2023 Auction Lots

4 – 1.5 Liter 2015 Château de la Crée, Santenay Premier Cru Clos Faubard Pinot Noir
4 – 1.5 Liter 2016 Maison Evenstad Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Fleurières-Les Plantes Au Baron Pinot Noir
12 – 750ml assorted bottles of Grand Cru and Premier Cru wines from the very first vintage of wine produced under the Domaine Evenstad label, including bottles signed by Grace Evenstad from the renowned Grand Cru vineyards, Bonnes-Mares and Clos Vougeot

Six (6) night town and country luxury wine experience in Burgundy, France for two (2) couples or four (4) individuals

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from any major city in the contiguous United States to Lyon, France for four (4) individuals
VIP Meet and Greet, roundtrip airport services with customs assistance
Roundtrip private airport transfer
Rental car for the duration of the stay in Santenay

Three (3) nights’ accommodations and exclusive use of Domaine Evenstad’s newly renovated Grande Maison in Santenay-le-Bas for two (2) couples or four (4) individuals
Three (3) nights’ accommodations and exclusive use of Château de la Crée in Santenay le-Haut for two (2) couples or four (4) individuals
Guided e-bike tour and tasting in three of the Château de la Crée vineyards, followed by an intimate lunch in the vineyard outside the château
Private winery tour, barrel tasting in the caves and seated tasting in the loft above Domaine Evenstad’s winery
Dinner served with wine at Three Michelin-starred Maison Lameloise helmed by Chef Eric Pras in Chagny
Dinner served with wine at Restaurant l’Ouillette in Santenay
Lunch at La Table de Léonce with wine tasting in a private dining room at Clos de Vougeot
Private guided tour of Hospices de Beaune
Daily continental breakfast and amenity wine during the stay
Concierge service to assist with pre-arrival and on-site arrangements and reservations
Optional experiences in Burgundy based on winners’ preferences and depending on the time of year of visit can include a guided walking tour of Dijon, hands on harvest in September and VIP tickets to Musique et Vin au Clos de Vougeot in June

Few wine regions on earth are as glorious as Burgundy, and even fewer are more reluctant to grant access to wine lovers.

Four lucky individuals will spend a memorable week at the historic estate of Château de la Crée in Santenay, gaining a priceless behind-the-scenes perspective in the crafting of great Burgundy wine—and along the way, sampling the finest cuisine and sightseeing the region has to offer.

In 2015, Grace Evenstad and her late husband Ken fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing the historic Château de la Crée in Santenay. The venerable estate dates to the 15th century, when it was owned by Nicolas Rolin, founder of the Hospices de Beaune. The Château’s vineyards include seven rare Premier Cru blocks located entirely in the renowned Côte d’Or, home to some of the world’s most storied Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; they comprise 25 acres of prime vineyard sites in Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Santenay and Maranges.

Grace and Ken Evenstad were no strangers to making world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In 1989, the couple arrived in Oregon’s Dundee Hills and bought a 42-acre hilltop parcel that became Domaine Serene. Despite being ahead of their time, they inspired a new era in Oregon winemaking with their award-winning Evenstad Reserve Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Today, Domaine Serene’s six distinct estates offer a diversity of elevations and microclimates that contribute to their individual wines.

Your time in Santenay will begin with three nights in Santenay-le-Bas at the newly renovated and recently opened Grande Maison of Domaine Evenstad. The entire home will be available for your use during your stay. The stunning facility features an adjacent state-of-the-art winery and a series of beautiful underground caves for barrel aging, all housed in a restored 18th-century mansion. You’ll receive a private tour and a unique tasting of rare Evenstad Estates wines in the loft overlooking the winery.

The remainder of the week will be spent at Château de la Crée, where you’ll have exclusive use of the property as you explore the surrounding area. Château de la Crée is a luxury home away from home in Santenay, set within the walls of its own private park. All bedrooms and suites are spacious with private baths. A full kitchen, grand salon and the park and grounds of the Château feature both a tennis court and croquet lawn with equipment for your use as well as new bicycles and e-bikes.

The Burgundy region has some of the most famous cuisine in all of France, and you’ll begin your culinary explorations at Restaurant l’Ouillette, an elegant bistro located in the town square. At the fabled Château du Clos de Vougeot, you’ll enjoy a special winetasting lunch at La Table de Léonce, named for Léonce Bocquet who restored the Château between 1889 and 1913.  The culinary high point of the trip will be your meal at Restaurant Lameloise in nearby Chagny, holder of Three Michelin Stars, where Chef Eric Pras balances precision and passion in exploiting the rich ingredients of the region.

For a glimpse of history, you’ll travel 11 miles north to the city of Beaune to visit the world-famous Hospices de Beaune. Founded in 1443 as a hospital for the poor, the Hôtel-Dieu (or original hospital building) is one of the finest examples of 15th-century Burgundian architecture. You’ll receive a private tour of the building, which is now a museum. The modern hospital nearby is the beneficiary of the Hospices de Beaune wine auction every November.

If you visit Burgundy in the fall and are feeling energetic, you can participate in working the harvest for a day.  Want to take life easier? Participate in a guided walking tour of Dijon or the ramparts of Beaune or attend the Musique et Vin au Clos de Vougeot festival in June.

Each of the four lucky winners will receive an assortment of Burgundy wines for their home cellar, including Magnums of 2015 Château de la Crée, Santenay Premier Cru Clos Faubard and 2016 Maison Evenstad Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Fleurières-Les Plantes Au Baron, as well as an assortment of releases from the first vintage made under the Domaine Evenstad label, including bottles signed by Grace Evenstad from the renowned Grand Cru vineyards of Bonnes-Mares and Clos de Vougeot.

Raise your paddle high for a chance to experience Burgundy up close and personal!

Insider's Info

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from any major city in the contiguous United States to Lyon, France is included. VIP Meet and Greet, roundtrip airport services with customs assistance and roundtrip, ground transfers between Lyon Airport and Santenay are included. One (1) mid-size rental car will be provided for the duration of the stay. Meals are included as stated above. Non-alcoholic beverages are included at stated meals and wines are only included as stated. Any additional meals, beverages and activities are at the winning bidders’ expense. Gratuities are not included, not mandatory in France and at the winning bidders’ discretion. Visit to be scheduled within 18 months of the 2023 Naples Winter Wine Festival for mutually agreeable dates and based on availability. Domaine Evenstad is currently undergoing extensive renovations and is expected to be available in August 2023. If winners choose to book the stay prior to August 2023, winning bidders may spend all six (6) nights at Château de la Crée. It is estimated that the wines harvested in 2022 will be available to ship to the winning bidders in 2025.

Donor

Grace Evenstad of Domaine Serene and Château de la Crée