Historic Gaja Auction Exceeds Expectations

Acker Merrall and Condit hosted their first ever three day auction in Hong Kong last weekend with the first day dedicated to Italian wines with a special focus on wines from the world famous Gaja estate in Italy.

Visiting from the estate were sisters Gaia and Rossana Gaja who hosted several events during their stay here in Hong Kong but none more important than the first ever auction exclusively dedicated to their wines.

The incredible and extensive selection of Italian great wines, highlighted by the precious and historical direct auction offering from Gaja attracted a high level of interest from collectors. Gaia Gaja, the estate’s co-owner, attended the special Thursday night auction session.

The Gaja lots sold for prices surpassing their high estimates in total. Rare offerings from this fabulous consignment included a 24-bottle vertical of Sori San Lorenzo Barbaresco (HK$98,400/US$12,615, Lot 7), a lot containing six bottles, one magnum, one double magnum, and one five-liter bottle of the legendary 1997 Barolo Sperss (HK$93,480/US$11,985, Lot 4) and a 12-bottle vertical of Gaja Barbaresco (HK$83,640/US$10,723, Lot 8).

A unique offering of wines dedicated to the “Great Wines of Italy” event hosted by James Suckling were also featured. Significant lots of this section included:

– The Great Wines of Italy Superlot comprising 236 rare bottles from different wineries (HK$68,880/US$8,831, Lot 1108)

– Six bottles, one magnum and one double magnum of 1997 Solaia from Antinori (HK$36,900/US$4,731, Lot 1077)

– 24 bottles of 2001 Pianrosso Riserva Brunello from Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona (HK$31,980/US$4,100, Lot 1084)

John Kapon, CEO of Acker Merrall & Condit Companies, commented after the sale: “The results for Italian wines were quite noteworthy, led by the direct consignment from its most important producer, Gaja”.

Hong Kong has seen an increased interest in Italian wine over the last few years and this auction highlights the passion and desire for Italian wines of the highest caliber. After Acker hosted a series of Burgundy auctions in 2010 and 2011 the popularity of Burgundy in the region soared. It will be interesting to see if this auction will have the same effect on the sales of wines from Italy’s top producers.

Acker will be back in January for their first auction of 2013, a fortnight before the upcoming Chinese New Year.