The crest of hills to the west of, and above the vine-covered Côte de Beaune mark the beginning of the Hautes Côtes, which vary from 400 to 450 metres in altitude. The appellation includes some 20 villages nestled in small valleys or huddled under limestone cliffs.
Although the Hautes-Côtes wine road is certainly less-frequented that the one going through Beaune, it affords just as many pleasures.
The visual pleasures are enormous, with breathtaking views of romantic countryside and beautiful villages that are sure to charm history lovers. One of the region's major sights, Château de La Rochepot, transports visitors back to the Middle Ages. The Hautes Côtes de Beaune are decidedly far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Hikers can follow numerous paths through lovely natural settings past vines, woods, orchards, pastures, hayfields, and steep, rocky slopes. Higher up, a wide range of crops share the plateau with trees, hayfields, deer, wild boar, foxes, and birds of prey.
The Hautes Côtes are also a gourmet paradise, with numerous wine cellars, farms, bed and breakfasts, gites, and country inns where visitors can savour local specialities. Mixed farming is common here. The farmer is often a wine grower and vice versa. Agricultural estates also produce fruit such as apples, vine peaches, raspberries, and blackcurrants.
The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune vineyards are planted on slopes with the greatest sun exposure. The appellation contrôlée dates from 1961, at which time the best terroirs were also defined. While Pinot Noir is the most widely planted variety, Chardonnay predominates in the appellation's finest communes: Nantoux, Echevronne, Meloisey, and La Rochepot.
Quality has improved constantly over the past 25 years. The vineyards were restructured and land that had been abandoned after the ravages of phylloxera and the rural exodus once again produces fine wine. Because the vineyards are located at an altitude 100 to 200 metres higher than the Côte de Beaune, the harvest generally starts a week later. Grapes used to produce Crémant de Bourgogne, a sparkling wine made according to the méthode traditionnelle are picked earlier. The recent increased world demand for quality sparkling wines has also contributed to the renaissance of the Hautes-Côtes.