Cras, Domaine de la
Summary
Domaine de la Cras is a municipal wine estate established in 2013 on Dijon's outskirts, where Marc Soyard farms 8 hectares of high-elevation Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards on limestone-clay soils at the northern edge of the Côte de Nuits. Soyard's certified organic, low-intervention approach emphasizes indigenous fermentations, whole-cluster techniques, and minimal oak influence, rapidly transforming previously overlooked terroir into distinctive wines that have established this innovative municipal project as a noteworthy new voice in Burgundy.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine de la Cras represents a unique chapter in Burgundian winemaking, established in its current form in 2013 when the city of Dijon purchased the 160-hectare property, including 8 hectares of vineyards. The city launched an innovative project to revitalize this agricultural land on the outskirts of Dijon, selecting Marc Soyard through a competitive application process to manage the vineyards and produce wine. Under this distinctive arrangement, Soyard operates as an independent vigneron while paying "rent" to the city in the form of 2,000 bottles annually, which the city uses for official functions and promotional purposes.
Soyard, who previously worked at Domaine Bizot in Vosne-Romanée, brought his experience in low-intervention winemaking to this municipal project. The domaine's establishment marked Dijon's first direct investment in wine production, connecting the city's gastronomic heritage with practical agricultural development. The property, situated on the hills immediately west of Dijon, includes both vineyard land and natural forest, serving as both a productive agricultural enterprise and a preserved green space for the region.
## Vineyards & Wines
Domaine de la Cras encompasses 8 hectares of vineyards situated on a hillside overlooking the city of Dijon, at the northernmost edge of the Côte de Nuits. The vineyards sit at elevations between 300-400 meters, making them some of the highest in the Burgundy region. This elevation contributes to a cooler microclimate that extends the growing season and promotes balanced ripening. The vineyard area is divided between 5 hectares of Pinot Noir and 3 hectares of Chardonnay, planted on predominantly limestone and clay soils typical of the Côte d'Or.
The domaine produces wines under the Bourgogne and Bourgogne Côte d'Or appellations, with two principal cuvées: "Coteaux du Dijon" and "Cras." The Coteaux du Dijon comes from younger vines, while the Cras is produced from older plantings on the steeper, better-exposed sections of the hillside. Both red and white wines are produced, with the Pinot Noir displaying the characteristic red fruit and mineral profile of northern Côte de Nuits, and the Chardonnay exhibiting tension and pronounced mineral character from the limestone-rich soils.
## Philosophy & Practice
Marc Soyard implements certified organic farming practices across all vineyard parcels, having completed the conversion process in 2015. No synthetic chemicals are used in the vineyards, with Soyard instead relying on natural preparations and careful canopy management to maintain vine health. Vineyard work is performed manually, including harvest, which is conducted with small teams to ensure careful selection of fruit.
In the cellar, Soyard follows a minimal intervention approach. Fermentations occur with indigenous yeasts in a mix of concrete tanks and neutral oak vessels. For red wines, whole cluster fermentation is employed to varying degrees depending on the vintage, typically ranging from 50-100%. Extraction is gentle, favoring infusion over aggressive punch-downs. The wines age in used French oak barrels, with new oak limited to less than 20% even for the top cuvées. Sulfur additions are minimal and primarily made just before bottling.
The domaine's approach reflects a commitment to expressing the unique character of this previously overlooked terroir at the northern limit of the Côte de Nuits, combining traditional Burgundian techniques with contemporary organic farming practices. This municipal wine project has successfully established a new viticultural identity for Dijon while preserving agricultural land from urban development.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine de la Cras encompasses 8 hectares of vineyards situated on a hillside overlooking the city of Dijon, at the northernmost edge of the Côte de Nuits. The vineyards sit at elevations between 300-400 meters, making them some of the highest in the Burgundy region. This elevation contributes to a cooler microclimate that extends the growing season and promotes balanced ripening. The vineyard area is divided between 5 hectares of Pinot Noir and 3 hectares of Chardonnay, planted on predominantly limestone and clay soils typical of the Côte d'Or.
The domaine produces wines under the Bourgogne and Bourgogne Côte d'Or appellations, with two principal cuvées: "Coteaux du Dijon" and "Cras." The Coteaux du Dijon comes from younger vines, while the Cras is produced from older plantings on the steeper, better-exposed sections of the hillside. Both red and white wines are produced, with the Pinot Noir displaying the characteristic red fruit and mineral profile of northern Côte de Nuits, and the Chardonnay exhibiting tension and pronounced mineral character from the limestone-rich soils.
## Philosophy & Practice
Marc Soyard implements certified organic farming practices across all vineyard parcels, having completed the conversion process in 2015. No synthetic chemicals are used in the vineyards, with Soyard instead relying on natural preparations and careful canopy management to maintain vine health. Vineyard work is performed manually, including harvest, which is conducted with small teams to ensure careful selection of fruit.
In the cellar, Soyard follows a minimal intervention approach. Fermentations occur with indigenous yeasts in a mix of concrete tanks and neutral oak vessels. For red wines, whole cluster fermentation is employed to varying degrees depending on the vintage, typically ranging from 50-100%. Extraction is gentle, favoring infusion over aggressive punch-downs. The wines age in used French oak barrels, with new oak limited to less than 20% even for the top cuvées. Sulfur additions are minimal and primarily made just before bottling.
The domaine's approach reflects a commitment to expressing the unique character of this previously overlooked terroir at the northern limit of the Côte de Nuits, combining traditional Burgundian techniques with contemporary organic farming practices. This municipal wine project has successfully established a new viticultural identity for Dijon while preserving agricultural land from urban development.
Philosophy & Practice
Marc Soyard implements certified organic farming practices across all vineyard parcels, having completed the conversion process in 2015. No synthetic chemicals are used in the vineyards, with Soyard instead relying on natural preparations and careful canopy management to maintain vine health. Vineyard work is performed manually, including harvest, which is conducted with small teams to ensure careful selection of fruit.
In the cellar, Soyard follows a minimal intervention approach. Fermentations occur with indigenous yeasts in a mix of concrete tanks and neutral oak vessels. For red wines, whole cluster fermentation is employed to varying degrees depending on the vintage, typically ranging from 50-100%. Extraction is gentle, favoring infusion over aggressive punch-downs. The wines age in used French oak barrels, with new oak limited to less than 20% even for the top cuvées. Sulfur additions are minimal and primarily made just before bottling.
The domaine's approach reflects a commitment to expressing the unique character of this previously overlooked terroir at the northern limit of the Côte de Nuits, combining traditional Burgundian techniques with contemporary organic farming practices. This municipal wine project has successfully established a new viticultural identity for Dijon while preserving agricultural land from urban development.