Definition: Hospices de Beaune 1

Dear Friends,
For three years now, two traditions have come together at the wine auction: the successors of Nicolas Rolin and James Christie have pooled their talents to serve our famous charity auction and the great wines of the Hospices estate.
Art and charity have always gone hand in hand, providing the people of Beaune with an architectural masterpiece – the Hôtel-Dieu – and a refuge for the sick and disadvantaged. But art is also wine, as Christie's understands, and the auction house now associates the world's oldest wine charity auction with its major annual events. Leafing through this magnificent catalogue, we appreciate the cultural and wine-growing heritage we have inherited and pay tribute to all those donors whose generosity has enabled the Hospices de Beaune to fulfil their mission of providing assistance for over 550 years.
From Jean Plampays' first donation in 1459 to the most recent ones, such as that of Françoise Poisard in 1994, dozens of residents of the Beaune region, rich or modest, have contributed to the cause. This is where the magic of the wine auction lies: in the unlikely alliance between a Chancellor of Burgundy and a winegrower, a mayor of Beaune and a doctor, all of whom gave a little of themselves for the common good. The wine auction also features the masterpieces that parade before you: Beaune, Meursault, Corton, Volnay, Pommard, Chambertin and Pouilly-Fuissé, a veritable art gallery that opens its doors to you.

"Art and wine serve to bring people together," said Goethe.

By participating in the Hospices de Beaune wine auction, you will be following in the footsteps of Chancellor Rolin and taking part in a magical, unique moment that combines tradition and modernity, charity and sensory pleasure.
To your bids!