Sale date: 16 November 2025. The following is my summary of the various press releases – as I chose to avoid the crowds !!

On Sunday, 16 November 2025, once again under the hammer of Sotheby’s, the Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction achieved the ‘third highest total in its history.’ No mean feat for a modest volume vintage, the average price per barrel continuing it’s steady rise with a 4.6% increase. The final hammer total was €18.75 million, an aggregate (with commissions) of €20.2 million. For this event, at least, the market for fine Burgundy remains vibrant.

A New Grand Cru and Multiple New Records

Following the Hospice’s full conversion to organic certification in 2024, this year’s sale was marked by the introduction of a 52nd cuvée. Thanks to a donation from the Faiveley family, the auction offered a Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cuvée François Faiveley. The two barrels of this new addition sold for €165,000 and €170,000, respectively.

The white wines provided further fireworks. Two barrels of Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Cuvée Dames de Flandres, sold for €400,000 each, establishing a record price for a barrel of this Grand Cru for the second consecutive year.

Albert Bichot: The Perennial Leading Buyer at the Auction
Continuing a tradition of purchases dating back to 1876, Maison Albert Bichot was once again the auction’s leading buyer. The Beaune-based négociant acquired 85.5 lots for a total of €4,516,500. This represented 16% of the total volume and 25% of the total value of the sale, including 22 Grand Cru barrels. Notably, Bichot secured one of the record-breaking barrels of Bâtard-Montrachet. Albéric Bichot praised the quality of the vintage, noting: “The 2025 vintage wines stand out for their balance and energy. They perfectly reflect the rigour and passion applied in the vineyards and cellar alike.”

Hospices Perspective

Guillaume Koch, Director of the Hospices Civils de Beaune, expressed his satisfaction with the result: “We are delighted to have just achieved the third-largest sale in our history. Once again, the white wines held some wonderful surprises.”

Proceeds from the auction (excluding the Presidents’ Barrel) will fund major investment initiatives, including the construction of a new hospital building in Beaune and the rebuilding of the hospital in Seurre.

Summary of Key Facts and Figures, 2025

• Aggregate Total: €20,223,043
• Hammer Total: €18,754,670
• The Presidents’ Barrel: Sold for €400,000 (Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens & a 1er Cru record)
• Average price per barrel: €33,930 (up 4.6% on 2024)
• Average price (Reds): €27,480
• Average price (Whites): €58,580
• Average price (Grand Crus): €86,290
• Average price (Premier Crus): €23,180
• Total Number of Barrels Auctioned: 428 red, 111 white (including 2 half-barrels), 11 eaux-de-vie
• Records:
  Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru (€400,000);
  Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru (€155,000);
  Beaune Blanc Premier Cru Clos des Mouches (€60,000)