Domaine de la Cras

In 2013, Greater Dijon acquired 160 hectares of land in Burgundy, including 8 hectares of vineyards (5 hectares of Pinot Noir and 3 hectares of Chardonnay) located on a scenic plateau between Jon, Plombières-lès-Dijon, and Corcelles-lès-Monts. This deal was part of a strategy to preserve the region's green spaces and support local producers. The management of the land was entrusted to the Agricultural Chamber of Côte d'Or, and a young man named Marc Soyard was appointed as the head of the vineyards. He committed to paying rent in wine and building a proper tasting room on the estate.This challenge did not intimidate Soyard: he trained in Beaune, gained practical experience under the guidance of Pierre Geyrard, François Villiard, and Yves Cuilleron at Vins Des Viennes merchants in Rhone, and also worked with Jean-Yves Bizot. There he gained valuable experience, developed a belief in biodynamics, and became one of Burgundy’s most talented winemakers.Today at Domaine de la Cras, the grapes ferment exclusively with wild yeasts, without destemming, with minimal sulfur addition. The wines are aged intuitively by the winemaker—sometimes in old oak barrels, sometimes in new ones, or even in chestnut or acacia barrels. All this is bold and daring, yet always pure—focused on refined form, confident structure, and a rich, long-lasting flavor.