Les Petites Fairendes

Les Petites Fairendes sits within the premier cru hierarchy of Chassagne-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune. It is part of the larger Morgeot and La Boudriotte complex, a cluster of premier cru lieux-dits in the southern reaches of the appellation. Producers have the flexibility to label wines under the climat's own name or under the broader umbrella appellations of Morgeot or La Boudriotte, both of which are recognized premier cru designations. This labeling flexibility is a practical reality across many Chassagne premier crus and can make vineyard identification challenging for students and collectors alike.

• Appellation: Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru
• Umbrella options: Morgeot or La Boudriotte
• Côte de Beaune, southern Burgundy
• Continental climate: warm, dry summers and cool winters

The vineyard occupies a southeast-facing slope between approximately 220 and 325 metres elevation. The higher positioning within the Fairendes complex means greater limestone content, which promotes drainage and encourages the mineral character associated with Chassagne white wines. Soils are a combination of limestone-dominant parent material with marl and clay, and shallow red clay soils over limestone bedrock are present throughout. This soil profile supports both varieties, though the limestone emphasis at altitude gives Chardonnay a particularly strong foothold.

• Southeast aspect maximizes afternoon sun exposure
• Limestone bedrock with marl and clay overlayers
• Shallow red clay soils in sections
• Higher elevation than Les Grandes Fairendes, favoring white wine character

Both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are planted in Les Petites Fairendes, giving the climat a dual identity. Whites show minerality, citrus, and floral notes typical of Chassagne's limestone-driven sites. The reds are described as powerful and structured, reflecting the influence of clay soils and the warmer lower sections of the slope. Chassagne-Montrachet is better known for white wine production overall, but the commune produces a notable volume of red premier cru as well, and Les Petites Fairendes contributes to both traditions.

• Whites: mineral, citrus, floral; driven by limestone influence
• Reds: powerful and structured; clay soils add weight and grip
• Both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir permitted under premier cru rules
• Chassagne premier crus may also be sold under Burgundy regional appellations

Several respected Chassagne-Montrachet domaines work vineyards in and around Les Petites Fairendes. Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay and Domaine Morey-Coffinet are among the family estates with deep roots in the commune and holdings across the Fairendes area. Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot, Domaine Benoît Moreau, and Domaine Vincent and François Jouard round out a producer list that spans traditional and contemporary winemaking approaches. Given that wines may be labeled under Morgeot or La Boudriotte rather than the climat name, tracking specific Les Petites Fairendes bottlings requires attention to back label information.

• Domaine Coffinet-Duvernay
• Domaine Morey-Coffinet
• Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot
• Domaine Benoît Moreau
• Domaine Vincent and François Jouard