BEAUNE, MONDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2022 – In a packed saleroom at the Halles de Beaune, with an audience of 700 attendees, yesterday’s sale of the 162nd edition of the Hospices de Beaune wine auction brought €31 million ($32 million), establishing a record total for any wine auction held by Sotheby’s, and the highest ever total for a charity wine auction – more than double the previous record high for a Hospices de Beaune wine sale.* In addition, the Pièce des Présidents (Presidents’ Barrel) sold for a record €810,000.
The seven-hour sale was conducted by four auctioneers in rotation, with collectors competing enthusiastically from 30 countries, in the room, on the telephones via Sotheby’s team of specialists, and online.
François Poher, Director and Chairman of the Board of Hospices Civils de Beaune, said: “The historic and spectacular results of this sale are a tribute to many people: our winemakers and entire team at the Domaine des Hospices de Beaune, our hospital workers who selflessly carry on with their mission, our founders and donors, and all the Burgundians who support their land, their traditions, but above all, their values of hospitality and fraternity. The new record achieved for the Pièce des Présidents to benefit children’s causes is the best expression of this.”
Jamie Ritchie, Worldwide Chairman, Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits, said: “This year’s record total is testament to the exceptional quality of the Hospices de Beaune wines produced by Ludivine Griveau and her team, as well as to record worldwide demand for Burgundy from the finest producers. The combination of a top-class Domaine and a wonderful vintage resulted in extremely competitive bidding throughout the sale. Representing the heart and soul of Burgundy, the auction attracted collectors from 30 countries, raising an extraordinary amount of money for charity, which will be used to help and support the community. The fact that today’s auction is also among the highest totals for any wine auction ever held is an additional tribute to the importance of this annual auction, which has been staged since 1859.”
Amayès Aouli, Head of Sotheby’s Wine, Europe, said: “This 162nd edition of the Hospices de Beaune Wine auction was an extremely rewarding collaboration between Sotheby’s and the team at the Hospices de Beaune, with the incredible support of all the négociants and individuals who participated. Our international wine specialists were joined in Beaune by colleagues from Sotheby’s France to host the world’s most renowned charity auction. Our Continental European wine sales continue to show rapid growth with two sales closing in the next two weeks, with Beaune as a key centre of our operations.”
