Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne Sees 15 Percent Attendance Jump After Leadership Shakeup

The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne, a major wine tourism site in Burgundy, is set to change leadership as Édouard Mognetti takes over as managing director on November 24. The appointment comes after the site failed to meet its visitor targets since opening in 2023. Mognetti, 38, previously led the Interprofession des Vins du Centre Loire (BIVC) and the School of Wine & Spirits Business at BSB Education in Dijon. He will now be responsible for boosting attendance and expanding the site’s international reach.

The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne was inaugurated in 2023 with high expectations. It operates across three locations: Beaune, Chablis, and Mâcon. In 2024, the combined sites welcomed 86,000 visitors, falling short of the projected 150,000 to 180,000 tourists. This underperformance prompted an internal audit at the end of 2024. Following the audit, a new strategic plan was adopted in spring 2025.

According to the Comité Bourgogne, which oversees the network of Cités, Mognetti’s arrival is part of a broader effort to strengthen commercial activity and increase both general attendance and private event bookings. The new strategy focuses on two main areas: improving operational efficiency by seeking synergies with the Comité Bourgogne and adopting a more commercial approach to attract visitors.

Édouard Delaunay, co-president of the Bureau Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bourgogne, explained that tourists visiting Burgundy have many options for activities. The challenge is to make the Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne stand out as a destination. Delaunay noted that early results from the new plan are promising, with a reported 15 percent increase in attendance for 2025 compared to the previous year.

Mognetti’s task will be to build on this momentum and further develop the site’s appeal both domestically and internationally. The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne aims to become a central hub for wine tourism in Burgundy by offering educational experiences about the region’s unique terroirs and winemaking traditions. With competition from other attractions in Burgundy, Mognetti will need to find innovative ways to draw more visitors and position the site as a must-see destination for wine enthusiasts from around the world.

The leadership change reflects ongoing efforts within Burgundy’s wine industry to adapt to changing tourism trends and consumer expectations. As Mognetti prepares to take up his new role later this month, stakeholders are watching closely to see how his experience and vision will shape the future of one of France’s most important wine tourism projects.