BEAUNE, 28 MARCH 2022 – Situated in the heart of Bourgogne, the Château du Clos de Vougeot stands as a powerful symbol of the region’s spirit. The historic building serves as the headquarters for both the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin, France’s most famous fraternity of Burgundy wine devotees, which acquired the Château in 1945, and the ‘Climats de Bourgogne’, following the decision in 2015 by UNESCO, the cultural arm of the United Nations, to grant World Heritage site status to the ‘climats’ of Burgundy.
The site’s importance reaches back far further, to the 12th century when monks from the nearby Abbey of Cîteaux created what was essentially a wine estate, expanded in the 16th century with an impressive Renaissance style château. Recognising that the land around Cîteaux was too waterlogged for successful viticulture, the monks chose to cultivate vines in the village of Vougeot and create a walled vineyard, or “clos”, that exists to this day.
During the French Revolution, the Cîteaux Abbey – birthplace of the Cistercian Catholic order – was severely damaged. Today only three buildings remain standing, all listed as historic monuments. Among these is the Définitoire – built during the last quarter of the 17th century – consisting of a large vaulted room that held the annual assembly of abbots from all over the Cistercian community.
This year, 24 of the wine growers owning vines within the Clos de Vougeot, the largest walled Grand Cru vineyard in Bourgogne, have joined forces to produce a unique cuvée of the 2020 vintage, blended from the harvest of each of their respective vines. Currently ageing in two barrels in the cellar of the Château de la Tour under the supervision of winemaker François Labet, the wines will be presented in a special Sotheby’s auction held in collaboration with the Château and the Fondation du patrimoine. In addition, the sale will feature a range of exceptional wines and experiences donated by prestigious Domaines in Bourgogne (full list on page 4).
With repair now essential for the survival of the Définitoire, all proceeds from the auction will benefit the restoration of the Abbaye de Cîteaux. The sale therefore provides a one-off opportunity to acquire ‘en primeur’ wines produced under the iconic Clos Vougeot appellation and, at the same time, actively participate in the preservation of a precious world heritage site.
Carrying a combined estimate in the region of €700,000, the online auction will open for bidding on 8 April and run until 23 April, closing at 8pm CET. More details here: Sothebys.com/vougeotpourciteaux
“Through the restoration of the “Définitoire” of Cîteaux, we are both safeguarding Burgundy’s heritage and shining a light on a region that is highly valued around the world.”
“The Château du Clos de Vougeot, headquarters of the “Climats du Vignoble de Bourgogne”, a World Heritage site, has been the property of the monks for more than 700 years. It’s more than fitting for us to put our know-how at the service of the Abbey of Cîteaux by creating and supporting this sale as well as hosting a Charity dinner in our Cistercian cellar.”
“La Fondation du patrimoine is delighted to organise, with the Château du Clos de Vougeot, this important fund-raising auction with Sotheby’s of wines from the greatest domains and wineries in Bourgogne – an endeavour that will contribute to the magnificent project of restoring the Definitory of the Abbey of Cîteaux (Côte-d'Or). This building, a real parliament of the Cistercians, which brought together monks from all over Europe – from Hungary and Brittany to Scotland and Castile – bears witness to the order’s contribution to the birth of European thinking. Fully embedded in economic, intellectual and spiritual matters, Cîteaux played a key role in the development of the vineyards of Bourgogne, now recognised as a world heritage site, most especially by founding the Clos de Vougeot vineyard. La Fondation would like to thank in advance each donor as well as the domains, which are all helping to pass on this exceptional heritage to future generations.”
“This is a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire a truly rare and individual wine. Released for the first time since 1997, this cuvée has been produced thanks to the generous donations from twenty-four of the wine growers with vines in Clos de Vougeot. This auction is the only place where these exceptional bottles will be available, and the lucky winning bidders can look forward to the bottling of their wines in August. We are very grateful to the Fondation du patrimoine and Clos de Vougeot for allowing us to present this unique cuvée jointly with one-of-a-kind donations, in order to raise funds for one of the most important and historical sites in Bourgogne.”
The unique cuvée will be offered across 113 lots, in a wide variety of formats, comprising three- and six-bottles cases, three-Magnum cases, and a range of large formats from Jeroboam, Methuselah and Salmanazar, to Balthazar (12L). Each bottle is set to be adorned with a special golden-plated label created by professional illuminators from ISEEM (Institut Supérieur Européen de l'Enluminure et du Manuscrit) as an homage to the Cistercian tradition, and all the lots will be presented in a specially crafted wooden box. Starting prices for this unique Grand Cru will range from €600 for three bottles upwards to €8,000 for two Balthazars.
ADDITIONAL DONATIONS
Estimates range from €1,000 to €60,000
Domaine Marquis d'Angerville 1 Jeroboam Volnay 1er Cru Champans 2006 + Experience
Domaine du Comte Armand 1 Methuselah de Pommard 1er cru Clos des Epeneaux Monopole 2002 + Experience
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur 1 Jeroboam Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes 2011 + Experience
Domaine Henri Boillot 1 Jeroboam Chevalier Montrachet 2016
Domaine Bonneau du Martray 1 Jeroboam de Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2018
Chateau du Clos de Vougeot 1 Jeroboam Clos de Vougeot Tasteviné 2013 + Experience
Domaine Dujac 1 Magnum Clos de la Roche 1999
Domaine des Hospices de Beaune 1 Magnum Mazis Chambertin 2015 Cuvée Madeleine Collignon + Experience
Domaine Kloster Eberbach 1 Methuselah Steinberg 2007 + Experience
Domaine des Comtes Lafon 1 Magnum Meursault Charmes 2018 + Experience
Domaine des Lambrays 1 Magnum Clos des Lambrays 2016 + Experience
Exceptionnelle vendange des Sept Domaines 1 Montrachet Grand Cru 2016
Domaine Leflaive 1 Magnum Chevalier-Montrachet 2013 + Experience
Domaine Leroy 3 bottles Clos de Vougeot 1988
Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair 1 Jeroboam Clos de Vougeot 2016
Domaine Jacques Frédéric Mugnier 1 Jeroboam 2007 - Musigny
Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1 Jeroboam La Tâche 2009
Domaine Rouget 1 bottle of Echézeaux 2014 + 1 bottle of Cros Parantoux 2014
Domaine G. Roumier 1 Magnum de Bonnes-Mares 2015 + Experience
Domaine Armand Rousseau 1 Magnum Chambertin 2009 - Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme Wooden Box 6 Grand Cru: 2 x Mazoyères Chambertin 2019 /
2 x Mazoyères Chambertin 2018 / 2 x Mazoyères Chambertin 2017 + Experience
Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé 1 Magnum Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2019,
1 Magnum Bonnes-Mares + Experience
Notes to editors:
Twenty-four estates from the Clos de Vougeot participated in crafting this unique cuvée: Domaine du Clos Frantin - Albert Bichot, Domaine d’Ardhuy, Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils, Domaine Capitain-Gagnerot, Domaine Charlopin-Parizot, Maison Joseph Drouhin, Domaine Drouhin-Laroze, Domaine René Dubois, Maison Dufouleur Frères, Domaine d’Eugenie, Domaine Faiveley, Domaine François Lamarche, Domaine H. Rebourseau, Château Philippe le Hardi, Maison Louis Jadot, Domaine Jacques Prieur, Domaine Méo-Camuzet, Domaine Thibaud Liger-Belair, Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg, Domaine Michel Noëllat, Maison Remoissenet, Château de la Tour, Domaine de la Vougeraie, Château du Clos de Vougeot.
CONTACTS:
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