Fleurs de Vigne – Open House of the Auxerrois Wineries

A Weekend in the Heart of the Auxerrois Vineyards

The Auxerrois vineyard is one of the best-kept secrets of Burgundy wine. Less known than its neighbor Chablis, it nevertheless offers an ampelographic richness and a diversity of appellations that few regions can match. The Open House of the Auxerrois Wineries, part of the Fleurs de Vigne festival, is the perfect opportunity to discover it from the inside, by meeting directly those who make these exceptional wines.

A Vineyard with Multiple Appellations

The Auxerrois vineyard stretches along the limestone slopes on the left bank of the Yonne River, south of Auxerre. It encompasses several appellations with distinct characters:

• Irancy: the only red appellation of Auxerrois, made from Pinot Noir with sometimes a touch of César, an ancestral grape variety with powerful tannins
• Saint-Bris: the only appellation in Burgundy for Sauvignon Blanc, which gives the wines freshness and liveliness
• Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre: a productive regional appellation of quality whites (Chardonnay) and reds (Pinot Noir)
• Bourgogne Aligoté de Bouzeron: wines from the Aligoté grape variety from the Auxerrois slopes
• Crémant de Bourgogne: sparkling wines produced in the troglodyte cellars of Bailly-Lapierre

A Village, a Winemaker, a Tasting

During the open house weekend, nearly 90 winemakers spread across the vineyard villages welcome visitors to their cellars for free tastings. Each estate offers its latest vintages, explains its winemaking methods, and showcases the architecture of its cellars—some carved into the limestone, others modern and functional.

Some winemakers offer additional activities:

• Guided tours of the vineyard and cellars
• Themed tastings and blind tastings
• Winemaker meals and vineyard walks
• Exhibitions by local artists in the cellars
• Visits to the Wine and Vine Museum in Auxerre

The OénoBus to Connect the Wine Villages

To facilitate visits and encourage responsible consumption, an OénoBus connects the Auxerrois wine villages from Auxerre throughout the weekend. It serves the six most representative wine communes—Escolives-Sainte-Camille, Coulanges-la-Vineuse, Irancy, Chitry, Saint-Bris-le-Vineux, and the hamlet of Bailly—allowing visitors to travel from cellar to cellar without driving.

Wine Villages to Visit

The open house weekend is also an opportunity to discover characterful villages often overlooked by mainstream tourism. Irancy, with its vine and cherry terraces, offers panoramic views of the Yonne valley. Saint-Bris-le-Vineux boasts a remarkable Gothic church. Coulanges-la-Vineuse preserves its troglodyte cellars carved into the limestone. Escolives-Sainte-Camille is home to a remarkable Gallo-Roman archaeological site. Each village is an invitation to stroll and discover this authentic Burgundian territory.