Acker Closes 2018 with US$125M in Total Sales, over 2,150 New World Records & $1 Billion in Lifetime Auction Revenue

2019 Poised as Another Banner Year Opening with Two Auctions Featuring Rare Wines Direct from Burgundy’s Elite Producers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acker Merrall & Condit has been the world’s leading and largest wine auction house for more than a decade, ending 2018 with the firm firmly atop the fine and rare wine auction market. Acker concluded its 2018 auction season in New York City in December with an impressive US$105 million in total auction sales, representing an increase of 31% compared to 2017’s revenue. Indicative of the firm’s #1 position, Acker set a remarkable 2,150+ new world records during 2018, while crossing the milestone of $1B of revenue in total auction sales in its June Hong Kong sale this same year.

The firm will start 2019 with two spectacular live auctions in Hong Kong (January 19^th) and New York (February 1^st), both featuring multiple consignments directly from some of Burgundy’s greatest and most sought-after producers, including Domaines Comte Liger-Belair, Meo-Camuzet, Lignier, Bizot, Fourrier, de Montille, Gouges, Duroche and Clos de la Chapelle, some of whom are releasing their cellars direct-to-auction for the very first time. The firm’s “Grande Fete de Bourgogne,” a week-long celebration and series of events dedicated to the great wines of Burgundy begins Monday, January 28^th continuing through its extraordinary auction of fine and rare wines at New York’s Vaucluse restaurant on Friday evening, February 1^st, 2019.

“Continuing to be the market leader is a privilege and great responsibility that will never be lost on me. Two thousand eighteen was an amazing year for fine and rare wine, with demand increasing to unprecedented levels for many of the world’s most collectible wines,” said Acker Merrall and Condit Companies Chairman John Kapon. “Acker will continue to work as hard as we can to be the world’s greatest wine ambassadors, and to open and share as many bottles as we can as we go. We look forward to a very happy and prosperous 2019 for all.”

For more information on Acker’s upcoming 2019 auctions, or to consign a collection, visit www.ackerwines.com.

Acker’s Top Ten Lots Sold in 2018 (by price):

Auction	Location	Auction Date	Lot #	Qty	Bottle	Vintage	Wine Name	Designation	Producer	Price Realized USD
185A	Hong Kong	22-Sep-18	392	12	bottle	1999	Vosne Romanee	Cros Parantoux	H. Jayer	$153,600
185A	Hong Kong	22-Sep-18	391	12	bottle	1999	Vosne Romanee	Cros Parantoux	H. Jayer	$153,600
181A	Hong Kong	27-Jan-18	578	6	magnum	1996	Vosne Romanee	Cros Parantoux	H. Jayer	$153,600
186A	Hong Kong	3-Nov-18	612N	1	bottle	1863	Niepoort Vintage Port			$128,000
182A	Hong Kong	24-Mar-18	305	10	bottle	1999	Vosne Romanee	Cros Parantoux	H. Jayer	$124,800
188	New York	17-Nov-18	730	6	magnum	1979	Romanee Conti		Domaine de la Romanee Conti	$124,000
186	New York	08-Sep-18	737	45	bottle vertical	1964-2014	Chambertin		A. Rousseau	$124,000
185	New York	20-Jun-18	1383	6	bottle	1999	Romanee Conti		Domaine de la Romanee Conti	$124,000
182	New York	10-Mar-18	344	6	bottle	1999	Romanee Conti		Domaine de la Romanee Conti	$111,600
182A	Hong Kong	24-Mar-18	237	1	Methuselah	1990	La Tache		Domaine de la Romanee Conti	$108,800

About Acker Merrall & Condit

Established in 1820, Acker Merrall & Condit is the oldest wine shop in America and the world’s largest fine and rare wine auction house. Since the third generation of the wine merchant family Mr. John Kapon, Chairman of AMC, started the auction business in 1998, the house has gained worldwide recognition. With its branch in Asia, the company not only roots deep in Asia, but has also pioneered the wine auction market in Hong Kong. The house has been the top wine auctioneer in Hong Kong for over a consecutive decade while maintaining its position as the world’s number one wine auction house.

Led by fine wine expert and master taster Mr. John Kapon, the auction house holds more than 15 live auctions each year, with online auctions held each month, broadcasted to major Asian cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo, inviting collectors around the globe to participate in real-time bidding. With affiliated companies in Hong Kong, New York City and Tokyo, AMC offers a vast array of services, including cellar consultations, a deep retail inventory of fine and rare wine for immediate sale, first class wine education amenities, in-store tastings of high-end wines daily, and its ne plus ultra – fine and rare wine auctions.