On Sunday 8th March 2026 at 3pm, the wine world’s attention will turn to the Château du Clos de Vougeot for the 65th annual Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges wine auction. Organised for the second consecutive year by iDealwine, this emblematic Burgundy sale promises to be one of the most significant editions in recent memory — combining a highly anticipated vintage with major developments for the estate and the institution it supports.
For lovers of Pinot Noir and collectors of fine Burgundy, this is an auction that deserves close attention.
The 2025 Vintage: A “Vintage Ending in 5” Worth Watching
Expectations are always high for vintages ending in “5” — and 2025 appears ready to meet them.
Retiring Technical Director Jean-Marc Moron describes the wines as:
“Structured, elegant, and atypical: combining the characteristics of a warm year with the hallmarks of a cool vintage.”
Favourable summer conditions from May through September, combined with regular rainfall, ensured the vines avoided water stress and maintained balance through harvest.
While yields averaged 21 hl/ha — lower than initially anticipated — they are significantly more generous than the extraordinarily small 2024 crop (just 9.5 hl/ha).
Early indications suggest:
- Refined structure
- Elegant tannic frameworks
- Freshness alongside ripeness
- Excellent ageing potential
A Historic Building Enters a New Chapter
In November 2025, the historic Hospices building in Nuits-Saint-Georges was sold to a specialist heritage restoration group. The property will be redeveloped into high-quality housing and apartments.
This transition allows the hospital to focus fully on its healthcare mission — freeing it from the structural constraints of maintaining a historic monument while preserving the architectural legacy of the site.
For wine lovers, this marks a symbolic moment: the auction continues to evolve while remaining firmly rooted in its charitable purpose.
A New Label for the 2025 Vintage
The 2025 vintage will also debut a new, more contemporary label design.
Minimalist and refined, the label features:
- A white background
- A more modern typeface
- An illustration of the historic hospital building
- The town’s coats of arms
The updated design reinforces the hospital’s central role in the auction while offering collectors a clean, timeless aesthetic that will stand out in the cellar — and at auction.
35 Years of Stewardship: Passing the Torch
The 65th auction will also mark the end of an era.
After 35 years at the helm of the Domaine des Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges, Jean-Marc Moron will step down following the sale. Under his leadership, the estate saw:
- Modernisation of the winery
- Adaptation to climate change
- Implementation of sustainable viticulture
- A consistent reputation for elegance and finesse
He will be succeeded by Laurence Danel, who intends to build on this foundation — further elevating quality while strengthening environmentally responsible practices.
In addition, the estate recently expanded with the bequest of two vineyard parcels, adding 45 ares in Nuits-Saint-Georges, including nearly 23 ares of Premier Cru vines. A modest increase in surface area, but a meaningful one for future vintages.
The Charity Pièce: Supporting Animal-Assisted Therapy
Since 2021 (with the exception of 2024), the charity barrel has taken the form of a Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru — a fitting tribute to the appellation’s Pinot Noir mastery.
Rather than going under the hammer, the barrel is offered by subscription and purchased by the bottle.
In 2026, proceeds will benefit Ani’nomad, a Burgundy-based association pioneering animal-assisted therapy since 2010. Funds will support the development of new accessible facilities in local town Plombières-lès-Dijon, designed as inclusive spaces for welcome, sharing and care — including for people with reduced mobility.
As always, the auction serves a purpose beyond the cellar.
Why This 65th Edition Matters
This year’s auction is more than another Burgundy sale. It represents:
- A promising and distinctive 2025 vintage
- A generational transition in technical leadership
- An expansion of vineyard holdings
- A new visual identity
- A renewed chapter for the historic Hospices building
How to Take Part in the Auction
The 65th Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges auction will be held live at the Château du Clos de Vougeot and online via iDealwine’s platform.
Wine lovers and collectors wishing to bid can register in advance on iDealwine’s website.
A complete buyers’ guide and full auction catalogue are available for perusal www.idealwine.com/en/hospices-de-nuits
Once registered and validated, participants can bid in real time during the auction, whether attending in person or remotely from anywhere in the world.
Given the historic significance of this edition — a promising 2025 vintage, a new label, and a change in leadership — early registration is strongly recommended.
For Burgundy enthusiasts, this is more than an auction. It is an opportunity to acquire wines at the heart of Nuits-Saint-Georges’ heritage, at a moment when history and renewal converge.
