Chambord celebrates Francs de Pied wines with Bonhams

Chambord celebrates Francs de Pied wines with a charity auction by Bonhams

The Château de Chambord will host an exceptional event on 12 November 2025, blending heritage, gastronomy, and generosity. On the occasion of the 2025 Grand Chapitre of the Francs de Pied Association, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr will conduct a charity auction under the hammer of Maître Arnaud Cornette de Saint Cyr, in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Honorary President of the association.
The evening will begin with a prestigious dinner created by two-Michelin-starred chef Christophe Hay, celebrating the rarity and authenticity of Francs de Pied wines. These cuvées, produced from ungrafted vines grown on their own roots, embody an ancestral savoir-faire that the association strives to preserve and have recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The auction will feature bottles of exceptional historical and patrimonial value, including a 2014 VVF Champagne Bollinger accompanied by an exclusive experience at the estate, a rare 1868 Château Lafite Rothschild, an 1863 Niepoort Port, and a case containing the wines served at the Grand Chapitre dinner. Exclusive experiences will also be offered, including a night at Château de Chambord, a dinner at Fleur de Loire, and a visit to the Domaine Thierry Germain.

All proceeds from the auction will go to the association to fund its UNESCO recognition campaign for the cultivation of francs de pied vines. More than just a sale, this event represents a commitment to preserving a living heritage that bears witness to the origins of viticulture and promotes both ecological and cultural sustainability.

“It is a great honour to organise this sale in support of the Francs de Pied Association, whose work helps safeguard the diversity and authenticity of original wines… This initiative reflects wine’s enduring role as a symbol of tradition, sharing, and transmission.” (said Amayès Aouli, Global Director of Wines & Spirits at Bonhams)