More competition for lots was evident this year, demonstrating the expansion of the circle of buyers. As in previous auctions bidders from outside Hungary (40 % of lots sold outside Hungary) joined returning buyers and those fresh to the game. The growing number of buyers’ groups allows a wider audience the chance to obtain an exclusive lot, and thus those who prefer to be the owner of a small quantity of these wines are able to enjoy the wines previously snapped up by larger buyers which include individuals, top restaurants and wine merchants/importers. A wide diversity of wines from terroirs from across the region with particularly strong representation from Mád and then Olaszliszka. Wine journalist Caroline Gilby noted that, “It is good to see interest in the whole range of Tokaji wines on offer at the auction.”

The imposing Knights’ Hall in Sárospatak castle was once again the setting for the auction of these exclusive lots which are specially chosen for the auction and available in limited quantities only: one Gönci barrel (136 l) of dry wines and one or a half Gönci barrel (136 l / 68 l) of late harvest, dry and sweet Szamorodni and Tokaji Aszú wines. The Tokaj Wine Tasting Committee (Ronn Wiegand, MS, MW, and Gabriella Mészáros, wine educator, László Bálint) check the quality of the wines at several stages from selection to bottling. These wines, all of which will be bottled with the special Confrérie label before the next Great Tokaj Wine Auction, are not commercially available elsewhere. Lots will go to the USA, France and Germany as well as Hungary. Details about the specific lots are below.

The Great Tokaj Wine Auction is the highlight of the three-day Tokaj Spring event which naturally centres on exploring the wines of the region; guests had the opportunity to taste around 70 wines from 30 wineries. Culinary treats were provided by the Sárga Borház, Gusteau and Anyukám mondta. Alongside more familiar wine dinners, talks and vineyard tours with the winemakers, quirky events and venues included the Royal Waiting Room of Eiffel’s Nyugati station Budapest, the Tokaj Express heritage train sponsored by Ferenc Gelencser and his company Alplan, and even a horse and cart ride. Other focal points were the blind tasting of auction lots and an imaginative presentation of paintings inspired by the labels of gala dinner wines created by well-known auctioneer and new Confrérie member Nóra Winkler.

The Confrérie de Tokaj now counts around 150 professionals and wine lovers after welcoming 22 new members to its fold on Saturday. Grand Maître, Tamás Dusóczky, initiated these Tokaj lovers, the majority of whom hail from Hungary and France, but also from the US, Taiwan and Finland. This international group includes wine journalists, importers, doctors, managers, an architect, a politician, winemakers and a sommelier who all expressed their deep affection for Tokaj and its wines. Honorary Confrérie members are respected wine journalist Thierry Dessauve and auctioneer Nóra Winkler. Guests at the initiation ceremony in the stunning garden of Barta Winery were treated to soprano Katalin Gémes whose sounds filled the air and hearts of those assembled before the gala dinner.

This sunny wine weekend of lilac-scented air and excellent company provided the perfect background for another successful Great Tokaj Wine Auction. Tokaj Spring 2016 will be back with the next Great Tokaj Wine Auction in April 2016.

Pictures of Tokaj Spring 2015 are here: www.tokajiborlovagrend.hu
For more information please info@tokajiborlovagrend.hu
+36 70 612 0400

The lots sold in the order they went under the hammer at the Great Tokaj Wine Auction 2015
(136 l-barrel unless noted otherwise, exchange based on HUF/EUR: 300.85, MNB 2015.04.24. )

Demetervin – Úrágya Tokaji Hárslevelű 2006 (33.75 l)
starting price: € 1,463, hammer price: € 2,493

Mádi Borház-Baranyai Béla – 102-es hordó Tokaji Furmint 2012
starting price: € 598, hammer price: € 1,529

Samuel Tinon Grands Vins de Tokaj – Szent Tamás Furmint 2014
starting price: € 2,659, hammer price: € 4,986

Szepsy Winery – Úrágya 91 Tokaji Furmint 2014
starting price: € 5,318, hammer price: € 16,620

Barta Winery – Öreg-Király Tokaji Édes (Sweet) Szamorodni 2013 (68 l)
starting price: € 3,324, hammer price: € 4,653

Füleky Winery – Király Tokaji Late Harvest 2014
starting price: € 3,656, hammer price: € 3,989

Samuel Tinon Grands Vins de Tokaj – Tokaji Száraz (Dry) Szamorodni 2009
starting price: € 6,648, hammer price: € 9,972

Szent Tamás Winery and Vineyard, Nyulászó /1-es Hordó Tokaji Édes (Sweet) Szamorodni 2013
starting price: € 9,307, hammer price: € 13,296

Kvaszinger, Hatalos Tokaji Late Harvest 2013
starting price: € 3,989, hammer price: € 5,983

Béres Vineyards and Winery, Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos Válogatás 2013 (68 l)
tarting price: € 4,321, hammer price: € 4,986

Samuel Tinon Grands Vins de Tokaj, Tokaji Aszú 5 puttonyos 2011 (68 l)
starting price: € 4,986, hammer price: € 4,986

Disznókő, Dorgó Válogatás Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2012
starting price: € 6,315, hammer price: € 9,972

Pajzos Winery, Hosszúvölgy Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2013
starting price: € 7,313, hammer price: € 11,301

Tokaj-Hétszőlő Winery, Tokaji Édes (Sweet) Szamorodni 2012
starting price: € 5,651, hammer price: € 5,651

The Confrérie de Tokaj receives 40 % of the after tax price to part finance the next auction and for the benefit of the Tokaj wine region, part of UNESCO World Heritage since 2002.

Following in the footsteps of the successful first two Great Tokaj Wine Auctions, the Confrérie de Tokaj is planning the third auction for 25th April 2015 – to be held in Sárospatak Castle Knights’ Hall as has become the tradition. All lots are exclusive and contemporary wines, barrel quantity (136 l) of primeur Tokaji wines which are bottled and delivered to the winning bidder with their Great Tokaj Wine Auction label. Naturally the labels also bear the name of the producer.

Mainly single vineyard lots, they range from dry through late harvests to Tokaji Aszú and Eszencia. Each of these unique barrel lots from leading producers are checked by the Confrérie Wine Committee. These wines are only available at the Great Tokaj Wine Auction so successful bidders become the exclusive owner. Hence the interest from Michelin-starred restaurants and collectors eager to acquire them as well as wine merchants from around the world, including China and London.

The Great Tokaj Wine Auction is the central event of the Tokaj Spring weekend. The interesting three-day programme offers an outstanding opportunity to discover this historic wine region and meet top producers. In addition to the exhilarating auction, there are wine dinners and vineyard tours with winemakers, a blind tasting of Auction lots, initiation of new members and a gala dinner. Thus the event helps Tokaj lovers and Confrérie members explore this dynamically emerging world that is moving forth with confidence of its excellent wines and increasing knowledge of the terroir. A great opportunity to share time and wine.

Both established wineries and smaller up-and-coming producers have offered lots at previous Great Tokaj Wine Auctions. Participants to date include Bardon, Barta, Béres, Budaházy, Demetervin, Dereszla, Disznókő, Füleky, Gizella, Gróf Degenfeld, Holdvölgy, Kikelet, Kubus, Orosz Gábor, Pajzos, Patricius, Royal Tokaji, Samuel Tinon, Szent Benedek, Szent Tamás, Szepsy, Tokaj Hétszőlő, Tokaj Nobilis and Tokaj Trading House.

The Confrérie de Tokaj reserves 40 % of the price excluding VAT price to stage the auctions and preserve and rebuild the Tokaj Wine Region. Thus buyers have the satisfaction of knowing that, in addition to procuring an exclusive Tokaji wine, they are also supporting this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage region. The inclusion expresses the long and intimate relationship between people and their natural environment which cause cultural values.

Nóra Winkler, the auctioneer who animated the auction, catching and running with its momentum, said of the 2014 Great Tokaj Wine Auction: “The proportion of lots sold, the hammer prices and the packed auction room all show we are right on track. The passionate bidding for the Szepsy lot that resulted in a 26 667 € record demonstrates what an auction, a well-constructed catalogue, the atmosphere and adrenaline can create.”

So preparation is underway for this celebration of Tokaj – Tokaj Spring, 24th to 26th April 2015.

About the Confrérie de Tokaj The Confrérie de Tokaj members include producers, wine professionals and wine lovers committed to promoting the legendary Tokaj Wine Region, the first closed wine region in the world and part of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 2002. Learn more at tokajiborlovagrend.hu

View the video from the Great Tokaj Wine Auction 2014.
See pictures from the Great Tokaj Wine Auction 2014.