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Hautes Côtes de Beaune

Burgundy

DijonBeauneNuits-St-GeorgesMeursaultChalon-sur-SaôneHautes Côtes de BeauneHautes Côtes de Beaune

Côte d’Or & Côte Chalonnaise

The hillside vineyards behind the Côte de Beaune, stretching across a wide area of higher-altitude slopes. The wines are lighter and more fresh than their famous valley-floor neighbours, offering genuine Burgundy character at very accessible prices.

The wines of Hautes Côtes de Beaune are made primarily from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay.

217–506 m

Elevation range

redwhite

Wine styles

401 Vineyards

Avg. slope 8.3°

Vineyard Map

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Nearby Appellations

To the east Beaune

Add Hautes Côtes de Beaune to your Discoveries. When you taste one, you can tick it off.

Terroir & Character

Climate

The higher elevation creates a cooler, windier climate with greater diurnal temperature variation than the Côte de Beaune proper. The exposed hillside positions receive good morning sun but experience faster cooling in the evenings, resulting in wines with bright acidity and more restrained fruit character.

Terroir

LimestoneMarlClay

The bedrock consists primarily of Jurassic limestone from the Bathonian and Bajocian periods, rich in fossilized marine organisms including belemnites and brachiopods. The limestone is interbedded with Oxfordian marl layers and overlaid by clay-limestone colluvium that has washed down from higher slopes, creating well-drained soils that force vine roots deep into the fractured bedrock while maintaining good water retention.

Typical Aromas

red cherryraspberryfresh herbsmineralfloral
Explore the aroma wheel

Grapes of Hautes Côtes de Beaune

Pinot Noir

Red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryraspberryred cherryviolet

The benchmark Pinot Noir. Côte de Nuits leans structured and dark-cherried, Côte de Beaune turns perfumed and supple, both ageing into forest floor and truffle.

Chardonnay

White
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applelemonpearnectarine

Chardonnay's homeland. Chablis stays steely and citrus-driven, the Côte de Beaune turns rich and hazelnutty, the Mâconnais sits comfortably between.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hautes Côtes de Beaune known for?▼
Hautes Côtes de Beaune is known for producing authentic Burgundy wines at very accessible prices from hillside vineyards situated behind the famous Côte de Beaune. These higher-altitude vineyards offer genuine Burgundian character without the premium cost of their valley-floor neighbors.
What does Hautes Côtes de Beaune wine taste like?▼
The wines are lighter and more fresh compared to the valley-floor Côte de Beaune wines, with bright acidity from the higher altitude vineyards. They maintain classic Burgundy character but with a more delicate, crisp profile that reflects their hillside terroir.
What grapes are grown in Hautes Côtes de Beaune?▼
As a Burgundy appellation, Hautes Côtes de Beaune primarily grows Pinot Noir for red wines and Chardonnay for white wines. Both varieties benefit from the cooler, higher-altitude growing conditions that preserve freshness and elegance.
What makes Hautes Côtes de Beaune different from its neighbors?▼
The key difference is altitude and location - these vineyards are situated on higher hillside slopes behind the prestigious Côte de Beaune. This results in cooler growing conditions that produce lighter, fresher wines with more accessible pricing than the famous valley-floor appellations.
What soil types are found in Hautes Côtes de Beaune?▼
The soils are composed of limestone, marl, and clay, which are classic Burgundian soil types. This combination provides excellent drainage from the limestone while the marl and clay retain moisture and contribute to the wine's mineral character.

Map data: INAO, Cadastre, manual adjustments · Imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless by EOX IT Services GmbH (CC BY 4.0)