Domaine d’Edouard “Les Collines de Vaux”

Côtes d’Auxerre, Burgundy |  2022

We’re heading just west of Chablis this month into one of Burgundy’s most quietly compelling corners: the Côtes d’Auxerre. Long overshadowed by its famous neighbor, this is a region that’s now hitting a real stride with is cooler climate, limestone-rich soils, and a new generation of growers showing just how serious these wines can be.

Founded by Édouard Lepesme in 2014 after time spent working alongside some of Burgundy’s most respected names (ie: Chablis’ Alice and Olivier de Moor), this is a project built on the love of artistry behind winemaking. Farming is fully organic and biodynamic, everything is harvested by hand, and the cellar work is as hands-off as it gets with use of native fermentations, low sulfur, and a focus on letting the site do the talking - which is the way it should be in Burgundy.

This 2022 Côtes d’Auxerre Blanc is exactly why we love this pocket of Burgundy right now. It walks that perfect line between tension and generosity with a core of citrus and orchard fruit wrapped in a subtle creaminess from time on lees, with just a hint of nuttiness on the finish after having spent 12 months in neutral oak, but what really makes this wine sing is the balance: bright, lifted acidity keeping everything fresh, while the texture gives it enough weight to feel serious without ever getting heavy.

This is the kind of bottle that reminds you why these “off-the-radar” appellations matter, especially when it comes to Burgundy. As the climate shifts and prices in the Côte d’Or continue to climb, regions like Auxerre aren’t just alternatives, they’re becoming destinations in their own right, and wines like this are leading the charge!

Pair this beauty with Dover Sole Meunièr, White Mushroom Risotto, or simply alongside a little Délice de Bourgogne and baguette.