Burgundy marks ten years of UNESCO recognition for its historic vineyard plots known as the Climats

Burgundy is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of its “Climats,” a term that refers not to weather, but to the unique vineyard plots that define the region’s wines. The recognition, granted on July 4, 2015, placed these vineyards in the category of “cultural landscapes,” highlighting Burgundy as the birthplace and model of terroir-driven viticulture.

Stretching for about 60 kilometers south of Dijon, the Climats are small parcels of vines that cover the rolling hills of the Côte d’Or. In autumn, these hills turn vibrant shades, giving the department its name, which means “Golden Slope.” There are precisely 1,247 recognized Climats, each with its own name and history. Some are famous worldwide, such as Clos des Mouches, Les Amoureuses, and Murger des Dents de Chien. Others produce bottles that can fetch thousands of dollars, like La Romanée, Bâtard-Montrachet, and Clos de Bèze.

The concept of Climats dates back centuries. According to Jean-Pierre Garcia, a professor at the University of Burgundy who specializes in landscape archaeology, Clos de Bèze was the first wine referenced by its Climat in 1676 during the reign of Louis XIV. Before this system developed, wines from Burgundy were often blends from various parcels across a wide area. Over time, local winemakers began to notice that certain plots produced better wines due to their unique characteristics. They decided to keep these wines separate rather than mixing them with lesser-quality juice.

This shift marked a turning point in Burgundy’s wine culture. Instead of naming wines after their owners or villages, producers began to identify them by their specific place of origin. This is what is now known as terroir—the idea that soil, slope, sun exposure, and other natural factors give each wine its distinct personality. At the time when Climats emerged as a concept, however, the word “terroir” had a negative connotation and was associated with rustic or peasant products. The term “Climat” took hold instead.

The new system quickly gained popularity. By the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, prices for Climat wines soared compared to ordinary village wines. Some Climat wines sold for up to ten times more than common wines. These sought-after bottles found their way to Parisian tables and even to London.

Gilles de Larouzière, president of the Association des Climats de Bourgogne and CEO of Champagne Henriot (which also owns Bouchard Père & Fils in Burgundy), describes the Climats as “the spirit of Burgundy.” Standing among rows of Montrachet vines—one of the world’s most renowned white wines—he points out how just a few meters can separate two different Climats with distinct qualities. He notes differences in slope and soil composition: one plot may have a steeper incline or marl-rich subsoil that directly affects grape aroma and flavor. Sun exposure and altitude also play crucial roles.

Each Climat acts as an identity card for its vineyard. It brings together all relevant data: soil type, slope angle, sunlight hours, and more. The winemaker’s skill lies in expressing these conditions as clearly as possible in each bottle—sometimes from a plot no larger than a backyard garden.

For many in Burgundy’s wine community, this focus on micro-terroirs is what sets their region apart. The Climats represent an “ultra-terroir,” where even tiny differences in geography can create unique expressions in wine. As Burgundy marks this milestone anniversary since UNESCO’s recognition, locals continue to honor both tradition and innovation in their pursuit of excellence from every parcel of land.