One of the most exciting events in the international wine calendar and barometer of the fine wine market in Burgundy is the annual Hospice de Beaune charitable wine auction, held at the iconic Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune. Held on the third Sunday of November every year since 1859, this year’s sale is taking place on the 16th, with “Technological Innovation in the Service of Disability” charitable causes due to benefit from a portion of sales.

Westgarth Wines looks at the story of the oldest charity wine auction in the world and how it reflects the rich heritage of Burgundy wine.

For a wine lover, is there a better place to be than Burgundy on the third weekend of November every year? This is the season of the “Trois Glorieuses”, three unmissable events that are the highlight of the Burgundy wine calendar.

Organized by the Hospices de Beaune, it starts on Friday with wine tastings of the latest vintage in the Hospice’s historic cellars, followed by visits to famous vineyards and events celebrating Burgundian winemaking. The three-day festivity culminates on Sunday in the renowned charity Burgundy wine auction of around 50 exceptional wines at the picturesque Hôtel-Dieu, an event that includes the coveted Pièce des Présidents (more on that later!), drawing collectors, négociants, and wine enthusiasts from around the world who enjoy celebrating the region’s esteemed wines and charity mission.

To take part in the Hospices de Beaune auction, buyers – whether private wine collectors or professional négociants – must register in advance, commonly by early November. This is done directly via the auction website or through authorized agents. Bidders have the choice of participating in person, online, or through a proxy, with fractional purchases also options for those looking to bid on part of a barrel rather than an entire vessel.

• 1859: First recorded auction launched the annual tradition

• Early 20th Century: The auction continued through both World Wars, maintaining legacy

• 2015: Around $12 million

• 2018: $15.2 million, demonstrating the rising value of the Hospices wines

• 2021: $13.4 million while the Pièce des Présidents charity barrel sold for €800,000

• 2022: $32 million, with the President's Barrel sold for around $950,000 – with both record-breaking amounts

• 2024: $14.7 million despite a reduced harvest, with the President’s Barrel selling for €360,000

• 2023: $25.4 million

Whenever anyone thinks of Burgundy’s famous annual auction, an image of the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune (literally, God’s hospice) comes to mind. This is the iconic medieval building, famous for its colorful, traditionally Burgundian glazed tile roof, embellished architecture, cobbled courtyards, and grand, arched ceilings. This Burgundian landmark was originally a hospital for the needy; today it is the site of the annual wine auction that raises money for medical facilities in Beaune and around Burgundy.

This historic site was established in 1443 by the Chancellor of Burgundy, Nicolas Rolin, and his wife, Guigone de Salins, to serve the destitute, the sick, and orphans following the devastation of the Hundred Years’ War. After receiving ecclesiastical permission from the Pope in 1441, the Hôtel-Dieu was consecrated in 1452. The Hôtel-Dieu was soon the recipient of prestigious donations from the faithful living in the surrounding areas. This is where the venue’s connection to wine comes in: such endowments included fine local vineyards. The first recorded vineyard was bequeathed in 1457 from one Jean Guillotte le Verrier, who donated parcels from the Beaune lieu-dit, Beaumont-le-Franc.

This practice of donating some of the area's best vine holdings became something of a tradition over the centuries. Wealthy donors would endow the Hôtel with their finest plots to express gratitude, for spiritual benefit, or in memory of loved ones.

Today, the Hôtel is at the centre of a 60-hectare wine estate encompassing 120 parcels. Around 85 percent of the vineyards are in the heady Grand Cru and Premier Cru categories, with a significant number located in the surrounding Côte de Beaune. In the Côte de Nuits, the venue boasts holdings in the likes of Mazis-Chambertin, Echézeaux, and Clos de la Roche, and even a small Chablis 1er Cru parcel is in the portfolio. Pinot Noir makes up the lion’s share of vineyards, with 50 hectares, with the remaining quantity dedicated to Chardonnay.

Built on a philosophy of caring for people, it made sense to convert the vineyards to organic production. Under the guidance of the Hospices winemaker, Ludivine Griveau, conversion across holdings began in 2015 with the Hôtel-Dieu releasing its first fully organic Burgundy wine for the 2024 auction.

While the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune is the venue, the Hospices de Beaune is the organization. Indeed, it’s often referred to as a wine estate!

The former is no longer a hospital but a museum and the wine auction venue; the Hospices is the charitable institution acting as an umbrella to manage multiple Burgundian medical facilities, vineyards, and properties throughout and beyond Beaune and the surrounding region. Its auctioned wines raise money for local hospital operations, carrying on a rich legacy that began with Monsieur and Madame Rolin in the 15th century.

It’s Burgundy! Terroir, blending, and world-class quality are the hallmarks of Hospices de Beaune wines. Against this cultural backdrop, around two-thirds of the auctioned wines are blends of several parcels, while the remaining quantity hails from single-plot sites across Grand Cru, Premier Cru, and Villages bands.

An immediately noticeable feature of Hospices de Beaune wines is their names. Cuvées are named either after figures connected to the centuries-old history of the venue and charitable activities or the vineyard donors. Some appellations are:

Cuvées:

• Beaune 1er Cru blend Guigone de Salins with Les Bressandes, Les Seurey, and Champs Pimont

• Premier Cru blend Les Riottes, Les Charmots, Les Bertins, and Les Rugiens Bas

Single parcel:

• Corton Vergennes Grand Cru

• Corton Grand Cru Cuvée

• Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru

• Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

Historically-named:

• Beaune 1er Cru cuvée des Dames Hospitalières honors the first, 15th-century nuns caring for patients

Meursault Genevrières Philippe le Bon commemorates the Duke of Burgundy

The Hospices de Beaune auction has many unique features, but the standout has to be the “President’s Barrel” or the “Pièce des Présidents” (also sometimes called “Pièce de Charité”).

This is a full barrel (usually a Grand Cru) which changes each year and isn’t listed in the catalog. It’s the first lot of the evening and is sold by atmospheric candlelight, generating a lot of competitive local and worldwide bidding, with celebrities often acting as the auctioneer to animate the event further.

This special lot is put under the hammer to raise monies for charities outside the standard spectrum of philanthropic causes routinely supported by the event. In recent years, proceeds from this celebrated barrel have supported charities dedicated to medical research, child welfare, nationwide and international humanitarian aid, and women’s causes.

Celebrating centuries of French wine history, the annual Hospices de Beaune auction brings collectors, iconic wines, and philanthropy together in Burgundy’s most anticipated weekend.

Want to read more? Take a look at some of our other blogs:

• • Collector’s Corner: Robert Parker’s 100-point wines
  • Six multimillion-dollar wine auctions
  • Producer Profile: Albert Bichot