Beauneannual, third Sunday of November1 day (auction), 3 days of festivities
Charity barrel auction held in the Halles de Beaune on the third Sunday of November, run since 1859 and conducted with Christie's from 2005 to 2020 then Sotheby's from 2021. Barrels of the latest Hospices cuvees from Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits parcels sell to fund the hospital first endowed by Nicolas Rolin in 1443.
Tip: The public Festivinales tastings around the town run the three days before the Sunday sale; book Beaune accommodation a year ahead as the Trois Glorieuses weekend fills the whole Cote d'Or.
Meursaultannual, third Monday of November1 day
The closing day of the Trois Glorieuses, a bring-your-own-bottle harvest banquet at the Chateau de Meursault on the Monday after the Hospices auction. Growers pour rare older white Burgundy from their own cellars across a long afternoon lunch.
Tip: Seats are coveted and largely allocated to the trade and Meursault families; mirror the spirit by booking a Meursault domaine lunch the same week if you cannot get a Paulee place.
Rotating village (Maranges in 2026)annual, late January, rotating village2 days
Burgundy's great winegrowers' festival in honour of Saint Vincent, patron of vine-growers, held each late January in a different village. The host village decorates its streets with paper flowers and opens cellars for tasting kits; the 2026 edition is in the Maranges.
Tip: Buy the tasting glass and kit in advance via the host-village site; the rotating location changes yearly so confirm which village hosts before booking a stay.
Chablisannual, fourth weekend of October2 days
Held on the fourth weekend of October in the town of Chablis, this festival baptises the new vintage and brings together some 40 producers of Chablis and the Grand Auxerrois to pour every appellation tier alongside a brotherhood induction and walks in the vines.
Tip: Pair the tasting with a stroll through the Grand Cru slope above town; the festival is the easiest day of the year to compare Petit Chablis up to Grand Cru side by side.
Across Burgundybiennial, March of even years5 days
The largest trade tasting in Burgundy, run every two years in March across the region's vineyards from Chablis to the Maconnais. Over five days thousands of professionals, importers and journalists taste the latest releases appellation by appellation; the 2026 edition runs 9 to 13 March.
Tip: This is a trade and press event, not a consumer fair; producers along the route often open for visits the same week, so non-trade visitors can still plan a tasting-rich March itinerary.
Vougeot, Cote de Nuitsannual, second Sunday of March1 day
Charity auction of the wines of the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges estate, held in the Chateau du Clos de Vougeot on a Sunday in March and sold by the pièce, the 228-litre Burgundy barrel. The 65th sale took place on 8 March 2026, with iDealwine as the estate's online auction partner; the 66th is announced for Sunday 14 March 2027.
Tip: The estate's website has a how-to-buy page and an online registration form for taking part in the sale; use them before the auction date.
