Rothschild’s First Single-Vineyard Champagne Fetches £16,120 at Debut Auction

Champagne Barons de Rothschild has launched its first-ever single-vineyard cuvée, Le Grand Clos, with a global debut through an exclusive auction at Bonhams. The inaugural three bottles sold for a total of £16,120, setting a new record for the house.

The bottles auctioned—numbered 0001, 0002, and 0003 out of a limited 1,788—were personally signed by three members of the Rothschild family: Benjamin de Rothschild, Eric de Rothschild, and Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, adding to their commemorative value.

“The remarkable success of Le Grand Clos 2019 auction reflects the Rothschild family’s deep commitment to both excellence and philanthropy,” said Amayes Aouli, Global Head of Wine & Spirits at Bonhams. “This historical release inspired global collectors, and we received strong interest from every continent. Bonhams is honoured to have partnered with the talented Champagne Barons de Rothschild’s team and to pursue our vision to unite the worlds of fine wines and meaningful impact.”

Founded in 2005, Champagne Barons de Rothschild is a joint venture of three branches of the Rothschild family: Domaines Barons de Rothschild (owners of Château Lafite Rothschild), Baron Philippe de Rothschild (owners of Château Mouton Rothschild), and Baron Edmond de Rothschild. The project began in the early 2000s with a vision to reunite the family branches under one new champagne house bearing the Rothschild name. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the house’s founding, and Le Grand Clos 2019 serves as its official celebratory release.

The cuvée also marks the estate’s first champagne made entirely from a single vineyard. The plot, Le Grand Clos, is located near the village of the Vertus Premier Cru and the famous Côte des Blancs. Enclosed by surrounding walls dating back over 200 years, the vineyard includes vines planted before World War I. The Rothschild family acquired the parcel in 2013 but had never before vinified it as a standalone wine. The champagne is only released when deemed mature and ready to drink.

Just 1,788 bottles of the 2019 vintage were produced, under the direction of Guillaume Lété, who has served as chief winemaker since 2016 and joined the estate in 2011. The release represents a deliberate move toward a more premium tier within the Rothschild champagne portfolio.

Single-vineyard (or Clos) champagnes have gained rapid traction among collectors in recent years, praised for their “purity and regional character.” The trend is widely viewed as a cornerstone of champagne’s ongoing premiumisation—and now, a core strategy for the Rothschilds.

“Champagne Barons de Rothschild is officially 20 years old, and our future is brighter than ever,” said Frédéric Mairesse, Chairman & CEO of Barons de Rothschild. “Le Grand Clos and our new winery in Vertus are inextricably linked, and the wine itself is a testament to the dedication and long-term vision of the three branches of the Rothschild family.”