Tonnerre Vineyard

Just a few minutes from Le Clos de l’Armançon, the hills surrounding Tonnerre tell an ancient story.

Viticulture has been part of the local landscape for centuries, in a discreet but passionate Burgundy tradition.

Less well known than Chablis or Sancerre, the Tonnerre vineyard deserves to be discovered by wine lovers seeking authenticity and minerality.
The Tonnerre vineyard has a long history that is gradually being rediscovered today.

Located between Auxerre and Chablis, the vineyards grow on clay-limestone soils rich in marine fossils.
This geological formation, known as Kimmeridgian, is the same that gives the great wines of Chablis their character.

The result: wines with a marked minerality, elegant and precise, with a beautiful natural freshness.

The semi-continental climate, combined with cool exposures, helps preserve the wines’ aromatic finesse.

⚜️  A Historic Revival

The Tonnerre vineyard experienced periods of great prosperity during the Middle Ages, particularly thanks to the monks who recognized the potential of these hillsides.

In the 19th century, the vineyard covered nearly 1,500 hectares of vines.

Like in many regions of France, the phylloxera crisis devastated the vineyard at the end of the 19th century. After almost disappearing in the early 20th century, the Tonnerre vineyard is now experiencing a true revival.

For several decades, passionate winegrowers have been working to revive these terroirs with respect for tradition.
The Burgundy Tonnerre appellation now reflects this renewal, producing wines of great finesse and strong identity.

Today, the vineyard remains on a human scale. Visitors easily meet the producers, and tastings often take place in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The Bourgogne Tonnerre appellation, officially recognized in 2006, exclusively produces white wines made from Chardonnay.

These wines are distinguished by:

• • their crystalline freshness

  • notes of citrus and white flowers

  • a mineral and elegant structure

  • a long, saline finish

They pair perfectly with:

• • fish dishes

  • Burgundy snails

  • cream-based sauces

  • or simply as an aperitif on a summer evening

These are precise and elegant wines, subtle and refined — the image of this discreet Burgundy.

🍇  The Grape Varieties: Burgundy’s DNA

To better understand the wines you may taste during your stay, it is useful to know the main grape varieties of the region.

• • Chardonnay (White)
    The iconic grape variety of Burgundy and the heart of the Bourgogne Tonnerre appellation. It thrives particularly well on limestone soils and produces wines with notes of white flowers, citrus and mineral freshness.
  • Pinot Noir (Red)
    The other great Burgundian grape variety. It produces elegant red wines with aromas of cherry, raspberry and sometimes subtle spicy notes.
  • Aligoté (White)
    A historic Burgundian grape variety, known for its lively freshness and citrus notes. It is traditionally used in the famous Kir aperitif.

💚 The “Domaine des 4 Saisons “: one of our favourite local producers

Among the winegrowers of the region, we especially appreciate the Domaine des 4 Saisons.

This family estate perfectly represents the spirit of the Tonnerre vineyard: respect for the terroir, patience and a passion for wine.

The cuvées of Bourgogne Tonnerre produced here illustrate what this vineyard can offer at its best: authentic wines, full of character.

📌Why did we choose it for you?

Choosing a wine from Tonnerre means discovering an authentic terroir and a discreet Burgundy, less famous than its neighbours but equally fascinating.

It is also the spirit of Le Clos de l’Armançon: simplicity and elegance, combined with the pleasure of discovery.