What happens when one of America’s most audacious collectors decides to part with his wine? At Christie’s this June, we find out—and it promises to be nothing short of a Bacchic blockbuster.
From June 12–14, Christie’s Wine New York presents The Cellar of William I. Koch: The Great American Collector, a once-in-a-generation auction that reads less like a sale and more like a love letter to wine, art, and the well-lived life. Held live at Rockefeller Center—because of course—it’s a high-drama, high-spirits affair set to dazzle even the most jaded collectors.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t your neighbor’s enviable stash of Napa Cabs. This is 1,500 lots, drawn from Koch’s cellars in Palm Beach, Cape Cod, and Aspen, spanning historic vintages from the most iconic wine estates on the planet. Think: Pétrus, Henri Jayer, Romanée-Conti, Lafite, Margaux, Mouton Rothschild. And if you’re imagining a wine lineup that leans modest—you know, just a few solid Bordeaux tucked away—you’re in for a shock of oenological opulence.
Koch’s collection features more than 750 large-format bottles, with over 45 Jeroboams and Methuselahs of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti alone. It’s like the Met Gala of wine formats—except these bottles won’t be wearing Balenciaga. They are the couture.
photo: @Image from the Palm Beach cellar of William I. Koch. Photo © William Jess Laird
Christie’s Global Head of Wine and Spirits, Adam Bilbey, says it best: “The phrase ‘they don’t make them like that anymore’ feels especially apt—both for this extraordinary cellar and for Mr. Koch himself.” And he’s right. Koch collected during a golden age of access, where foresight, means, and a healthy appetite for perfection could result in a cellar that today feels mythical.
But behind the gilded grandeur is a man who speaks of wine not with stuffy reverence, but emotional warmth. “Winemaking is both farming and art,” Koch reflects. “You can taste the love, passion, hard work, dedication, teamwork, and pride that went into the making of a great wine.” A touch poetic? Yes. But from a man who’s balanced America’s Cup trophies with Renoirs and vintage Vosne-Romanée, we’ll allow it.
🍷 Collection Highlights You Should Probably Mortgage Your House For:
Lot 1084: Château Mouton Rothschild 1945, 4 bottles ($38,000–$50,000) — Victory vintage, art label icon, and WWII-era bragging rights all in one.
Lot 1115: Petrus 1990, 6 magnums ($38,000–$50,000) — The Pomerol powerhouse in an opulent format.
Lot 265: Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1990, 1 magnum ($24,000–$38,000) — The unicorn bottle. Blink and it’s gone.
Lot 153: Château Lafleur 1982, 2 bottles ($26,000–$38,000) — The vintage that set hearts (and auction records) aflame.
Lot 1321: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Montrachet 1986, 1 Jeroboam ($20,000–$30,000) — Grand Cru opulence with a golden glow.
Lot 333: Château Lafite Rothschild 1900, 1 bottle ($4,000–$5,500) — Literally turn-of-the-century liquid luxury.
Lot 60: Château Haut-Brion 1989, 12 bottles ($17,000–$26,000) — For those who like their First Growths in bulk (and perfect drinking window).
Lot 1470: Penfolds Grange 1971, 6 bottles ($4,800–$7,000) — A rare nod to the Southern Hemisphere—and one of Grange’s finest.
Lot 221: Domaine Georges Roumier, Bonnes Mares 1988, 1 magnum ($9,000–$14,000) — Burgundy royalty in big-bottle elegance.
Lot 1174: DRC Vosne-Romanée Les Gaudichots 1929, 1 bottle ($8,000–$12,000) — Pre-Depression decadence in vinous form.
A Soft Pour of Critique
While the sale is undeniably monumental, one can’t help but raise a gently arched brow at the spectacle. Do we need a Jeroboam of DRC in 2024? Maybe not. But do we want one? Oh, absolutely. It’s indulgence at its most refined—and isn’t that what luxury is supposed to be?
Still, there’s a touch of old-school excess here that feels more Gatsby than Greta. As the fine wine world increasingly nods to sustainability, biodynamics, and accessibility, Koch’s cellar is a glittering time capsule of how it used to be done. No complaints—just a quiet acknowledgment that this might be the final chapter in a very particular kind of wine collecting fairytale.
So, if you’ve ever wanted to drink like a billionaire—or just gaze longingly at what that looks like—Christie’s in June is your moment. Just don’t forget to raise a glass to Bill Koch while you’re there. After all, it’s his party. And what a party it promises to be.
