The best of the best: The Golden Vines® Live and Online Auctions
Among the undisputed highlights of The Golden Vines® weekend are our live and online auctions. With our Live Auction hosted by the esteemed global auctioneers Sotheby’s, this is your chance to bid on incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences while also raising money for the incredible Gérard Basset Foundation, the world’s leading charity dedicated to championing diversity and inclusivity within the wine, spirits and hospitality industries.
Our guests are connoisseurs of luxury and appreciate the very best, and each year we go above and beyond, opening our little black books to secure some of the most exclusive, most luxurious and most prestigious partners and experiences available. We go beyond wine, catering to our guests’ diverse interests, including Michelin-star dining, art, travel, culture and sport, with each category’s offering delivering at the very highest level. It’s always a challenge to clear an already high bar, and 2024 is no exception. Luckily, it’s a standard we’ve reason to and maybe even surpassed, with some outstanding Lots ready to be snapped up by the right bidder.
Everything we do at The Golden Vines® serves a greater purpose, whether it’s celebrating legacy houses or creating a better industry for a new generation of hospitality professionals. Each Lot in the auction represents the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact on the industry. This is why all proceeds from our auction go to support the incredible and very necessary work of the Gérard Basset Foundation. Established by Gérard’s widow Nina and son Romané with the support of Liquid Icons Productions, the Foundation aims to support those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds looking to forge a career in fine wine and hospitality through scholarships, mentoring, access and funding, allowing them to broaden their education and enhance their careers. It has since pledged more than £1,000,000 through 51 grants of funding to 30 partner institutions globally, ranging from grassroots non-profits to world-renowned research institutions. They have committed more than £800,000 to award Scholarships and Bursaries, benefiting individuals across 24 countries globally and directly reaching over 1,116 individuals through our Grantee and Awards programme.
When you bid, you’re bidding on more than just an incredible experience. You’re helping build a better industry and elevate the winemakers, sommeliers, educators, brokers and buyers of tomorrow.
Camus Cognac
The Camus Cognac Experience
You and five guests will travel to the heart of the beautiful Charente valley in France for an experience with the legendary Camus Cognac. They will take home unforgettable memories with bottle 6/10 from a limited edition crafted in tribute to Gérard Basset - a collaboration between Julie Landreau, Camus Cellar Master, and Lewis Chester DipWSET. Each bottle is exquisitely designed by Les Ateliers. Then indulge in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create your own cognac under the guidance of the Cellar Master and explore the Maison Camus cellars, followed by a gourmet dinner taking in the panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside.
Value: £10,000 - £20,000
The Viña Vik Experience
Head to the foothills of the Andes Mountains for a 3-night suite stay at one of the most beautiful vineyard resorts globally, Vik Chile Hotel. Nestled within the Millahue Valley, named "Lugar de Oro" or "Golden Place" by the native Mapuche people, the hotel is surrounded by 4,300 hectares of astonishing Chilean wilderness and over 327 hectares of vines. The experience, for two people, includes a fine wine lunch and dinner hosted by Cristian Vallejo, where you can sample the very best wines from the estate. During your stay you can enjoy all the activities and amenities the hotel has to offer including horseback riding, mountain biking through the vineyards, a VIP tour and tasting in the cellar, trekking, spa, and gym in the stunning Millahue Valley, all hosted by the hotel manager. You will depart with a very precious gift: a double magnum (3L) of 100-point from James Suckling rated VIK 2021 and signed by winemaker Cristian Vallejo.
Value: £17,000
The Opus One & Knightsbridge Circle Experience
An experience that seamlessly blends fine dining and culture, this VIP guest experience sweeps you away to the buzzing metropole of Paris for an evening of elegance and a day devoted to royalty. OpulJet welcomes you on board your own private Learjet to enjoy an extravagant evening honouring the opening of the Royal Opera of Versailles season September 28, 2025 (date to be confirmed) with a stunning black-tie celebration. You'll be seated in the Royal Opera House for a performance, stroll the Hall of Mirrors while jugglers and dancers surround you, enjoy cocktails in one of the many drawing rooms of the palace and enjoy a multicourse meal in the Galerie des Batailles - the largest hall of Versailles - exclusively paired with selected Opus One vintages at the Opus One table. The successful bidder will also receive a vertical collection of magnums from Opus One from the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 vintages. Knightsbridge Circle, the Golden Vines VIP Concierge, has also donated two nights in a Suite in a central Paris five-star hotel for two guests including breakfast daily before you return on a private jet home. The ultimate five-star experience.
Value: £40,000
The Gucci Experience
The Gucci Experience
Gucci is an atelier that embodies the apex of Italian artisanship, and this experience is perfect for those with a flair for fashion and fine dining. The successful auction lot winner and a personal guest are invited to the historic city of Florence, where Gucci was founded over 100 years ago, as guests of the House for an unforgettable two-day experience. Guests will be flown business class from any European location to Florence, where they will be welcomed at a 5* hotel for a luxurious one-night stay, and will enjoy a curated itinerary of activities. The Gucci Florence Experience will include a visit to the Gucci Visions Exhibition, situated in the extraordinary historic Palazzo della Mercanzia, which dates back to 1337. Here, you will have a private tour of the exhibition before enjoying either lunch or dinner at the Michelin-starred Gucci Osteria, the restaurant born from the collaboration of the House with celebrated chef Massimo Bottura.
Value: £20,000
Robb Report’s Car of the Year 2025
Robb Report’s editors never could have imagined that what began as a casual gathering of a few pals and fun cars would grow into an internationally recognized automotive competition, attended annually by hundreds of car enthusiasts over the course of several weeks—but here we are. Robb Report's Car of the Year started almost 22 years ago with modest ambitions and nary a thought that it would develop into not just an eagerly anticipated date on our editorial calendar but also a storied tradition.
Guests will attend Robb Report’s flagship event in the United States to judge the world’s top performance cars for the coveted title: Car of the Year. Take a spin on The Concours Club’s 2-mile track and share your experience on design, performance and luxury. This is your chance to showcase your enthusiasm and expertise for all things automotive as your vote helps shape the 2026 landscape when it comes to classic and supercars. Racers (and bidders) at the ready!
Value: £12,500
The Vérité Estate Experience
The Vérité Estate Experience
Jet off to the famous Sonoma Valley in California for the ultimate West Coast wine experience. Guests will be gifted one Jeroboam (5L) of 2018 Vérité La Muse (rated a perfect 100-Points by Robert Parker Wine Advocate), inspired by the finest wines of Pomerol. Crafted primarily from Merlot, Vérité La Muse delivers incredible depth and texture through impeccable farming of top micro-cru vineyards throughout Sonoma County, which you can explore over the course of your visit. In addition to this piece of bottled perfection, the winning bidder will also receive a private exclusive Library Wine and Food Pairing experience for four guests.
A must for fans of New World wines.
Value: £8,000
The HATT et SÖNER Champagne Experience
Undisputedly one of the most luxurious Lots on offer, champagne is synonymous with elegance, and few are more luxurious than the acclaimed HATT et SÖNER. A members only house, it is located in the village of Bergères-lès-Vertus, where winemakers focus their energy on a limited production of Blanc de Blancs, crafted from a selection of Chardonnay grapes farmed exclusively in two Grand Cru villages—Oger and Mesnil-sur-Oger—and two Premier Cru villages—Vertus and Bergères-lès-Vertus. All are located on the southern slopes of Champagne’s legendary Côte des Blancs, making for an exceptional product crafted within breathtaking surroundings.
HATT et SÖNER Champagne invites you to create a champagne entirely customised to your preferences. You’ll enjoy a trip to the vineyards, lunch at the house for 8 guests, and consultation with the winemakers, culminating in the creation of 60 bottles of your own Personal Vintage. The Personal Vintage process involves selecting the grape juice from one of HATT et SÖNER’s Premier Cru and Grand Cru vineyards situated in Côte des Blancs, before choosing the vinification method (oak or steel), the storage method (cork or caps), the dosage to define the style of the champagne, and lastly, the design and engraving for your own Personal Vintage.
Following this unique experience you’ll enjoy one night in a junior suite at one of the best hotels 5* in the region, including luxury transfers to and from your hotel in Champagne to the House, hosted by owner Kristofer Ruscon. The stay itself will be for two guests, with an additional six guests invited to the lunch, because memories should be shared and good food should be enjoyed in the most convivial of settings!
Value: £40,000
The Taylor’s Port Experience
A luxurious journey through the heart of Porto, filled with unforgettable experiences, for a group of 6 guests.
Your adventure begins with a visit to the renowned Taylor’s Port cellars, where you'll have the chance to taste exclusive ports, immersing yourselves in centuries of winemaking tradition. Then, prepare to be whisked away to one of Europe's leading wine hotels, The Yeatman, nestled in the historic heart of Vila Nova de Gaia.
At The Yeatman, indulge your senses at the Michelin** Star restaurant, savouring exquisite cuisine paired with the finest wines. As you explore the city, uncover its hidden gems and historic nooks, taking in the vibrant landscape and colourful houses from a unique perspective aboard a charming cruise along the Douro River.
But the adventure doesn't end there. Your package includes private visits to WoW – The World of Wine, a captivating cultural district where you'll delve into the rich history of wine, chocolate, cork, fashion, and the city itself.
And what would a trip to Porto be without exploring the enchanting Douro Valley, the birthplace of Port wine. Your journey continues at the Vintage House Hotel, nestled in the tranquil riverside town of Pinhão. Here, amidst breathtaking scenery, you'll discover the authentic heart of the Douro Valley, where time seems to stand still.
Prepare to be swept away on a journey of indulgence, discovery, and unparalleled luxury in one of Europe's most captivating destinations. Your exclusive Porto experience awaits.
Value: £20,000
Opul Jets, Opus One & Knightsbridge Circle
With many more unmissable Lots to be claimed and October’s awards just around the corner, now is the time to start browsing and set your sights on a life-changing experience, all in the knowledge that bids are in support of the Gérard Basset Foundation, and that your memorable experience will help support the careers of future hospitality superstars and the next generation of talented winemakers.
Visit the Online Auction here and begin bidding.
The 2024 Golden Vines® Online Auction will run from 9am GMT, Sunday 6 October 2024 to 23.59pm CET Sunday, 27 October 2024. Click here to be notified and stay abreast of all the latest luxury offers available.