Image courtesy Langtons
Over 200 bidders gathered at the Crown Sydney last week for the 10th anniversary edition of the Barossa Live Auction, where $109,020 worth of wine from the country’s most renowned wine region was sold under the hammer. The auction is a bi-annual event hosted by fine wine destination Langtons, and a portion of profits from the evening will be donated to The Barossa Australia Well-Being Fund by Foundation Barossa.
The Barossa Live Auction saw 35 lots up for bidding featuring a mix of rare collector imperial- and magnum-sized bottles, alongside cult vintages from some of the Barossa’s top producers including Penfolds, Henschke, Rockford and Sami-Odi. Guests were also able to bid on vinous experiences at local cellar doors such as Seppeltsfield, Rieslingfreak and Yalumba.
The highlight of the evening was a Sami-Odi Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah full vertical 2007-2023 which saw a competitive bidding display to end up selling way above its estimated $3,000-$3,500 for $10,500. Another popular lot was the Langtons Classification VIII Edition Rockfords magnum (1.5L) set featuring a 2008 Basket Press Shiraz, 2001 Tirage/2023 Disgorge Sparkling Black Shiraz and 2008 Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon which sold above its estimate of $1,300-$1,500 for $4,300. Other highlights included a Henschke Hill of Grace Single Vineyard Shiraz 2018 imperial (6L) signed by Stephen and Prue Henschke which went for $17,500; a Rockford Basket Press Shiraz imperial in a hand-crafted wooden display case which sold for $7,500 and three Penfolds RWT Bin 798 magnums (1998, 2008, 2018) in giftboxes which sold for $4,750.
Held in the Pearl Ballroom at Crown Sydney, guests were treated to a three-course dinner amongst the bidding which was paired with local Barossa wines from Penfolds, Krondorf and Nanny Goat. The evening was hosted by Michael Anderson, head of auctions and wine consignment at Langtons, alongside auctioneer Oliver Burton from Cooley Auctions. Scott Hazeldine, CEO of Barossa Australia also took to the stage to thank guests for their generosity and speak to the status of the wines up for bidding.
“The Barossa Wine auction is a celebration of the excellence of our wine community, but it also supports a cause close to our hearts. A portion of the proceeds from the auction help fund the Barossa Australia Wellbeing Fund allowing the delivery of vital mental health training and services for our local community, and we’re proud to contribute in this way,” said Hazeldine.
The Barossa Live Auction first started in 1965 as an integral part of the region’s Barossa Vintage Festival, and in 2015 the event began a new chapter in partnership with Langtons to host a Sydney edition of the live auction.
“The Barossa Live Auction is an event we always look forward to—the atmosphere of a live auction sitting alongside winemakers and bidding for rare and hard-to-find wines from winery cellars is a memorable experience,” said Tamara Grischy, general manager at Langtons.
“We are so proud here at Langtons to mark a decade of hosting the Barossa Live Auction and sharing the prestige of this acclaimed region with keen collectors while raising money for a very important cause.”
The Barossa Live Auction saw a total of $109,020 (excluding buyer’s premium) worth of wine sold across a live and silent auction. The full auction report is available at www.langtons.com.au.
Highlight lots and winning bids:
- The Yalumba 2025 Museum Release collection, current release and a Yalumba Museum Tasting experience for 6 people: $2700
- Rieslingfreak private tasting and lunch for up to 8 people and a 3L of 2024 Rieslingfreak No.12 Flaxman Valley Riesling: $2750
- The Standish Wine Company The Standish Shiraz 12 Year Vertical 2012-2023: $4000
- Torbreck 2019 The Laird and 2019 The Forebear Magnum Box Set Shiraz: $4200
- Langtons Classification VIII Edition Rockfords magnum set of a 2008 Basket Press Shiraz, 2001 Tirage/2023 Disgorge Sparkling Black Shiraz and 2008 Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon: $4300
- Penfolds RWT Bin 798 magnums (1998, 2008, 2018) in giftboxes: $4750
- Langmeil Freedom 1843 Shiraz vertical 2009-2022 signed by Winemaker Paul Lindner: $5000
- Hentley Farm Clos Otto Shiraz Imperial in wooden case signed by winemaker Andrew Quin: $5500
- Chris Ringland Dry Grown Barossa Ranges Shiraz 2016: $5500
- Château Tanunda 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz imperial signed by proprietor John Geber: $6500
- Rockford Basket Press Shiraz imperial in a hand-crafted wooden display case: $7500
- Sami-Odi Hoffmann Dallwitz Syrah full vertical 2007-2023: $10,500
- Henschke Hill of Grace Single Vineyard Shiraz 2018 imperial signed by Stephen and Prue Henschke: $17,500
“The Barossa Auction is one of the highlights on the Langtons calendar, affording guests and bidders unrivalled access to the rarest collections, verticals and large format cuvées from the region’s most talked about producers,” said Anderson. “The majority of these lots are purely created for this sole auction and as we saw last night, reach astonishing prices.
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