Collection: KINETIC | The Wine Cellar of Joel Shapiro

Burgundy – Piedmont – Rhône – Champagne – Bordeaux – Beyond

Sotheby’s is honored to present the personal wine collection of Joel Shapiro, one of America’s most celebrated contemporary artists. Over the decades, Joel amassed one of the most comprehensive wine collections spanning the greatest regions of the world.

He enjoyed both collecting and sharing these rare bottles with friends and family. Joel shared many great wines with close friends, in addition to wine personalities including Neal Rosenthal and Eli Zabar.

The collection has been meticulously stored in multiple New York cellars, including a custom subterranean temperature-controlled cellar in his artist studio in Long Island City. The care and attention to maintain perfect temperature and humidity are very evident in the condition of these bottles. Fill levels are very high and bottles are pristine. Many of the wines remain sealed or banded in original cartons or wooden cases.

All the wines were acquired on or around release from reputable wine merchants and never moved until recently removed by Sotheby’s Specialists.

This initial retail offering represents only a small part of his remarkable cellar and features beautifully mature wines from benchmark producers such as Jean-Louis Chave and Domaine Barthod, among others. These wines reflect not only impeccable provenance, but also Mr. Shapiro’s deep understanding of longevity, balance, and terroir.

The true highlights of the collection will be unveiled during a live auction on March 6th at the Breuer, where exceptional wines from iconic domaines, including René Engel, Roumier, Fourrier, and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, will be offered.

The selection features over 250 wines, with some only available in single-bottle quantities. We encourage you not to delay, as once these wines are sold, we may not have the opportunity to source them again in the near future.