The tasting cellar of 16 Beaujolais-Villages producers, founded in 1956 in the historic capital of Beaujolais. After a full renovation, the caveau pours the complete arc of appellations from Beaujolais-Villages to the 10 Crus alongside Cremant de Bourgogne.
Tip: Beaujeu hosts the Sarmentelles Nouveau festival each November third Thursday; arrive a week early and the Comptoir stocks unlabelled primeur samples.
The official tasting bar of the Beaujolais historic capital, run by 16 passionate vigneron families since 1956. A renovated space in the Temple de Bacchus square pours the complete appellation arc with informal guided tasting available on request.
The list: 16 Beaujolais-Villages producers; all 10 Crus poured; Cremant de Bourgogne available; by-glass and bottle
The winemakers' cooperative shop of 16 Beaujolais-Villages producers, founded in 1956 in the historic capital Beaujeu. The full arc of appellations from Beaujolais-Villages through 10 Crus and Cremant de Bourgogne is stocked at EUR 7.50-13 per bottle.
Les Sarmentelles is held in Beaujeu, the historic medieval capital of the Beaujolais, on the eve of Nouveau release. A torchlight procession winds through the old town, fires are lit, and the clock runs down to midnight when the year's Nouveau is first poured. The event combines medieval theatre and vine-grower celebration in the town that gave the region its name.
Tip: Beaujeu's medieval architecture is the backdrop for an authentic Nouveau celebration rooted in the town that gave the region its name; arrive for the afternoon market before the evening procession.
Modelled on the Beaune Hospices charity auction, the Hospices de Beaujeu holds its annual barrel auction in December in the medieval town of Beaujeu, with proceeds supporting the local hospital. Cru Beaujolais barrels from the current harvest are sold to the trade and private buyers. The event maintains genuine local character and connects the historic town to the wine charity tradition of Burgundy.
Tip: The Beaujeu auction is far less crowded than the Beaune event and retains an intimate, working-grower atmosphere; the town's medieval streets and the Maison du Pays du Beaujolais are worth a separate afternoon visit.
An interactive geology and viticulture museum in the historic capital of the Beaujolais, presenting the geological origins of the region's soils and how granite, schist, and clay create the diversity of the 12 appellations. Permanent exhibition covers vine cultivation cycles, the history of Gamay and Beaujolais wines, and includes a structured wine tasting of representative appellations. Open February to December, seven days a week.
The five-day Beaujolais Nouveau festival held each third Thursday of November in the historic capital of Beaujolais. Visitors join the midnight barrel-opening ceremony, taste all 12 Beaujolais appellations along the tasting route (EUR 15 includes glass), and discover the architectural heritage of Beaujeu village.
Tip: The midnight barrel-opening ceremony in the village square is free to attend; the tasting-route wristband unlocks all 12 appellations during the event.
A bar-terrace in Beaujeu, the medieval Beaujolais capital, with an evening wine list anchored by Régnié, Brouilly, and local Beaujolais-Villages pours.
The list: Bar and terrace in the historic capital Beaujeu with an evening wine list focused on Régnié and Brouilly Crus plus the Beaujolais-Villages from the surrounding villages
Tip: Beaujeu is the least visited of the major Beaujolais towns; the terrace is most animated on Sarmentelles night and during summer village events.