Volnay
A hillside village high above the vines, loved for the finesse of its red wines.
- Wine village
- 10 min from Beaune
- Red wine
- 29 premiers crus
€290for a half-day wine tour from Beaune, up to 4 guests
At a glance
- Appellations
- Volnay
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir
Getting there
Private driver from Beaune: 10 min by road (6 km), €60 one way for the whole car.
Coming by train or plane? Transfers from stations and airports →
About Volnay
Volnay sits high on the slope between Pommard and Meursault, backed by the small Chaignot hill. Its wines are red only, from Pinot Noir, and are prized for their finesse and perfume. They are often described as the most feminine reds of Burgundy. The village itself is small and easy to explore on foot.
The wines
Volnay has 29 premier crus, including Santenots, which lies in neighbouring Meursault. Limestone dominates: very chalky soil at the top, white Argovian limestone lower down, then stony, iron-rich Bathonian limestone, with deeper gravelly soils at the foot, between 230 and 280 metres. The wine is red only, from Pinot Noir. Expect bright ruby colour, violet, redcurrant and cherry, a delicate texture and fresh fruit, with spice and game as it ages. It often opens early.
History
Volnay's vines have been worked for many centuries. Before the French Revolution they were harvested by the Knights of Malta, by the abbeys of Saint-Andoche in Autun and of Maizières, and by the estate of the Dukes of Burgundy, which later passed to the French crown. The particular style of Volnay wine was already well recognised in the 18th century.
The church of Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte was built in the 13th century. It was restored in 1442 under Duke Philip the Good and partly rebuilt after fires in the 15th and 16th centuries. The small chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Pitié dates from the 16th to 18th centuries. Volnay received its appellation in 1937, together with Volnay-Santenots, a red wine grown just over the boundary in Meursault.
Well-known premiers crusLes Caillerets · Clos des Chênes · Taille Pieds · Champans · Les Brouillards · Frémiets
What to see
Église Saint-Cyr-et-Sainte-Julitte
The village church dates from the 13th century and is a listed historic monument. Its bell tower has paired openings on all four sides beneath a gabled roof.
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Pitié
A small chapel built between the 16th and 18th centuries. It is a peaceful stop on a walk through the village lanes and the vineyards around them.
La Voie des Vignes
The cycle route from Beaune to Santenay passes through Volnay. Walk or ride a stretch towards Pommard or Meursault for close views of the premier cru vineyards.
Tips for your visit
Allow about 45 minutes in Volnay. Pair it with Pommard and Monthélie, which are only minutes apart, and continue to Meursault if you would like to add famous white wines to the day.
Around here
What to combine with Volnay on the same day, nearest first.
- Wine festival
Elégance des Volnay
Usually the last Saturday of June, from morning until late eveningVolnay
Questions
Volnay is about 10 min from Beaune by road (6 km). With a private driver, the trip from Beaune starts at €60 for the whole car, up to 4 guests.
Did you know? Three Volnay premier crus still recall the Dukes of Burgundy in their names: Clos des Ducs, Clos du Château des Ducs and Clos de la Cave des Ducs.
Sources
Volnay with a private driver
Half-day wine tour from Beaune: €290 for the car, up to 4 guests