This year has seen record-breaking wine auctions as seasoned collector William I. Koch’s prestigious collection was put under the hammer and Jacqueline (de Rothschild) Piatigorsky’s cellar achieved record breaking heights. Against this backdrop, Westgarth Wines Wine offers a fascinating peek into some of the most valuable private collections of luxury wines ever to be auctioned. Passion, vintage rarity, wine provenance, and collector patience are the foundations for building a stellar wine collection. We hope a glimpse at these high-value wine auctions and outstanding portfolios of rare wines will inspire you in your collecting, cellaring, and sipping.

$34.5 mln: Henri Jayer, “The Heritage”

Legendary Burgundy winemaker Henri Jayer, who passed away in 2006, wasn’t just an iconic winemaker; he was also an astute fine wine collector. In June 2018, the last contents of his legendary private cellar, an event named “The Heritage” to reflect the vintner’s legacy, raised a record-breaking $34.5 million at a Geneva auction. Organized by Baghera Wines, the sale included 855 bottles and 209 magnums, showcasing rare vintages from Jayer’s Vosne-Romanée estate. Around 100 bidders from the Americas, Europe, and Asia took part in the sale. “This historical auction opens a new page in the world of fine wines,” said Michael Ganne, Executive Director of Baghera Wines at the time. “The very last bottles from Henri Jayer’s cellar have thus reached another dimension: eternity maybe?”

Highlights

• 1978–2001 15 vertical magnums of Cros Parantoux
• 1978 magnum Cros Parantoux
• 1999 six magnums Cros Parantoux
• 1986 Richebourg

$28.8 mln: William I. Koch, “The Great American Wine Collector”

Industrialist, America’s Cup winner, and veteran wine collector, William I. Koch, set a single-owner auction record in June this year when Christie’s in New York raised $28.8 million. The three-day sale, titled “The Great American Wine Collector”, attracted a global audience and saw every lot sold. Lots numbered 1,500, comprising around 8,000, which included 750 large formats like Jeroboams, Methuselahs, and Salmanazars. With wines from leading Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône, Napa, and Piemonte estates from Koch’s renowned Palm Beach, Cape Cod, and Aspen cellars, Christie’s described the auction as “…one of the greatest single-owner wine collections to come to market.”

Highlights

• 1999 Methuselah Domaine de la Romanée-Conti  
• 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
• 1989 Château Haut-Brion
• 1947 Château Cheval Blanc

$25.3 mln: Joseph Lau, “Iconic Wines from Joseph Lau” Part I, II & III

Hong Kong billionaire property tycoon and collector of luxury collectibles, Joseph Lau auctioned his collection with Christie’s in Hong Kong in a three-part event that spanned 2022 to 2025. Premium French wine from regions like Burgundy yielded especially impressive results, with the hammer price often more than doubling the pre-sale estimate. Notably, Part II saw millennials making up 55% of new buyers in an auction that illustrated the pedigree of the collection and cemented Lau’s reputation as a leading Asian wine enthusiast. “Every selected bottle is a testament to my thought, attention, and devotion to collecting only the most impeccable and rarest wines, and I look forward to sharing my top-notch favourites with sophisticated palates,” commented Lau on the auction.

Highlights

• 1990 Petrus
• 1992 Henri Jayer Vosne-Romanée
• 1995 Château Mouton Rothschild 

$16.8 mIn: Pierre Chen, "The Epicurean's Atlas", Part I

A multi-auction event held across major wine hubs from late 2023 to early 2025, “The Epicurean’s Atlas” showcased wines from the cellar of Pierre Chen, founder and Chairman of Yageo Corporation, restaurateur, Burgundy vineyard owner, and a renowned art and wine collector. The multi-site sale featured 25,000 bottles from Chen’s world-class collection, featuring Burgundy and Bordeaux from iconic houses and vintages, legendary Champagne, and standout Italian and New World wines. “To me, wine is the ninth art,” said Chen. “It is the only art form one can consume, using senses that other art forms don’t typically involve, such as one’s taste and smell, and it requires creativity on the part of the owner.”

Highlights

• 1982 Imperial Bordeaux Petrus
• 1959 Double Magnum Lafite
• 1982 Dom Pérignon
• 1974 Robert Mondavi Reserve

$11.16 mln: Jacqueline (de Rothschild) Piatigorsky, The Collection of Jacqueline (de Rothschild) Piatigorsky

Jacqueline Piatigorsky (née de Rothschild, 1911–2012), granddaughter of the purchaser of Château Lafite in 1868, built up a historic wine collection, put under the hammer by Zachys in New York September this year. The pre-sale estimate was $2.76m; the auction raised more than quadruple this projection with 100% of lots sold. The collection showcased rare Lafite Rothschild vintages from 1869–1941, the estate’s long-lost Vin Blanc, and labels from other top Bordeaux houses like Cheval Blanc, Haut-Brion, Latour, and Margaux.

Highlights

• 1870 Château Lafite Rothschild Magnum
• Lafite Blanc (not produced since the 1960s)
• 1875 Giscours
• 1899 Haut-Brion

$6.9 mln: Andrew Lloyd Webber, "The Andrew Lloyd Webber Wine Collection"

In 1997, British composer of “Cats”, “The Phantom of the Opera”, and “Evita”, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, auctioned 18,000 bottles at Sotheby’s in London, which garnered $6.9 million. A collector of wine since his teenage years, the sale of Lloyd-Webber’s collection exceeded expectations, raising double the initially estimated amount. This was, in part, attributed to the collection's association with the fame of the collector, a phenomenon known as a "celebrity premium".

Highlights

• 1900 d’Yquem
• 1947 Château Cheval Blanc.

Lot: An item or group of items for sale.

White Glove: Every lot is sold.

Estimate: Pre-sale price range forecast for a lot.

Reserve Price: Minimum price the seller will accept.

Hammer Price: Final winning bid, which excludes buyer’s premium.

Buyer’s Premium: Additional fee the auction house charges in addition to the hammer price.

Provenance: Documented record of a wine’s ownership.

Vertical: Collection of multiple vintages of the same wine.

Horizontal: Collection of an identical vintage from multiple producers.

Magnum, Jeroboam, Methuselah: Sought-after bottle sizes larger than standard 750ml.

Rare/Collectible: Wines that are much-coveted because of their scarcity, vintage, or producer.

Whether you’re a budding oenophile or have years of experience, establishing an enjoyable wine collection takes vintage knowledge, professional storage, and insights into market trends. Here are some key tips to help you launch or refine your selection of collectible wines:

• Begin with your favorites: Start with wines you enjoy drinking, be that from a particular region or estate.

• Research vintages and producers: Put the time in to learn which regions, rare vintage wines, and houses are the most sought-after and retain their long-term value for wine investment.

• Get proper storage: Maintain precise temperature, humidity, and light conditions, or consider the services of a professional wine cellar.

• Keep records: Track dates of purchase, prices, provenance, and tasting notes to manage your collection efficiently.

• Buy in multiples: Very importantly, collecting more than one bottle allows for cellaring, enjoying, or selling while protecting your core collection.

• Diversify: Balance your cellar with a range of wine styles and regions.

• Learn from the pros: Monitor sales trends, attend tastings, and follow reputable wine merchants for key insights.

• Patience: Wine value often increases over time, so resist the urge to enjoy and share your collection immediately.

Whether you’re collecting for passion or value preservation, these stand-out wine auctions and expert insights highlight the allure of rare, fine wines.

Want to read more? Take a look at some of our other blogs:

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  • Collector’s Corner: Barolo vs Barbaresco