IN SUPPORT OF THE SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM FOUNDATION
Paris, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr successfully concluded the online sale of Ornellaia's La Vitalità Vendemmia d'Artista 2023, a unique collaboration with renowned artist Marina Abramović, achieving a 100% sell-through rate by lot and value and outperforming pre-sale estimates.
The auction, which ran online from 11 to 23 June 2026, realized a total of €128,216 across 14 lots, all sold. The sale featured a range of highly collectible formats of Ornellaia's 2023 vintage, including unique signed bottles, imperials, large-format collections, and exclusive winery experiences. The results underscore the continued international demand for Ornellaia's Vendemmia d'Artista series, which brings together exceptional winemaking and contemporary art through limited-edition releases and unique collector experiences.
The top-performing lot was a unique Salmanazar No.1/1 (9 liter) of Ornellaia La Vitalità Vendemmia d'Artista created and signed by Marina Abramović and accompanied by a rare vineyard dinner and overnight stay for six guests. The lot achieved €23,560, surpassing the pre-sale estimate and leading a competitive auction. This unique piece was conceived by the artist as a combination of elements engaging the temporal dimension of life and the senses. At the top of the bottle a red wax cone-shaped candle, inspired by one of her iconic artworks, Energy Hat, can be lit. As the flame slowly burns, it marks the time of rituality and prepares the moment for wine. Beside it, a 45-rpm vinyl record by Nino Rota accompanies the gesture, transforming the space through music. The label provides instructions: "Slowly drink wine with eyes closed and listen to the music."
"For the second consecutive year, Bonhams is delighted to continue its partnership with Vendemmia d'Artista, bringing together fine wine, contemporary art, and philanthropy. Through this collaboration with Ornellaia, collectors acquired unique bottles while supporting the Guggenheim Museum in New York and its mission to enrich culture globally." said Amayès Aouli, Global Head of Wine & Spirits, Bonhams.
"We are extremely proud of the result of this auction, which will contribute towards preserving this important artistic heritage and ensuring its accessibility for future generations. We are pleased that the outcome of this edition can once again support the activities of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, strengthening a collaboration based on the shared values of conservation and accessibility of art." added Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of the Group.
Other highlights included:
• Imperial No.5/10 and Imperial No.6/10 matching set with a winemaker dinner for six guests sold for €16,120. These two bottles are individually numbered 5 of 10 and 6 of 10 and signed by the artist, who has interpreted the idea of vitality in a project centered on the theme of self, intended as an act of awareness and determination in capturing her own image.
• A unique wooden collection case containing twelve bottles of Ornellaia 750ml, including the full vertical of twelve Vendemmia d'Artista 750ml labels produced from 2012 to 2023 sold for €13,640 against an estimate of €6,000 to 9,000. For the 750ml label, Abramović created a design based on concentric circles formed by a series of signs of different colors, representing the energy generated by the union of many individual elements when they form a single whole. This lot also included a private tour of either The Guggenheim New York, The Peggy Guggenheim in Venice or the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
• An Imperial No.10/10 signed by Marina Abramović with a private visit for two guests sold for €9,920
A curated tribute to Italian wines, Italian Masters: Iconic Wines from European Cellars, will be live on Bonhams.com, running from 25 June to 9 July.
(Press Release)
