Château de Béru

Château de Béru is a family-run wine estate in the village of Béru, right in the heart of the Chablis region, in the Yonne department of Burgundy. It pairs a 13th-century manor house with a living, working vineyard — a rare combination of heritage building and functioning wine operation whose bottles now travel well beyond France.

What's the story behind the château?

The Counts of Béru have held this land without interruption since 1627, making it one of the longest continuously family-owned wine estates in the region. The residence itself dates to the 13th century, built alongside the walled vineyard known as Clos Béru — a dry stone wall raised by Benedictine monks in the 1300s to enclose a plot they judged especially suited to fine winegrowing. Monastic records from the 9th century already mention vines growing on this land, and by the Middle Ages Béru's wines had earned a reputation good enough to reach royal tables.

The late 19th century brought disaster: phylloxera wiped out the vines, and winemaking stopped for generations. Revival only came in 1987, when Count Éric de Béru personally replanted the historic family plots, including the five-hectare Clos Béru. Since 2006 the estate has been run by his daughter, Athénaïs, who together with her partner Antoine shifted the vineyard to organic and biodynamic farming, certified by Ecocert and Demeter, and pushed the winemaking toward a natural, often sulphur-free style. In 2023 the winery itself underwent a full renovation with architect Marine Jacques-Leflaive.

What will you actually see there?

Today the estate covers roughly fifteen hectares of vines surrounding the château. Its heart remains Clos Béru, a legendary stone-walled plot considered one of the historically significant sites within the Chablis appellation. Visitors can take in both the château's period architecture and the modern, rebuilt winery where current vintages are made. Château de Béru bottles several Chablis cuvées — including Terroirs de Béru, Côte aux Prêtres, Montserre, and Orangerie — plus a premier cru Vaucoupin, alongside négociant wines released under the label Les Vins d'Athénaïs.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

Béru sits in the Chablis area of Burgundy, close to the town of Chablis itself and not far from Tonnerre — a car is the practical way in, since there's no direct rail link to the village. The estate runs wine tourism activities, so booking a tasting visit ahead of time is a much better bet than showing up unannounced. Spring through early autumn is the most rewarding window, with the vines lush and green; come in August or September and you'll catch the grapes ripening ahead of harvest. Winter visits are more limited, as the focus shifts indoors to the winery itself.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Château de Béru? Yes — the estate offers tastings and wine-tourism visits, and it's best to book in advance rather than arrive without notice.

What wines does Château de Béru make? Mainly Chablis in several styles (Terroirs de Béru, Côte aux Prêtres, Montserre, Orangerie), along with a premier cru Vaucoupin and wines under the Les Vins d'Athénaïs label.

What is Clos Béru? A five-hectare, stone-walled vineyard laid out in the 14th century by Benedictine monks — one of the oldest and most recognizable plots in the Chablis appellation.

How long has the de Béru family owned the estate? Continuously since 1627, giving the family close to four centuries of history tied to this one piece of land.