The Hospices de Beaune was founded in 1443 by Nicolas Rolin as a hospital and refuge for the poor and needy. From 1471 onwards, vast tracts of vineyard land have been donated and bequeathed by grateful families and generous benefactors to the Hospices de Beaune. Much of the Hospices 61 hectares of vineyard land dotted throughout the Côtes de Nuits and the Côtes de Beaune, is classified Premier Cru and Grand Cru including sites in Clos de la Roche, Mazis-Chambertin and Corton. Since 1859, the wines made from the Hospices vineyard holdings have been sold in a charity auction held on the third Sunday of November every year. The entire proceeds of the auction go to the charitable and religious works of the old hospices and various health-care institutions in the region. Grapes harvested from the Hospice’s vines are made into 45 distinct cuvees (32 red and 13 white). These are sold 'en Primeur', just weeks after vintage and are shipped to the négociant-éleveur before the 15th of January of the following year. The wines are then matured, bottled and eventually distributed to the buyer, whose name typically appears on the label alongside that of the négociant-éleveur.