All superyacht owners know that a well-stocked wine cellar is crucial for a successful cruise, but for some only the best will do. If you’re eager to bring a bottle of the world’s most valuable, rare – and of course, drinkable bottles – then make sure to place a bid on The Golden Vines Fine Wine, Rare Spirit & Experience Auction.
The online-only auction will be organised by Liquid Icons and opens on September 23. Bidding will close on October 7 on the night of The Golden Vines Awards, an event which has been dubbed the “Oscars of the wine industry.”
During the auction bidders will be in for a chance of winning a selection of lots specifically designed for wine lovers, from rare bottles to once-in-a-lifetime tasting experiences hosted at the world’s best wineries.
Proceeds from the auction will be donated to The Gerard Basset Wine Education Charitable Foundation, set up in honour of the late legendary sommelier Gerard Basset. The foundation is expecting to raise over £1 million from the auction, which will help fund diversity and inclusion wine education programs such as The Taylor’s Port Golden Vines Diversity Scholarships to support the introduction of newcomers into the industry.
One of the most eye-catching lots at the auction is a Melchior (18 litre bottle) of the world’s most expensive red wine on release, donated by Liber Pater, along with a tour, tasting and lunch with winemaker Loic Pasquet. Other lots include rare formats of top wines such as 100-point vintage Penfolds Grange 2016, a rare magnum of Egon Muller’s 2018 TBA and a 90+ year old perfectly-aged Grand Crus Burgundy.
As for experiences, bidders have the chance to visit some of the world's best wine regions, with a dinner at the Château Cheval Blanc with head winemaker, Pierro Clouet, a three-night stay in Mendoza, Argentina at the Catena wine family’s private residence, a night at the Domaine des Lambrays in Morey-Saint-Denis tasting bottles form the 1930s with winemaker Jacques Devauges, a visit to Veuve Clicquot’s Hotel du Marc in Reims or a lunch with winemaker Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta at the Sassicaia estate.
Co-founder of Liquid Icons Lewis Chester commented: “We are honoured and humbled by the enormous enthusiasm and generosity of so many top fine wine estates and spirit distilleries in support of the Foundation’s work. The industry clearly recognises the issues around diversity & inclusion and the need to radically tackle them through the Foundation’s global wine education programmes."
For more information on how to take part in the auction, visit liquidicons.com.