At the recent annual Soirée des Mécènes of the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne in France, a major international announcement was made: the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne in Beaune will host the first-ever Global Wine Tourism Day, scheduled for 17 June 2026.

The event is initiated by the Wine Travel Awards and the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne in Beaune, with the support of the Comité Bourgogne. Its aim is to highlight the cultural, economic and innovative potential of wine tourism by bringing together industry leaders, experts, producers, media representatives and opinion leaders from across the globe.

The annual gathering of patrons of the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne is a significant moment for Bourgogne. It is here that strategic decisions are made regarding the preservation and promotion of the region’s unique historical sites, many of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage. The event serves as a platform for reviewing completed projects and presenting new and promising initiatives. Typically, more than fifty sponsors and partners convene to discuss achievements and future plans.

Under this patronage, and within the framework of the 2022–2026 agreement with the Association des Climats, a programme of 23 ambitious projects was developed, including the flagship events of 2025 dedicated to the 10th anniversary of  Bourgogne’s Climats being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This included an extensive educational initiative aimed at younger generations, encouraging them to understand and take pride in Bourgogne’s rich heritage. Forty monographs were also produced, exploring the unique history of the region and its individual terroirs. Over the years, with the support of patrons, numerous projects have been implemented – from reinforcing the stone walls of the Climats and mapping historic wine cellars to compiling a glossary of viticultural terms.

The 2026 Soirée des Mécènes highlighted that the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne continues to evolve as a key cultural and educational centre dedicated to the region’s wine heritage.

At the initial stage, around €6.5 million in patronage funding was raised, enabling the creation of high-quality scenography and cultural content for the exhibitions. It is important to note that the patronage system supports cultural content rather than the operational activities of the institution.

According to statistics, the Cité welcomed around 85,000 visitors in 2024. Experts believe this figure could be higher, given Bourgogne’s strong potential in wine tourism. To this end, the commercial strategy has been strengthened and the operational model optimised. For its cultural development, the Cité is currently considering the acquisition of an exceptional library that could become a unique reference centre for researchers, historians and university programmes.

In 2026, the Cité will introduce new elements to enhance visitor engagement: new sections explaining wine labels and the hierarchy of appellations, as well as an in-depth exploration of wood and cooperage – a topic of growing relevance. Another highlight will be the new film “Bourgogne on a Global Scale”, to be shown in the relaxation area.

The Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne aspires to be not merely a museum, but a true “place of life and experience”, combining culture, gastronomy and learning.

Visitors can expect several updates, including an expanded children’s area (“cabotte”), a more interactive and engaging quest, additional languages for audio guides, and the relocation of wine tastings to the restaurant area – improving comfort and encouraging guests to stay longer while enjoying panoramic views.

In addition, an educational geological trail is being developed for Chablis, and the exhibitions dedicated to winegrowers and the challenges of climate change will be refreshed. The Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne – where the past of wine as a cultural heritage of civilisation meets its future – is gaining increasing authority and recognition on the global stage.

One of the latest confirmations of this was its confident victory in the international Wine Travel Awards 2024–2025. During the patrons’ evening, WTA Ambassador Oleksandra Minenko Decamp presented the main trophy to the institution’s leadership: Benoît de Charette, President of the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne; Édouard Moghetti, Director of the Cité; and Laurent Delaunay, President of the Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB). The latest edition of the Wine Travel Awards Guide was also handed to Sylvain Naulin, Managing Director and CEO of the Comité Bourgogne.

The upcoming Global Wine Tourism Day, set for 17 June, aims to further strengthen global awareness of Bourgogne’s cultural heritage. The event is poised to become a landmark occasion in the development of wine tourism. On 17 June, the Cité in Beaune will welcome industry professionals for this international gathering and the awards ceremony of the Wine Travel Awards 2025–2026.

Today, wine diplomacy continues to work towards uniting the forces of light and goodwill.

We warmly invite you to the Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne (Beaune) for the Global Wine Tourism Day.

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• Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne
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