Auction Update: Frank Cornelissen

auction update – in association with iDealwine

The characterful wines made by this Etna icon are burning up the secondary market, thanks to a natural-leaning philosophy and meticulous manual work.

Frank Cornelissen is a name that is spoken in reverent tones by natural wine enthusiasts and collectors in the know. Somewhere between a rising star and a longstanding classic, this is a highly coveted estate with wines that are difficult to get hold of.

Sicily once sat on the periphery of fine wine conversation, but Cornelissen’s cult following has dragged Mount Etna firmly into the auction spotlight. And prices are rising with volcanic force.

Cornelissen’s fast-rising auction presence is no accident. Since establishing his vineyard on Etna’s northern slopes in 2001, the Belgian-born former wine importer has become one of the most influential figures in natural wine.

The estate’s natural-leaning philosophy, minimal intervention and meticulous manual work have earned Cornelissen a reputation that outstrips many longer-established Sicilian names. He tells online wine auctioneer iDealwine: “I am truly passionate about wine, so I’m always seeking to improve my produce. Sometimes I’ll go back to the winery at 3am because I’ve had a new idea.”

Since 2001, the vineyard has gradually been expanded, parcel by parcel, and the land now covers 24 hectares overall, with vines growing up to 980 metres above sea level. Out of these 24ha, 19ha are vineyards, and the rest are used for growing olives, buckwheat and fruit trees. Cornelissen was one of the first to see the potential of the indigenous Nerello Mascalese grape, one that had rarely left Sicilian shores before he began exporting his wines.

From ungrafted vines planted more than a century ago comes Magma, Cornelissen’s flagship wine. It is one of the hardest to secure at its initial release, and that scarcity is now translating into fierce auction bidding.

Fierce bidding

The 2016 Magma release remains the standout for Cornelissen’s market performance. Prices climbed by 19% between 2024 and 2025, with the iDealwine estimate sitting at €388 and a top hammer price of €401 after bidding opened at €260. Though not yet at the heights of Burgundy grands crus, it is an eye-watering sum for a wine that, only a few years ago, was valued at €280.

The 2015 vintage is keeping pace, jumping from €313 to €385 over a single year – more than 23% growth. Older vintages aren’t accelerating quite as fast, but still draw heated competition: Magma 2006 saw five individuals battle it out in 2024 before settling at €351.

As is often the case with rare bottles produced in recent years, scarcity complicates trend tracking. Magma production has historically been roughly 2,500 bottles (if vintage conditions permit, but it can be as low as 1,600 bottles, as in 2019), so certain vintages may surface at auction only three or four times a decade. Retail prices for more recent vintages such as 2021 and 2020 are closer to €400, possibly more, depending on the buyer’s location.

While his reds steal the headlines, Cornelissen’s most sought-after white, Munjebel VA, has quietly become another auction magnet. Sourced from some of Etna’s highest and oldest ungrafted vines, VA (Vigne Alte) appears at auction much more infrequently than the reds – often only once or twice per year. When it does appear, it reliably fetches €280–€300.

Without leaning too far into intended puns, Cornelissen’s rise on the secondary market has been nothing short of explosive, particularly for Magma. Auction prices have climbed year-on-year, and bidding now routinely attracts international buyers at iDealwine.

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Given the combination of low production levels, maturing global demand, natural wine status and mounting recognition of Sicilian fine wines, that trajectory seems unlikely to cool any time soon.

Cornelissen’s wines are wide-ranging, so this guide will help to narrow down auction selections.

Wines to look out for at auction:

• Susucaru – entry point; a serious everyday wine.

• Munjebel – the core range with strong cellar appeal.

• Munjebel lieux-dits – special, terroir-driven bottlings that vary in performance at auction.

• Magma – the flagship. Limited production and now firmly in blue-chip territory. Despite double-figure price rises for Magma at auction, the secondary market still offers excellent value for wine enthusiasts, and there is certainly a sweet spot to be found, particularly for those searching for wines already in their drinking window.

• Founded in 2000, iDealwine is France’s top wine auctioneer and leading online wine auction house worldwide.

• Fine Spirits Auction (FSA) is iDealwine’s dedicated spirits platform, launched in partnership with La Maison du Whisky, a French specialist in high-end spirits since 1956.

• Based in Paris, with offices in Bordeaux and Beaune, and internationally in Hong Kong, Singapore and New York, iDealwine sources rare bottles from European cellars, private collections and direct from producers before meticulously authenticating and shipping to enthusiasts, collectors and trade customers worldwide.

• If you are keen to sell your wines or spirits, check out idealwine.com.