THE ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER WINE COLLECTION OPENS SOTHEBY’S 2011 WINE AUCTION SERIES

HONG KONG, 22 January 2011 The much anticipated Sotheby’s sale of The Andrew Lloyd Webber Wine Collection held today at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, achieving an outstanding total of HK$43.3 million / US$5.6 million which far exceeded the high estimate (HK$21.8 – 32 million / US$2.8 – 4.1 million / £1.8 – 2.6 million*).  The 6-hour sale was 100% sold by value and by lot, adding to the success of Sotheby’s Hong Kong in maintaining the twelfth consecutive 100%-sold wine auction in Asia in the last 21 months –  making a total of 7,306 lots sold.  The saleroom was filled to capacity with spirited and jovial bidding from all over Asia – in the room, on the telephone and via the internet – demonstrating the strong enthusiasm for the classic French wines from this great collection.

Lord Lloyd Webber, commenting after the sale: “I hope the new owners enjoy my wines as much as I have and look forward to reacquainting myself with them in restaurants all over China when Cats starts its national tour in Mandarin.”

Serena Sutcliffe M.W., Head of Sotheby’s International Wine Department said: “This was a tremendously exciting sale which reflected the great quality and range of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s cellar.  Top Bordeaux and red Burgundy really ‘took off’, but it was particularly warming to see knowledgeable Asian buyers snapping up the fabulous white Burgundies from what must be the best selection so far offered in the region.”