Nine centuries in the making: rare and iconic wines donated in support of the abbey where Burgundy’s first vines were grown

In 1098, an abbot named Robert of Molesme and around 20 of his followers arrived at a secluded patch of land roughly 10 miles south of Dijon, in the heart of modern-day Burgundy. Their mission was to establish an alternative, simple but strict way of religious life based on the teachings of Saint Benedict, whose twin pillars of faith were pious prayer and manual labour. They constructed an abbey called Cîteaux, and named themselves the Order of Cistercians.

Requiring wine for the Eucharist, the monks began to cultivate vines, methodically documenting how variations in soil, slope and sunlight altered the taste of the grapes. Armed with this data, they established precisely delineated plots of land according to their unique characteristics, or terroir, devising Burgundy’s system of ‘Climats’, which was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2015. The Cistercians’ most precious parcel of vines, Clos de Vougeot, was created in 1109 and remains a jewel of Burgundy today.

Cîteaux Abbey flourished as the epicentre of a divine revolution, which quickly spread across medieval Europe, taking new winemaking techniques with it. But the French Revolution saw the monks expelled and much of the monastery fall into ruin. In 1898, it was returned to the church, and it is today home to around 30 monks of the Trappist order — an intensely ascetic and largely silent branch of the Cistercians.

In September 2026, Christie’s is presenting Direct from Burgundy’s Greatest Domains pour l’Abbaye de Cîteaux | Acte II, an online auction to raise funds for the restoration of the définitoire, one of the monastery’s principal buildings. The sale has been instigated by the Fondation du patrimoine, a non-profit organisation founded to protect and champion French heritage, which raised nearly €30 million for the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris following its devastating fire in 2019.

The extensive vaulted hall of the définitoire was constructed in the 17th century as a meeting place for Cistercian leaders. Now a listed historic monument, it is in urgent need of preservation — but once its restoration is complete, it will reflect the abbey’s extraordinary legacy and help preserve its traditions for future generations.

The upcoming sale, which concludes during a gala dinner at the Château du Clos de Vougeot, comprises more than 150 lots, including rare vintages, formats and verticals from some of Burgundy’s most renowned names, among them Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Armand Rousseau, Georges Roumier, Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier, Leroy, Domaine Leflaive, Jean-Claude Ramonet, Domaine des Cabottes and Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey.

Many of the bottles in the sale come with exclusive experiences, including private tours and gourmet dinners — and all have been donated by the producers themselves, offering a rare chance to acquire superlative wines direct from their makers’ own cellars.

Below, Tim Triptree MW, international director of Wines and Spirits at Christie’s, selects his highlights from the sale.

A jeroboam of Domaine Prieuré Roch Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 1999

This is an exceptionally rare, three-litre jeroboam of an outstanding Burgundy vintage. Domaine Prieuré Roch is renowned for its organic farming and low-intervention techniques. The bottle is offered with dinner for four people at the domaine’s own restaurant, Premnord, which has an impressive 700-strong wine list and stunning views across the estate.

A jeroboam of Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier Musigny Grand Cru 2005

This is a legendary, full-bodied Pinot Noir, and the 2005 vintage is a standout — beautifully layered and complex. There are notes of sour cherries, spices and marmalade, with an earthy minerality. It's got a long life ahead.

A vertical of three magnums of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche 2014, 2015 and 2016

Covering just 15 acres of limestone, marl and clay soil, La Tâche’s unique terroir produces a wine so complex and elegant that it has become one of the most recognisable Burgundies in the world. It is incredibly limited in its production, so to be offered three consecutive vintages in magnum is exceptional. Having the opportunity to acquire them together from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s own cellar is practically unheard of.

A jeroboam of Hudelot-Noëllat Richebourg 2015

The creation of this Richebourg Grand Cru is overseen by the grandson of Alain Hudelot, who founded Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat in 1962. It comes from grapes grown on a tiny section of the vineyard, measuring just 0.69 acres. The result is an incredibly highly sought-after wine that is characterised by its focus, vivacity and intricate floral notes. This jeroboam is a precious gem.

A magnum of Armand Rousseau Chambertin 2020

This exceptional wine, which has the potential to age for decades, has a deep, concentrated core of black fruits, earth and spice, and a long, lingering finish. It was made under the stewardship of Cyrielle Rousseau, the fourth generation of her family to cultivate their 37 acres of vineyards, which produce some of the most revered wines in Burgundy. Because this bottle is a magnum format — the equivalent of two regular bottles — the vintage will age at an even more leisurely pace.

A magnum of Arnaud Ente Meursault Les Gouttes d’Or 2020

Jasper Morris MW, the author of Inside Burgundy, called micro-producer Arnaud Ente the region’s ‘brightest rising star’. Ente is meticulous in the details: his 10 acres produce stand-out white Burgundies, notable for their vitality. This magnum comes from his 2020 vintage — one of the most elegant and acclaimed to date.

A vertical of three magnums of Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Montrachet 2020, 2022 and 2023

In 2005, Pierre-Yves Colin, son of the celebrated winemaker Marc Colin, launched his own independent winery with his 15-acre share of the family’s vineyards, along with his wife Caroline Morey. He is known for his strictly minimal-intervention approach to winemaking, which gives his white Burgundies a signature smoky note and has elevated them to cult-like status. This vertical features three great vintages, known for their purity, precision and freshness.

Direct from Burgundy’s Greatest Domaines pour l’Abbaye de Cîteaux | Acte II is live for bidding from 4 September 2026 and closes on 19 September, coinciding with the charity dinner held at the Château du Clos de Vougeot

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