Domaine des Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges :
8 centuries of charity and great auction
1270: Birth of the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges
The Hospices de Nuits were founded in the 13th century, around 1270, at the end of the reign of Saint-Louis and the advent of Robert II, Duke of Burgundy. This winegrower's hospital thus came into being two centuries before its illustrious neighbor, the Hospices de Beaune, was founded in 1443. Less well known but just as prestigious as this one, the Hospices de Nuits operate in exactly the same way, combining real medical activity with a top-notch winegrowing estate.
From a "maladrerie" to a hospital-winegrower and owner of the great wines of Nuits-Saint-Georges
Originally, L'Hôpital des Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges was a sickbay opened in 1270 and completely destroyed during the civil and religious wars. In 1633, the hospital, with just 4 beds, moved into a modest house on the banks of the Meuzin, purchased by Guillaume Labye, the King's attorney.
In 1684, the location was unsuitable, and it was decided to move the establishment, still on the banks of the Meuzin. In 1689, construction of the current hospital began, under the responsibility and devotion of chaplain Antide Midan. The 16-bed Saint-Laurent ward was built in 1692. Gradually, the "maladreries" of neighboring communes were attached to the hospital, and a Board of Directors made up of Nuits' notables was created. In this way, financial autonomy was guaranteed, and despite the difficulties the establishment would survive to this day, thanks in particular to the donations that would gradually build up the Domaine viticole.
Today, the hospital is a public health establishment that has been part of the Hospices Civils de Beaune since January 1, 2016. The new Saint-Laurent hospital opened its doors in September 2018 in premises featuring all the comfort and safety of a modern, adapted care and reception structure. Accumulated surpluses from the Hospices' winegrowing estate helped finance part of these new, more functional buildings.
Le Domaine viticole des Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges
The estate is an integral part of the hospital, with its own operating budget. Four winemakers are employed full-time. With over 12 hectares, the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges estate is made up mainly of Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation crus, including eight village appellation parcels and nine premier crus, thus covering a large part of the latter's hillsides and terroirs.
This prestigious vineyard produces 19 cuvées, including a Nuits-Saint- Georges 1er cru "Les Didiers" monopole appellation.
Jean-Marc Moron, manager of Hospices de Nuits-St-Georges
Regisseur Jean-Marc Moron carefully oversees each plot. The hospital's winegrowing heritage has been built up over time, in the Burgundian tradition, thanks to numerous donations and bequests since 1633, but in particular for the vines since 1688, with two ouvrées donated by Monsieur Hugues Perdrizet. This was followed over the centuries by donations from local families, most recently the Gevrey-Chambertin "Champs-Chenys" by Madame Irène Noblet, and parcels of Nuits by the Jeanniard family. Spiritual reasons, as well as the desire to provide annually renewed resources to improve care for the sick and elderly, explain these transfers of vines to the hospital. This charitable impulse has endured over the centuries, and even today its action is perennial, with annual financial surpluses from the vineyard providing substantial support for hospital investment. To pay tribute to the generosity of donors, it has been agreed to each year sell a charity piece for the benefit of a charity devoted to a humanitarian or medical cause.