Pitures-Dessus
pee-TOOR deh-SÜ
One of Volnay's highest and steepest Premier Cru sites, delivering ethereal Pinot Noir from white marl soils at the village's northern edge.
Pitures-Dessus is a 4.1-hectare Volnay Premier Cru situated at 325 meters on steep, east-facing slopes just north of the village. White marl soils and high elevation produce Pinot Noir of notable elegance, fresh acidity, and floral lift. The designation also covers fruit from a portion of the adjacent Chanlins vineyard that extends into Pommard.
- Total area: 4.1 hectares (10.1 acres)
- Elevation: 325 meters (1,060 feet), among the highest in Volnay
- Aspect: East-facing, mid-slope position
- Soils: White marls
- Classification: Volnay Premier Cru
- Only grape permitted: Pinot Noir
- Also marketed as 'Les Pitures'; designation covers part of neighboring Chanlins crossing into Pommard
Location and Setting
Pitures-Dessus sits immediately north of Volnay village on the Côte de Beaune, positioned at 325 meters above sea level. This places it among the most elevated and steepest of all Volnay Premier Cru sites. The vineyard faces east and occupies a mid-slope position, characteristics that contribute to its particular expression of freshness and delicacy. The designation also applies to fruit sourced from a section of the neighboring Chanlins vineyard, which straddles the communal boundary between Volnay and Pommard.
- Located north of Volnay village on the Côte de Beaune
- One of the steepest and most elevated Volnay Premier Cru sites
- East-facing orientation at mid-slope
- Shares a designation with part of the Chanlins vineyard in Pommard
Soils and Climate
The vineyard's white marls are a defining feature of the terroir, providing excellent drainage on the steep gradient and contributing to the site's characteristic mineral tension. Burgundy's continental climate governs the growing season, with warm summers and cold winters, and the elevated position at Pitures-Dessus moderates temperatures relative to lower-lying sites. This combination of altitude, marl soils, and east-facing exposure fosters the bright acidity and aromatic finesse for which the site is known.
- White marl soils provide structure and drainage
- Continental climate with warm summers and cold winters
- Elevation moderates ripening, preserving acidity and freshness
- Steep gradient amplifies drainage and sun exposure
Wine Style
Pitures-Dessus produces exclusively Pinot Noir, as is standard across the Volnay appellation. The wines are light to medium-bodied and sit firmly in the classic Volnay mold of elegance over power. Expect earthy and floral aromatics, bright red fruit, and fresh acidity, with the elevation and marl soils contributing a mineral edge that sets these wines apart from lower-altitude Premier Crus. The vineyard may also appear on labels as Les Pitures.
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Light to medium body with fresh acidity
- Floral and earthy aromatic profile
- Mineral tension from white marl soils
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Open Wine Lookup →Notable Producers
A small number of respected domaines hold parcels in Pitures-Dessus. Domaine Michel Lafarge is among the most celebrated names associated with the site, consistently producing wines of precision and elegance. Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur, Vincent Girardin, Domaine Dublere, Domaine Blain-Gagnard, and Pierre Morey also work with fruit from this vineyard. Given the modest total area of 4.1 hectares, production across all producers is limited, and these wines reward seeking out.
- Domaine Michel Lafarge: benchmark producer for the site
- Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur: family estate with Volnay expertise
- Pierre Morey: respected Côte de Beaune producer
- Domaine Blain-Gagnard: known primarily for Chassagne but holds a parcel here
Light to medium-bodied Pinot Noir with bright red fruit, violet and rose petal aromatics, earthy undertones, and fresh acidity. White marl soils add a mineral backbone. The high-elevation site produces wines of finesse and length rather than weight.
- Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay Premier Cru Les Pitures$80-120Benchmark producer for the site; wines show precision, floral lift, and the site's mineral character.Find →
- Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Volnay Premier Cru Pitures$55-80Family-run estate with deep Volnay roots; consistent Premier Cru quality at a relative value.Find →
- Pierre Morey Volnay Premier Cru Les Pitures$75-110Respected Côte de Beaune vigneron producing elegant, terroir-driven Pinot Noir from this elevated site.Find →
- Pitures-Dessus is one of the highest-elevation and steepest Premier Cru sites in Volnay, at 325 meters
- Soils are white marls, contributing mineral tension and excellent drainage
- The designation covers 4.1 hectares and may also include fruit from the Chanlins vineyard crossing into Pommard
- The vineyard appears on labels both as Pitures-Dessus and as Les Pitures
- Style is classic Volnay: light to medium body, floral aromatics, fresh acidity, elegance over power