April 28, 2025 — History was just made last week as the Bhutan Wine Company’s debut offering went under the hammer in an online auction (taking place from 3rd – 24th April) at Bonhams, marking a groundbreaking moment for Bhutan’s nascent wine industry. The highlight of the auction was The Himalayan, a singular bottle of wine with a volume of 7.57 litres, a symbolic tribute to Bhutan’s sacred Gangkhar Puensum, the world’s highest unclimbed mountain at 7.57 kilometres.
Only two bottles of The Himalayan have been released. One has been put aside to be presented to His Majesty the King of Bhutan, while the second garnered a final bid of US$18,750, a monumental achievement for a country that had never produced wine until now.
“This is more than just a wine sale,” said Mike Juergens, who co-founded the Bhutan Wine Company alongside Ann Cross. “After investing over a decade of our time, energy, and resources, seeing The Himalayan, made from Bhutan’s first-ever vintage in 2023, achieve this milestone is deeply rewarding. At Bhutan Wine Company, we haven’t just created a winery, we’re building an entire wine industry in Bhutan.”
The Bhutan Wine Company’s first full commercial vintage, the 2024 collection, will begin to be released in May 2025. Wines will be available primarily through the company’s tasting room and wine bar located in central Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
To learn more about Bhutan Wine Company and to inquire about purchasing future releases, visit bhutanwine.com.
About Bhutan Wine Company
The Bhutan Wine Company, founded in 2018, 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 Gross National Happiness pillars, 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.
