Michelin unveiled a Burgundy wine guide that crowns nine estates with its top 3 Grapes rating

Michelin has expanded its brand into wine with a new Burgundy-focused rating system that puts nine of the region’s most famous estates at the top of an inaugural list of “3 Grapes,” the highest distinction in the guide’s new winery selection unveiled Tuesday in Dijon.

The launch took place at the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, where Michelin presented its first wine classification after signaling at the end of 2025 that France would be the starting point. Burgundy, one of the country’s most influential wine regions, became the debut territory for the project. Michelin also awarded 20 estates with “2 Grapes” and 33 with “1 Grape.”

According to Michelin, the new ranking is meant to identify producers whose wines can be trusted across vintages, with the top tier reserved for exceptional estates. In this first edition, all nine “3 Grapes” wineries are in Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, reinforcing the standing of those two areas as central references in the region’s fine-wine landscape.

The nine estates awarded “3 Grapes” are Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, Domaine de Cécile Tremblay, Domaine Dugat-Py and Domaine Roumier from the Côte de Nuits, along with Domaine d’Auvenay, Coche-Dury, Domaine Jean-Marc & Thomas Bouley and Domaine Hubert Lamy from the Côte de Beaune.

In comments released with the selection, Gwendal Poullennec, Michelin Guide’s international director, said the first edition shows a Burgundy that remains faithful to its heritage while also staying dynamic. He said the region may be one of the most structured in the world in terms of terroir hierarchy and appellations, but that Michelin’s selection argues that excellence is not limited to prestige alone. He said it is expressed through precision in vineyard and cellar work and through the personality each grower brings to a domaine.

Michelin also framed Burgundy as a global benchmark for wine lovers because of its deep roots in family-run estates and its long tradition of rigor passed down across generations from the Côte de Nuits to the Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise. The guide pointed to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as the two grapes that define Burgundy’s identity and global reputation.

The top-ranked estates include some of the most sought-after names in world wine. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Vosne-Romanée, often treated as a symbol of Burgundy itself, was included in the highest tier. Michelin noted that since 2019 it has been co-directed by Perrine Fenal and Bertrand de Villaine, continuing a family governance model dating to 1942. The estate oversees 28 hectares of grand cru vineyards farmed biodynamically.

Domaine Leroy, also in Vosne-Romanée, was another natural inclusion at the top level. Michelin described Lalou Bize-Leroy as a legendary figure in Burgundy and noted that she is the only winemaker to place two domaines in this first “3 Grapes” selection. Her second estate on the list is Domaine d’Auvenay in Saint-Romain.

Domaine de Cécile Tremblay, founded in 2003 in Morey-Saint-Denis, stands out as one of the few entirely new estates created in the Côte de Nuits in recent decades. Michelin said Tremblay, a great-grandniece of Henri Jayer, built her own style through organic viticulture, long but fresh macerations and gentle extraction. Her wines come mainly from Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin.

At Domaine Dugat-Py in Gevrey-Chambertin, Michelin highlighted extremely limited production from very low-yield vineyards and old vines farmed biodynamically. The guide said the wines are made through classic vinification methods including whole clusters, long macerations and barrel aging, producing concentrated bottles intended for long cellaring.

Domaine Roumier in Chambolle-Musigny was recognized as one of the enduring reference points of the Côte de Nuits. Founded in 1924 by Georges Roumier, it became known early for estate bottling. Michelin said it was long directed by Christophe Roumier and is now in the hands of his nephews.

On the Côte de Beaune side, Coche-Dury in Meursault was cited as another model of excellence. Founded in the 1920s by Léon Coche, it rose to prominence under Jean-François Coche. Since 2010, his son Raphaël has continued to lead it. Michelin said its roughly 12 hectares produce white wines known for sharp acidity, intensity and strong aging potential, including bottlings from Perrières, Genevrières, Caillerets and Corton-Charlemagne.

Domaine Jean-Marc & Thomas Bouley in Volnay was praised for careful vineyard work, moderate yields and close attention to vine health across about 10 hectares. Michelin described its wines as soft but powerful, built around silky tannins and depth, with bottles designed to improve over time.

Domaine Hubert Lamy in Saint-Aubin completed the top group. Michelin credited Olivier Lamy, who took full control around 2000, with helping reveal the estate to a wider audience. The domaine covers about 20 hectares and includes parcels reaching to Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet. Michelin pointed to Lamy’s high-density planting approach as central to producing smaller, more concentrated grapes and wines marked by precision, tension and minerality.

The “2 Grapes” category includes Domaine Dujac, Domaine Denis Mortet, Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg, Domaines Bruno Clair, Gérard Mugneret, Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier, Domaine Jean-Claude Bachelet, Domaine Paul Pillot, Domaines Arnaud Ente, Benoît Ente, Benoît Moreau Lamy-Caillat, Bonneau du Martray, Domaine des Comtes Lafon, Domaine des Croix, Domaine Leflaive, Étienne Sauzet, Jean-Marc Vincent, Bruno Lorenzon and Domaine Dureuil-Janthial.

The “1 Grape” list includes Armand Rousseau, Claude Dugat, Denis Bachelet, Duroché, Joseph Roty, Trapet, Comte Georges de Vogüé, Ghislaine Barthod, Hudelot-Noëllat, Domaine Louis Boillot, Domaine Clos de Tart, Domaine des Lambrays, Domaine Ponsot, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Domaines Sylvain Cathiard, Méo-Camuzet, Château de la Tour, Faiveley, Bernard-Bonin, Henri Boillot, Henri Germain Roulot, Vincent Girardin, Domaine de Montille, Marquis d’Angerville Michel Lafarge, Domaine Roblet-Monnot Domaines Benjamin Leroux Joseph Drouhin Louis Jadot Domaine Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Domaine Marc Colin and Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson.

The move matters for the drinks business because Michelin’s entry into winery ratings could add another influential signal for collectors, importers and wine tourists already navigating a crowded field of critics and classifications. In Burgundy especially, where supply is tight and demand is global for many top labels, even symbolic recognition can shape visibility in export markets and reinforce pricing power for estates already operating at very small volumes.

It may also deepen competition among destination regions seeking high-end wine tourism traffic. By starting in Burgundy rather than launching a broader national or international list at once, Michelin is tying its new wine authority to place as much as product: vineyard reputation, cellar practice and travel appeal are all part of the package. With Bordeaux expected next and Italy still awaited according to WineNews.it’s report on Michelin’s rollout plans, producers elsewhere will be watching closely to see whether this new badge becomes a commercial tool as well as an editorial one.