Cédric Klapisch, Alice Taglioni and Martin Solveig the patrons for this year’s Hospice de Beaune auction

ilm producer Cédric Klapisch, actress Alice Taglioni and DJ Martin Solveig have been chosen to represent “the beneficiary associations of the iconic lot auctioned at the 2025 Hospices de Beaune, known as the ‘Presidents’ barrel’, a Pommard Premier Cru Les Rugiens”, says a press statement.

The EHCO Association for children and disabilities in Côte d’Or and the Robert-Debré Institute for Childrens’ Brains, are the two charities committed to helping children with disabilities and health issues that will be represented by these ambassadors on November 16 for the 165th auction. The Presidents’ Barrel will be one of 539 lots put up for auction at the sale, “barrels of wine from the vintage that have been made from vineyards generously bequeathed over the centuries to the Hospices Civils de Beaune”, adds the statement.

In addition to the donation to these purpose-driven associations, the proceeds from the sale “fund the functioning and innovations at the Hospices Civils de Beaune” for the entire hospital, which has around 1,000 beds and covers medicine, surgery, maternity, emergency services and care home facilities. Its total budget is in the range of 150 million euros. Proceeds from the auction enabled the hospital to buy a versatile surgery robot for €2 million in 2025, and are also funding other major ongoing projects. These include construction of a new building, modernisation of the hospital’s information system, AI resources, rebuilding of the Seurre hospital and the establishment of a new care home in Beaune.

The 539 barrels auctioned in 2025 will be divided between 110 barrels and two half-barrels of white, 428 barrels of red, 10 barrels of Marc de Bourgogne brandy and 1 barrel of Fine de Bourgogne. This is the first time that a Pommard Premier Cru Les Rugiens has been chosen for the Presidents’ barrel.