The 2025 vintage therefore has a taste of progress and a scent of inclusion, since from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th November, the central theme of the sale will be the inclusion of people with disabilities. situation disability and the funding of new technologies to improve their daily lives. As every year, the auction of the vintages of the domaine The Hospices wine fair will be held on the third Sunday of November under the market halls with the famous maison of Sotheby's auctions. During the weekend, the whole city will be alive with tastings, parades, visits to estates and entertainment which attract thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

Profits from the sale of the famous barrel of "Pièce des Présidents" or "Pièce de Charité", a Pommard 1er cru " Les Rugiens ", will go to associations supporting disabled people. The EHCO (Enfants Handicapés Côte-d'Or) association, sponsored by film director Cédric Klapisch and actor Vincent Lacoste, and the Robert-Debré Child Brain Institute, sponsored by DJ Martin Solveig and actress Alice Taglioni.

This choice is particularly meaningful on the ^20th anniversary of the 2005 "Disability Law," a foundational text for equal rights and opportunities. The associations receiving support this year will be working on projects focused on technological innovation, notably the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare. In line with this approach, the Hospices also signed the Romain Jacob Charter this year, committing its signatories to improving and facilitating healthcare for people with disabilities. situation of disability.

A Clos -of- Vougeot as ^52nd cuvée

The Hospices de Beaune Wine Sale was born in 1859, but its history began long before with the creation of the Hospices Civils de Beaune, founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin and Guigone de Salins as a hospital for the poor. Over the centuries, the hospital has received numerous donations of vines, which today make up a 60-hectare vineyard (85% of which are Premier and Grand Crus) divided into 117 parcels from Pouilly-Fuissé in the south to Chablis in the north. True to its history, the "Vente des Vins" perpetuates a tradition that is both viticultural and charitable.

Historically, 51 vintages are offered each year, but in 2025, a ^52nd cuvée will make his entrance: a grand cru rouge Clos -of- Vougeot , Cuvée François Faiveley , offered on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the maison speak Domaine Faiveley This shows the importance of the Hospices, of the sale but also of the charitable aspect which is perpetuated from generation to generation.

An international reach

“As this new sale approaches, we are already seeing enthusiasm among buyers, with more registrations than in the last four years,” announced Marie-Anne Ginoux, Managing Director of Sotheby’s France. Collectors from Brazil, Mexico, and Taiwan have already reserved their places, confirming the international appeal of this event.

In 2024, the total amount of donations raised was almost 14 million euros. This sum contributes to the upkeep of the Hospices de Beaune's heritage, as well as to the continued modernization of its hospital infrastructure. The sponsors of the 2024 edition, Jean Réno, Zabou Breitman, Dominic West and Eva Longoria, had succeeded in raising the price of barrel of "La Pièce des Présidents", a Beaune^1er cru Les Bressandes, to €360,000 (topped up by €100,000 in the form of a personal donation) in aid of Médecins Sans Frontières and the Global Gift Foundation. The sale attracted buyers from 32 countries, with record participation and an average price of around €30,000 per barrel. In 2025, will the Sale des Vins manage to do even better?

The major construction projects of the Hospices

The Wine Auction has always contributed to financing the needs of the public hospital of Beaune and this is more relevant than ever with the construction of a new building and the acquisition of a surgical robot.

Why is the Wine Auction so important for the Hospices de Beaune ?

The sale of wines is a vital resource for the operation and development of the Civil Hospices of Beaune Since the auction's inception in 1859, the proceeds have funded major projects. In 2019, the funds raised contributed to the purchase of a new scanner and the equipping of a new cardiovascular rehabilitation unit, which opened in January 2021. The auction provides a vital boost, attracting new practitioners and patients and guaranteeing them access to quality care.

What are the major projects funded by the profits from the Wine Auction?

The major project currently underway is the reconstruction of the hospital in Beaune Another project concerns the reconstruction of the local hospital in Seurre, essential to the regional healthcare network. Finally, the Hospices have chosen to equip themselves with a surgical robot, a rare and very expensive technological investment for an institution of this size.

What will the future hospital building consist of? Beaune ?

The future hospital, with a surface area of ​​15,000 m², will replace a building constructed in 1971 that is now outdated. With a total budget of €86 million, including €12 million from the French government, this project aims to consolidate all strategic services. The organization will be redesigned to streamline patient care pathways, bring patients closer to technical facilities, and offer better working conditions for staff. To finance the remaining €74 million, the Hospices de Beaune have taken out a loan of nearly €58 million, but they are also counting on the 2025 auction and funds raised during previous auctions (€14 million in 2024). The hospital is expected to be operational in 2028.

Why is the acquisition of a surgical robot a major advancement?

Acquired for just over 2 million euros, plus several hundred thousand euros per year for its operation, the surgical robot has been operational since September 2025. This type of technology, long reserved for university hospitals, remains exceptional in a hospital of this size. Beaune “We will be one of the smallest hospitals in France to have this technology and it is thanks to the financial resources offered by the Wine Auction,” adds Guillaume Koch, the hospital director.

Morgane AIGU

Journalist (part-time)