The Price of Pour: 9 Sommeliers Share Their Most Expensive Wine Sales

It’s always a treat to splurge on a fine wine—whether it’s indulging in an expensive glass after a hard week or savoring a prized bottle during special occasions. For some diners, splurging means spending several thousands on rare wines, and Wine Spectator recently engaged nine sommeliers to reveal the most extravagant bottles they’ve ever sold in restaurants.

Notable Sales from Sommeliers

Steven McDonald from Pappas Bros. Steakhouses shared his experience of selling a Château Mouton-Rothschild 1945 for $20,000. The bottle was in pristine condition, perfectly illustrating Bordeaux from the 1940s and came with a celebratory story—its buyer had just sold a company.

Dorian González Vega, the beverage director at Union Square Café, recalled selling a Pétrus 1979 for around $8,000 to $9,000, a special purchase for a birthday celebration. Despite being a lesser vintage, the moment was remarkable, marking the end of a truly memorable night filled with vintage wines.

Formerly of Aureole, Matt Reina talked about selling a Domaine Leflaive Grand Cru Bâtard-Montrachet for approximately $1,200. In a humorous twist, the guest requested ice to go with their white Burgundy, highlighting the very personal side of wine service.

Tyler Potts, from Press in St. Helena, recounted a night at Parcelle, where he sold a G. Roumier Les Amoureuses 2009 to a guest en route to a dinner party. His stories emphasize the connections made through wine.

In his days at Maialino, Cory Holt detailed how he set a wine sales record with a remarkable lineup including rare Nebbiolo, underscoring a celebratory atmosphere that made the wines shine.

Juan Gomez of HMF at the Breakers sold Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet for $9,500 to a repeat guest, who marveled at the restaurant’s impressive wine list.

Anthony Taylor from Cru Uncorked revealed the high point of his sales career with a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2007 priced at $25,000, bought to celebrate a movie premiere, reflecting the bittersweet nature of selling such irreplaceable wines.

Finally, Andrew Hurley recounted selling a Henri Jayer Cros Parantoux 1997 magnum for an astonishing $117,000, embodying the allure and rarity that truly exceptional wines can hold.

Conclusion

The experiences shared by these sommeliers reflect not only the financial aspects of fine wine but also the personal connections and stories that accompany each bottle. Their tales illustrate that while the price tags can be staggering, the emotions and moments they create are invaluable.

For those intrigued by the world of high-end wines, similar stories and insights can be explored further in the wine auction realm.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!