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IN BRIEF
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The weekend of May 24 and 25, 2025, was marked by the visit of Nathalie Delattre, the Minister of Tourism, to Côte-d’Or. At the heart of her trip: the rise of wine tourism in this emblematic region of Burgundy wine. Between meetings with wine professionals and visits to key sites such as the Caveau des vignerons, the minister emphasized listening and observing local initiatives that enhance a living and ever-evolving heritage. This article reflects on the highlights of this visit, the challenges of wine tourism, and the opportunities offered to Côte-d’Or.
Nathalie Delattre meets with key players in wine tourism
During her stay, Nathalie Delattre embarked on a rich journey of discoveries and exchanges with major figures in the vineyard. On Saturday, she visited the renowned Château de Clos Vougeot, a symbol of Burgundy’s wine heritage and the seat of the climates of Burgundy. The next day, the minister stopped at Chambolle-Musigny to visit Hotel Bellevigne, a favorite among wine enthusiasts and culinary discoverers.
Sunday’s agenda continued with a stop in Marsannay-la-Côte, a commune close to Dijon, where the Caveau des vignerons awaited her. A privileged meeting place for local producers, this caveau has brought together twenty-six winemakers for three years, united by a common ambition: to offer visitors an authentic dive into the diversity of Côte-d’Or wines.
Promoting winemaking know-how and local heritage
Accompanied by local elected officials and surrounded by passionate winemakers, Nathalie Delattre took the time to discuss viticultural practices and the transmission of this heritage. She emphasized the growing need to renew public knowledge about the vine cycle. The minister lamented that “very few French people know when to prune or harvest, to give birth to this nectar that has made the region famous.” For her, vine culture carries essential values related to French history and identity.
This concern for transmission is part of a national approach: to provide each visitor with increased visibility into the richness of wine-growing terroirs. Côte-d’Or, exemplified, illustrates how the interaction between professionals and tourists benefits the vitality of the sector, enhancing the appeal of an already popular destination.
For those wishing to discover other innovative approaches to local tourism, the Tourism Trophies highlight exemplary projects that transform the vacation experience across France.
The key role of welcome and openness in wine tourism
The exchanges at the Caveau des vignerons served to remind the stakes related to welcoming visitors. Once perceived as reserved for an elite, Côte-d’Or is now committed to opening its doors more widely thanks to accessible and friendly structures. According to Éric Guillard, a local winemaker, this commitment changes the game: “We absolutely did not want people to think that Côte-d’Or did not welcome them. Two or three caveaux on the Côte put wine tourism back on track.”
The caveau, with its annual production of 150,000 bottles covering about thirty hectares, embodies this renewal of the wine tourism offer. Visitors can discover all facets of the vineyard, whether in red, white, or rosé wines, but also engage directly with the producers during tastings and special events.
For an immersion in the world of wine tourism, the city of Beaune also opens the doors to its traditions and unique heritage, a true cradle of wine tourism.
Promising prospects for Côte-d’Or
The sector seems to be regaining its dynamism, despite the climatic uncertainties of the season. Côte-d’Or enjoyed a robust tourist season in 2025, particularly boosted by the Tour de France and the Olympic flame. The increased influx in the region reflects the growing interest of visitors in its natural and cultural riches.
The municipality of Marsannay-la-Côte sees in this dynamic a source of constructive exchanges with professionals. As its mayor, Jean-Michel Verpillot, reminds us, “promoting Marsannay and its wine appellation is always important.” He emphasizes how each event or official meeting reinforces the position of the commune on the national map of great wines.
Initiatives such as the revitalization of vineyards in Chambord or the rise of wine tourism in Provence, to be discovered here, contribute to a national momentum and inspire all territories.
Between tradition and innovation: the continuity of wine heritage
The traditional ministerial visits provide an opportunity to reaffirm the attachment to this living heritage. Even without an official announcement, this presence emphasizes the importance of the sector, energized by initiatives such as the opening of the Caveau and the structuring of the tourism offer. The success of the Caveau, combined with the passion of winemakers and support from institutions, illustrates the renewal of Côte-d’Or.
Outside the Burgundy region, other areas also stand out for their dynamism, such as the Valais in Switzerland, which offers a subtle blend of wine discovery, hiking, and culture.
The meeting of local production, ancestral know-how, and public expectations makes wine tourism in Côte-d’Or a model in transformation, holding numerous promises for the future.
