History and a glimpse into the future of Faiveley

When one of Burgundy’s most important wineries celebrates its 200th anniversary, it doesn’t happen quietly. Domaine Faiveley, family-owned since 1825, is marking this milestone with an auction that will amaze even seasoned collectors. From November 5 to 19, the renowned Christie’s auction house is offering a unique selection of bottles in an online-only auction – directly from the historic cellars of the Domaine in Nuits-Saint-Georges.

These include not only rarities from legendary vintages, but also large formats and complete verticals that document the entire oeuvre of the Faiveley family. Highlights include a 1955 Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley, a Musigny 1908, as well as magnum, jeroboam, and methuselah bottles, which were brought out of the deep, cool cellars of the domaine especially for this occasion—some of them with original labels, curved glass, and patinated signatures, as found only on genuine Burgundy icons.

A winery with backbone and vision

Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825 by Pierre Faiveley, a visionary entrepreneur who recognized early on that the terroir of Burgundy is more than just agriculture. Today, the estate is run by the seventh generation, Erwan and Eve Faiveley, who ensure that the connection between tradition and innovation remains alive.

With over 120 hectares of vineyards spread across 12 Grand Cru and 22 Premier Cru sites, Faiveley is one of the region’s biggest names. The monopoly wine Clos des Cortons Faiveley is a prime example of this combination of exclusivity, authenticity, and provenance, and is considered one of the best Cortons ever.

But Faiveley has long been more than just a classic winery. It is a symbol of what Burgundy is all about: precision craftsmanship, sustainable viticulture, and a deep respect for the terroir. Under the leadership of Erwan Faiveley, the house has undergone a gentle change in style in recent years, moving towards wines that show elegance even when young, without losing any of their depth or longevity.

 

(c) Christies

An auction with heart and history

To mark the 200th anniversary of Domaine Faiveley, Christie’s is holding an online-only auction (“200 Year Jubilee Celebration”) from November 5 to 19, offering over 475 lots (see online lot sheet “Browse lots (475)”.

This impressive number reflects the extraordinary volume and breadth of the offering – from single bottles to magnums and large formats to complete vintage verticals. The offerings include iconic vintages such as the “Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley 1955” and a “Musigny 1908” – both extremely rare in the Burgundy context. Particularly noteworthy is that many lots come directly from the historic cellars of the Domaine in Nuits-Saint-Georges, which significantly enhances their provenance and authenticity in the wine investment environment.

The auction thus offers a rare opportunity not only for wine lovers, but especially for investors in Burgundy wines: the large number of lots allows investors to focus on very rare individual bottles as well as investment pools or vintage verticals. At the same time, the meeting of tradition (200 years of history) and the market (Christie’s online platform) signals the growing importance of Burgundy wines as an asset class.

Erwan Faiveley describes the anniversary auction at Christie’s as “a tribute to our ancestors and the heritage of Burgundy.” Each bottle, he explains, embodies the essence of family tradition and savoir-faire refined over generations.

Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Fondation du Patrimoine to support the restoration of the Château du Clos Vougeot, the iconic building that represents the cultural heart of Burgundy like no other. Faiveley is thus building a bridge between the past and the future: while collectors worldwide bid on rare bottles, part of the proceeds will go toward preserving Burgundy’s heritage.

Edwin Vos, International Head of Wine & Spirits at Christie’s, aptly describes the event: “This auction offers collectors an exceptional opportunity to discover the heritage of Domaine Faiveley and gain access to some of Burgundy’s most outstanding wines.”

Investment in the spirit of Burgundy

For wine lovers and investors, the auction is much more than a nostalgic celebration. It is a barometer of the market for Burgundy wines, whose prestige and scarcity have grown steadily in recent years.

Over the past ten years, Burgundy has partially overtaken Bordeaux as the number one investment region. The combination of limited production, international renown, and consistent quality ensures that bottles from the top vineyards are steadily increasing in value.

Thinking ahead about heritage – Burgundy between emotion and investment

Burgundy, like almost no other wine region, represents the balancing act between passion and investment. And Domaine Faiveley embodies precisely this balance. The family has understood how to view its history not as a burden, but as an asset. The 200th anniversary is therefore not only a celebration of the past, but an invitation to the future – to collectors, investors, and wine lovers who see Burgundy as more than just a place of origin: a symbol of craftsmanship, culture, and sustainability.

Those who invest in Burgundy today are investing above all in values such as patience, precision, and origin.