BOLTON, Mass. – September 30, 2008 – www.skinnerinc.com – Skinner, one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, today announced it has set several world records for some of the most expensive bottles of fine wine sold at auction. At the recent Boston sale of Fine Wines, held September 19, 2008, Skinner sold three bottles of Domaine de la Romanee Conti, Romanee Conti 1911 for $60,750, including buyer’s premium. The lot was estimated at $15/20,000. Other record breaking lots included Lot 105, Screaming Eagle (est. $2/3,000) which sold for $4,860, as well as Lot 76, Harlan Estate 1993 (est. $1,3/1,900) which sold for $2,430. 93% of the nearly 300 lots were sold, bringing the total sale to $526,617.45. In partnership with Lower Falls Wine Company, Skinner is the only major auction house in New England to offer fine wines at auction.
“Boston has emerged as a strong contender in the fine wine market as prices realized at our last auction are just as competitive as those realized in the New York, Chicago and west coast auctions,” said Marie Keep, director of Fine Wines, Skinner Inc. “Despite current market conditions, there is an excitement around fine wine that does not waiver in the wake of uncertainty in the financial market. History has shown that fine wine remains a safe haven for buyers who value the investment of a fantastic bottle of vintage wine.”
The Skinner Fine Wine auction produced strong prices across the nearly 300 lots of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and Port. Other top lots included Lot 142, Chateau Pichon Longueville, Lalande 2000 (est. $1,8/2,400) which sold for $2,795, Lot 3, Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 1989 (est. $9,5/14,000) which sold for $12,150 and Lot 215, Domaine de la Romanee Conti, La Tache 1972 (est. $1,6/2,400) which sold for $3,645.
At the sale, there was an excitement among buyers given the impressive lots featured and an interest in bidding, regardless of volatile conditions surrounding today’s consumer. A social event, the auction not only produced notable sales but offered folks a night out in Boston to celebrate their purchase and indulge in lively conversation around the joy of fine wine.
The next Skinner auction of Fine Wines will be held in early spring 2009, in Skinner’s Boston gallery.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com