Sotheby’s is delighted to announce that Domaine de la Romanee-Conti has topped the second annual Sotheby’s Wine Ranking. The top ten list details the bestselling wine producers over 2014 at both auction and retail, as well as breaking out the top-selling wine makers according to their region. Overall, Sotheby’s sold $65,333,716 of wine at auction in 2014, $14.3 million (22%) of which was in single-owner or direct from the cellar sales. The top lot of the year was the HK$12,556,250 / US$1,609,776 achieved for Romanee-Conti Superlot which set a new record for the most valuable wine lot ever sold breaking Sotheby’s own record set in 2006.
Jamie Ritchie, CEO & President Americas and Asia Sotheby’s Wine commented: “Once again DRC triumphed in the Sotheby’s Ranking boosted by the $1.6 million Romanee-Conti Superlot which set a new record for a wine lot at auction when it sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in October. Bordeaux was also in demand in 2014 making up 62% of auction sales with Chateau Petrus moving up to second place with a 30% increase. The continued resurgence of the US market meant that Asian buyers were less dominant last year although they still account for over half of global sales”. Stephen Mould, Head of Sotheby’s Wine, Europe commented: “Sotheby’s was the top wine auction house in Europe this year. London sales saw an increase in European buyers to 55%, while Asian buyers now account for 40%”.
Sotheby’s is the largest seller of fine wines with a presence in the US, Asia, and Europe and is now the world’s largest wine auctioneer. Sotheby’s sales figures offer a reliable barometer of the world’s most sought after wines. By publishing data on sales activity The Ranking creates a high-level snapshot of global wine demand.
Auction sale totals worldwide
Hong Kong – $28.8 millions (increase +13%)
London – $21.1 millions (increase +6%)
New York – $15.4 millions (increase +23%)
Total: $65.3 millions (increase +13%)
Buyers Worldwide
North America – 24%
Latin America – 2%
Europe – 18%
Asia – 55%
Photo: decanter.com
