The auction house known for selling fine art and rare bottles is packaging an entire range of varietals into a wine collection. Big on profile, this assemblage offers value without alienating those willing to invest extravagantly in their genological stashes.
For some, browsing wine sites, vineyards and shops is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Others prefer to focus their attentions on sipping. To capture the attention of those willing to outsource their oenological hunt to experts, the first global auctioneer to offer fine wines at its stores and through e-commerce proposes something for anyone looking for a perfect dinner-party bottle or investment-grade cases.
Sotheby’s Wine Instant Cellar program allows collectors and enthusiasts to order a specially curated selection of wines right to their homes. Unlike the 1945 Romanée-Conti Sotheby’s sold for $558,000 last year at an auction, Instant Cellar’s tiered pricing—average prices are $115-$25,000—caters to everyone from new collectors just starting off to well-seasoned connoisseurs looking to elevate existing cellars. What makes this so compelling is Sotheby’s savoir-faire that leverages its unparalleled experience and international relationships with owners and winemakers to provide the best selection possible. Each collection within the four cellar options presents a range of wines that perfectly represent the region of origin, grape variety and price point, delivered to the Hamptons within a mere 24 hours.
In addition to offering bluechip options, Sotheby’s Wine has tapped into its rich network of relationships with respected growers to curate Sotheby’s Own Label Collection featuring a 12-bottle assortment that represents true expressions of some of the world’s most classic appellations. “Buying wine can be intimidating, and finding wines that are typical of their region, at attractive prices, can be challenging,” explains Jamie Ritchie, chairman of Sotheby’s Wine. “Our team has the passion, knowledge and winemaker relationships to select wines that are classic examples of the region and are ready for immediate drinking.” The selection, sourced from California, Italy and France, offers a Champagne, a prosecco, a Bourgogne blanc and rouge, both a Sonoma County chardonnay and pinot noir, a Sancerre blanc, a rosé, a Langhe nebbiolo and Bordeaux, a Saint-Émilion, a Pessac-Léognan and an HautMédoc, and is a crowd-pleasing way to kick off your summer. Average prices $115-$25,000, sothebyswine.com
Photography by: Maksym Kaharlytskyi
