The auction house’s inaugural New York festival pairs world-class tastings, collector dinners and a landmark auction series with the culture of wine and spirits
NEW YORK, — This September, Sotheby’s will launch the inaugural New York edition of NIGHTCAP, a new global Wine & Spirits festival celebrating the worlds of collecting, connoisseurship, gastronomy and luxury. Taking place from 17–19 September at Sotheby’s global headquarters, The Breuer, the festival will bring together exceptional educational tasting experiences, exclusive collector dinners and headline auctions in a dynamic format designed to engage both seasoned collectors and a new generation of enthusiasts.
Following its debut in Hong Kong earlier this year, NIGHTCAP marks the next chapter in Sotheby’s expanding global Wine & Spirits strategy. As one of the company’s most important wine hubs and home to its auction and retail businesses, New York provides the ideal stage for this flagship event, reflecting the continued strength, diversity and international reach of Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits community.
“This inaugural New York edition of NIGHTCAP marks an exciting evolution for Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits, bringing together the full breadth of our global community in one dynamic moment,” said Nick Pegna, Sotheby’s Global Head of Wine & Spirits. “The strength of the market today is reflected not only in its continued growth, but in its energy, curiosity, and expanding community of collectors. NIGHTCAP is designed to capture that momentum, creating a platform where seasoned collectors and new enthusiasts alike can engage, discover, and connect through exceptional experiences, world-class auctions, and the shared culture of wine and spirits. We look forward to sharing this experience with the New York community and expanding NIGHTCAP as a global celebration in the years ahead.”
A Category in Motion
The launch arrives at a moment of significant momentum for the category. Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits business has welcomed a record number of bidders, with more than one-third of wine and spirits bidders new to Sotheby’s. U.S. buyers continue to lead the market, representing 31% of total purchases, while the next generation of collectors is driving growth — 51% of bidders are now under the age of 50.
Across the week, NIGHTCAP will present the most significant wine and spirits auction series ever assembled in New York, featuring more than $7 million of exceptional wines and spirits across four dedicated auctions, alongside a curated program of experiences for leading collectors, producers and enthusiasts.
More than a festival, NIGHTCAP represents a broader cultural moment that positions wine and spirits alongside art, design and hospitality, bringing together the people, stories and craftsmanship that define the category. At its heart, wine and spirits are about shared experiences — exceptional bottles, meaningful conversations and connections formed around a common passion. NIGHTCAP celebrates that culture on an elevated stage, creating new opportunities for discovery while deepening engagement with existing communities.
The NIGHTCAP Wine & Whisky Tasting
Friday, 18 September | The Breuer | 6:00 PM
Tickets available to purchase এখানে.
The NIGHTCAP Wine & Whisky Tasting is an immersive, walk-around experience inviting guests to discover and compare exceptional wines and whiskies from around the world. Hosted in Sotheby’s iconic Breuer building, the evening will showcase approximately 40 wines and 20 whiskies. Through guided tastings, guests will explore a thoughtfully curated selection spanning both established icons and rising stars across key regions, including Pol Roger, Vega Sicilia, Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, Jean-Louis Chave, Louis Roederer, Jean Marc Roulot and Pappy Van Winkle, among others.
Blending education with discovery, the event celebrates curiosity and connoisseurship in a dynamic festival setting. Guests will have the opportunity to taste a diverse range of bottles from around the world while testing their knowledge and palate through a dedicated blind tasting experience.
“We are delighted to inaugurate this exceptional week of auctions, exclusive dinners, and tasting in New York,” said Victor Rabot, Head of Global Buying and Winery Relations at Sotheby’s Wine. “These events are designed to bring together collectors, enthusiasts, but also consumers new to wine and spirits. They will offer a unique opportunity to connect, discover, and deepen one’s appreciation of the remarkable stories and craftsmanship behind every bottle. We look forward to expanding the experience to other major cities around the world in the years to come.”
A Landmark Auction Series
During NIGHTCAP, Sotheby’s will present a comprehensive programme of four curated auctions spanning the week, each showcasing exceptional provenance, rarity and collecting opportunities across the market. The series will unfold across dedicated sales moments, offering collectors multiple opportunities to engage throughout the festival. Among the highlights is The Impeccable Burgundy Collection: Part VI, a cornerstone sale anchoring the programme. Further details on the full auction schedule and individual sales will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Impeccable Burgundy Collection: Part VI
A cornerstone of the festival, 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.
The live auction will take place at The Breuer on September 19, with bidding opening on August 28.
About Sotheby’s
১৭৪৪ সালে প্রতিষ্ঠিত, Sotheby’s promotes access and ownership of exceptional art and বিলাসিতা objects through auctions, private sales and retail. Its deep expertise across 70 selling categories is supported by a leading technology platform and a global network of specialists spanning 40 countries. Selling categories include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, গয়না, Watches, Wine and Spirits and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate through RM Sotheby’s and Concierge. Sotheby’s Financial Services is a leading art lender and provides capital solutions for collectors around the world, having originated more than $12 billion in loans since its inception. Sotheby’s new global headquarters is now open at the iconic Breuer building in নিউ ইয়র্ক সিটি, featuring Marcel, 945 Madison Avenue — a new continental restaurant designed by Roman & Williams.
Images Courtesy Sotheby’s
