To the north of the wine region, Fleurie has a very special type of geography, with a series of hillocks backing on to a chain of ridges (Fût d’Avenas, Col de Durbize, Col des Labourons, Pic Reymont) that drop gently down the slopes from a height of up to 450 m to around 220 m. The appellation, whose name has nothing to do with flowers but refers to a Roman legionary, extends in a single block over 870 ha of the commune of Fleurie.

There are two distinct areas. In the sloping higher parts of the appellation at the foot of the ‘La Madone’ hill that overlooks the ‘cru’ and offers outstanding views over the vineyards, the soils are poor, acid and dry. They produce fine, highly aromatic wines. Above the village, the soils are deeper and contain clay: the wines are more structured and may be laid down for many years.

Fleurie has 13 different ‘climats’ listed by I.N.A.O (National Institute of Appellations d’Origine); each of these ‘terroirs’ produces a very distinctive type of wine. From north to south of the appellation: les Labourons, Poncié, les Moriers, la Roilette, les Garants, Montgenas, La Madone, La Joie du Palais, Grille-Midi, La Chapelle des Bois, La Cote, Le Bon Cru and Champagne.