© BIVB / Aurélien Ibanez
In the land of great wines
Vineyards, villages and life around wine
Christophe's Burgundy
A passion shared with our guests
Christophe, owner of the three Kasteliades Châteaux, grew up in Burgundy and has spent more than 25 years exploring, collecting and sharing his passion for wine. He is president of a wine club in Burgundy, and has led hundreds of tastings over the years, developing close relationships with many of the region’s leading winemakers.
His private cellar now holds more than 9,000 bottles — spanning from 1900 to the present day — with a particular focus on Burgundy alongside other great French wine regions.
For all the listings below, fuller details are available in our Digital Guidebook, available to guests upon confirmation of reservation.
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Whether you're a passionate wine lover or simply curious about discovering great wines, Burgundy offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the world's most renowned wine regions – learning about its unique terroirs, tasting exceptional bottles and experiencing the charm of its villages firsthand.
Many visitors are surprised to discover how accessible Burgundy can be. While some visits need to be arranged in advance, it is not uncommon to find producers who are happy to welcome curious travellers who simply stop by and knock on the door. In many of the wine villages, a little time and curiosity can lead to memorable encounters and unexpected discoveries.
Whilst the most sought-after domaines are generally not open to visitors, the producers I have selected in the sections below welcome visitors by appointment and offer tastings at their estates.
For those who would rather leave the planning to someone else, I have also included a selection of trusted companies specialising in wine tours and tastings throughout Burgundy.
Bonne découverte !
Christophe Gay
BURGUNDY WINE REGIONS
Four regions. Three well-placed Châteaux
Near to the Côte Chalonnaise and the Mâconnais, the Châteaux are well placed for exploring all four wine regions. Head north and you can follow the Route des Vins through the wine villages of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, with the autoroute making for a quicker return at the end of the day. Wine connoisseurs will notice that Chablis is missing. It is — rather inconveniently for this map — much further to the north-west.
Well known crus
Some examples
Côte de Nuits
Home to Burgundy's most celebrated Grands Crus including Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Musigny, Clos de Vougeot and Chambertin.
Côte de Beaune
Famed for its white wines, alongside some great reds, including Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Pommard.
Côte Chalonnaise
Known for characterful reds and whites, offering some of Burgundy's best value, including Mercurey, Givry, Rully and Montagny.
Mâconnais
Best known for generous Chardonnay, from easy-drinking village wines to some of southern Burgundy’s finest whites. including Pouilly-Fuissé, Saint-Véran, Viré-Clessé, Pouilly-Vinzelles and Mâcon-Cruzille.
DOMAIN WINE TASTINGS
A few personal recommendations
The producers I have selected below welcome visitors by appointment. To arrange a visit, simply contact them by telephone or email. A friendly "Bonjour" goes a long way, and mentioning that you are staying with Kasteliades may help open a few doors. Tastings are often offered free of charge, although some domaines may apply a small fee. As with most cellar visits in Burgundy, it is customary to buy some wine if you have enjoyed the tasting.
Domaine Raquillet
AOC Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise — Mercurey
François Raquillet is a good friend whose wines have long been among our favourites in Mercurey. A warm and welcoming host, he is dedicated to producing high-quality wines that express the character of the appellation. Over the years, many Kasteliades guests have visited his cellar and discovered his wines.
The Hachette Wine Guide regularly ranks Domaine Raquillet among the leading producers of Mercurey. His wines include a selection of Mercurey reds and whites — Village and Premier Crus — and a Rully White.
Domaine Olivier Leflaive
Appellations of the Côte de Beaune — Puligny-Montrachet
Domaine Olivier Leflaive in Puligny-Montrachet is one of the Côte de Beaune's best-known producers and a wonderful place to discover the wines of Burgundy. Alongside tastings of the domaine's wines, visitors can take part in vineyard visits, cellar tours, bike rides through the vineyards and the unique Wine Bike Experience.
The domaine also has two restaurants in Puligny-Montrachet, making it easy to combine a tasting with lunch or dinner.
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Domaine Guillot-Broux
Appellations of the Mâconnais — Cruzille
Domaine Guillot-Broux is a family-run estate in Cruzille, in the Mâconnais. Created in 1978 and now managed by brothers Emmanuel and Patrice Guillot, the domaine cultivates 17 hectares of certified organic vines across Cruzille, Grévilly and Chardonnay. Its flagship Mâcon-Cruzille AOC single-vineyard cuvées include Les Geniévrières, Les Perrières and Beaumont, which feature on the wine lists of several Michelin-starred restaurants.
The domaine has a dedicated wine tasting cellar and shop which is open to visitors during the week.
Other notable winemakers
All personally recommended by Christophe
Tasting Vin Jaune
'Maison de la Haute-Seille' in Château-Chalon
A natural first stop when visiting Château-Chalon, La Maison de la Haute Seille serves as the village's official visitor centre and offers an excellent introduction to the world of Vin Jaune.
Through a series of exhibits and a short film, visitors can discover the wine's unique ageing process, during which it develops beneath a protective veil of yeast for more than six years. The centre also explains the story behind the distinctive 62 cl Clavelin bottle, whose unusual capacity reflects the natural evaporation — known as the “angel’s share” — that occurs during ageing.
A tasting is the perfect way to conclude the visit, with the opportunity to sample Vin Jaune as well as other Jura specialities such as Vin de Paille and Macvin du Jura. Together, they offer a fascinating insight into the distinctive styles of wine produced in the region.
The 'Vin Jaune' of the Jura
A wine apart
Christophe won't be the last person to say, "You must taste Vin Jaune at least once in your life!"
While many wine lovers are familiar with Burgundy's renowned white wines, this highly distinctive wine comes from neighbouring Jura and stands entirely apart. Produced using a unique ageing process that gives it its characteristic nutty, oxidative style, Vin Jaune is one of the region's great cultural and gastronomic traditions, often described as the "gold of Jura".
~ A Jura detour ~
Château-Chalon
Above the vineyards
Perched high on a rocky outcrop, Château-Chalon is one of the most striking villages in the Jura and is classified among France's 'Plus Beaux Villages de France'. The village gives its name to the most prestigious of the four Vin Jaune AOCs and has long been associated with this remarkable wine.
Take time to wander its narrow streets, admire the stone houses and stop at one of the belvederes for panoramic views across the vineyards and valleys below. Even without tasting a drop of wine, Château-Chalon is well worth the detour.
ORGANISED WINE TOURS
Let someone else do the planning
If you'd rather spend your time enjoying Burgundy than planning every detail, here are Christophe's five suggestions for organised wine tours. From guided tastings and vineyard visits to cycling excursions and journeys aboard iconic vintage vehicles, each offers a different way to discover the region's wines and wine villages.
Bourgogne Evasion
Based in Beaune
Bourgogne Évasion offers half-day and full-day cycling tours through the vineyards of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, with tasting stops at local domaines along the way.
The tours begin with a short minibus transfer to the heights above Saint-Romain. From there, the route winds gently downhill through vineyards and wine villages, leaving guests free to concentrate on the wines rather than the gradients.
Kasteliades guests benefit from an 20% discount on all Bourgogne Évasion excursions in the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.
My French Tour
Based in Beaune
My French Tour offers a memorable way to discover Burgundy's vineyards, combining guided wine tours with journeys aboard iconic vintage French vehicles, including the legendary 2CV and Estafette van.
Several chauffeured itineraries are available along the Route des Grands Crus, combining vineyard visits, winery tours and tastings, all accompanied by an experienced local wine guide. Optional extras include lunch, picnics, wine and cheese pairings, truffle hunting and even traditional wine barrel making.
For larger groups, My French Tour also offers tailor-made experiences for up to 21 guests, allowing everyone to travel together in the company's distinctive collection of vintage vehicles.
More traditional wine tours
All offering guided vineyard visits and tastings by car or minivan.
