NEW YORK, NY.- Today, Sotheby’s unveils the full auction programme for Nightcap, its new global Wine & Spirits Festival, bringing together world-class wines and spirits, collecting opportunities, tastings, dinners and culture at Sotheby’s iconic Breuer building in New York.
Taking place 16–19 September, Nightcap will present one of the most significant wine and spirits auction programmes ever staged in New York, with more than $10 million of exceptional wines and spirits offered across five dedicated auctions, alongside a curated programme of experiences for leading collectors, producers and enthusiasts. Admission to Nightcap auctions is free and open to all.
The announcement follows a record first half of 2026 for Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits, which generated $49.25 million in auction sales, up 7% year on year, across 29 auctions, achieving a 94% sell-through rate with bidders participating from 57 countries. The Nightcap programme will bring together some of the most significant private wine and spirits collections to come to market this season, alongside the Napa Valley Fine Wine Auction, presented by the Napa Valley Vintners.
Record First Half for Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits
Nightcap arrives at a moment of significant momentum for Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits business, following a record first half of 2026.
During the first six months of the year, Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits conducted 29 auctions featuring more than 13,000 lots and generating $49.25 million in total auction sales, with a 94% sell-through rate. New York was particularly strong, with 99% of lots sold, 190% achieving results above their low estimates, and the average lot achieving 235% of its low estimate. The first half of the year also saw continued growth in the bidder and buyer base, with 26% of bidders and 34% of buyers new to Sotheby’s New York.
The results also point to a rapidly expanding and increasingly international collector base. Across our global auctions, 25% of bidders were new to Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits, while 28% of buyers were new to the business. Younger collectors are also playing an increasingly important role, with 53% of bidders under the age of 50, including 26% under 40. Among buyers, 47% were under 50 and 22% under 40, highlighting the growing engagement of a new generation of collectors.
Participation was truly global, with bidders from 57 countries across Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. Strong demand was reflected in the results, with 50% of lots selling above their high estimates. New York was Sotheby’s leading Wine & Spirits market by sales in the first half of the year, closely followed by Hong Kong, with growth further supported by the continued expansion of Sotheby’s Wine retail business. Notably, New York achieved an unprecedented five consecutive white-glove sales, with 99% of lots sold.
The year began on a high note with The Great American Whiskey Collection, which totaled $2.5 million, setting a record for the most valuable American whiskey collection ever sold at auction, including a record for the most valuable bottle of American whiskey ever sold at auction.
Among the year’s further highlights were the launch of the Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Festival in March; the sale of the personal collection of Joel Shapiro; The Magnificent Cellars of Willy Michiels Part III London Chapter, part of a global sale series; and Immortal Vintages | 200 Years of Bordeaux, a landmark white-glove auction that achieved $2.1 million, more than doubling its pre-sale estimate.
Other notable results included Château Lafite Rothschild 1865—among the oldest bottles ever offered at Sotheby’s—which fetched $40,000, setting a world auction record. A world record was also broken twice for two magnums of the famed Glamis Castle Château Lafite Rothschild 1870. The first achieved $106,250 (est. $30,000–50,000). Moments later, the second magnum became the top lot of Immortal Vintages, realizing $200,000 (est. $30,000–50,000)—nearly seven times its low estimate—after nearly four minutes of competitive bidding between phone and online participants.
Sotheby’s and The Distillers’ Charity also extended their partnership for the biennial Distillers One of One auction through 2033, alongside a series of landmark auctions bringing some of the world’s most sought-after wines and spirits to collectors internationally.
In June, Sotheby’s set a new world auction record for tequila. A bottle of Clase Azul Tequila Dia de Muertos 40.0 abv NV (1 Bottle 1 Litre) from 2017 sold for $35,000 at Sotheby’s New York, becoming the most valuable single bottle of tequila ever sold at auction. The top lot sold by Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits so far this year was The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection NV (6 BT75), which achieved $446,635.
Nightcap Auction Programme
WINE
Finest & Rarest Wines | Featuring La Tâche 1990 Methuselah
Online Auction | 3 – 16 September
The first wine auction of the season features more than 700 lots from a distinguished private collection, spanning Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy and California. The sale brings together a compelling selection of modern vintages and collectible classics, offering an accessible entry point for emerging collectors and first-time bidders, alongside sought-after bottles for more seasoned enthusiasts.
Highlights include Musigny 2015 from Domaine Georges Roumier (1 bottle; est. $9,000–14,000) and DRC Romanée-Conti 2010 (1 bottle; est. $12,000–18,000).
Additional highlights include the legendary and exceedingly rare 6-liter Methuselah bottle from DRC La Tâche 1990 in original wooden case (1 Methuselah; est $70,000 - 100,000).
The Wine Cellar of a Visionary | A Collection from Sotheby's Greatest Single-Owner Auctions
Live Auction | 17 September
The Wine Cellar of a Visionary is an exceptional collection assembled over decades with passion, patience, and remarkable foresight.
Guided by a singular philosophy, this dedicated collector acquired wines exclusively from some of Sotheby’s most important single-owner sales. Drawn to collections renowned for their depth, condition, and impeccable stewardship, he built his cellar from legendary offerings, including those of William I. Koch, Don Stott, Park B. Smith, and other celebrated collectors whose names have become synonymous with excellence in the world of fine wine.
The resulting cellar is distinguished by exceptional pedigree and provenance, comprising wines that were selected and meticulously cellared by some of the most discerning collectors of their generation. Together, they form a remarkable offering that reflects a passion for the world’s rarest wines, and a visionary understanding of the enduring value of provenance.
Among the highlights are three bottles of the legendary La Romanée 2010 from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair (est. $16,000 - 24,000), one of Burgundy's most coveted monopoles and among the rarest and most sought-after wines in the world. Equally compelling are two bottles of Côte Brune, Cuvée Réservée 1985 from Gentaz-Dervieux (est. $4,500 - 6,500), a benchmark Northern Rhône rarity that has achieved near-mythical status among collectors for its scarcity and extraordinary reputation.
This meticulously curated sale offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire wines that unite exceptional rarity and impeccable provenance with a direct connection to some of Sotheby’s most celebrated single-owner auctions. In every sense, this is the cellar of a collector who was ahead of his time.
Napa Valley Fine Wine Auction
Online Auction | 3 – 18 September
Presented by Napa Valley Vintners and hosted on the Sotheby’s auction platform, this dedicated auction celebrates the legacy, diversity, and enduring excellence of Napa Valley winemaking.
The sale brings together a curated selection of rare and highly sought-after Napa Valley wines, including special selections, coveted library vintages, and exceptional large-format bottles that showcase the region’s remarkable history and the collaborative spirit of its vintners.
Highlights include large-format collections from Continuum, Rudd Estate, and Pulido~Walker Estate Vineyard and Winery, alongside an impressive selection of large-format and library wines from Schrader Cellars, Bella Oaks, Cathiard Vineyard, and Darioush. Among the standout offerings is a collection of three 3L bottles of Schrader Cellars’ 2015 vintage.
Adding to the experience, select wineries represented in the auction will also pour at the Nightcap tasting, offering guests the opportunity to experience a selection of wines featured in the sale. Proceeds from the auction will support the Napa Valley Vintners Youth Wellness Initiative, helping strengthen the health and wellbeing of young people throughout Napa County.
In addition, buyers will pay no Buyer’s Premium or Overhead Premium on any lot, with no additional premiums applied to the hammer price.
The Impeccable Burgundy Collection Part VI
Live Auction, 28 August – 19 September
The Impeccable Burgundy Collection: Part VI is the latest chapter in a remarkable single-owner wine collection. Building on the success of previous sales in New York and Hong Kong since the series debuted in 2023, this installment is the most significant to date.
Featuring more than 600 lots, the sale showcases one of the finest collections of Burgundy ever assembled. At its core is an extraordinary offering from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, including a magnum of the celebrated 1990 Romanée-Conti (est. $42,000–60,000). The collection spans three centuries and includes historic wines from Bouchard Père & Fils, highlighted by an 1865 La Romanée (est. $80,000–120,000) acquired directly from the Bouchard cellars.
Additional highlights include exceptional bottles from Domaine Leflaive, Domaine Leroy, Domaine des Lambrays, Ramonet, Raveneau, Rouget, Méo-Camuzet, Cathiard, and Faiveley, alongside a remarkable selection of Champagne from Dom Pérignon, Krug, Salon, Philipponnat, and Taittinger.
Built over decades with an uncompromising focus on rarity, provenance, and condition, the collection is distinguished by its exceptional depth of back vintages, rare large-format bottles, and extensive verticals, many of which are rarely seen at auction.
A defining feature of the collection is its impeccable provenance. The wines were acquired through importer and distributor allocations, direct domaine and château sales, and renowned private collections including The Don Stott Cellar, The Cellar of William I. Koch, The Henry Tang Collection, Wines from Joseph Lau, and Dr. Ku's Apothecary Collection.
SPIRITS
Whisky & Whiskey | Featuring The Wax Top Collection
Live Auction, 3 – 18 September
The Wax Top Collection, a meticulously curated offering of 328 bottles, represents the single largest collection of Willett Family Estate ever to come to auction at one time. It offers collectors an exceptional opportunity to acquire some of the rarest and most sought-after bottles from one of America’s most revered whiskey labels.
The wider sale features more than 250 additional bottles, spanning a comprehensive selection of Pre-Prohibition (pre-1900s) and Prohibition-era whiskeys, rare and collectible Scotch, and an impressive array of sought-after Japanese single malts.
Among the highlights of The Wax Top Collection are rare Willett Family Estate Single Barrels and the ever-sought-after “Epic Ryes,” including Doug’s Green Ink (est. $10,000–15,000 each) and Iron Fist and Velvet Glove (est. $10,000–15,000 each).
Also featured are the cherished 4/6/1993 vintage Willett Family Estate barrels, a mythical run of high-age-statement bottlings that are exceptionally well known among Willett collectors.
Highlights include the Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Bourbon “The Wheated Patriot” 21 Year Old (est. $7,000–9,000), as well as several exceptional Wheated A, B and C Barrels that have never previously appeared at auction, including the highly sought-after C70A (est. $7,000–10,000).
Another standout is the exceptional array of A.H. Hirsch offered in the sale, including an A.H. Hirsch Reserve 18 Year Old 46.5% ABV 1974 (1 Bottle, 75cl) (est. $20,000–30,000). A.H. Hirsch occupies a uniquely revered position among American whiskeys, prized not only for its rarity and exceptional provenance, but also for its place in the history of American distilling. All aged Hirsch was distilled in 1974, a pivotal year in the history of American whiskey and a landmark vintage for collectors.
The sale features a remarkable 21-bottle single-owner collection, titled “Acquired from The National Distillers Museum Collection”, with all proceeds benefiting World Central Kitchen. Among its highlights is a Mount Vernon Rye 1874 (est. $4,000–6,000), acquired by the consignor in 1993. The bottle’s label offers a fascinating connection to William Henry Fearing (circa 1844–1904), a prominent New York wine merchant and broker active in the late 19th century. Fearing’s name has also been identified on bottles of Madeira dating from the same period.
The wider sale includes two charity lots. The Very Olde St. Nick Estate Reserve Vintage Collection A is a one-of-a-kind collection of three large-format bottles of Very Olde St. Nick 17 Year Old. Presented in a 1-litre format for the first and only time, the three bottles are housed in a reclaimed chestnut wooden case created especially for this auction. Proceeds from this lot will benefit The Big Wave Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Half Moon Bay, California, which provides lifelong housing, day programmes, and a supportive community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Bowmore ARC-54 Year Old 44.3% ABV 1968 (1 Bottle, 75cl) (est. $40,000–60,000) will also be offered, with proceeds benefiting The Foundation of Hope. Aged for more than half a century in exceptional casks within Bowmore’s legendary No. 1 Vaults, ARC-54 is an extraordinarily rare expression reflecting generations of distilling expertise. Housed in a visionary design that looks boldly to the future, ARC-54 brings together exceptional provenance, craftsmanship and rarity in a multidimensional expression of remarkable depth and intensity.
