Hospices de Nuits

History of the Domaine des Hospices de Nuits

The history of the Domaine des Hospices de Nuits begins in the 13th century, around 1270, at the end of the reign of Saint Louis and the accession of the Duke of Burgundy Robert II. At that time, the hospitalière sisters cared for the sick in medieval hospitals, but these institutions were desperately short of funds. As was common throughout Burgundy, local families gradually donated parcels of vines to the Hospices, whose cultivation helped finance medical and social development. The first documented bequest of the estate dates back to 1633, and the first known donation of vines to 1688, when Hugues Perdrizet offered two ouvrées: to this day, a cuvée of the Hospices bears his name in tribute.

For centuries, the estate sold its wines in bottles. After the Second World War, the idea arose of organizing an auction sale, modeled on the famous sale of the Hospices de Beaune. The first edition was held on March 13, 1961, under the Halles de Nuits-Saint-Georges, and was presented as the "little sister" of the Beaune sale. Today, the auction takes place at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, on the second Sunday of March each year. Since 2016, the estate has been integrated into the Hospices Civils de Beaune. In 2018, a new hospital was opened in Nuits-Saint-Georges, financed largely through the auction proceeds. 

Terroirs and Vines of the Domaine des Hospices de Nuits

The vineyard covers approximately 12.4 hectares, spread across the prestigious communes of Nuits-Saint-Georges, Premeaux-Prissey, Vosne-Romanée and Gevrey-Chambertin, in the heart of the Côte de Nuits, the historic core of great red Burgundy. The estate is made up essentially of crus from the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation, covering a large part of the most prestigious hillsides and terroirs. It comprises eight village parcels grouped into four cuvées (Les Lavières, Les Saint-Julien, Les Maladières, Les Fleurières), nine distinct premiers crus, including the Hospices monopole Les Didiers, as well as a parcel in Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champs-Chenys.

The grape varieties are dominated by Pinot Noir, the king of Burgundy, complemented by a few rows of Chardonnay on the rare premier cru Les Terres Blanches, which produces the estate's only white Nuits-Saint-Georges. Four full-time staff work on the estate, under the guidance of Jean-Marc Moron, a talented estate manager. The harvests are entirely manual, at optimal ripeness, with rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery. The vineyard is managed with great rigor, in the grand Burgundian tradition, with green harvesting to limit yields and concentrate the potential of the grape clusters. In 2026, the estate takes over the cultivation of three new parcels in Nuits-Saint-Georges, an important step in the development of its viticultural heritage.

Vinifications of the Domaine des Hospices de Nuits

In the cellar, the Hospices de Nuits have benefited since 2002 from a modern winery, which has enabled a genuine qualitative step forward. The grapes, after meticulous sorting, are entirely destemmed and then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentations are carried out with indigenous yeasts, at controlled temperatures (sometimes cooled to 14°C at the start of fermentation to preserve the aromas). Automated pumping-over and punching-down allow for gentle and precise extraction, in full respect of the grapes and the terroir.

The wines are then transferred by gravity to the aging cellar, where they are placed in new French oak barrels (100%), sourced from several cooperages (Damy, Berthomieux, Sirugue), with a "medium-high" toast. The aging lasts approximately 18 months on fine lees. A unique characteristic: it is the buyers (négociants or private individuals) who are responsible for completing the aging and bottling after the March auction. This step, entrusted to renowned houses such as Albert Bichot, Maison Champy or Maison Drouhin, contributes to the diversity of expression of the wines. The result is a coherent range with a recognizable signature: aromatic finesse, roundness of tannins even in youth, and a perfect balance between power and freshness.

The cuvées of the Domaine des Hospices de Nuits

Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Lavières / Les Bas de Combe, Cuvée Guillaume Labye: a village cuvée produced from parcels located close to Vosne-Romanée. An elegant expression of Nuits-Saint-Georges, with a more airy aromatic signature, marked by red fruits, soft spices and a fine texture.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Saint-Julien / Les Plateaux, Cuvée Claude Poyen: a classic village cuvée, produced from several parcels including Aux Saint-Julien. Ruby color, nose of cherry, raspberry and spiced notes, fresh and structured palate, with the typical texture of Nuits village wines.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Maladières / Les Brûlées, Cuvée Grangier: a village cuvée produced from the Les Maladières and Les Brûlées parcels. A balanced and silky expression of the appellation, with vibrant fruit and a classic structure.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Fleurières / Les Plantes au Baron, Cuvée des Sœurs Hospitalières: a village cuvée paying tribute to the hospitalière sisters who founded the estate, produced from the Les Fleurières and Les Plantes au Baron parcels. Brilliant ruby color, floral and fruity nose, round and generous palate.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Murgers, Cuvée Guyard de Changey: Premier Cru from the lieu-dit Les Murgers, on the border of Vosne-Romanée. Deep color, complex nose of black fruits and spices, ample and structured palate, with great aging potential.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Corvées Pagets, Cuvée Saint-Laurent: Premier Cru from the southern part of the appellation, vinified in the pure house style. A structured and precise expression, with the powerful character typical of the southern Nuits.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Porrets-Saint-Georges, Cuvée Antide Midan: a celebrated Premier Cru of the appellation, with a plush and energetic signature. A cuvée that is both charming in its youth and capable of beautiful development.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Boudots, Cuvée Mesny de Boisseaux: an exceptional Premier Cru from the lieu-dit Les Boudots, on gravelly limestone soils at the boundary of Vosne-Romanée. Vinified in wooden vats, aged 18 months in new and used barrels. Deep purple color, nose of black fruits, flowers and spices, silky and concentrated palate, with a long finish.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Didiers, Cuvée Fagon: the emblematic monopole of the estate, produced from the oldest vines (old vines cuvée) of the Premier Cru Les Didiers. Ink-dark color, complex nose, powerful and deep palate, built for long aging. The absolute signature of the estate.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Didiers, Cuvée Cabet: second cuvée of the monopole Les Didiers, produced from young vines (approximately 30 years old). A more approachable yet already profound expression, revealing the nobility of the terroir.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Didiers, Cuvée Jacques Duret: a blend of the Fagon and Cabet cuvées, combining the depth of the old vines and the freshness of the young ones. A cuvée of balance, with the refined signature of the great monopole.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Vignerondes, Cuvée Bernarde Delesclache: Premier Cru from the lieu-dit Les Vignerondes. Deep color, expressive nose of red and black fruits, structured and persistent palate, with a silky tannic texture.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saint-Georges, Cuvée des Sires de Vergy / Cuvée Hugues Perdrizet / Cuvée Georges Faiveley: the flagship Premier Cru of the appellation, considered the most prestigious in Nuits-Saint-Georges and a long-standing candidate for Grand Cru classification. Several cuvées are produced from different parcels: Cuvée des Sires de Vergy, Cuvée Hugues Perdrizet (in tribute to the very first donor of 1688) and Cuvée Georges Faiveley. A masterful expression of a grand cru in the making.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Rues de Chaux, Cuvée Camille Rodier: Premier Cru from the lieu-dit Les Rues de Chaux, located in the northern part of the appellation. Ruby color, fruity and spiced nose, fine and elegant palate.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Terres Blanches, Cuvée Pierre de Pême: hidden gem of the estate, an extremely rare white Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru. Produced from Chardonnay grown on a few plots on the hillside. Pale golden color, expressive nose of white flowers and fruit, a rounder than mineral palate, with a charming signature.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Terres Blanches, Cuvée Saint Bernard de Cîteaux: another cuvée from the Premier Cru Les Terres Blanches, in red, offering a complementary expression of this singular climat.

Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champs-Chenys, Cuvée Irène Noblet: the only Gevrey-Chambertin of the estate, produced from a village parcel located in the neighboring commune. A well-balanced, elegant cuvée that completes the range of reds from the Hospices.

Pièce des Bienfaiteurs (Cuvée de Charité): an unprecedented and exceptional lot introduced since 2022, sold for the benefit of a different charitable association each year. It is a Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru produced from a blend of the estate's nine premiers crus, making it a truly unique wine, never reproduced from one edition to the next. A legendary and philanthropic lot that has become an eagerly anticipated highlight at each sale.