La Cité du Vin Third Auction in Aid of the Foundation for wine culture and civilisations

Online auction from 7th to 27th of October, 2025

The Cité du Vin in Bordeaux and Sotheby’s France are joining forces for the third time to organise a new charity auction in aid of the Foundation for wine culture and civilisations, in order to support its mission to promote the cultural heritage of wine.

Sylvie Cazes - President of the Cité du Vin

"We are very honoured to be able to partner with Sotheby's once again and join forces to promote wine culture around the world. The proceeds from this exceptional sale will support the Foundation in its mission to preserve, celebrate and promote the universal cultural heritage of wine to as many people as possible."

Since its creation in 2014, the Foundation for wine culture and civilisations has been working to make the cultural, universal and living heritage of wine accessible to as many people as possible. Since 2016, it has been offering original and innovative cultural activities at the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux (a permanent interactive and digital exhibition, a sensory journey and tasting workshops, cultural events, temporary exhibitions, etc.) to enable French and international visitors (180 different nationalities welcomed each year) of all profiles (novices, enthusiasts, professionals, young people, etc.) to discover the many facets of wine. With an average of 400,000 visitors each year and more than three million since its opening, the Cité du Vin appeals to a wide audience with its modernity and accessibility and has become, in less than ten years, a benchmark for cultural sites dedicated to wine. The foundation also carries out cultural engineering missions, providing support (strategic and/or operational) for structuring wine tourism projects.

From 7 to 27 October, Sotheby's will have the privilege of presenting, over a period of twenty days, 64 exceptional lots, generously donated by the world's leading wine estates. The sale will showcase not only wines sourced directly from the cellars of the most renowned vineyards, but above all exceptional and exclusive wine experiences (more than 90% of the lots offer an experience).

An invitation to the heart of wine heritage and the art of living with wine, they will provide access to some of the most prestigious properties in the world: from private tours of estates to discover their expertise, exclusive tastings, and gourmet dinners with the owners, to unique stays in iconic châteaux and properties that are usually closed to the public.

Nick Pegna - Global Director of Sotheby's Wine and Spirits Department

"We are delighted to be partnering once again with the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux to support the promotion of wine heritage. The success of the two previous editions has compelled us to select new experiences that are just as incredible."

For this third edition, and to mark the 170th anniversary of the legendary 1855 Classification and the 10th anniversary of the Cité du Vin, an exceptionally prestigious lot has been created in close collaboration with the Cité du Vin and the 1855 Grand Crus Classé Council. As a unifying body, the Council represents and brings together the 88 grands crus classés recognised in 1855, with a view to ensuring the influence and longevity of this historic classification. It was under his remarkable leadership and thanks to the commitment of its members that each of the 88 châteaux and their representatives generously donated a bottle, giving rise to the "1855-2025 Collection Cité du Vin – In the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson", bringing together all the wines (Médoc and Sauternes) from the 2016 vintage (unless otherwise indicated – the year the Cité du Vin opened). Each bottle will be marked with a "special collection" sticker and housed in custom-made cases produced by Caisserie du Bazadais, a patron of the Cité du Vin. This wine treasure is complemented by the most exclusive wine experience: a three-day programme for two couples, offering total immersion in this legendary classification.

Géraldine Thomas - Director of Development, Sponsorship and Partnerships, Cité du Vin

"We are delighted with this third auction in aid of the Foundation for wine culture and civilisations. Through the quality and originality of their lots, the donors have once again demonstrated their commitment to our cause. The support of future buyers will enable us to continue our mission and to devise cultural activities that celebrate the diversity of wine heritage."

A propos de la Cité du Vin

La Cité du Vin est un lieu culturel unique au monde, situé à Bordeaux, et consacré au vin. Avec son exposition permanente interactive qui s’appuie sur des technologies numériques, ses différentes expériences de dégustations, ses évènements culturels et lieux de vie (boutiques, restaurants), la Cité du Vin met à l'honneur les vignobles du monde entier à travers leurs dimensions culturelle, civilisationnelle, patrimoniale et universelle. Les visiteurs de tous horizons (néophytes, amateurs, professionnels, familles et jeune public, entreprises, français et internationaux ...), sont invités à faire un voyage spectaculaire, autour du monde, à travers les âges et dans toutes les cultures ! Labellisée Tourisme & Handicap dès son ouverture, RSE-Divertissement durable en 2022, et certifiée NF Environnement- Sites de visite depuis 2021, la Cité du Vin est gérée et développée par la Fondation pour la culture et les civilisations du vin (reconnue d'utilité publique) dont la mission est de rendre accessible au plus grand nombre le patrimoine universel et vivant qu’est le vin. La Cité du Vin est ouverte tous les jours dès 10h.

A propos de Sotheby's

Fondée en 1744, Sotheby's est la première destination mondiale pour l'art et le luxe. Sotheby's favorise l'accès et la possession d'œuvres d'art et d'objets de luxe exceptionnels par le biais de ventes aux enchères et de canaux d'achat immédiat, y compris les ventes privées, le commerce électronique et le retail. Notre marché mondial de confiance s'appuie sur une plateforme technologique de pointe et un réseau de spécialistes couvrant 40 pays et 70 catégories, dont l'art contemporain, l'art moderne et impressionniste, les maîtres anciens, les arts d’Asie & d’Océanie, les bijoux, les montres, les vins et spiritueux, le design, ainsi que les voitures de collection et l'immobilier. Sotheby's croit au pouvoir de transformation de l'art et de la culture et s'engage à rendre nos industries plus inclusives, durables et collaboratives. Sotheby’s détient actuellement les records mondiaux de la collection de whisky la plus chère jamais vendue aux enchères, de la collection privée de vin la plus chère jamais vendue aux enchères, de la bouteille de vin la plus chère jamais vendue aux enchères et de la bouteille de spiritueux la plus chère jamais vendue aux enchères, en plus du montant total le plus élevé jamais atteint lors d’une vente de charité de vin.

Photos : ANAKA-Cité du Vin-XTU architects - Damien Perronnet Born & Art Digital Studio © Sotheby's