Sab’s by Alambic Bourguignon
A craft distillery whose travelling still turns Burgundy grape marc and wine lees into brandies and gins.
- Food maker
- In Beaune itself
- Allow about 1 hour
€290for a half-day wine tour starting here, up to 4 guests
At a glance
- Official website
- alambic-bourguignon.com
Getting there
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About the place
Sab's by Alambic Bourguignon is a craft distillery on the south-eastern edge of Beaune. It keeps alive the tradition of the travelling distiller, taking its steam still from village to village to distil grape marc and wine lees. Visitors can tour the distillery and taste its marc, fine, fruit brandies and gins.
What you will see
Visits explain how grapes become spirit, from the marc and lees collected in the villages to distillation in copper, ageing and blending. You learn how the travelling still works and what makes each spirit different, then taste the results in the tasting cellar. Masterclasses and events are also offered. It is an original counterpoint to wine tastings and shows another side of the Burgundy vineyard.
History
Travelling distillers, who work in the villages where the grapes are grown, are an old Burgundy tradition. Alambic Bourguignon is one of the last to keep this practice alive. Each winter, after the Hospices de Beaune wine auction, its mobile steam still tours the wine villages to distil marc and lees from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, working with nearly 300 partner growers.
The present owner took over the distillery in 2018, after about 20 years with multinational companies, including 12 years abroad with Pernod Ricard. The aim is to make spirits that tell the story of their terroir and of the growers who supply them. The distillery is among the last producers of the appellations Marc de Bourgogne and Fine de Bourgogne, and it also makes gins, fruit brandies and liqueurs.
Planning your visit
Tips for your visit
Allow about an hour. The distillery is in a business park south-east of the centre, so it is best reached by car. Weekend visits are by reservation only, and booking ahead is wise at any time. Check the official website for opening times.
Around here
What to combine with Sab’s by Alambic Bourguignon on the same day, nearest first.
Beaune
2 km awayChorey-lès-Beaune
4 km awayPommard
5 km away
- Culture
Mois des Climats
Each year over several weeks in late spring and early summer, usually ending in early JulyBeaune - Wine festival
Beaune Saveurs de Vignes
Usually Ascension Thursday, in May, with staggered departures from late morningBeaune - Music
Festival international d’opéra baroque de Beaune
Usually four consecutive weekends in JulyBeaune
Questions
For the visit, allow about 1 hour.
Did you know? Once the Hospices de Beaune wine auction is over, the distillery's steam still sets off on a winter tour of Burgundy's wine villages, distilling growers' marc and lees on the spot.
Sources
From Sab’s by Alambic Bourguignon into the vineyards
Half-day wine tour from Beaune: €290 for the car, up to 4 guests