Volnay

An old laundry place where I slept last year 

We were about to pass by Volnay, but we decided to go through the village so that I could show the place I slept last year — an old laundry place.

Passing through this village late afternoon was a coincident. It wasn’t planned and since I saw this clean old laundry place and with no people around, I walked my bike inside quietly so as not to attract attention. I still had some food with me and a bottle of wine, and that settled everything.

Volnay, a small, picturesque village in the Côte de Beaune subregion of Burgundy, is renowned worldwide for producing some of the most elegant and refined Pinot Noir wines. Unlike many of its neighbors, Volnay is dedicated almost entirely to red wine production, and while it doesn’t have grand cru vineyards, its premier cru vineyards are celebrated for producing wines of finesse and complexity.

The terroir in Volnay is distinctive, with a mix of limestone and clay soils that contribute to the wines’ characteristic delicacy and minerality. Volnay’s Pinot Noirs are often described as “feminine” compared to other Burgundies, with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and complex aromas of red cherries, raspberries, violets, and subtle spice. This elegant style, paired with an ability to age gracefully, has made Volnay wines highly desirable among collectors and connoisseurs alike.

The premier cru vineyards of Volnay, such as Les Caillerets, Clos des Chênes, and Les Champans, are particularly esteemed, producing wines that embody the village’s trademark finesse and depth. These wines tend to be approachable earlier than other Burgundy reds but also have the structure and complexity to evolve beautifully over time.

Volnay’s significance lies not only in its unique style but in its embodiment of Burgundy’s terroir-driven philosophy. It showcases how Pinot Noir can express grace, complexity, and purity, making Volnay a beloved name among those who appreciate elegant, nuanced red wines.