Christie’s is honoured to present Timeless Excellence: The Pristine Wine Collection of Jörg G. Bucherer (1936–2023) in a stand-alone online sale running from 16 to 30 April. The collection will offer 2,474 bottles of pristine wines in 233 lots and its revenue will benefit the recently created Jörg G. Bucherer Foundation, aiming to support the arts and sciences in 2026.

Jörg G. Bucherer managed the family business for 46 years, since 1977. Bucherer made its mark on the luxury industry from its beginnings on 2 September 1888 when Carl F. Bucherer, Jörg’s grandfather, opened his first shop in Lucerne, Switzerland. Bucherer is considered to be one of the world’s leading retailers of watches and jewellery, with over 100 boutiques.

Jörg G. Bucherer was a passionate wine collector. A waiter at one of his favourite restaurants in Lucerne once recalled a signature ritual: he would bring two distinguished bottles from his collection, instruct the staff to open both at once and begin with the first while allowing the second to aerate. Midway through dinner, he would switch bottles — always leaving enough for the waiting staff to enjoy after service.

His private wine collection was as meticulously curated as his approach to business. In Lucerne, his cellar was pristine, perfectly organised and maintained under optimal natural conditions, with all wines kept in their original wooden cases. Among his treasured holdings were legendary wines such as Petrus 1989 in double-magnum, Lafite and Mouton 1982, and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tâche 1995.

A second, equally impressive collection was stored at his Marbella estate, housed in a purpose-built, climate-controlled cellar — yet another example of his pursuit of perfection. The villa itself, a masterpiece of design and sophistication, reflected his impeccable taste. The kitchen in his Marbella villa is a copy of the kitchen of Andalusian chef Dani Gargia, which he had installed after meeting the chef. There, alongside superb Bordeaux and Burgundy, he kept an extraordinary selection of Spanish wines, including magnums of Vega Sicilia Único and the highly sought-after L’Ermita wines of Álvaro Palacios.

The wine collection

Amongst the 2,474 bottles, wine collectors will find:

1,628 bottles of Bordeaux from 1970 to 2005 including all the First Growths and Châteaux La Mission Haut-Brion, Palmer and Pavie

501 bottles of Burgundy from 1995 to 2003 including Domaine Leroy and DRC and Domaines Ponsot, Gros Frère & Sœur and Pierre Damoy

312 bottles of Spanish Wines including Vega Sicilia, Artadi, Aalto and Numanthia