“Vineyards by Christie’s International Real Estate” is the world’s first global advisory service for buyers of vineyard estates in the world’s most sought-after wine regions
HONG KONG (May 6, 2013) – Christie’s International Real Estate, the only global luxury real estate network wholly owned by a fine art auction house, today announced the launch of an innovative advisory service for international buyers of vineyard estates. The first ever program of its kind, Vineyards by Christie’s International Real Estate brings together Christie’s fine wine experts and the network’s luxury property specialists to offer a discrete consultative service for clients looking to acquire vineyards in the world’s most sought-after wine regions.
This pioneering program was conceived to meet demand from clients at Christie’s wine auctions in Hong Kong requesting expert advice in purchasing overseas vineyard properties. Domestic thirst for fine foreign wine has grown exponentially in recent years, with the auction house reporting an outstanding total of HK$286.5 million (US$36.9 million) from nine wine sales in Hong Kong last year. Similarly, demand from affluent Chinese investors for foreign wine has extended to a growing interest in foreign wine-producing estates. According to SAFER, (Sociétés d’Aménagement Foncier et d’Etablissement Rural), a quasi-governmental entity partly funded by the private sector, in 2011 there were 35 chateaux with vineyards sold in the whole region of Bordeaux—60 percent were sold to Chinese buyers. Of the 37 vineyard-chateaux sold in 2012, 62 percent went to Chinese buyers.
“This project brings together the knowledge and networks of the world’s leading auction house for wine and Christie’s International Real Estate, the only global luxury real estate network wholly owned by a fine art auction house. We are uniquely positioned to offer this highly specialized vineyard advisory acquisition service and we look forward to this exciting venture,” says David Elswood, Christie’s International Director of Wine in Europe and Asia.
“Vineyards by Christie’s International Real Estate showcases the unparalleled synergy between art and real estate at Christie’s,” says Bonnie Stone Sellers, Chief Executive Officer of Christie’s International Real Estate. “With the fine and rare wine expertise of Christie’s and the experienced local partners in Christie’s International Real Estate’s network of affiliates, clients have a unique opportunity that only Christie’s can provide.”
Clients participating in the Vineyards by Christie’s International Real Estate receive expert advice from Christie’s wine experts, followed by an introduction by a Christie’s property specialist to vineyards available for purchase around the world. Custom travel arrangements and translation services are also provided.
“It is essential that buyers work with experts who know the industry, operate in the local market, are well connected with local vineyard owners, and are immersed in a region’s wine industry network,” says vineyard property specialist Michael Baynes of Christie’s International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate Maxwell-Storrie Baynes in Bordeaux. “Vineyard markets in sought-after locations are often small and discrete, and without expert guidance, buyers never even know they are on the market. It is not uncommon for more than half of our vineyards to be privately listed – never advertised and never placed on websites.”
Since its founding in 1766, Christie’s has held the greatest and most celebrated auctions in history for showcasing the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s fine and rare wine auctions uphold this centuries-long tradition with exquisite offerings originating from legendary vineyards. Christie’s International Real Estate brings Christie’s sophistication and unmatched passion for art to offering the finest luxury homes and vineyard estates in the world. Together, Christie’s and Christie’s International Real Estate form the world’s top partnership in fine and rare wine, luxury homes, and vineyard properties.
For more information on the program, regions, and wines, along with brochures detailing specific properties and upcoming wine auctions, please visit www.christiesrealestate.com/vineyards.
This pioneering program was conceived to meet demand from clients at Christie’s wine auctions in Hong Kong requesting expert advice in purchasing overseas vineyard properties. Domestic thirst for fine foreign wine has grown exponentially in recent years, with the auction house reporting an outstanding total of HK$286.5 million (US$36.9 million) from nine wine sales in Hong Kong last year. Similarly, demand from affluent Chinese investors for foreign wine has extended to a growing interest in foreign wine-producing estates. According to SAFER, (Sociétés d’Aménagement Foncier et d’Etablissement Rural), a quasi-governmental entity partly funded by the private sector, in 2011 there were 35 chateaux with vineyards sold in the whole region of Bordeaux—60 percent were sold to Chinese buyers. Of the 37 vineyard-chateaux sold in 2012, 62 percent went to Chinese buyers.
“This project brings together the knowledge and networks of the world’s leading auction house for wine and Christie’s International Real Estate, the only global luxury real estate network wholly owned by a fine art auction house. We are uniquely positioned to offer this highly specialized vineyard advisory acquisition service and we look forward to this exciting venture,” says David Elswood, Christie’s International Director of Wine in Europe and Asia.
“Vineyards by Christie’s International Real Estate showcases the unparalleled synergy between art and real estate at Christie’s,” says Bonnie Stone Sellers, Chief Executive Officer of Christie’s International Real Estate. “With the fine and rare wine expertise of Christie’s and the experienced local partners in Christie’s International Real Estate’s network of affiliates, clients have a unique opportunity that only Christie’s can provide.”
Clients participating in the Vineyards by Christie’s International Real Estate receive expert advice from Christie’s wine experts, followed by an introduction by a Christie’s property specialist to vineyards available for purchase around the world. Custom travel arrangements and translation services are also provided.
“It is essential that buyers work with experts who know the industry, operate in the local market, are well connected with local vineyard owners, and are immersed in a region’s wine industry network,” says vineyard property specialist Michael Baynes of Christie’s International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate Maxwell-Storrie Baynes in Bordeaux. “Vineyard markets in sought-after locations are often small and discrete, and without expert guidance, buyers never even know they are on the market. It is not uncommon for more than half of our vineyards to be privately listed – never advertised and never placed on websites.”
Since its founding in 1766, Christie’s has held the greatest and most celebrated auctions in history for showcasing the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s fine and rare wine auctions uphold this centuries-long tradition with exquisite offerings originating from legendary vineyards. Christie’s International Real Estate brings Christie’s sophistication and unmatched passion for art to offering the finest luxury homes and vineyard estates in the world. Together, Christie’s and Christie’s International Real Estate form the world’s top partnership in fine and rare wine, luxury homes, and vineyard properties.
For more information on the program, regions, and wines, along with brochures detailing specific properties and upcoming wine auctions, please visit www.christiesrealestate.com/vineyards.
