Bonhams Concludes Landmark Hostellerie Jérôme Wine Auction Series with US$6.3 Million Total

Bonhams Concludes Landmark Hostellerie Jérôme Wine Auction Series with US$6.3 Million Total

The historic sale of wines from the legendary cellar of Hostellerie Jérôme has officially come to a close. The auction house, Bonhams, announced total proceeds of more than US$6.37 million across a six-part global auction series.

Described by Bonhams as “one of the most remarkable collections ever assembled by a restaurant”. The cellar attracted intense international interest from collectors and wine enthusiasts around the world, culminating in what became the largest wine auction in the company’s history.

A Global Auction Series Draws Worldwide Attention

The final chapter of the sale took place in London last month, following earlier auctions in Hong Kong in November and Paris in February.

Held on 23 April, the London live auction achieved a 100% sell-through rate and realised £249,302. Meanwhile, the accompanying online auction, which ran from 9–30 April, generated an additional £467,926.

Earlier stages of the series delivered similarly impressive results. The Hong Kong live auction achieved white-glove status, meaning every lot sold, raising HK$25.7 million (US$3.3 million) across 509 lots. In Paris, all 306 lots sold for a combined €609,000 (US$650,000), approximately 155% above the low estimate. Online sales in Hong Kong and Paris added another HK$6 million (US$872,140) and €300,000 (US$350,632) respectively.

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A Legendary Restaurant Cellar Built Over Decades

The extraordinary collection featured more than 25,000 bottles sourced from some of France’s most prestigious wine regions, including Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, and the Rhône Valley.

The wines had been acquired over more than 30 years directly from renowned domaines upon release and carefully stored in the restaurant’s cellars, preserving both provenance and condition. Two crucial factors for serious collectors.

The cellar was largely curated by celebrated chef Bruno Cirino alongside sommelier Marion Cirino. Together, they spent decades cultivating relationships with elite French producers and assembling a collection widely regarded as one of the finest restaurant wine cellars ever created.

Bonhams Celebrates “Historic” Success

Amayès Aouli, global head of wine & spirits at Bonhams, described the auction series as the result of an “ambitious global strategy.”

He noted that the sales attracted registrants from 38 countries, bringing together collectors from every continent.

Aouli also thanked Bruno Cirino for entrusting the collection to Bonhams, while praising bidders for their enthusiasm and commitment, which he said demonstrated the enduring international demand for rare, impeccably stored French wines.

Reflecting on the scale of the event, Aouli described the series as one of the most important restaurant wine auctions ever staged and the biggest wine auction project in Bonhams’ history.

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Standout Lots from the London Live Auction

  • A pair of 1999 Domaine Leroy Clos de la Roche bottles sold for £8,060, significantly exceeding their pre-sale estimate of £4,500–£5,500.
  • A vertical collection of Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg vintages from 2005–2012 (3 × 750ml each) achieved £6,448, close to its high estimate.
  • A selection of Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage wines spanning the 2002–2011 vintages sold for £5,580, surpassing its high estimate.

Online Sale Highlights

  • A large-format collection of Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny magnums sold for £5,952. The lot included Le Bourg 2006, Les Poyeux 2014, 2015 and 2017, and Le Clos 2012, 2015 and 2017 bottlings.
  • A 24-bottle case of Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Clos de la Marechale 2010 achieved £3,224, within estimate.
  • A trio of Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux vintages from 2009, 2010 and 2011 sold above estimate for £3,472.
  • A bottle of Domaine Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne 2009 fetched £3,968, comfortably above its £2,400–£3,000 estimate.

A Defining Moment for the Fine Wine Market

The success of the Hostellerie Jérôme sales underscores the continued strength of the global fine wine market, particularly for wines with impeccable provenance and direct domaine sourcing.

More than simply an auction, the series represented the dispersal of a carefully curated vinous legacy. One built through decades of passion, relationships, and dedication to France’s greatest vineyards.

For collectors, it was a rare opportunity to acquire wines not only of exceptional quality, but also with a story and heritage few private cellars can match.

Speak to the wine experts at UKV International AG to start your wine collecting journey.

Image credit: Bonhams