The top lots in Sotheby’s Master of Wine fundraising auction
A set of unique and indulgent wine insider experiences, along with some highly collectible bottles, are to go under the hammer as part of a Sotheby’s online fundraising auction for the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW).
Called Explore the World of Fine Wine, the auction will be live online at Sothebys.com from 17 November to 1 December 2025, and features “a once-in-a-lifetime chance to access ultra-rare bottles and ‘money-can’t-buy’ insider experiences”.
Among the top lots are a 12 litre Balthazar of Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2015 — one of only five ever produced – and an exclusive tour of four top McLaren Vale Grenache estates, including a Grenache masterclass and dinner, hosted by Masters of Wine Giles Cooke MW, Drew Noon MW, David Gleave MW and Matthew Deller MW.
As previously reported on by db, the auction is being held to “support the IMW and its community” and has seen several prominent MWs donate their time and expertise to provide extraordinary experiences for anyone who loves wine.
In advance of the auction, we have listed below some of the most exciting lots from the 70-strong line-up, which you can bid on later this month.
- An ultra-rare 12l Balthazar of Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2015 – one of only five ever produced.
- Rare Colgin Cellars IX Estate five-magnum collection case, together with private evening visit and dinner for six guests with COO and Master of Wine Neil Bernardi MW.
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- A private wine dinner for six guests with world-renowned wine writer and Master of Wine Jancis Robinson OBE MW.
- An unforgettable five-day wine tour for four people of some of South Africa’s premiere wine estates, hosted by leading wine judge and Master of Wine Cathy van Zyl MW.
- A private dinner, tasting and overnight stay for two guests at legendary rosé estate, Château d’Esclans.
- An exclusive tour of four top McLaren Vale Grenache estates, including a Grenache masterclass and dinner, hosted by Masters of Wine Giles Cooke MW, Drew Noon MW, David Gleave MW and Matthew Deller MW.
- An ultra-rare 6l Mathusalem of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Grand Cru Brand 2023—one of only three ever produced.
- An exclusive avant-première private visit for four guests to the spectacular new Château Angelus cellar, including a vertical tasting, intimate dining experience with 8th generation CEO Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal and a rare 6l Imperiale of Hommage à Élisabeth Bouchet 2018.
- A rare 3L Jeroboam of Biondi-Santi, Tenuta Greppo, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016, signed by Estate Director Giampiero Bertolini—one of only 50 produced.
- A three-day VIP tour through Austria’s most iconic wine regions guided by some of the country’s most influential wine personalities, including Masters of Wine Roman Horvath MW, Josef Schuller MW and Andreas Wickhoff MW.
- A private Tasting and lunch for six people at Château Ducru-Beaucaillou with owner Bruno Borie, Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Tracey Dobbin MW, and Vanessa Conlin MW with signed Magnums.
- A Dana Estates private tour of all Dana Estates vineyards for six guests, guided by Director of Winemaking Maura Johnson, Geoff Labitzke MW and Vanessa Conlin MW, including a signed magnum of the 2022 ONDA Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Masterclass for six people on the great Sauvignon Blancs of the world led by Master of Wine Vanessa Conlin and winemaker Maayan Koschitzky at the Simon Family Estate Tasting Salon in Napa Valley, followed by a private lunch featuring wines from Simon Family Estate.
- A private tasting with Tim Atkin MW of 12 of South Africa’s best wines from the last decade. This includes two of only six South African wines that Tim has scored 100 points: the Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2015 and the Porseleinberg 2018.
- Two nights at La Folie de Vougeot in the Heart of the Clos Vougeot Vineyard, including a private tour of the Maison Joseph Drouhin cellars and a rare bottle of 2016 Domaine de Montille Clos Vougeot.
- A magnum of Château Mouton Rothschild 2009.
- Ferrari Trento exclusive experience for two guests including a private tour of the winery led by Marcello Lunelli, Ferrari Trento’s Vice President, guided tasting and a Giulio Ferrari Limited Edition Magnum 2002 bottle from the Archivio di Famigli.
- Tolpuddle Estates visit and dinner hosted by Michael Hill Smith MW for up to eight people, including three magnums of Tolpuddle Vineyards Chardonnay and three magnums of Tolpuddle Vineyards Pinot.
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