Sotheby's NIGHTCAP New York: Wine & Whisky Festival

NEW YORK — Sotheby’s will launch the inaugural New York edition of NIGHTCAP this September, a new global wine and spirits festival celebrating collecting, connoisseurship, gastronomy, and luxury. Running September 17–19 at Sotheby’s global headquarters, The Breuer, the festival will bring together educational tasting experiences, exclusive collector dinners, and headline auctions 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 stage for the flagship event, reflecting the strength 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.”

The launch comes amid strong momentum for the category: Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits business has welcomed a record number of bidders, with more than one-third new to Sotheby’s, U.S. buyers representing 31% of total purchases, and 51% of bidders now under age 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 wines and spirits across four dedicated auctions, alongside a curated program of experiences for collectors, producers, and enthusiasts.

“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.”

The NIGHTCAP Wine & Whisky Tasting Friday, September 18 | The Breuer | 6:00 PM | Tickets available for purchase

The public-facing NIGHTCAP Wine & Whisky Tasting is a walk-around experience inviting guests to discover and compare exceptional wines and whiskies from around the world. The evening will showcase approximately 40 wines and 20 whiskies, including bottles from Pol Roger, Vega Sicilia, Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, Jean-Louis Chave, Louis Roederer, Jean Marc Roulot, and Pappy Van Winkle. Guests can also test their knowledge through a dedicated blind tasting experience.

Auctions: The Impeccable Burgundy Collection: Part VI

During NIGHTCAP, Sotheby’s will present four curated auctions across the week, anchored by The Impeccable Burgundy Collection: Part VI — the latest and most significant chapter yet in a single-owner collection that has sold in New York and Hong Kong since 2023.

Featuring more than 600 lots, the sale includes an extraordinary offering from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, highlighted by a magnum of the 1990 Romanée-Conti (estimated $42,000–$60,000), alongside historic wines from Bouchard Père & Fils, including an 1865 La Romanée (estimated $80,000–$120,000) acquired directly from the Bouchard cellars. Additional highlights include bottles from Domaine Leflaive, Domaine Leroy, Domaine des Lambrays, Ramonet, Raveneau, Rouget, Méo-Camuzet, Cathiard, and Faiveley, along with Champagne from Dom Pérignon, Krug, Salon, Philipponnat, and Taittinger.

The collection’s provenance includes acquisitions 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 takes place at The Breuer on September 19, with bidding opening August 28. Full auction schedule details will be announced in the coming weeks.