Explore the essence of a Bourgogne wine tour

Bailly’s underground quarries were first exploited in the Middle Ages. The high-quality limestone extracted from these quarries was used until the 20th century for the construction of monuments such as castles, churches and towns. Transporting the stone was greatly facilitated by the proximity of the Yonne River, which flows at the foot of the quarries.

Since 1972, these quarries have been the site of the Caves Bailly-Lapierre, created by Auxerrois winegrowers to produce Crémant de Bourgogne. They cover 4 hectares of cellars and can store up to 7 million bottles.

Come and visit the Bailly Lapierre cellars, 20 minutes from our hotel in Auxerre.

Technological advances quickly found their place in their production process, enabling them to take full advantage of the 20 hectares of vines at their disposal. The entire harvest is vinified in a modern winery, combining rigor and hygiene. Stainless steel is used for vinification, while oak barrels are used for maturing high-potential cuvées. Once bottled, the wines are stored to age in the 11th and 12th century vaulted cellars in the heart of the village. This network of labyrinthine cellars is a major tourist attraction for the village and the region, offering a comprehensive presentation of Burgundy grape varieties, all of which are represented at Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, 15 minutes from downtown Auxerre.

Jean-François and Pierre-Louis manage 13 hectares of white vines and 7 hectares of red vines. Their entire production is sold in bottles, with a significant proportion destined for export (over 50%).

Nevertheless, visitors to the winery are always warmly welcomed by Jean-François and Pierre-Louis during tasting visits, which, from spring onwards, give pride of place to conviviality and proximity.

Benoit CANTIN’s estate, located exclusively in the Irancy appellation zone, now covers 16 hectares. It is firmly rooted in tradition, with a strong emphasis on respect for nature. This family-run operation is of a reasonable size, enabling us to carefully manage the production of high-quality grapes on a daily basis.

Irancy is an appellation reserved for red wines made from Pinot Noir, sometimes combined (in a maximum proportion of 10%) with César, an ancient local grape variety. Irancy wines are robust and lively when young. They boast a beautiful crimson color, floral and fruity aromas, and a solid tannic structure that gives them considerable ageing potential and a distinct personality.

The vineyards of the Yonne, and in particular those of Irancy, have a long history and a well-established reputation for the exceptional quality of their products, making them one of the oldest vineyards in France.

The Angst estate has a remarkable feature: it’s located in the village of Pontigny, just 15 km from Chablis, a village famous for its abbey.
The Abbaye de Pontigny is the largest surviving Cistercian building from the Middle Ages. Its history is closely linked to the evolution of viticulture in the region, as Cistercian monks played a central role in the development of local vineyards.
Céline and Antoine Angst offer visitors a unique opportunity to combine a cultural experience with an oenological exploration by offering guided tours of the abbey followed by a tasting of their wines.

Don’t hesitate to discover Vignoble Angst