The annual Golden Vines charity auction raised £878,754 for the Gérard Basset Foundation last month, with some lots smashing their pre-sale estimates tenfold, but, as indicative of the market, the total fell short of the record-breaking £1.3 million raised in 2021. The online auction, which closed on 27 October comprised 130 lots, which included bottles of Burgundy, Champagne and Bordeaux, alongside wines from Italy, Portugal, California, Germany, Spain and Argentina, as well as ‘money-can’t-buy’ oenology and luxury experiences. The top lot was an Opus One experience, which raised £34,000, against an estimate of £20,000-40,000), followed by a one-night Biondi Santi experience, including an ultra-rare Mathusalem (6L) of Biondi-Santi Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG from the 2016 vintage, which doubled its high estimate to reach £30,000. Meanwhile a Château Cheval Blanc Saint-Émilion Experience smashed its £3000-6000 estimate to raise £25,000. The lot included a double Magnum (3L) of Château Cheval Blanc 2011, plus VIP tour, tasting, vineyard visit, and fine wine lunch featuring historic library wines at the Château hosted by head winemaker Pierre Olivier Clouet or sales director Arnaud de Laforcade, for 8 guests. However, the result fell short of the 2021 record, when The Golden Vines Fine Wine, Rare Spirits and Experience Auction smashed its £1million target. The auction itself raised £1.05 million, despite comprising only 75 lots, with additional donations pushing the final sum to £1.3 million. This year’s auction was held on the eve of the 2024 Golden Vines Awards, organised by Liquid Icons, which took place
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Fine Wine
