There was plenty to toast at Christie’s over the weekend as William Koch’s legendary wine collection shattered records, pulling in a staggering $28.8 million at auction. Held at Christie’s New York from June 12 to 14, the three-day sale set a new benchmark as the most expensive single-owner wine collection ever sold in North America.

All 1,500 lots were sold, drawing bidders from around the world, nearly half of whom were new to Christie’s wine auctions. The sale blew past expectations, bringing in 154 percent of the auction’s $15 million low estimate. Koch’s cellar offered a mix of iconic vintages from elite producers and rare gems from lesser-known labels, with 750 large-format bottles headlining the catalog.

The undisputed star of the auction was a 1999 Romanée-Conti Methuselah from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Touted by Christie’s VP and international wine director Paul Tortora as “the ultimate unicorn bottle,” it was estimated to sell for $100,000 to $150,000. Instead, it stunned with a final hammer price of $275,000. Meanwhile, three Magnums of the same vintage tripled expectations, earning $237,500 collectively.

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Another standout came from the cellars of Domaine Georges Roumier. Six magnums of 1985 Bonnes Mares sold for double the high estimate, bringing in $200,000. Burgundy continued to outperform across the board, and Bordeaux showed strong numbers too, including a lot of six magnums of 1961 Château Latour Grand Vin that sold for $187,500.

The collection’s variety reflects Koch’s refined palate and decades-long passion for wine. His journey into wine appreciation began modestly in the early 1960s, sipping Portuguese rosé Lancers during graduate school. “I remember it fondly because it came in a clay jug that you could use for a candle holder,” he recalled in an interview with Robb Report. His tastes evolved rapidly from there, moving through the great wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux, and eventually embracing California wines after the famed 1976 Judgment of Paris.

Over the years, Koch built one of the most comprehensive and prestigious private collections in the world. Speaking about the sale, he said, “I hope these wines that I have spent years collecting and curating will bring joy and great memories to their new owners. Drink them in good health.”