Sotheby’s is delighted to announce the
dates for the much anticipated auction of the elBulli wine cellar. On 3 April 2013
in Hong Kong and 26 April 2013 in New York, Sotheby’s will offer wines from the
cellar of the celebrated Catalan three-Michelin-star restaurant that closed
last year (8,807 bottles; Estimate: HK$8.6 – 12.5 million / US$1.1 -1.6 million*).
Founded over 50 years ago in 1961,
elBulli was led by Ferran Adrià for the last 27 years. Further details and an
elBulli video on the Foundation can be found at www.sothebys.com/elbulli.
Ferran Adrià, said: “The el Bulli Cellar
comprises an exceptional and unique collection of wines, that was created and
developed by Juli Soler and the elBulli sommelier team (Agustí Peris, Eloi
Sànchez, Isabelle Brunet, Lucas Payà, David Seijas and Ferran Centelles). Due
the transformation of elBulli, from a restaurant to a Foundation, we decided
this very special and personal collection should be used to make a founding
contribution to help ensure the successful launch of the elBulli Foundation”.
“In order to make this possible, we
contacted Sotheby’s, who have already shown themselves to be a very special and
enthusiastic partner, immediately understanding the purpose of the elBulli Foundation.
Thanks to Sotheby’s, we now have a wonderful objective: to raise funds for the elBulli
Foundation. Both personally, and on behalf of all the elBulli Foundation team,
I would like to thank collectors all over the world for their contributions.
Also, my special thanks to Juli Soler - this story would never have been possible
without his work and dedication during all these years.”
Serena Sutcliffe M.W., Head of the
International Wine Department at Sotheby’s said: “Those of us lucky enough to
have dined at elBulli will never forget the extraordinary sensations laid
before us. There was both an explosive genius about the food and a calm,
professional way in which it was delivered, so that one could discover with awe
all the secrets of smoke, foam and spheres of liquid involving melon to olives”.
“There was surprise, delight and
elation in every dish, a seamless procession of magic that opened up before one’s
eyes, only to disappear in a moment of bliss! The extra ingredient in these
meals was the intuitive pairing of these creations with the enticing, and
phenomenally interesting, wine list. We are delighted to be able to bring these
wines to auction so collectors all over the world can share the enchantment of
elBulli.”
Under the leadership of Ferran Adrià
and Juli Soler, the cutting edge gastronomy of elBulli is recognized as having
changed culinary history by reworking ingredients into new forms and
combinations. It was feted with awards including topping the Restaurant Magazine
list of the world’s 50 best restaurants five times, with Adrià frequently named
the world’s greatest chef. Since closing in July 2011 elBulli is transforming
to become the elBulli Foundation, an experimental centre looking at the process
of innovation and creativity and sharing the results via the new website
Bullipedia.
Look out for the auction in April
next year in Hong Kong for your last chance to experience part of the magic
that was elBulli.
(photos courtesy of Alamy, Sotheby’s
and The Huffington Post)
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