Beaujolais 2026: Gamay Takes Over the City and the Table

With Gamay Days in Lyon and the return of Bienvenue en Beaujonomie in the vineyard, Beaujolais strengthens its public-facing ambitions

In 2026, Beaujolais is set to reaffirm that gamay is not only its signature grape variety but also a powerful expression of conviviality, modernity and shared pleasure. Led by Inter Beaujolais, two major public events will punctuate late spring and early summer, bridging the city of Lyon and the heart of the vineyard: the inaugural Gamay Days festival on 23 and 24 May in Lyon, and the seventh edition of Bienvenue en Beaujonomie, held from 19 to 21 June across some fifty Beaujolais estates.

A brand-new fixture on the wine calendar, Gamay Days signals a strong return of Beaujolais to Lyon. Over the course of a single weekend, the Heat/H7 venue in the Confluence district will welcome a broad audience eager to discover or rediscover the many expressions of gamay. Alongside Beaujolais wines, guest vineyards from Savoie, Côtes d’Auvergne, Coteaux du Lyonnais and the Loire volcanique collective will showcase the geographical and stylistic diversity of the grape. Designed as a true wine festival, the event will combine tastings by appellation, a food garden run entirely by Bistrots Beaujolais, interactive workshops, vineyard-led activities and a lively musical atmosphere. Around 3,000 visitors are expected over the two days.
Beyond the festive spirit, the ambition is clear: to highlight gamay as a grape capable of finesse and complexity, to convey a positive, contemporary image of the Beaujolais vineyard, and to strengthen direct connections between winegrowers and the public in an accessible, urban setting.
A few weeks later, the experience will continue in the vineyard itself with Bienvenue en Beaujonomie. From the Pierres Dorées area in the south to the crus in the north, around fifty estates, cellars and wine houses will open their doors for shared meals and immersive moments in a wide range of settings: wine cellars, château interiors, gardens beneath a canopy or open-air tables among the vines. A flagship event for wine tourism, Bienvenue en Beaujonomie brings together more than 1,500 participants each year around generous tables, fine bottles and activities curated by the hosts themselves. Prices range from €30 to €160, including food, wines and entertainment, with lunches and dinners offered throughout the weekend.

Through these two complementary events, Beaujolais is pursuing a clear strategy: meeting wine lovers where they are, both in the city and in the vineyard, and using gamay as the common thread for experiences that are welcoming, generous and deeply human. An open invitation to explore a diverse vineyard just thirty minutes from Lyon and to reaffirm Beaujolais as a leading contemporary wine destination.