Sale 100% Sold by Lot
154% Sold By Value Versus Hammer
June 16, 2025 (New York) — The once-in-a-generation collection from renowned collector William I. “Bill” Koch ignited spirited bidding, achieving $28.8 Million and setting a record as the largest single-owner wine collection ever sold in North America. The celebratory three-day auction was held at Christie’s Rockefeller Center achieving 154% of the low estimate. The sale attracted global participation across generations, with 42% of registrants being new to wine auctions at Christie’s.
The highest price realized was the 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti, a Methuselah, which sold for $275,000. Closely following was a lot of three Magnums of the same wine, achieving $237,500—more than double its high estimate.
Bill Koch comments: “I hope these wines that I have spent years collecting and curating will bring joy and great memories to their new owners. Drink them in good health. I want to thank my staff and the expert team at Christie’s for handling these wines with great care. Their teamwork and professionalism were superb.”
Adam Bilbey, Christie’s Global Head of Wine & Spirits, commented: “Today concluded a once-in-a-generation sale from the truly iconic cellar of William I. Koch. Including wines of incredible rarity, this magnificent selection attracted collectors of all ages from across the globe, and we were delighted to see incredible competition online on Christie’s Live, from the phone and in the room for the entire duration of the three-day sale. We are thrilled with the outcome; this simultaneously celebrates the vision and legacy Mr. Koch leaves in world of fine wine and heralds the successful return of Christie’s Wine auctions to New York City.”
Throughout the sale large-format bottles performed exceptionally well, with outstanding results for Burgundy. Domaine Georges Roumier emerged as a standout, with multiple lots far exceeding their high estimates. The highest price realized from the domaine was the Bonnes Mares 1985 (6 Magnums), which realized $200,000—more than double its high estimate. A further highlight was the Bonnes Mares, Vieilles Vignes 1988 (1 Magnum), which sold for $87,500, nearly ten times its low estimate.
Additional highlights, underscoring the exceptional prices for Burgundy and Bordeaux, include Domaine Leroy, Musigny 1999 (8 Bottles) for $187,500 and Château Latour 1961 (6 Magnums) which gaveled at $187,500.
About Christie’s
Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. Renowned and trusted for our expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie’s unparalleled network of specialists offers our clients a full portfolio of global services, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 7 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction, launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art and manages an investment fund to support innovative startups in the art market. Christie’s is also committed to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide. To learn more, browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at christies.com or by downloading Christie’s apps. * Please note when quoting estimates above that other fees will apply in addition to the hammer price – see Section D of the Conditions of Sale at the back of the sale catalogue. * Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
