Walk through about five kilometres of vaulted cellars beneath a former convent, then taste the wines.
€290for a half-day wine tour starting here, up to 4 guests
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Patriarche describes its cellars as the largest in Burgundy: about five kilometres of vaulted galleries under the heart of Beaune, holding millions of bottles. The house was founded in 1780 and has its headquarters in the former convent of the Visitation nuns. The visit is a self-guided walk through the cellars, followed by a tasting.
The visit is a self-guided walk through a maze of vaulted galleries, some dating back to the 13th century, lined with stacked bottles and casks. Interactive video points tell the story in nine languages, and contemporary artworks from the Art in Situ programme appear along the way. The walk ends with a tasting of Burgundy wines. Private and group visits can also be arranged.
The Visitation nuns, or Visitandines, settled in Beaune in 1632, in buildings handed over by the bishopric of Langres. Jean-Baptiste Patriarche founded his wine house in Beaune in 1780 and bought the former Visitandine convent, which is still the company's headquarters. He exported his wines to Britain, the Netherlands and Belgium. The nuns' choir, once screened off from the chapel, now holds the house's large casks.
The house grew through the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1902 its story passed to Noémie Vernaux, the last descendant of the Patriarche family. From 1940 André Boisseaux made it one of the leading houses of Burgundy, and in 1955 Georges Kritter gave his name to the sparkling wine brand Kriter. In 2011 the house came under Pierre Castel, and major work was carried out in the cellars.
Visits start between 9:30 and 11:00 and between 14:00 and 17:00, and a few slots stay open to visitors without a booking, subject to space.
Checked on on the official site.
Allow about an hour. Bring a light jacket, as cellars stay cool all year, and wear flat shoes. Booking online is strongly recommended. The house is on the rue du Collège, close to the town hall. Check the official website for access, as street works can affect the entrance.
What to combine with Maison Patriarche Père et Fils on the same day, nearest first.
For the visit, allow about 1 hour.
Did you know? Patriarche's cellars run for about five kilometres beneath the centre of Beaune, and some of their vaulted galleries date back to the 13th century.
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Half-day wine tour from Beaune: €290 for the car, up to 4 guests
