November 13, 2025 (Miami, FL) — The 2025 Golden Vines Online Auction has concluded with outstanding success, raising USD $1 million in support of the Gérard Basset Foundation. The funds will directly advance global education and inclusion initiatives within the worlds of fine wine, rare spirits, and hospitality.
The auction, which ran from 20 October to 9 November, drew collectors and connoisseurs from around the globe, all bidding for an extraordinary collection of over 100 lots. Highlights included large-format fine wines such as 6L (Imperials) of Château Lafite Rothschild 1989, 3L (Jeroboams) of Krug Grande Cuvée, and Magnums of both Madonna delle Grazie Il Marroneto Riserva 2013 and Colgin IX Estate 2005.
Beyond the exceptional wines, bidders competed for exclusive “money-can’t-buy” experiences from private tours, tastings, and dinners hosted by the world’s most celebrated winemakers to overnight stays at prestigious estates.
The excitement culminated at the Golden Vines Gala, held on 7 November at the historic Alfred I. DuPont Building in Miami, where the Golden Vines Live Auction, led by Meaghan Steele of Sotheby’s, saw spirited bidding both in the room and online, pushing totals past the million-dollar mark.
Curated by Lewis Chester DipWSET, CEO and Co-Founder of Liquid Icons, and Clément Robert MS, Fine Wine Director of Liquid Icons, this year’s highest performing lots included:
- Slate Aviation Jet Card on 19-Seater Private Jet (LIVE AUCTION LOT)
- Andrea Bocelli Golden Ticket
- 1945 Experience with Rare at the Eisenhower Residence (LIVE AUCTION LOT)
- Formula 1 Baku Grand Prix Experience (LIVE AUCTION LOT)
- Le Pin with Jancis Robinson (LIVE AUCTION)
- Dom Pérignon Plénitude 3 from Dom Pérignon Chef de Cave’s private cellar
- 1-Night Champagne experience with Rare at Eisenhower Residence
- Tour de France Legends: Epic Wine & Cognac Dinner with James Finkel
- Domaine Jean Grivot & Jasper Morris MW, The Winner of The 2024 Golden Vines Hall of Fame Award
- Domaine Leflaive
- Fund-A-Need: Golden Vines Scholarships at FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality Management (TOTAL OF LIVE AND ONLINE BIDS)
The Golden Vines Gala dinner hosted on Friday 7 November at The Alfred I. DuPont Building in Miami by Emmy Award-winning US TV journalist Lisa Petrillo included the announcement of the two Barca-Velha Golden Vines Scholarship recipients – Sera Svitlana Karamshuk (London) and Leila Tehrani-Killoran (France); and American former basketball champion and co-founder of VII(N) The Seventh Estate wine brand Carmelo Anthony received The Golden Vines Entrepreneur Award. Michelin-starred dining was presented by chef Ryan Ratino from Ômo by Jônt paired with a curated selection of iconic wines, including Krug, Rare Rosé Champagne in Jeroboam, Domaine Vincent Dancer, Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay, Ridge Vineyards and Graham’s Port.
For more information please visit [liquidicons.com/auction]
About The Golden Vines
The Golden Vines annual activity includes (1) Education & Inclusion Scholarships curated on behalf of the Gérard Basset Foundation; (2) a three-day experience for luxury oenophiles and epicureans within a city renowned for their food and drink culture. Previous years’ experiences held in London, Florence and Paris. In 2024 in Madrid and 2025 in Miami; (3) live and global online auctions in benefit of the Gérard Basset Foundation; (4) pioneering annual awards for the ‘best of the best’ producers and protagonists in the world of fine wine and rare spirits, informed by the most extensive and in-depth industry research ever conducted. @goldenvinesawards
About Liquid Icons
Liquid Icons is a fine wine research and content production company founded by two friends – the late, great Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET – alongside Alexander A. (Sasha) Lushnikov to “do stuff in wine”. Liquid Icons creates first-class original content and industry research about the world’s greatest fine wines and rare spirits. The company’s work encompasses motion picture, industry research, recognition and celebration of fine wine and rare spirits excellence, charitable and fundraising activities, as well as educational initiatives. liquidicons.com
About the Gérard Basset Foundation
Set up to honour the legacy and memory of Gérard Basset OBE MW MS by addressing the wine industry’s most pressing issues through education, training & mentorship, the Gérard Basset Foundation comprises a multidisciplinary team of industry-leading professionals as its Trustees: Nina Basset FIH, Romané Basset, Lewis Chester DipWSET, Ian Harris MBE DipWSET, Sasha Lushnikov, and Jancis Robinson OBE MW. The Foundation champions inclusivity and diversity within the world of fine wines and spirits, and empowers those from underrepresented backgrounds to achieve their full potential through scholarships, mentoring and training. gérardbassetfoundation.org
About Sotheby’s
Established in 1744, Sotheby’s is the world’s premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby’s promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby’s believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative. sothebys.com
