Once Upon a Time…Chartreuse. A Total of CHF 1.5M with 100% of Lots Sold. Commissaire-priseur et Directeur exécutif de Baghera/wines, Michael Ganne vendant le lot 54, dans la vente Once Upon a Time…Chartreuse depuis le Club 1865 by Baghera/wines
ONCE UPON A TIME… CHARTREUSE by Baghera/wines:
- TOTAL : CHF 1,517,697/$ 1,624,391/€ 1,525,437
- Sold by lots : 100%
- Lots sold : 648, Lots offered : 648
- Sold by value : 164%
Geneva, 7 March 2023 – The Once Upon a Time… Chartreuse by Baghera/wines auction took place over three days, from Saturday 4 March to Monday 6 March 2023. This internationally acclaimed sale broke all records by becoming the largest Chartreuse liqueur auction in history, with many online bidders and a total of 648 lots on offer. Bottles, half-bottles, mignonettes, and large formats of Chartreuse that were unique on the market, as well as numerous promotional items, were purchased by a varied clientele. The majority were from Europe, although strong interest shown by several American bidders should be mentioned. Live-streamed from Club 1865 by Baghera/wines – Geneva, the online auction achieved CHF 1,517,697/$ 1,624,391/€ 1,525,437, therefore increasing by more than half its pre-sale estimate.
This was an auction filled with precious items, each rarer than the next, including certain lots featuring a remarkable history and uniqueness, such as several lots of yellow and green Chartreuse de Tarragona, of which only three, ten or a hundred examples are known in the world.
The top lot in the auction, lot #54, comprising two bottles of green and yellow Chartreuse “VEP” – distilled in 1953, and bottled in 1966 – marking the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and complete with its original wooden case was sold for CHF 34,160, easily exceeding its high estimate. These were closely followed in the top ten by a stunning set of 12 bottles of Green Chartreuse de Tarragona 1973-1985, lot #358, which sold for CHF 24,400. The top ten totaled nearly CHF 210,000.
At the end of the auction, auctioneers and founders of Baghera/wines Michael Ganne and Julie Carpentier said: “For several years now we have been sensing a real revival of interest in Chartreuse liqueurs. Knowledge is increasing and the treasure hunt has begun. We are infinitely grateful to our client for entrusting us with his treasures, which constitute a very important part of a collection built over a lifetime. Chartreuse can be mastered and respected; it reveals a fascinating subtlety through the different vintages, colors and origins. As is often the case, the trend is launched by a few enthusiasts and word spreads. It embodies the presiding spirit of the Chartreuse and the ancestral know-how of the Carthusian monks. Their discretion and the jealously guarded secret of the formula have contributed to perpetuating the legend. We love this aspect of our business where the human aspect blends with the exceptional to create a unique event such as this one that will represent a landmark in Chartreuse’ history.”
Baghera/wines is the European leader in exceptional wines and spirits auctions, its teams are recognized for their legitimacy and the precision of their expertise, particularly in Chartreuse.
ABOUT BAGHERA/WINES, EXPERTS IN EXCEPTIONAL WINES
European leader in rare wine auctions based in Geneva, Baghera/wines offers a new approach to sales of exceptional vintages by placing conviviality and sharing at the heart of their events. For the past five years, passionate experts Michael Ganne and Julie Carpentier have developed a bureau dedicated exclusively to rare wines and which guides collectors in all aspects of enhancing the value of a collection.
In 2018-19, the historic sale of Henri Jayer’s personal cellar, to date the world’s most important wine auction ever (CHF 34.5M), followed by an unprecedented sale exclusively dedicated to the wines of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and then by the final bottles from Domaine René Engel, propelled Baghera/wines to the position of European leader in wine auctions.
The experienced team working with Baghera/wines’ experts offers excellent tailor-made professional advice to international collectors passionate about rare fine wines including the organization of master classes, as well as careful selection of wines for private tastings, dinners and events combining music and wine. In September 2020, Baghera/wines officially inaugurated its new Geneva establishment, incorporating a private club and boutique dedicated to fine wines, within the Beau-Rivage hotel, Geneva. In October 2022, the company further developed its activities in Asia, with the opening of Baghera/wines Singapore Ltd. in Singapore. The entity began holding physical and online auctions from early 2023.
