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164th Hospices de Beaune charity auction to mark the domaine’s organic certification
The upcoming Hospices de Beaune auction on 17 November will celebrate an historic moment as the domaine presents its first fully certified organic vintage, reports Colin Hay.
There was hushed silence at Sotheby’s new Parisian premises on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré – just around the corner from the President’s official residence, the Elysée Palace – as the names of the charities set to benefit from the sale of the ‘Presidents’ Barrel’ at the next legendary Hospices de Beaune wine auction were revealed.
They are Médecins Sans Frontières and Global Gift Foundation of America. Both will be represented at the sale, which will take place in Beaune on 17 November, by Dominic West and Zabou Breitman, and Eva Longoria and Jean Reno respectively.
The ‘Presidents’ Barrel’ will undoubtedly be one of the star lots in the sale – an auction comprised of barrels from all 51 of the domaine’s cuvées produced from parcels of lands generously donated to the Hospices over five centuries.
Each year the proceeds from this legendary sale are used to fund the work of the Hospices Civil de Beaune’s hospital programmes, with a ‘Presidents’ Barrel’ generously donated by the hospital to a cause or causes chosen for their relevance to the particular theme of the year.
This year, the Hospices Civils de Beaune has pledged its commitment to ‘One Health’, a fitting theme given that the institution has already begun to place the relationship between health and the environment at the heart of its operations.
Historic moment
Indeed, the 164th edition of the Hospices de Beaune wine sale is set to mark an historic moment in the domaine’s history, as it will present the first fully certified organic vintage, produced from the challenging 2024 vintage.
The complete conversion to organic farming is the culmination of the exceptional work carried out by estate manager Ludivine Griveau and her team over the past ten vintages since she became its Regisseur in 2015.
The Hospices Civils de Beaune has also embarked on a major investment programme to modernise its facilities. 2024 will see the beginning of the construction of a new 15,000 square metre building on the Beaune site. Funds raised from the sale will help finance this ambitious project to improve patient care and working conditions for the staff.
Marie-Anne Ginoux, managing director, Sotheby’s France, said: “We have had the pleasure of working with the extraordinary Hospices de Beaune team for four years now. This is an institution and a cause we are honoured to champion, with all our combined resources, dedication and energy.
“We have been keenly focused on spreading the word, and broadening the audience, for these very special wines, which we have showcased in no fewer than twelve cities – from as far afield as Seoul and Dubai, to Monaco, Taichung and Fort Lauderdale. Interest in Burgundy remains as strong as ever and this is echoed in the increasing global appreciation we have seen for Hospices de Beaune wines.”
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