To stay up-to-date with the BIVB, subscribe to news alerts
News of the vineyard27/10/2023
The 163rd Hospices de Beaune Wine Sale on 19 November to Offer 753 Barrels from all 51 Cuvées Produced from the 2023 Harvest.
Sale of Unique ‘Presidents’ Barrel’ of Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru to Benefit the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM) & the Initiative de Recherche pour une Longévité en Bonne Santé (IRLB)
The 163rd edition of the annual Hospices de Beaune wine sale on Sunday, 19 November will present a total of 51 different cuvées of the 2023 vintage produced from vineyards across the Hospices’ 60-hectare holdings, now in its third and final year of organic conversion. These 51 cuvées will be divided into 753 lots: 574 barrels of red wines and 179 barrels of white wines. With the addition of the unique Presidents’ Barrel and 16 barrels of eaux de vie, this year’s sale comprises 770 barrels in total.
Sotheby's is working with the Hospices de Beaune, in preparation for the 163rd edition, for the third consecutive year. Funds raised from the sale will be used to finance major new structural projects in 2024. These include the construction of a new hospital building to replace the first building of the modern era which dates to 1971 (due to open in four years), the rebuilding of the hospital in Seurre, the renewal of hospital equipment with cutting edge technology, and a modernisation of the winery.
Earlier this year, the Hospices Civils de Beaune pledged its commitment to support the issue of healthy ageing, in response to a concern about this public health priority. The proceeds from the sale of the special Charity barrel, also known as the Pièce des Présidents (Presidents’ Barrel), will be sold in aid of the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM) and the Initiative de Recherche pour une Longévité en Bonne Santé (IRLB) – both of which are dedicated to maintaining life expectancy in good health for all. Distinguishing this year’s Charity barrel is not only the wine within – a Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru – but also the material with which it was made: the wood of an oak tree used to restore the spire of Notre Dame in Paris.
Press events around the sale
Considered the oldest wine event to-date, the Fête des Grands Vins opens its doors on Friday 17 November from 9:30am - 2:30pm for wine professionals; from 9:30am - 12:30pm for journalists; and from 2pm – 7pm for the general public. It is also open on Saturday 18 November from 9am to 7pm for the general public. The most recent vintages of all appellations in the Greater Bourgogne region, from Chablis to the Grand Crus of the Côte d'Or and down to the Mâconnais, will be offered for tasting at the event.
- 9:30am to 12:30pm – Opening to journalists*
The BIVB press office will be on hand to offer a personalized welcome. If you’d like to make an appointment, please email cecile.mathiaud@bivb.com, or contact her on the day.
Reminder: You do not need a Hospices press badge to enter the tasting. The BIVB’s press office will issue you with a badge upon your arrival.
-11am – Special press tasting*
This year, the tasting will showcase three appellations:
Saint-Véran, click for more information ; Morey-Saint-Denis, click here et Chambolle-Musigny, click here: Enjoy a foretaste of the cuvées that will make up the Saint-Vincent Tournante, which runs in January 2024. Click here for more information on this event.
- 9:45am - Press conference* of the Hospices de Beaune and the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) inside the Halles de Beaune, Place de l'Hôtel Dieu*
Présentation of the 2023 vintage, snapshot of the market, introduction of the charities being supported by the sale of the Pièce des Présidents, and provide an update on the latest news from the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune and its various projects.By invitation only.
- 2:30pm – Opening of the 163rd Hospices de Beaune Charity wine sale wine, inside the Halles de Beaune, Place de l'Hôtel Dieu*. The press office is located just above the auction room. (with wifi access). By invitation only.
*Invitations to take part in the various events has been sent out by the Hospices de Beaune.
Alain Suguenot, Mayor of Beaune and Chairman of the Hospices Civils de Beaune Supervisory Board
“[...] We will be witnessing a sale that promises to be a major event, and which this year will champion the cause of "ageing well". The charity item, known as the "Presidents' Piece", will be dedicated to research into the theme of ageing well. It will focus in particular on research into the brain and genes that can delay the ageing process.”
Marie-Catherine Moraillon, Acting Director of Hospices Civils de Beaune
“Ageing well is a key theme at the Hospices Civils de Beaune. In fact, the hospital is involved in a regional project for seniors with the EHPADs of the Groupement Hospitalier de Territoire du Sud Côte d'Or. The primary aim of this initiative is to adapt the care and support offered to the needs of the elderly, to enable them to remain at home, in good health, for as long as possible.[...]"
Marie-Anne Ginoux, Managing Director Sotheby's France
“On the occasion of this new edition of the Hospices de Beaune sale and the third consecutive year under the gavel of Sotheby’s, we are pleased to announce the organisation of a series of exceptional tastings around the world (Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Houston, Los Angeles and Mexico City) to further enhance the reputation of the Hospices and showcase the excellence of its expertise internationally. Last year’s record sale result is a perfect illustration of the steady growth in sales of Burgundy wines and our position as world leader in wine and spirits, with a record total of 158 million dollars in auction sales in 2022.”
Ludivine Griveau, Manager of the Hospices de Beaune wine estate
"This year there are two major themes, reflecting the highlights of the Hospices de Beaune winegrowing estate: the third year on the road to organic conversion and the 2023 vintage."
Bernard d'Harcourt, Manager of the Domaine de Vibraye forestry group (Sarthe)
“In 2019, when the spire of Notre Dame in Paris burned down, we discovered that it could be rebuilt identically in wood, thanks to a study by the chief architect of historic monuments, Rémi Fromont. In 2021, the d'Harcourt family decided to donate 10 prestigious trees for the restoration of the cathedral's nave and spire. One of these 220-year-old trees from the Vibraye forest measured 19 metres, whereas the architects only needed 15.5 metres.
At that point, my father and I decided to donate the remaining amount for the charity piece known as the "Presidents' Piece".
PRESS & COMMUNICATIONS CONTACTS HOSPICES CIVILS DE BEAUNE
Estelle Bidault - Wine sales press officer - Hospices Civils de Beaune
estelle.bidault@ch-beaune.fr - +33 6 73 91 77 79
Théo Carmona - Communications Officer - Hospices Civils de Beaune
theo.carmona@ch-beaune.fr - +33 3 80 24 45 30
PRESS & COMMUNICATIONS CONTACTS SOTHEBY'S
Matthew Floris - Press Officer - Sotheby's London
matthew.floris@sothebys.com - +44 20 7293 6000
Romain Monteaux-Sarmiento - Director of Integrated Communication - Sotheby's France
romain.monteaux-sarmiento@sothebys.com - +33 6 33 30 83 08
OTHER CONTACTS
CADUS COOPERAGE
Antoine de Thoury - Chairman and CEO of Cadus cooperage
athoury@tonnelleriecadus.com - +33 6 61 56 05 74
VIBRAYE FOREST ESTATE
Bernard d'Harcourt - Manager of the Vibraye forest estate
bernard.dharcourt@gbae.fr - +33 6 81 67 69 57
MERRANDERIE BARRAUD
Olivier Barraud - Director of Barraud Merrains Bois
barraudo@wanadoo.fr - +33 6 16 90 59 18
HOSPICES CIVILS DE BEAUNE
The history of the Hospices Civils de Beaune began in 1443 when Nicolas Rolin and Guigone de Salins decided to build a hospital: the Hôtel-Dieu. The founders' charity and patronage established a tradition that has enabled the Hospices de Beaune to survive throughout history in exceptional conditions. Today, the Hospices Civils de Beaune comprises the hospital centres of Beaune, Arnay-le-Duc, Seurre and Nuits-St- Georges. The Philippe Le Bon Hospital in Beaune is the support facility for the Groupement Hospitalier de Territoire du Sud Côte-d'Or.
The originality of this hospital institution lies in the size and nature of its assets, which include, on the one hand, a historic monument, the 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu, which has not welcomed patients or elderly residents since the early 1980s; and, on the other hand, a prestigious 60-hectare Beaune wine-growing estate of the best Burgundy appellations. All these vineyards come from bequests and donations, and their production is auctioned every year on the 3rd Sunday in November, as part of the world's most famous charity sale. Thanks to its heritage, this hospital plays a leading role in the two major activities of Beaune and its region: tourism and wine.
The auction, which can include more than 500 lots, is the most famous and oldest charity wine auction in the world (1859). True to its founding values, each year the Hospices de Beaune supports a charity by donating the profits from the sale of a piece of wine, known as the "Pièce du Président". Proceeds from the sale of this wine are ear-marked for the upkeep of the hospital's heritage and the modernisation of its equipment and buildings.
SOTHEBY'S WINE
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industryleading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.
Sotheby’s Wine’s annual worldwide auction sales of wine and spirits achieved a record total of 8 million in 2022, a 20% increase from 2021. Sotheby’s currently holds the world records for any whisky collection ever sold at auction, any private wine collection ever sold at auction, the most valuable bottle of wine ever sold at auction and the most valuable bottle of spirits ever sold at auction, in addition to the highest ever total for a charity wine auction.
Press
professional access
Educator Area 
extranet
Partager
Download the PDF press release about the 163rd Hospices de Beaune wine sale