elevated perfume, and a delicacy that distinguishes the commune from its neighbors on the Côte de Beaune. Several respected producers hold parcels here. Dominique Lafon, one of Burgundy's most admired estates, brings his meticulous approach to the site. Frédéric Cossard and Domaine de Chassorney represent the natural wine movement's presence in the appellation. Camille Giroud, Mathieu Laboureau, and Hubert Verdereau round out a producer list that spans traditional and progressive winemaking styles.

• Dominique Lafon: benchmark traditional producer with strong Volnay holdings
• Frédéric Cossard and Domaine de Chassorney: natural wine producers with parcels in Lurets
• Camille Giroud, Mathieu Laboureau, and Hubert Verdereau also produce from this site
• All wines are 100% Pinot Noir by appellation regulation