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Sotheby’s to offer a Portion of the Cellar of William I. Koch in Auction of 20,000 Bottles of Wine

According to wine experts, William I. Koch has assembled one of the greatest cellars in the world. Some 20,000 bottles of wine from that collection will be auction in 2,700 lots at Slotheby’s.
According to wine experts, William I. Koch has assembled one of the greatest cellars in the world. Some 20,000 bottles of wine from that collection will be auction in 2,700 lots at Sotheby’s.

NEW YORK – Sotheby’s has announced that it is to offer selections of collectible wine from the cellar of one of America’s foremost collectors—William I. Koch—in an unprecedented three-day sale featuring more than 20,000 bottles grouped into approximately 2,700 lots with a projected value of $10.5 to $15 million, one of the highest totals for a Sotheby’s Wine auction. The sale, with is scheduled for May 19-21.

Koch assembled a cellar of almost unprecedented breadth and quality, according to wine experts, with top Bordeaux and Burgundy from some of the most highly regarded vintages of the 20th century, including 10 bottles of Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, which are estimated to fetch $80,000 to $120,000.

“My cellar is the result of nearly four decades of collecting,” said Koch. “I aimed to assemble the very best Bordeaux and Burgundy where you could taste the love and the passion that the vintner had in making it. With around 43,000 bottles, I could not possibly consume everything in my cellar so I am delighted to offer this selection to allow collectors all over the world to enjoy the glorious moments that come with these wines.”

Jamie Ritchie, CEO & President Americas and Asia Sotheby’s Wine commented, said that Koch has assembled one of the greatest cellars in the world.

“(It is) packed full of legendary wines that all collectors want to try. Bill focused on the highest quality: the greatest producers from each region, together with the best vintages,” said Ritchie. “As a very generous host, he purchased significant quantities, so he could enjoy them on multiple occasions, with many friends around the table. We are delighted to offer this wonderful selection from his very impressive cellar, in a special three-day, single-owner auction, which will give collectors around the world the opportunity to buy and enjoy these wines. As you would expect, the wines have been stored impeccably and are in exceptional condition.”

An unprecedented three-day sale featuring more than 20,000 bottles of wine from the Cellars of William I. Koch carries a projected value of $10.5 to $15 million, one of the highest totals for a Sotheby’s Wine auction.
An unprecedented three-day sale featuring more than 20,000 bottles of wine from the Cellars of William I. Koch carries a projected value of $10.5 to $15 million, one of the highest totals for a Sotheby’s Wine auction.

As founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oxbow Carbon LLC, Koch created the world’s largest marketing company of fuel grade and calcined petroleum coke. As a sailor he was a winner of the 1992 America’s Cup and four world championships. Koch’s contribution to the world of fine wine has extended far beyond building one of the world’s great cellars. For more than a decade, he has been America’s pre-eminent campaigner against wine fraud, successfully exposing widespread deception at the highest levels of the market.

To watch an interview with Koch about the wine auction, click here.


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