The oldest charity auction in the world
Vineyard
Beaujolais
Around the villages of Beaujeu, Morgon, Brouilly, Julienas and Régnié
Climate
The continental climate typical of the entire region is especially conducive to good ripening of the grapes.
History
Beaujeu is the historic capital of the Beaujolais. The Hospices were founded in 1240. The Lords of Beaujeu and the powerful Chapter of Beaujeu, the principal founders, established this charitable institution to help the aged, the sick and the needy. From 1240 to the present day, many benefactors have made it possible to create and give life to the Hospices de Beaujeu through their donations. It was at the end of the 14th century that the first vineyard was bequeathed to the Hospices de Beaujeu. Historically, at the end of the 18th century, the town's Hospices organised an auction, but this practice was halted in 2007 as the result of the economic crisis which hit the Beaujolais with its full force.
The Auction
The history of the charity auction began on 26 March 1797. The first so-called "candle" auction resulted in the sale of 30 lots of red wine from the Hospices' wine estate. The funds collected were paid out to help the poor and the sick receiving care at the hospice in order to improve the treatment and accommodation of the patients. Despite the auction being stopped, the Hospices de Beaujeu continue to market wines from the wine estate by direct selling. For each bottle of wine sold, part of the proceeds go to the Beaujeu Hospital. These funds continue to be used to help the Hospital but are also used to benefit patients suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. Nowadays, the wines from the Hospices de Beaujeu are sold in France and in more than 30 countries overseas!
Maison François Martenot and the Hospices de Beaujeu
Since 2015, Maison François Martenot has positioned itself as the exclusive partner of the Hospices de Beaujeu. This partnership enables the Bourgogne wine company to restore this historic estate to its former glory and to boost the image of the Beaujolais crus with its marketing and sales expertise.
