Some wine communities are invite-only. The Institute of Masters of Wine is earn-your-way-in, and it takes years of intensive study, international travel and passing what’s widely considered the world’s most difficult wine examination. Only 418 people globally hold the Master of Wine (MW) designation, representing the highest level of expertise across viticulture, winemaking and the wine business.
Now, for the first time, this group is opening their personal cellars and professional networks to collectors and wine lovers through a Sotheby’s online auction. Running December 1-15, Explore the World of Fine Wine offers 70 lots that represent something rarely available at any price: direct access to the people, places and bottles that define the upper echelon of the wine world.
“Wine is one of humanity’s great cultural achievements, which for millennia has connected people and land, tradition and innovation,” says Sarah Harrison, executive director of the Institute of Masters of Wine. “Our membership and student body are among the world’s most passionate, active and influential communities preserving and enriching this shared global legacy.”
What Makes This Wine Auction Different
Every lot in the auction has been sourced, selected or personally hosted by a Master of Wine. The offerings range from bottles so rare that only a handful exist to multi-day tours of wine regions led by the same experts who judge international competitions and advise major estates.
Take, for instance, the 12-liter Balthazar of Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux 2015. Only five were ever produced. Or the 6-liter Imperiale of Hommage à Élisabeth Bouchet 2018 from Château Angelus, paired with an exclusive tour of the house’s new cellar and a vertical tasting with eighth-generation CEO Stéphanie de Boüard-Rivoal.
The experiential lots may be even more compelling than the bottles. One highlight is a private dinner for six with renowned wine writer and Master of Wine Jancis Robinson OBE MW. There’s also a five-day tour of South Africa’s premiere estates hosted by leading wine judge Cathy van Zyl MW.
How about an intimate Champagne dinner for eight in New York City hosted by three Masters of Wine (Charles Curtis MW, Lisa Granik MW, and Mary Gorman-McAdams MW) at Michelin-starred L’Abeille, featuring 10 world-class Champagnes and guided commentary throughout the evening?
“Each lot is personalized, truly singular and deeply connected to the people and places that define the wine world,” said Nick Pegna, global head of wine & spirits at Sotheby’s, in a release. “It’s an impactful way for us to support the global MW community and help shape the next generation of Masters of Wine.”
Behind The Educational Mission
Proceeds from the auction fund the Institute’s bursaries and scholarships that expand access to the Master of Wine study program. Harrison explains that becoming an MW requires full immersion in all facets of wine: international travel to wine regions, participation in global events and residential seminars and procurement of hundreds of wines for study and tasting.
“Operating a program at this level, and studying at this level, requires significant resource and expenditure,” Harrison notes. “The demands on both have increased sharply, and this threatens to curtail the potential of an increasing number of incredibly passionate and talented individuals. That’s why initiatives such as the auction are so important.”
The Institute’s mission extends beyond producing new Masters of Wine. It facilitates continued development of its membership, who share insights and mentorship across borders and sectors. Educational masterclasses, webinars, tastings and symposia serve both trade professionals and the public.
Harrison explains that this ethos shapes the Institute’s selection of auction lots, which often feature experiences like guided tours, tastings or masterclasses. She says these offerings highlight both prestigious wines, such as Château Angelus in Bordeaux, and lesser-known treasures like Viña San Pedro from Chile, spanning renowned regions like Burgundy as well as emerging areas in Eastern Europe.
Geographic Diversity And Regional Deep Dives
The auction’s geographic range demonstrates the global influence of the MW community.
There’s a three-day VIP tour through Austria’s most iconic wine regions guided by Roman Horvath MW, Josef Schuller MW and Andreas Wickhoff MW. Also on the block is an exclusive tour of four top McLaren Vale Grenache estates in Australia, including a masterclass and dinner hosted by Giles Cooke MW, Drew Noon MW, David Gleave MW and Matthew Deller MW.
Private visits to legendary estates like rosé specialist Château d’Esclans in Provence and Colgin Cellars in Napa Valley are also highlights.
Collectible Wine Bottles
For collectors focused purely on the bottles rather than experiences, the auction offers remarkable scarcity. Large format bottles, particularly those produced in extremely limited quantities, represent the intersection of wine quality and collectible rarity.
The 6-liter Mathusalem of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Grand Cru Brand 2023 (one of only three ever produced) represents Alsace terroir and biodynamic farming at its apex. The 3-liter Jeroboam of Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016, signed by Estate Director Giampiero Bertolini and limited to just 50 bottles, captures Italian winemaking tradition spanning generations.
These aren’t simply big bottles of good wine. They’re formats so rare that owning one places bidders in a group of single-digit individuals globally.
The five-magnum collection case of Colgin Cellars IX Estate wine comes with a private evening visit and dinner for six with COO and Master of Wine Neil Bernardi MW. This adds experiential value to an already prestigious Napa Valley collectible. Colgin consistently ranks among California’s most sought-after cabernets, with limited production and strong secondary market performance.
How To Participate
The auction runs entirely online at Sotheby’s from December 1-15, 2025. Premium lots require advance registration.
Sotheby’s currently holds world records for the most expensive whisky collection, private wine collection, individual bottle of wine, and bottle of spirits ever sold at auction, in addition to the highest total achieved at a charity wine auction.