La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne between the Serein and the vineyards

On the left bank of the Serein, La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne stretches along the foot of slopes covered with vineyards. The river and the vines shape the landscape, while the Église Saint-Sébastien adds a cultural and historical landmark. Of the commune’s 504 hectares, 120 hectares are vineyards—just under a quarter. The elevation ranges from 122 to 252 metres. The riverside setting, winegrowing, and clearly defined elevation range all contribute to the character of the village.

Wine country and Premier Cru La Fourchaume

Among the vineyards on the slopes is the 35-hectare Premier Cru La Fourchaume. It accounts for less than a third of the commune’s total vineyard area of 120 hectares. This comparison shows the difference between the wider winegrowing landscape and one named cru. Anyone interested in winegrowing can get a sense of the scale and place La Fourchaume among the slopes of La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne.

The Church of Saint-Sébastien: setting and history

The Église Saint-Sébastien stands halfway up a wooded slope, overlooking the village. Its setting makes it a prominent landmark in the village. In 1121, Robert, Bishop of Langres, transferred the parish church to the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Michel de Tonnerre. Another historical milestone is its heritage protection: a decree dated 9 December 1929 protected the church as a historic monument. These dates reflect different aspects of its history: the transfer to an abbey in the Middle Ages and a later protection decision.

Chablis wines and local wineries

Domaine Alexandre in La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne offers Chablis wine tastings. If you plan to attend a tasting, check the current visiting arrangements before you travel. The estate’s range includes Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Cuvée Vieilles Vignes, and Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume; the selection may change. The family winery has been passed down through three generations. This brings together a specific tasting opportunity, named wines, and the story of a family business.

The wines associated with Domaine Chantemerle include the crus Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis 1er cru Fourchaume, and Chablis 1er cru Homme mort; this selection may change. Compared with the wines sold by Domaine Alexandre, Chantemerle additionally features Homme mort, while Petit Chablis, Chablis, and Fourchaume appear in both lineups.

At Domaine Goulley Philippe, the wines are made exclusively from the estate’s own grapes. There is also a historical connection to the wine trade: in 1991, Domaine Goulley Philippe became the first winery in the Chablis area to receive organic farming certification. Alongside the wine names, the origin of the grapes and the history of the certification offer distinct topics to explore.

Choose the focus of your stay

When looking for a holiday rental, you might consider whether winegrowing and tastings, the history of Saint-Sébastien, or the landscape along the Serein should shape your stay. If you want to take your travel companions’ different interests into account, these topics offer concrete starting points for choosing your destination. If you plan to attend a tasting, check Domaine Alexandre’s visiting arrangements before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Collemiers, Escolives-Sainte-Camille, Passy, Châtel-Censoir, Villeperrot, Yrouerre, La Ferté-Loupière, Épineuil

For the broader travel overview: Yonne.