France: 166th Hospices de Beaune Charity Auction Brings Together Prominent Stars to Support Humanitarian Causes

On Sunday, November 15, the Côte d'Or department will host the 166th edition of the Hospices de Beaune wine auction, recognized as the world's oldest continuously running charity auction since its inception in 1849.

Artistic Patronage for Noble Humanitarian Causes

Organizers announced that patronage for this edition has been entrusted to the celebrated French comedy duo and actors Éric Judor and Ramzy Bedia, alongside actress Mélanie Doutey. Éric and Ramzy will represent an association dedicated to research into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Charcot's disease), while Mélanie Doutey will represent DEBRA France, an organization she supports that is devoted to helping "butterfly children" affected by epidermolysis bullosa—an incurable condition that leaves the skin as fragile as butterfly wings.

The President's Piece and Quantities on Offer

The mission of the three personalities is to rally bidders and boost the hammer price for the "pièce du président" (the President's piece), a 228-liter barrel containing an exceptional and symbolic "Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru," which serves as the auction's standout centerpiece.

International auction house Sotheby's is conducting the sale, presenting a limited volume this year totaling 432 barrels and two half-barrels (demi-fûts). This stands as the second-lowest number of barrels presented in the auction's history, driven by repeated summer heatwaves that significantly affected crop and production yields.

Record Figures and Expectations for the Current Edition

Offerings at this auction frequently command extraordinary sums; the all-time record dates back to the 2022 edition, which generated nearly 29 million euros (excluding fees). However, given the reduced barrel volume in the 2026 edition, estimates suggest that proceeds will not exceed the historic record, as attention already turns toward the outcomes of the forthcoming 167th edition.