March 19, 2025 (New York) — Bonhams will present a historic first – the auction of the first wine ever cultivated and produced in the Kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas. In celebration of this first bottling from Bhutan Wine Company, Bonhams will present the only public offering of these rare 48 bottles to its global audience. The cultivation of a new wine region has likely not occurred in over 150 years, and this auction represents a historic collecting opportunity unlike any other. Presented in an online auction from April 3 – 24, all lots will be offered without reserve and include unique experiences, with estimates ranging from $4,000 to $80,000. The top lot in the sale, which includes a curated trip to Bhutan, is the first ever release of a new large format bottle, called The Himalayan, which at 7.57L pays homage to Gangkhar Puensum in Bhutan, the highest unclimbed mountain in the world at a staggering 7,570 meters. Offered at an estimate of $40,000 – 80,000, this custom-sized bottle is the only one released to the global wine market with the only other one being presented to His Majesty the King of Bhutan.
Although Bhutan has been primarily engaged in subsistence farming, the country has remained largely unexplored in the realm of viticulture and winemaking. After a trip to the small country in the Himalayas in 2017, Michael Juergens and Ann Cross recognized the untapped potential for wine production and were inspired to create the Bhutan Wine Company. They formed the Bhutan Wine Company in partnership with two Bhutanese, Yab Dhondup Gyaltshen and Karma Choeda, and began work to build a new wine industry from ground up in what may be the world’s last untouched frontier for wine development. This endeavor not only celebrates Bhutan’s unique terroir but also opens a new chapter in the story of global wine making.
“We’ve spent the better part of the last decade trying to capture the magical essence of Bhutan in a bottle of wine in order to share it with the world and now the Bhutan Wine Company through its partnership with Bonhams is about to finally realize its dream,” says Michael Juergens, co-founder of Bhutan Wine Company
“There is no other single wine region on the planet with the same level of diversity of terroirs in such a small area. As the first carbon-negative country, Bhutan benefits from harmony in its environment with pure water, no smog, pristine soil, high biodiversity, and a long history of growing diverse world-class agricultural crops,” says Ann Cross, co-founder and CEO of Bhutan Wine Company
In 2023, the first-ever harvest of wine grapes in the Kingdom took place, resulting in the first barrel of wine ever produced from its terroir. Named Ser Kem, meaning “an offering of alcohol to the Gods” in Bhutan, the “First Barrel” is a special commemorative blend of every grape variety and vineyard that produced fruit during the inaugural 2023 viticultural season. Speaking of her experience in Bhutan, Jancis Robinson MW, British wine critic and member of BWC’s advisory board, said: “Having arrived in Bhutan just in time for the second grape harvest, I visited four of the company’s young vineyards… Most were extremely difficult to access but the Bhutanese looking after them were clearly devoted to, and proud of, the vines in their charge.” Robinson went on to say: “The greatest thrill for me was tasting the first few wines which really do show great promise, with pure varietal flavours and excellent balance.” To read more about her experience in Bhutan, visit the Bonhams Magazine here.
“For the first time in history, Bonhams Wine is thrilled to present the first wines from Bhutan ever offered. This marks a historic moment in the history of wine, bringing the Bhutanese unique terroir, spirituality, and craftsmanship to a global stage. The Bhutan Wine Company is a fantastic human adventure, and we have been honored to partner with them. The uniqueness, rarity and story behind these wines make them undoubtedly the most exciting addition for wine collectors and connoisseurs alike,” remarked Amayès Aouli, Bonhams Global Head of Wine and Spirits.
The standout of the offering, The Himalayan 7.57L, estimated at $40,000 – $80,000, will include a curated trip to Bhutan, which will include cultural and wine experiences with the Bhutan Wine Company leadership team. In addition, the buyer will receive priority allocation to the next five Bhutan Wine Company vintages, a private tasting with senior members of the wine Bhutan Wine Company team, and Club dVIN membership.
The remaining bottles in the sale will offer the Ser Kem in a range of sizes from 750ml to 5L and are housed in a commemorative box crafted by Bhutanese wood making artisans and sourced from local Bhutanese wood. All lots include priority allocation to the next five Bhutan Wine Company vintages, and a selection will include an invitation to Bhutan and private tasting experiences. All inaugural bottles are signed by the team behind Bhutan Wine Company: co-founder Mike Juergens, co-founder and CEO Ann Cross, COO Karma Choeda, and Viticulturalist Russell Moss.
The full list of offerings in the sale include:
- Ser KemThe Himalayan 7.57L. Estimate: $40,000 – $80,000.
- Ser Kem 2-Pack Red & White Box Set. Estimate: $2,000 – $4,000.
- Ser Kem One 5L Jeroboam. Estimate: $8,000 – $16,000.
- Ser Kem One 3L Double-Magnum. Estimate: $4,000 – $8,000.
- Ser Kem Two 1.5L Magnum. Estimate: $4,000 – $8,000.
- Ser Kem Four 750ml bottles. Estimate: $4,000 – $8,000.
Bhutan Wine | The Historical First Vintage can be found at Bonhams.com with bidding open from April 3 –24.
About The Bonhams Network
Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.
About Bhutan Wine Company|
The Bhutan Wine Company and its local subsidiary were founded in 2018 as a collaborative venture by U.S. and Bhutanese partners and are currently developing the wine industry in the magical Kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas. Working closely with the government and local citizens, in line with the development philosophy of Gross National Happiness, the Bhutan Wine Company’s objective is to capture the essence of this wonderful and unique terroir in a bottle of wine and share it with the world for the next five hundred years.
For more information about Bhutan Wine Company, please visit www.bhutanwine.com
