The turnover for the 2024 Beaune wine sale: between €13.9 and €14.4 million depending on the method
Albert Bichot’s official website (post-sale press release) indicates €13.909 million for 439.5 barrels, with an average price per barrel of €31,647 (+2.53% vs. 2023). The Burgundy Wine Board (BIVB) publishes an average hammer price of €31,540, which is very close. Specialized media outlets report an aggregate close to €14.4 million, a difference that is due in particular to the treatment of the "Pièce des Présidents" and the calculation scopes (bonus, exceptional donation). These discrepancies are typical of a charity sale where several aggregations coexist.
Key takeaway: Regardless of the scope, the 164th Auction ranks among the top of the series despite reduced volumes, and surpasses many previous editions (4th best historical performance).
albert-bichot.com
The Presidents’ Coin: €360,000 and +€100,000 offered
A symbolic moment of the day, the "Presidents’ Coin" sold for €360,000. A surprise donation of €100,000 was then announced, bringing the specific charitable support to €460,000. The stakes go beyond the market signal: they highlight the hospital destination of the funds raised by the Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune and the Hospices nursing homes.
Buyer Ranking: Albert Bichot Confirms His Leading Position
On the buyer side, Albert Bichot maintains its number one ranking. The Beaune-based estate/house announced 85 barrels purchased (official announcement), while the local press reported 85.5 barrels and a financial commitment of €4.409 million—the difference being explained by the counting of half-barrels (leaflets). In a market marked by vigilance, this position confirms the structuring role of this historic player, particularly for making wines available en primeur to individuals and professional clients.
Whites vs. Reds: Arbitrage in Favor of Chardonnay
A key fact for 2024: the rise in white wines (+≈ 8%) contrasts with the decline in mid-priced reds (−≈ 5.4%), a trend highlighted in Albert Bichot’s press release. Many observers see this as a dual effect of perceived rarity and a global appetite for pure, taut Burgundy Chardonnays. Implicitly, we can see a message of quality from wine manager Ludivine Griveau and her team, who were able to deliver very clean whites despite a challenging season.
2024 Vintage: Low Volumes, Organic Conversion, and Price Volatility
For the 2024 vintage, the Hospices had to contend with unstable weather (rain, cool and hot spells) favoring mildew and powdery mildew, resulting in reduced yields. A historically significant feature: the 2024 sale offers the first fully certified organic wines (conversion began in 2017), which reinforces the intangible value of the vintage beyond its quantities. This rarity explains the volatility of the auctions: some flagship lots (Bâtard-Montrachet, Échezeaux) reached significant levels, while others traded more cautiously.
How many barrels? 439.5… or 447.5 depending on the counts
The denominator varies depending on the source: the Hospices/Albert Bichot report 439.5 barrels (with 321 barrels of red wine and 177 barrels + 3 feuillettes of white wine), while several media outlets report 447.5 barrels. In a sale that includes feuillettes (half barrels) and a charity lot, the format and counting method create discrepancies in the aggregation. The underlying message remains the same: reduced supply, moderate upward pressure on average prices.
2023/2024 Comparison: A Lower Level but Steady Average Prices
The 2023 edition peaked at €23.28 million (excluding buyer’s premiums), an exceptional level for the series. In 2024, the total is just under €14.5 million according to some media reports, and approximately €13.9 million according to the Hospices. The average price per barrel is rising slightly (approximately +2.5%), demonstrating resilient demand when quality is present, particularly for white wines. However, the deflation in volumes (2024 harvest) automatically limits the volume of auctions.
What the key prices of the 2024 Beaune wine sale say
Among the signal auctions, the press cites a Bâtard-Montrachet at around €355,000 and an Échezeaux grand cru at €175,000 (excluding premium), levels that reflect the stature of these iconic vintages in a context of limited supply. These indicators confirm that, at the very high end, appetite remains strong, even as overall volume declines.
Market reading: four key messages
- 1) International demand remains there, but selective. Buyers are choosing more between vintages and colors, with a premium for whites in 2024. The high-end is holding its ground.
- 2) The scarce supply has served as a ceiling for the total auction, without preventing the average price from rising. The market is willing to pay for quality, less for abundance.
- 3) The charitable dimension remains a driving force for engagement, as illustrated by the Presidents’ Award and the additional donation.
- 4) The Hospices de Beaune’s shift to organic wines adds a reputational asset to upcoming vintages a strong argument for buyers interested in winemaking practices.
Albert Bichot’s role: historical facilitator and gateway to private individuals
Beyond the 2024 classification (≈ 85–85.5 barrels, €4.41 million), Albert Bichot plays a role as a multiplier: it brings the sale into the daily lives of many wine lovers through "primeur" offers allowing the purchase of one or a few bottles of Hospices vintages, vinified and aged by its teams. This channel democratizes an event long reserved for professionals, without distorting the charitable nature of the event.
Looking ahead: What can we expect from 2025?
While 2024 was less spectacular than 2023, the year confirmed several trends: consolidation of average prices, appetite for whites, continued interest from major buyers, and the international appeal of the "Hospices de Beaune" brand. For 2025, the trajectory will depend on growing conditions and color balance; but confidence remains, driven by the completed organic conversion and an increasingly refined allocation strategy.
