World’s largest hotel wine cellars open its doors to the public for an exclusive programme of events
Inaugurated in 1874, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Wine Cellar is an exceptional venue; an unchanging witness to the history of the Principality for over 150 years. In celebration of its 150th anniversary this year, the Wine Cellars will host a programme of exclusive dinners and masterclasses in partnership with revered wine and champagne estates from across France. In parallel, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s master sommeliers have selected rare vintages to be discovered for the first time by the glass and have launched a limited series “Grande Champagne Premier Cru de Cognac, Les Caves Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo” to commemorate the anniversary.
Carved into the rock under the palace in January 1874 at the request of Marie Blanc, the wife of François Blanc, founder of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, the Cellars in Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo occupy over 1,500 m². The world’s largest hotel cellar houses over 350,000 bottles across 1.5 kilometres, with approximately 6,000 different labels.
From April to October 2024, guests at the restaurants of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Resort will be invited to enjoy a selection of rare and iconic French wines by the glass. From Bordeaux to Burgundy, and the Rhône to the Loire Valleys, each variety has been meticulously selected by the group’s sommeliers to complement the existing wine list and showcase the heritage of the Cellars in Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. Additionally, Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Wine Cellars are renewing their tradition of production to create the “Grande Champagne Premier Cru de Cognac”, a highly crafted XO Extra Old quality Champagne cognac.
This unique world vintage will be available from April 2024 in the bars at the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Resort, in the Cellars in Hôtel de Paris, and the Casino de Monte-Carlo boutique.
For Stéphane Valeri, Chairman and CEO of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer: “The 150 years of the Cellars in Hôtel de Paris celebrate the fabulous inheritance from Marie Blanc, as well as the passion and talent of our cellar-keepers and sommeliers who bring this heritage to fruition, whether in the heart of the Cellars, or in our thirty restaurants and bars today. For our group, this is a big, beautiful story about passing on and sharing. We are offering our clients this inheritance, to enjoy an unforgettable experience in our Cellars that are unique in the world.”
“This anniversary is a magnificent occasion to bring together our best wine enthusiast clients, guests at the Resort, as well as our teams around the values of wine: sharing, handing down, authenticity”, added Patrice Franck, Executive Chef Sommelier of the group.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, a series of exclusive dinners will take place in the cellars, including:
- 5 April 2024: Grands Crus Bordeaux dinner, in association with Château Cheval Blanc, Château d’Yquem, Château Haut-Brion and Château Margaux, orchestrated by Chef Yannick Alleno. The dinner will be preceded by a tasting and a conference on “climate change and its effects on the Fine Wines of Bordeaux”.
- 11 June 2024: Tenuta San Guido – Bolgheri dinner, also created by Yannick Alleno and preceded by a Master Class with the sommeliers and a private tasting with Mrs Priscilla Incisa Della Rocchetta from the Tuscan vineyard Tenuta San Guido that produces the great Sassicaia.
- 7 November 2024: Moët Hennessy dinner, signed by Emmanuel Pilon, Chef at Louis XV – Alain Ducasse at Hôtel de Paris. Preceded by a tasting and a conference on “climate change and its effects on Champagne”, this dinner will bring the festivities to a close.
To coincide with the 150th anniversary, the Cellars are undergoing a two-staged renovation project, beginning with a new entrance, reception, and tasting room, designed with the Moinard firm. The second phase is planned between November 2024 and March 2025.