By Sotheby’s

Expansive offering represents a fraction of one of Europe’s most extensive and comprehensive cellars, curated over many years by the collector, fine wine and rare spirits writer, and founder of the ‘Oscars of Fine Wine’: The Golden Vines® Awards

LONDON, 2 JUNE 2023 – Sotheby’s sale of wines from the cellar of Lewis Chester concluded yesterday, having achieved an exceptional total of £1,382,309 / $1,727,886. The ‘No Reserve’ auction attracted more than 15,700 bids and global participation from 35 countries, with all 774 lots going to some 200 buyers across Europe, the US and Asia – 30% of them new to Sotheby’s.

The expansive offering represented a mere fraction of one of Europe’s most extensive and comprehensive cellars, curated over many years by Lewis Chester DipWSET – the extraordinarily determined collector and fine wine and rare spirits writer, and founder of the ‘Oscars of Fine Wine’: The Golden Vines® Awards.

Lewis’ motivation to offer the first tranche of his collection at auction was driven in part by his collection having grown far too big to contemplate consuming it all, and by a desire to provide fellow fine wine devotees the opportunity to acquire superb wines with impeccable provenance. All bottles were purchased either direct from the respective Domaines via allocation or from only the most reputable UK merchant, then carefully cellared in professional temperature-controlled storage.

“We knew that Lewis’s cellar was extraordinary in terms of quality and quantity, as he’s such an ardent, focussed collector. It’s a huge joy to have had such a positive result, and it’s a thrill for the team in London to have brought these wines to the market and to see such magnificent results. The prices provide a strong and positive signpost into the second half of the year, underlining Sotheby’s strength in the marketplace and connection to collectors, both new and existing.”

GARY OWEN, HEAD OF AUCTION SALES, UK, SOTHEBY’S WINE

“Firstly, a big thank you to the extraordinary team at Sotheby’s Wine who have been a joy to work with, both for this auction and in building our new long-term partnership for the Golden Vines® and Gerard Basset Foundation. It’s been very exciting to see the positive reaction from fine wine lovers globally to the wines being sold in this inaugural auction which reflect my own journey of discovery and love for fine wine.”

LEWIS CHESTER

The Inaugural Selection was dominated by wines from five key regions: Burgundy, Champagne, Bordeaux, Rhône, and Piedmont. Lewis’ meticulous approach to collecting and study of fine wine was reflected in not only the all-star roster of legendary Domaines and Châteaux, but crucially also in the strict prevalence of lauded vintages from all of the represented appellations.

Burgundy led the charge, and the selection was fittingly typified by apex Domaines: Rousseau, Roumier, de Vogüé, Leflaive, and Ponsot, to name but a few. Venturing north to Champagne, the monumental houses of Krug and Dom Pérignon were represented by a staggering range of cuvées, vintages and large formats. First Growths Lafite, Latour, and Margaux plus Haut-Brion Blanc flew the flag for the Left Bank in Bordeaux, with the Right Bank supplying rare double-magnums of Le Pin and magnums of Lafleur. The consignment also included wines from the Loire and Mosel valleys, Tuscany, Switzerland, and Santa Cruz Mountains.

Full results of The Cellar of Lewis Chester | The Inaugural Selection | No Reserve available here.

Liquid Icons and The Golden Vines® Awards

“Our partnership with Lewis will continue this year with October’s Golden Vines weekend in Paris. Inspirational gala dinners, luxurious lunches and exceptional masterclasses await those who join us as we raise money exclusively for The Gérard Basset Foundation to fund educational programmes on diversity and inclusivity in the wine.”

AMAYÈS AOULI, SOTHEBY’S HEAD OF WINE, EUROPE

Earlier this year, Sotheby’s Wine announced a new multi-year partnership with The Golden Vines® Awards and the Gérard Basset Foundation. Sotheby’s will conduct the Golden Vines® Live Auction which raises money exclusively for the Foundation’s work around diversity and inclusivity in the wine, spirits and hospitality sector, during the Golden Vines® Dress to Party Charity Gala on Friday 13 October 2023 at Pavillons de Bercy in Paris.

Liquid Icons was founded by two friends, Gérard Basset OBE MW MS and Lewis Chester DipWSET. When Gérard discovered that he had terminal cancer, the need to create something lasting and emphatic that would help create a lasting legacy for Gérard’s incredible achievements became a singular goal for the company. In 2018, The Global Fine Wine Report was born which, since Gérard’s death in January 2019, has become known as The Gérard Basset Global Fine Wine Report. Uniquely, the Report – a free publication – is based on a detailed survey that is completed by leading fine wine professionals globally: Masters of Wine (MW), Master Sommeliers (MS), sommeliers, wine brokers and merchants, wine press and other members of the fine wine industry.

In the summer of 2020, Lewis had the idea of taking the ‘Winners in the Report’ and creating the ‘Oscars of Fine Wine’, to be known as The Golden Vines Awards. These awards would help elevate the fine wine industry by creating a world-class event that would celebrate the very best from the world of fine wine. At the same time, in order to enhance Gérard’s lasting legacy, Lewis and Nina Basset (Gérard’s widow) agreed to create a charity in Gerard’s name: the Gérard Basset Foundation (the Foundation). The Golden Vines Awards would be run as a not-for-profit, with all profits from the event and related charity auctions going to the Foundation.

THE GLOBAL DIGITAL ENTREPRENEUR BRINGS AN IMAGINATIVE TWIST TO NESPRESSO’S LATEST LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION

NESPRESSO PARTNERS WITH CHIARA FERRAGNI FOR A REFRESHING SUMMER COLLECTION

Nespresso is set to bring some stylish sizzle this summer with its latest collaboration with world-renowned Italian entrepreneur Chiara Ferragni. The partnership will see Chiara Ferragni transform some of the most loved Nespresso machines and accessories with her iconic style, so fans can look forward to her use of bold colours and vibrant design.

Nespresso and Chiara Ferragni are coming together to serve up coffee with style this summer. With her infectious playfulness and family values, the digital entrepreneur is the ideal personification of summer with Nespresso. Chiara Ferragni’s well-known eye for detail, disruptive ideas and active support for female empowerment are key components of the Nespresso brand, and are all brought together in this collaboration.

The Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni collaboration includes a range of activations, from the launch of the limited edition collection to exclusive events, through to summer-inspired coffee recipes and behind the scenes access. Coffee lovers eager to join Chiara Ferragni on her seasonal adventures with Nespresso are invited to stay tuned to social media for further announcements.

Speaking of her collaboration with Nespresso, Chiara Ferragni, said: “As an Italian, I am a big coffee drinker and have been a fan of Nespresso for a very long time. Nespresso really represents a contemporary way of living with its practical and smart approach to high quality coffee. This is why I am so thrilled to work on this collection, filled with fun and luxurious designs. When I first met the brand, they introduced me to a lot of initiatives regarding sustainability and recycling, that I deeply want to be a part of and contribute to in a near future.”

Anna Lundstrom, Chief Brand Officer at Nespresso, said: “We are delighted to announce this collaboration. Chiara Ferragni is a trailblazing global entrepreneur and has led the way in setting trends across fashion, lifestyle and digital engagement. As one of our most extensive brand collaborations to date, this exciting project showcases a fresh approach for Nespresso while supporting our creative vision. We are really excited to share Chiara Ferragni’s take on the Nespresso brand and cannot wait to finally bring the project to life to our communities.”

Blend aesthetic style and delicious coffee with the branded limited edition Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni Vertuo Next machine. As a twist on Nespresso’s newest machine, it will be available in a beautiful pastel pink colour, with her iconic logo emblazoned on its side. The intuitive one-touch machine can prepare a range of different coffee sizes, for every taste or moment with friends and family this summer.

Compact and chic, the Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni Essenza Mini opens up a whole world of high quality espresso-based coffees. Selected for the Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni collection to celebrate her love of the Ispirazione Roma coffee, the Essenza Mini has been updated with a vibrant coloured pattern showcasing the two brands distinctive visual signature.

Adding a pop of pink to your home, the limited edition Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni Aeroccino 3 offers a quick and sleek way to prepare hot or cold milk froth. Perfectly matching the Essenza Mini, this accessory can elevate espressos into a luxurious milky coffee, ideal for a relaxing summer experience.

Designed for indulgent coffee moments, the Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni Coffee Mug allows consumers to savour their favourite Nespresso cup at home. The mug is embellished with Nespresso’s monogram, which has been stylishly revisited with Chiara’s favourite pop colours to suit the season’s hottest trends.

For delicious coffee drinks while on the go, the Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni Nomad Travel Mug has been given a twist with her signature eye design. With its striking pastel pink colour, this limited edition Nomad Travel Mug is this summer’s must-have travel accessory.

SUMMER DRINKS WITH A TWIST

Exclusively for Nespresso, Chiara Ferragni has imagined her own signature iced coffee recipe, combining her favourite iced espresso with a rich coconut flavour for a tropical summer twist. To re-create this recipe at home, coffee lovers and fans of Chiara Ferragni can even add a touch of cotton candy to make the recipe bold and sweet, just like her. For the full recipe, fans can visit http://www.nespresso.com/chiara-ferragni.

The limited edition Nespresso x Chiara Ferragni summer collection will be available on www.nespresso.com and in selected boutiques as of May 28.

ABOUT CHIARA FERRAGNI

Chiara Ferragni is an Entrepreneur and a global Italian fashion icon.

Chiara’s career started in 2009 when she launched her personal style blog, The Blonde Salad. With her strong personal branding through social media, she successfully gained presence in the digital space and a mass following, nowadays she has more than 23 million followers on Instagram.

Chiara has collaborated with multiple fashion brands and has been on the cover of the most eligible fashion magazines all over the world including Vogue, Vanity Fair, and InStyle. She has also been included in Forbes’s list “30 influential people under 30” in 2015 and undoubtedly recognized as one of the most influential personalities in the fashion industry.

ABOUT CHIARA FERRAGNI BRAND

Chiara Ferragni is a fashion yet pop brand launched in 2013 that now offers total look collections.

The Brand is renowned for its iconic Eye logo and it presents today playful yet stylish collections where inspirational elements from travels, music, pop culture and contemporary art universe melt together. Global, positive, powerful and pure brand that combines prints, glitters and patches resulting in a contemporary and dynamic collection.

The brand launched mono brand stores in several locations including Milan and pop-up stores around the world in selected boutiques and department stores having a global expansion.