Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction
The 165th edition of the Hospices de Beaune wine auction raised over $21 million for local health charities. Beyond the buzz of big bids and rare wines, this three-day celebration serves as a joyful, wine-soaked tribute to Burgundy. It’s open to anyone with a glass and a little curiosity.
Each year on the third weekend in November, the quiet, cobblestoned town of Beaune transforms into something magical. Step inside and you’ll find a swirl of wine barrels, formal dinners, street musicians, and sparkling Crémant available at almost every quaint corner of the village.
At the heart of it all is the Hospices de Beaune wine auction, now in its 165th year, and one of the most storied—and generous—wine events on earth.
This prestigious auction began in 1443 with the founding of the Hôtel-Dieu hospital by Chancellor Nicolas Rolin and his wife Guigone de Salins.
Over the centuries, donations of prized vineyard land grew into one of the region’s most iconic domaines: the Hospices de Beaune.
Beyond 2025’s record-setting $21 million raised for local charities, this year also marked the announcement that all 60 hectares of the Hospices estate have officially completed conversion to organic viticulture.
Auction Weekend: Not Just for Collectors
The Hospices de Beaune weekend, unofficially known as “Les Trois Glorieuses,” runs from Friday through Sunday and blends centuries-old traditions with effervescent modern charm. Among international circles, wealthy wine collectors consider this a must-attend event.
Beaune’s festival atmosphere—equal parts street carnival, wine fair, and heritage celebration—offers one of the most exhilarating weekends in Burgundy.
But it’s not just for deep-pocketed collectors.
Whether you’re dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant or sipping a bright Bourgogne Rouge from a tented food stall, you’ll find the spirit of this age-old event welcoming, accessible, and unforgettable.
Locals roll out the barrels (literally), transforming city streets into open-air tasting rooms.
Restaurants pair casual plates with serious wines under strings of warm lights. Grab a cup of vin chaud (hot wine punch), freshly shucked oysters, or wedges of Époisses cheese. Then enjoy them standing at an upturned wine cask alongside spirited conversations in French, English, Japanese, and German.
And though the serious collectors receive invitations to gala dinners behind château doors and members-only tastings in historic cellars, some of the larger wineries open their cellars to the public during this Vente des Vins weekend for a modest fee.
Among the most enjoyable of these is the wine tasting at Bouchard Aîné & Fils. For a small fee, you’re handed a glass and invited to descend into their centuries-old cellar.
You’ll stop at candlelit stations to sample wine, learn about terroir, and pair a pour with a perfectly chosen bite.
Connecting with Trade Friends
One of the great pleasures of the Hospices de Beaune weekend—aside from the tastings and celebrations themselves—is reconnecting with friends I’ve made over the years,.
Catching up on their lives, their new projects, and the producers they’re excited about now. One of those people is Jeanne Marie De Champs, founder of Domaines et Saveurs Collection.
An invitation to dinner at her home is always a treat—equal parts warmth, conversation, and discovery—as she pours wines from producers she’s worked with for decades alongside newer estates she’s passionate about introducing.
Deeply knowledgeable about Burgundy and its growers, Jeanne Marie has an enviable ability to connect people to place, and I’ve visited many remarkable domaines through her over the years.
Another strong presence in the Beaune wine community is Anne Parent of Domaine Parent, who—along with her sister—continues a centuries-old family tradition in Pommard while pushing it forward through organic and biodynamic practices.
Women like these are a reminder that Burgundy isn’t just about history in the glass, but about the people who quietly, thoughtfully shape it year after year.
Where to Eat, Sip, and Stay
Beaune’s culinary scene rises to meet this wine-soaked occasion—with top addresses like Ma Cuisine, a cozy favorite of wine insiders, and Caveau des Arches, known for its candlelit cellar dining and exceptional wine list.
From casual street kiosks to formal chefs’ tables, meals here always come with a bottle worth remembering.
Don’t worry if your Burgundy budget isn’t sprawling. Local wine lists proudly feature affordable Bourgogne Blancs and Rouges from quality producers.
And on the street, wine by the glass or bottle is never far away—often served by smiling locals eager to help visitors discover the lesser-known pleasures of the region.
What to Do Between Tastings
Before you leave, carve out time to visit the original Hôtel-Dieu—now a museum of medieval medicine and philanthropy. Slip on the free audio guide and be transported through Gothic halls, tiled roofs, and centuries worth of generosity.
Those with cars can roam to nearby Meursault or Clos de Vougeot, the spiritual homes of Burgundy’s wine brotherhood. But even on foot, Beaune stuns. With its narrow lanes, rampart walls, and effortlessly charming vibe, it’s the kind of place where flâneurs are rewarded.
In Closing
The Hospices de Beaune isn’t just a lineup of barrels on an auction block. It’s a whirlwind of culture, history, food, and, yes—some seriously fine wine.
Whether you’re toasting a record-setting bottle or sipping something simple on a chilly street corner, there’s a place for everyone at the party.
So mark your calendar now: the third weekend of November in Beaune is more than a wine event. It’s Burgundy at its most human, heartfelt, and alive.
.
