Over the weekend, Burgundy was buzzing with the return of the Saint Vincent Tournante 2025! Now in its 81st year, this isn’t just any wine festival—it’s a celebration of tradition, community, and the patron saint of winemakers, Saint Vincent.
This year, the festivities took place in the charming village of Ladoix-Serrigny, just north of Beaune. Around 40,000 wine enthusiasts gathered to toast everything Burgundy has to offer. It’s a weekend of camaraderie and joy that perfectly captures the region’s spirit.
For me, the Saint Vincent Tournante is one of my favourite times of year. Its energy and and true sense of place make it unforgettable, and it’s no wonder I plan my calendar around it every year. Curious to see what makes it so special? Let’s dive into the highlights below!
Menu
What is the Saint Vincent Tournante?
Ladoix-Serrigny and its Wines
2025 Highlights
Tastings
Overall Thoughts
What is the Saint Vincent Tournante?
Every January, winemakers across France honour their patron saint, Saint Vincent, with traditional parades and lively wine festivals. But nowhere are these celebrations more spectacular than in Burgundy, home to the legendary Saint Vincent Tournante. Since 1938, this annual event has travelled from village to village (hence the name “Tournante”, which means “rotating”), spotlighting the unique character and winemaking heritage of each host commune.
This year’s 81st edition brought the festivities to Ladoix-Serrigny, where the village transformed into the place to be over the weekend of January 25 – 26, 2025. An impressive 40,000 wine lovers gathered to raise a glass and enjoy the fruits of two years of meticulous preparation. Local winemakers united to craft special cuvées for the occasion, producing 100,000 bottles ranging from everyday wines to Premiers Crus and even a Corton Grand Cru. The result was a convivial tasting experience that perfectly captured the spirit of Burgundy!
You can read more about Saint Vincent and the traditions around his day here.
You can also check out past editions of the Saint Vincent Tournante de Bourgogne here (2021/2022) and here (2023).
Ladoix-Serrigny and its Wines
Ladoix-Serrigny marks the northern edge of the Côte de Beaune. Along with Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses, it has the prestigious honour of producing legendary Grand Cru wines of the Corton Hill. Established as an appellation in 1937, it mostly produces reds thanks to its ideal terroirs for Pinot Noir. The appellation boasts 11 Climats classified as Premier Cru, adding to its reputation as a source of exceptional wines.
Reds from Ladoix-Serrigny are fairly easy to drink. Expect aromas of ripe strawberries, confit cherry (think jam or griottines), cloves, coffee, and dark chocolate. They might have a hint of flowers too. The palate tends to be rounded, and full-bodied, with silky tannins.
The whites, made from Chardonnay, are golden or pale straw colour. The nose is refined and classic with buttery aromas of acacia, plum, apple, quince, fig, and even spiced pear. They are lively, fresh, and balanced, with a rich texture that evolves beautifully with age.
Two of my go-to winemakers are actually located in this village and I highly recommend trying their wines: Domaine Chevalier and Domaine Nudant.
Note that domaines in the host village are closed during the Saint Vincent Tournante. It is not possible to visit or purchase wines.
Premier Cru Climats
- Basses Mourottes
- Bois Roussot
- En Naget
- Hautes Mourottes
- La Corvée
- La Micaude
- Le Clou d’Orge
- Le Rognet et Corton
- Les Buis
- Les Grêchons et Foutrières
- Les Joyeuses
Lieux-dits
- Bas de Naget
- Bois de Gréchon
- Bois de Naget
- Bois des Toppes
- Buisson
- Champ Pussuet
- Clos des Chagnots
- Clos Royer
- La Blancharde
- La Butte
- La Combe
- La Corvée Basse
- La Huchotte
- La Mort
- La Rangie
- La Toppe d’Avignon
- Le Bois d’Herbues
- Le Clou
- Le Seuriat
- Les Barres
- Les Briquottes
- Les Buis
- Les Carrières
- Les Chagnots
- Les Chaillots
- Les Champs Rammés
- Les Combottes
- Les Forêts
- Les Issards
- Les Lièvrières
- Les Madonnes
- Les Mamées
- Les Ranches
- Les Toppes Coiffées
- Les Vris
- Sur les Forêts
- Sur les Vris
- Vigne Adaim
2025 Highlights
I was really impressed with this year’s event. There are so many things I loved. But, alas, in the interest of brevity, here are my highlights from the 2025 Saint Vincent Tournante.
The Kit
To fully immerse in the experience, participants must purchase a tasting kit, available both online and in person. The kit includes a glass holder, the official Hommage 38—SVT glass from Maison Lehmann Reims, a detailed map of the village with all the event’s key information (program, locations of food and entertainment, etc.), and a booklet with 8 tickets. These tickets grant access to the exclusive vintages available only during the event. In fact, the wines are not available for purchase. This makes each sip even more special.
The Glasses
The Saint Vincent Tournante glasses are a highlight in their own right; renowned for their quality and perfect as souvenirs. Each edition, they’re custom-designed to capture the essence of the hosting village and its wines. This year’s glass was crafted by Lehmann Glass. The “Hommage 38cl” model from the Gérard Basset Signature Collection was chosen as the template, thanks to its versatility for both red and white wines. For those unfamiliar with Gérard Basset, he was the best sommelier in the world and the co-founder of Maison Lehmann. Made from lead-free crystal, this glass is just 1 cm shorter than usual, with a sturdy stem, for easy handling. I personally love the subtlety of the white-etched design. It’s both festive and functional, a perfect keepsake to remember the event. Everyone collects these and it’s not unusual to find them in kitchens around Burgundy!
The Theme
Every year, the Saint Vincent Tournante celebrates a unique theme. This year’s was especially poetic: “Au cœur de la Côte, les ressources de Ladoix-Serrigny” (“In the heart of the Côte, the resources of Ladoix-Serrigny”). A nod to the theme when they last hosted in 1984, it pays tribute to the natural elements that define this region. The vines, wines, forests, stones, and water. These elements were beautifully represented in the stunning, handmade decorations that adorned every corner of the village. Ladoix-Serrigny was truly transformed into a living tribute to Burgundy’s terroir.
Over 200,000 flowers were handmade by volunteers. The winemakers also banded together to commission a 6m tall statue of Saint Vincent. It weighs close to a ton!
Many of the decorations focused on the workers. From the vines, to the cellars, to the table, every part of the wine making process was represented. Some decorations were more serious, but there was often a bit of humour too.
There was also a lot of attention towards the carrières (quarries) of the area. Much like the crayères in Champagne, they play a special role in the local heritage. The limestone mined here built up the villages, châteaux, churches, monuments, cadoles (vineyard huts), clos (walled vineyards), and pretty much anything in between.
I personally really liked the nod towards local fauna that are found in the vineyards. These include snails (of course!), owls, wild boar, foxes, deer, bunnies, hedgehogs, turkey, etc. The decorations were very charming and cleverly made!
The water theme was particularly original along the La Lauve river, which flows through Ladoix-Serrigny. Besides drunken aquatic life, I spotted lots of fishermen catching bottles of wine. I might have to take up fishing in this village…
The Entertainment
Live music also provided merriment. From stages to wandering group, there was really a bit of everything: traditional folklore, jazz, pop/rock, country (yes, it exists in France apparently), Brazilian percussion, and more. My personal favourites were the bandas (marching bands).
The Food
In Burgundy, food is as much of a tradition as wine. And it’s no surprise that some of my favourite French dishes come from this region! This year, 45 food vendors showcased local delicacies like escargots and œufs en meurette. The real standout was the 100% Côte d’Or village, which highlighted the rich flavours of the region.
You know you’re in Burgundy when a strong, irresistible cheese smell fills the air. Époisses, the region’s beloved stinky cheese (and one of my personal favourites), is even more aromatic when melted on a warm piece of bread. Needless to say, I couldn’t resist indulging with a cheeky glass of Domaine Nudant Ladoix Blanc!
And while not exactly local, Breton oysters made an appearance. They paired perfectly with a crisp white Ladoix. A match made in Burgundy heaven!
Tastings
I had the opportunity to try a little of everything: reds and whites from regional appellations all the way to a Grand Cru! Here are some tasting notes; they are in order of how I tasted them.
Caveau No 8: Ladoix Blanc 2023
Lemon yellow with bright aromas of ripe orchard fruits and juicy citrus with a hint of grilled brioche. The mouth was voluptuous but fresh with a long finish. I had this with the escargots and it was a perfect pairing.
Caveau No 6: Bourgogne Blanc 2023
Yellow with green reflections, this one had delicate notes of white blossoms, pear, and lemon zest. It was quite lively in mouth. A stint in oak barrel added roundness.
Caveau No 5: Ladoix Rouge 2022
An inviting ruby colour, the nose had aromas of forest berries with a hint of violette and toasted wood. Light and easy to drink with good balance. It also had a really nice finish.
Caveau No 7: Ladoix Premier Cru Blanc 2022
Pale gold with a really lovely bouquet that played between floral and fruity with tantalizing notes of sandalwood and toast. Very generous in mouth, but well balanced. A long, pleasant finish.
Caveau No 4: Ladoix Premier Cru Rouge 2022
Deep ruby, the nose was deliciously complex: aromas of wild strawberry and blueberry, black licorice, and pepper. It was incredibly velvety in mouth.
Caveau No 3: Ladoix Premier Cru Rouge 2018
Ruby and dancing with purple reflections, this wine was neither young nor old. It was an interesting play between fruity and autumnal aromas. Think end of season fruits, colourful leaves, mushrooms, a touch of campfire. Lots of character in mouth but smooth.
Caveau No 2: Ladoix Rouge 2019
It smelled how it looked: raspberry in colour and in fragrance! There is a touch of woodiness, like vanilla. Tasty and well-balanced.
Caveau No 1: Corton Grand Cru Rouge 2018
Tasters were spoiled with this one! Corton is a favourite appellation of mine, so I was VERY excited about this wine and it did not disappoint. Beautifully garnet in colour, the nose was just gorgeous. Very ripe and meaty black plums mingle with dried fig. Soft baking spices flirt with forest floor. The mouth is big and powerful with a very long finish. A really wonderful example of this Grand Cru!!
Overall Thoughts
The Saint Vincent Tournante 2025 in Ladoix-Serrigny was an undeniable triumph. Not even the rain could dampen the spirit of the celebration!
The wines this year were exceptional—far beyond the usual offerings at this event. Typically, the wines are enjoyable, but this year, they were truly outstanding, making the experience all the more memorable.
The decorations and entertainment were equally impressive. Every corner of the village shined with creativity, creating a welcoming and lively atmosphere that was impossible not to enjoy. Captivated by the beauty and attention to detail at every turn, I think I snapped around 300 photos!
The event was seamlessly organized, with quick-moving lines and an efficient shuttle service. Huge congratulations to the organizers and volunteers for pulling it all together.
Overall, I highly recommend the Saint Vincent Tournante. One of the best events in France, it really showcases the warmth of the people and the charm of the French countryside. To me, it’s an experience not to be missed. I’m already looking forward to next year’s edition in Les Maranges!
