Description
ROCHE DE BELLENE & LES HOSPICES DE BEAUNE
Participate in one of the most famous charitable wine auctions in the world
The auction hall of the Hospices de Beaune
The hall of the Hospices de Beaune is known worldwide for its unique history.
For over five centuries, this institution has sold its prestigious wines at auction to fund operations of its hospital. The Hospices de Beaune are not only owners of the iconic building dating from the fifteenth century, but also a vineyard of sixty hectares, of which 90% is made up of Grands and Premiers Crus.
This secular tradition annually attracts many enthusiasts and experts from around the world. You can now take part in the occasion for this beautiful 2019 vintage.
Acquiring a barrel, or "pièce" of Premier Cru vintage 2019
Nicolas Potel, a winemaker recognized in Beaune with the Domaine de Bellene and founder of the Maison Roche de Bellene, invites you to participate in this event by purchasing a barrel of Premier Cru, known at auction as a "pièce". This is a bourguignon barrel of 228 liters containing one of the 50 batches vinified by the Hospices de Beaune.
Nicolas Potel will visit the cellars of the Hospices de Beaune to taste the different wines of Beaune Premier Cru and Meursault Premier Cru (white wine) and bid on one or both of them at the auction overseen by the auction house Christie's. With technical director Sylvain Debord, Nicolas can then take care of ageing the wine for 12 to 24 months before bottling.
When ageing is complete, each contributor will receive for each participation of 400 € a case of 6 bottles of this wine that we bought and shaped together. Depending on the price paid at auction, each may have to pay a supplement (maximum € 50) or may indeed recover the difference (details below and here)
Moreover, if we collect sufficient bookings of € 800 per 6 bottles of Meursault Premier Cru, we can also acquire a barrel of Meursault Premier Cru.
Nicolas Potel and Sylvain Debord
Describe your project goal
HOW DOES THIS WORK?
A FEW DETAILS ON THE SELECTED CUVÉES
- Acquiring a barrel, or "pièce" of Premier Cru vintage 2019
Founded in Beaune to accommodate its residents, the Hospices hold a vineyard planted mainly with red wine grapes located in Beaune.
No fewer than 10 different wines are made from vineyards of Pinot Noir located in Beaune Premier Cru. These wines come from harmonious combinations of different climates and honor with their names special individuals who have marked the history of the Hospices. Details of these wines can be found here
The Maison Roche de Bellene has a special connection to this place because its Latin name "Bellenus" would itself be the origin of the name "Beaune". The Maison Roche de Bellene is also based in Beaune, it seemed natural to develop wines of the appellation.
Nicolas Potel will taste 10 cuvées of Beaune Premier Cru before bidding on one of them.
- Is it possible to buy a barrel of white wine?
Yes, the Maison Roche de Bellene can bid on a barrel (or "pièce") of Meursault Premier Cru white wine.
The price for a case of 6 bottles amounts to € 800 net, as the price of the barrel is on average twice as high for Meursault Premier Cru as Beaune Premier Cru.
Please note that we will need to collect up to 48 bookings in order to buy a pièce of Meursault 1er cru. If we do not have enough bookings 15 days before the auction, we will offer you either to get your money back or to receive two cases of Beaune Premier Cru for each subscription of € 800 or a mix of exchange and refund (1 case of Beaune Premier Cru and 400 € reimbursed for each 800 € booking).
- Is it possible to buy another cuvée?
Yes, if you want to buy an entire barrel of the wine of your choice, Maison Roche de Bellene may acquire it for you at auction and ensure ageing and bottling for you with a personalized label with your name.
Please note that this recquires the purchase of an entire barrel (amounting to 48 cases of 6 bottles), either for you alone, with a group of friends or for a business. In this case, we would be happy to arrange a personal tour of the Hospices de Beaune for you and your guests.
Kindly contact us directly at info@winefunding.com for details and price estimates.
- Is it possible to customize the label of my bottles?
Yes, it is possible to customize the label with your name or that of your company buying wine. Please contact us directly at info@winefunding.com for details and price estimates.
SOME DETAILS ON THE PRICE
- What does my booking fee cover?
A contribution of € 400 includes the reservation of a case of 6 bottles of wine of Beaune Premier Cru red wine selected and aged by Nicolas Potel, Maison Roche de Bellene.
A contribution of € 800 includes a reservation for a case of 6 bottles of wine from Meursault Premier Cru white wine selected and aged by Nicolas Potel, Maison Roche de Bellene.
These amounts take into account all costs associated with buying and ageing a 228 liter barrel, namely:
- the purchase of the barrel of Premier Cru (the wine) at a target price
- the cost of the oak barrel (the container)
- the fees of the auction's auctioneer (Christie's)
- the trading costs, ageing and bottling costs (transport, packaging, labor)
- financial and management costs of the fundraising
Please note that shipping costs, and any eventual import duties are not included.
- How is the price of the barrel determined?
In the case of an auction, it is not possible to know the excact purchase price in advance, as this is precisely the principle of the auction. The "hammer price" is the one awarded at sale by the auctioneer (in this case Christie's) based on bids from the room.
Nevertheless, with sales prices from previous years and the crop prospects in 2019, it is possible to set a target price and a maximum price.
We have defined an objective hammer price for a piece of Beaune Premier Cru that will deliver a case of 6 bottles for each contribution of € 400, all inclusive. The same objective for a barrel of Meursault 1er cru corresponds to € 800 all inclusive.
We have also defined a maximum hammer price for a barrel of Beaune Premier Cru and a barrel of Meursault Premier Cru, beyond which we will not bid. The maximum price is 12.5% higher than the target price. Please note that shipping costs, tax and duties outside of France are not included
- What will happen if the price of the barrel is higher than the target?
If the purchase price exceeds the goal of price but remains lower than the maximum price, we will ask you to complete the difference, to an amount not exceeding 12.5% of the target price,equivalent to 50 € all tax included per box of 6 bottles of Beaune Premier Cru or 100 € TTC per box of Meursault Premier Cru. By participating in this project, you agree to adjust and complement if necessary, within the limits indicated above. If this supplement is not paid within 6 months from the date of sale, the wines become the property of Maison Roche de Bellene.
If the purchase price exceeds the maximum price, we will not buy the barrel and we will return all funds paid, at no extra charge.
- What will happen if the price of the barrel is below the target price?
If the purchase price is less than the target price, WineFunding will adjust the price of your contribution and refund you the difference.
- What will happen if the campaign does not reach its goal?
In this situation, WineFunding reimburse all funds collected at no cost to you, the WineFunder.
More information about Maison Roche de Bellene at www.maisonrochedebellene.com
