Let’s say that you could get a tax break while providing for a good cause… how much would you spend to go visit Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (group of 4 maximum).
Please let me know as I am getting more involved with a few charities supporting causes that are dear to my heart.
There are now more wineries committed to the auction !!! (these would all be separate lots)
You cannot “buy” a visit to DRC … either you are invited or at least admitted … or no visit.
On the other hand … when it’s gonna happen it’s free …
(and you cannot buy anything at the domaine …)
Dear Gerhard, we are not buying a visit, we are auctioning a visit gifted by the Domaine to raise money for Children who have Cancer and help find a cure.
To a wine collector, it is priceless. That is the holy grail of wine tours. Having a chance to walk the cellar with Aubert de Villaine would be unforgettable. Putting a price on it I think would entirely depend on who you’re able to attract to the auction and how well marketed it is. Putting a price on experiences is always much more difficult than an object that can be measured and defined.
My gut says 20k-50k, but I could definitely see it go much higher since it is such a rare opportunity (as long as the right people are part of that auction).
This is what I assumed you meant. The amount depends on the charity and the Domaine’s connection to it (and bottles likely to be opened by Bertrand).
Looking at the Zachys auction from April, the Mugneret Gibourg dinner and tasting for 6 went for 14k so I would start the bidding at least at 20k
going there and tasting 1999 DRC out of barrel was one of the top two wine experiences of my life. Like a Sistine Chapel visit with a pope audience. Not sure what the other top experience would be. It was epic.
John,
Aubert is now retired and very involved with the Association des Climats, it is Bertrand de Villaine who oversees the day to day operations of the Estate with Perrine Fenal.
Not sure he would be present at the tour.
Ah, makes sense. I didn’t know he retired. I sometimes forget to keep up with owners and winemakers etc…, I probably should…
OK, got it … (sorry).
no worries, if I wanted to be torched and post dumb things I would go to social medias… 
When and where is this auction? #askingforafriend
I’ll share all the details once everything is finalized, the lot is already on the table and secured. The rest of the details are being finalized but it will be late November and the the group will have to determine a date to visit.
Wow, just wow, this would be so cool. But so far outside my realm of finances that I hesitate to hazard a guess.
I am going to say that while I think $20K is a good starting point, my guess is that it would rocket away from that number so quickly it would make one’s head spin.
My reasoning is that if someone is willing to spend $5K to $20K to drink just one bottle of DRC at home or in a restaurant, how much would they pay to visit, tour and sample wine from the DRC cellar?
For sure, someone with deep, I don’t give a, pockets would be happy paying $100K+ for this. Hotel, Transfers, Tour, Tasting, Dinner.
None of what you mention is included… only the tour.
This is a drift, but there are few in wine I would like to spend time with more than Aubert, with or without (DRC) wines.
This sounds wonderful, not in my budget except at the lowest end mentioned, and I am sure it will go for multiples of that.
But even if it was, I have to comment that the lead time of about 6 weeks seems like very short notice for this kind of event! You could probably maximize the benefit to the charity if you offered a window of six months or more. Let the billionaire put in his six-figure bid for the spring.
Dan Kravitz
Auction is late November, the tasting would most likely happen in 2023.
Thank you, that sounds ideal. I would be a bidder, but probably (hopefully) dropping out very early during a long, very competitive round of bidding.
Dan Kravitz
I was at a charity dinner with Aubert de Villaine. A tasting for 6, along with dinners and hotel (no airfare) went for about 50k.
Included was:
3L of Krug GC (don’t remember the edition)
750 of 2008 Krug
2014 Drouhin Corton-Charlemagne
2006 Drouhin Montrachet Marquis
1999 Drouhin Griotte-Chambertin
2009 DRC RSV
1996 DRC La Tache
2009 DRC Montrachet
(1 each of the wines poured at the dinner)
So adjust occordingly.