Private clients invited to bid at Hospices de Nuits sale

Burgundian producer Maison Edouard Delaunay is allowing a limited number of private clients the chance to bid at this spring’s 60th Hospices de Nuits auction.

Taking place on 14 March, the sale is normally open to trade buyers only but this year it has been agreed that the négociant can allow a number of private collectors to bid as well.

The Delaunay family has a longstanding relationship with the Hospices, with Laurent Delaunay’s grandfather buying wine from the cellars long before the auction was instituted in 1961.

Prospective buyers will have to buy a minimum of 24 bottles. They will be welcome (no doubt Covid restrictions dependent) to stay at Château de Gilly on Friday 12 March, with a visit to the Maison Delaunay winery on the Saturday and then attend a tasting and lunch at the Hospices de Nuits on the day of the sale itself (Sunday 14 March).

The Hospices de Nuits was founded in 1270, making it older than the more famous Hospices de Beaune which was founded in 1443.

However, it only began offering its wine at auction 60 years ago, 100 years after the Hospices de Beaune started its now world famous sale.

As with the Hospices de Beaune, over the centuries it has been bequeathed numerous vineyards which today encompass 12.5 hectares, mostly in Nuits-Saint-Georges, covering six parcels of village appellations and nine premier crus, including the entirety of ‘Les Didiers’.

The auction takes place on the second Sunday of March every year with the proceeds helping to finance the hospital and retirement home in Nuits.

Laurent Delaunay said: “To bid at the Hospices de Nuits combines the pleasure of buying top wines with the joy of contributing to a great charity.”

For more information and details of how to sign up to bid at the sale, click here.