There are wine collections, and then there are wine collections that make sommeliers swoon. That’s the sort a Michigan wine collector has amassed over nearly a half-century of global travels and socializing with wine industry legends.

You can still find a selection of wines from this collection on auction. Click here to bid now! And, if you want to sell your wine, WineBid has a global audience of buyers, the best pricing data, and the quickest payouts in the business. Contact us at (888) 638-8968 or submit a wine appraisal request today. We do require a minimum appraisal value of $2,500.

Each Bottle Has a Story

Treasures in this historic collection include a 1978 E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Landonne worth thousands that famed wine critic Robert M. Parker, Jr., bestowed a perfect 100 points. Rare 1985 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Échezeaux in its original wood case. And 2009 Bordeaux from Château Montrose that caused James Suckling to gush, “A beauty. It goes on for minutes. Speechless.”

There are prominent names like Château Margaux and Stag’s Leap, and selections from boutique wineries such as southern Australia’s Noon. A colossal selection from Napa Valley’s Dunn Vineyards, many in large formats, dating to 1979. Wines going back to the mid-‘70s from Joseph Phelps, and aged Diamond Creek vintages, including 1987 Lake Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon worth hundreds.

The collection includes vintages of Domaine Zind-Humbrecht from Alsace, including a 1998 that Stephen Tanzer raved about, possessing “pure botrytis aromas, … near-solid texture and perfect balance.” And 1985 Château Pétrus that wine critic Michael Broadbent declared “positively opulent.” Wines from Germany, Italy and South America are represented, as well. The list goes on and on.

Why Auction with WineBid?

When this avid collector sought to sell more than 7,000 bottles from his expansive cellar, he turned to his son for advice. He’d used brick-and-mortar auction houses but was ready for something new. His son recommended WineBid.

“Some of the old school ways of doing auctions seem to be just that; they seem to be outdated,” said his son. WineBid’s credibility, substantial customer base and knowledge of their wines were key factors in their decision.

This consignment is the largest WineBid has acquired. The family is remaining anonymous but was willing to share tales of how this phenomenal collection came to exist.

The father started collecting in 1970. With a career that has included marketing for a robotics startup, taking another startup public, and owning an automotive parts company, his jobs took him throughout Europe and North America.

“I entertained a lot, probably five nights to six nights a week for years. So I got into wine and I really enjoyed it. … The first bottle of great wine I had was a 1976 Paul Jaubolet Vercherre red wine from France and I said, ‘Wow, now this is wine!’”

Consignor's Lifelong Passion for Wine Shared with WineBid Buyers

From that bottle of Burgundy sprung a lifelong passion. Wine has been at the center of many business deals and every major life event since.

For his daughter’s wedding, he served a Nebuchadnezzar (equivalent to 20 standard bottles) of 1979 Caymus Special Selection.

“You got that when she was a little girl,” said his son. “Not a husband in sight but you were planning on opening it at the wedding and you did.”

Most recently, he purchased cases to commemorate the birth years of his grandchildren. He’s accumulated wines from nearly every major region in the world and even has wine from Croatia to celebrate his Macedonian heritage.

Over the years, the collector became friends with stars of the wine world. He hung out with pioneer Napa Valley winemakers Randy Dunn of Dunn Vineyards, the late Al Bronstein of Diamond Creek Vineyards and the legendary Robert Mondavi.

Winning a Competition with Robert Parker

At one point, he got involved with Robert Parker, who he calls Bob.

“I had a competition with him at a tasting at a fundraiser in Detroit. … He said this is a 1966 Latour. I said, ‘No, it’s a 1964 Latour.’ By the way, I love Latour. And it was a ’64 Latour. So Bob came over and he invited me out to Europe on another trip with him. That was one of my claims to fame.”

Speaking of those trips to Europe, it got to the point where he was shipping his clothes back home and putting large-format bottles in the plane’s overhead bin. That was long before restrictions on liquids.

“That’s how it used to be and that’s how you used to collect,” said the collector’s son. “Now the new era is here. Wine brings people together. And that’s really what WineBid does. It brings buyers and sellers together, people who share a common passion for wine. And it allows logistically someone in France to find someone in Detroit to buy an amazing bottle of Bordeaux from 1979.”