Beaune Premier Cru Les Perrières

Les Perrières sits at the northern end of the Beaune commune within the Côte de Beaune, occupying just 3.2 hectares of east-facing slope at elevations between 250 and 300 meters. This places it among the highest and most exposed Premier Cru sites in Beaune. Its position at the commune's northern boundary, combined with its altitude, results in a slightly cooler microclimate than many of its neighbors lower on the slope.

• Northern edge of the Beaune commune in the Côte de Beaune
• East-facing slope captures morning sun
• Elevation of 250 to 300 meters is notably high for the appellation
• One of 42 classified Premier Cru sites in Beaune

The vineyard takes its name directly from its geological history. 'Perrière' is the old French term for a limestone quarry, and Les Perrières was literally carved from this land. The soils are shallow and poor, composed of clay-limestone with a high proportion of stones and rocky material. Poor, well-drained soils are the classic precondition for quality in Burgundy, forcing vines to root deeply and produce concentrated, mineral-driven fruit rather than high yields of dilute berries.

• Clay-limestone base typical of the Côte de Beaune
• High stone content reflects former quarry activity on the site
• Shallow, poor soils restrict vigor and encourage deep rooting
• Geology directly informs the wine's characteristic mineral character

Les Perrières produces both red and white wine, with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay both planted and permitted under the appellation rules. The reds are structured and mineral-driven, reflecting the stony soils and cool elevation, with enough frame to reward several years of cellaring. The whites tend toward a floral and fruit-driven profile while maintaining the minerality that defines the site. Across both colors, the vineyard's signature is a taut, stony quality that sets it apart from richer, lower-elevation Beaune Premier Crus.

• Pinot Noir produces structured reds with mineral character
• Chardonnay yields floral, fruit-driven whites with stony tension
• Higher elevation contributes freshness and structure across both styles
• Mineral quality traced directly to the clay-limestone and stone-rich soils

The site's history as an active limestone quarry predates its viticultural life. The transformation of former quarry land into one of Beaune's most respected Premier Cru vineyards is a testament to the quality potential locked in the commune's rocky hillsides. The Hospices de Beaune, the charitable institution whose annual auction is one of the most famous events in the wine world, holds holdings here, lending Les Perrières additional prestige within the Beaune Premier Cru hierarchy. Louis Latour, Domaine de Montille, and Domaine de Bellene are among the other significant producers with a presence in the vineyard.