Christie’s is proud to have been entrusted with selling part of the impressive wine collection of Sir Alex Ferguson CBE, the most successful manager in British football history. The collection includes a remarkable range of fine and rare wines featuring Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Burgundies and many Finest First Growth Bordeaux ranging from the 1986 to 2011 vintages, during which time Sir Alex guided Manchester United through the most celebrated chapter in its history, winning 2 European Cups, 12 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cup victories, 4 League Cup victories, the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the Inter-Continental Cup and the FIFA World Club Cup.
Fine & Rare Wines from The Collection of Sir Alex Ferguson CBE will be offered over three auctions: Hong Kong on 24 May (257 lots), London on 5 June (140 lots), and at an online-only auction which will run from 9 to 23 June (85 lots); all the buyers in the online-only sale will receive a signed catalogue. Alongside some of the wines in the Hong Kong and London auctions, Christie’s will also be offering select pieces of signed footballing memorabilia. With estimates ranging from £350 to £65,000, the collection is expected to realise in excess of £3 million.
Sir Alex Ferguson CBE: “I am pleased to be working with Christie’s to share one of my life’s pleasures. My interest in wine began during a scouting trip in France and, over time, my enjoyment of discovery and collecting grew. The importance of collecting wine was that it served as a distraction and gave me a balance in my life that helped me in dealing with the intensity and demands required of me as the manager of Manchester United. In retirement, I now have the time to visit the places and people that will feed my passion, so I felt it made sense to release a large number of the wines I had collected over the years. I hope many will enjoy exploring my collection.”
David Elswood, Head of Wine, Christie’s: “While Sir Alex Ferguson’s reputation and standing in football is renowned the world over, we are thrilled at Christie’s to be able to showcase his exceptional taste in fine wine. This collection includes a roll call of impressive wines, including one of the most comprehensive groups of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti that we have ever offered at auction. It is remarkable to see that Sir Alex’s talent of picking quality players for the pitch also extends to picking sensational wines for the cellar.”
Highlights from each sale include:
6 bottles of Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 1999, which are offered with a Manchester United Retro Champions League shirt from 1999 signed “Best wishes Alex Ferguson” (estimate: HK$650,000-850,000/ £50,000-65,000/ €60,000-80,000, detail illustrated above); 12 bottles of Pétrus 2000 (estimate: HK$420,000–550,000/£30,000-40,000/ €40,000-50,000); 6 bottles of Romanée-Conti Grand Cru 2005 (estimate: HK$650,000 – 850,000/£50,000-65,000/ €60,000-80,000, not illustrated); a 6 litre Imperiale Sassicaia 2005, the label signed “Best wishes, Alex Ferguson” (estimate: HK$10,000-12,000/£800-950/ €950-1,100); a 6 litre Imperiale Ornellaia 2006, the label signed “Best wishes Alex Ferguson” (estimate: HK$10,000-12,000/£800-950/ €950-1,100).
12 bottles of Pétrus 1996 which are offered alongside a Manchester United Cup Final shirt from 1996 signed “Best wishes Alex Ferguson”(estimate: £14,000 – 20,000/ HK$180,000-255,000/€17,000-24,000); 12 bottles Pétrus 1998 which are offered with a banner from the 2013 season signed “Best wishes Alex Ferguson” (estimate: £25,000 – 30,000/ HK$320,000-385,000/€30,000-35,000); 12 bottles of Château Latour 2000 (estimate: £7,500 – 8,500/ HK$96,000-110,000/€9,000-10,000).
12 bottles of Pétrus 1988 (estimate: £12,000 – 15,000/ HK$155,000-192,000/€14,500-18,000); 3 bottles of La Tâche 1992 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (estimate: £3,000-3,600/ HK$38,000-46,000/€3,600-4,300); 12 bottles of Sassicaia 2004 (estimate: £600 -700/ HK$7,600-9,000/€700-800). Other highlights which are not depicted include: 12 bottles of Chateâu Talbot 2009 (estimate: £340-380/ HK$4,300-4,900/€400-460) and 12 bottles of Chateâu Grand Puy Lacoste 2009 (estimate: £450-550/ HK$5,800-7,000/€550-650). All buyers in the online only sale will receive a signed copy of the sale catalogue.