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Origin and history

Corton-André Castle, formerly known as the Yellow Castle, is a 19th-century building located on the Grands Crus Road in the Beaune Coast vineyard in Aloxe-Corton. Built between 1895 and 1900 on the site of an 18th century castle, it preserves 15th century vaults. Its facades and roofs in Burgundy varnished tiles, as well as its wrought iron grilles, reflect bourgeois architecture of the period. The estate spans 150 hectares of large crus, including Corton and Corton-Charlemagne, spread over Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Serrigny and Pernand-Vergelesses.

Corton Hill, behind the castle, is linked to Emperor Charlemagne, who owned a vineyard in the eighth century. In 775 he donated it to the Canons of the Basilica of Saint-Andoche de Saulieu, giving birth to the appellation Corton-Charlemagne. The present castle was transformed to become the brand image of a flourishing wine-growing activity, with architectural elements such as a turret, a scauguette and commons with roofs of varnished tiles.

In 1923, winemaker Pierre André acquired the castle and modernized the marketing of Burgundy wines, contributing to the democratization of these wines. He also founded the Tastevin Company. The estate changed hands in 2002, bought by the Ballande group, then in 2015 by the Frey family, who renamed it "Château Corton C." Since 2017, its facades and grids have been listed as historical monuments.

The castle is distinguished by its stone staircase leading to a terrace, its three-storey west pavilion and its commons with cartretières doors in the middle of the hanger. The estate produces about 90 appellations, covering Côte-de-Beaune, Côte-de-Nuits and other Burgundy wine regions. Its history illustrates the evolution of wine-growing practices and the importance of traders in the valorisation of Burgundy wines.

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