Sotheby’s Wine and Spirits Sales Climb Nearly 12% to $127.5 Million in 2025

Sotheby’s reported annual sales of $127.5 million in its Wine & Spirits category for 2025, marking an increase of nearly 12% compared to the previous year. This figure represents the fourth-highest annual total since Sotheby’s established its Wine & Spirits department in 1970. Only the years 2023, 2022, and 2021 saw higher sales, with totals of $159 million, $150 million, and $132 million respectively.

The auction house has experienced significant growth in this sector over the past decade. In 2015, total sales stood at $47 million, meaning sales have more than doubled in ten years. The majority of this year’s sales came from wine, which accounted for $106 million, while spirits contributed $21.5 million.

Sotheby’s also recorded a new high in international participation, with bidders from 63 countries taking part in auctions during 2025. Of all buyers, 35% were new to Sotheby’s, indicating growing interest among collectors worldwide.

Europe was the strongest region for Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits sales this year, generating $56.6 million. Within Europe, France led with $35.4 million in sales and the United Kingdom followed with $21.3 million. The United States contributed $37.3 million to the total, while Asia accounted for $33.5 million.

New York remained Sotheby’s top selling location for Wine & Spirits for the second consecutive year, surpassing Hong Kong and achieving its second-highest total sales on record.

Nick Pegna, global head of Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits, said that the results highlight both the resilience of the fine wine and spirits market and the trust collectors place in Sotheby’s to manage important cellars and collections. He attributed this year’s success to a diverse international buyer base, an increase in new collectors, and Sotheby’s expertise in presenting single-owner collections.

Sotheby’s also reported that it sold both the most valuable wine lot and the most valuable bottle of spirits globally in 2025. Notable lots included The Glenlivet SPIRA 60 Year Old 1965, which sold for $864,825; Antinori Napa Valley & Stag's Leap Wine Cellars’ “From Napa Valley to Tuscany: A Journey Through Storied Wine Regions,” which fetched $550,000; and The Glen Grant Eternal 77 Year Old 1948, which sold for $532,200.

The continued growth in Sotheby’s Wine & Spirits sales reflects broader trends in global demand for rare wines and spirits as collectors seek out unique bottles and investment opportunities across international markets.