Hundreds of Burgundy wine appellation signs to be auctioned

A Bâtard-Montrachet grand cru sign that is part of the November 2024 auction.

An auction of Burgundy appellation signs that were situated across the vineyard region for around 20 years are to be auctioned off this November, after being replaced with new plaques. 

Famous grands crus, such as Chambertin, Bonne Mares and Bâtard-Montrachet, will be represented alongside place-name plaques for village appellations, according to the Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB), which has organised the auction.

Signs are being pitched as ideal ornaments for wine lovers’ homes and gardens, or as decorations for businesses.

A Ruchottes-Chambertin grand cru sign that will be auctioned in November 2024. Credit: BIVB.

The sale, to be held from 2pm to 6pm on Tuesday 12 November, is open to all and will be hosted by Jérôme Duvillard and Alexandra Chaillou-Weidmann, of Quai des Enchères auction house, said the BIVB.

It will be live-streamed from the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne in Beaune.

Prospective bidders can register and follow the sale via the auction websites Drouot.com and Interencheres.com, said the BIVB, adding that lots can also be viewed on the Quai des Enchères website.

It’s expected that the sale will feature nearly 600 signs split into 300 lots, and signs will include: 

29 grand cru appellation signs 282 ‘Régionale’ or ‘Village’ appellation signs 280 ‘Bourgognes’ and ‘B’ logo signs

Price estimates vary according to the prestige of the appellation name on each