HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s announced their inaugural auction with SK Networks on 30 October 2010 at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. SK Networks is a major subsidiary of Korea’s third largest conglomerate, the SK Group, who in 2005 expanded their outreach to wine by creating a wine business division and the Wine Networks brand to promote their venture. SK Networks started as a post-war textile business, which quickly blossomed into a worldwide force with holdings in natural resources, telecom, finance, automobiles, and fashion.

Using their unprecedented buying power, SK Networks now has some of the most impressive allocations from the top classified Bordeaux growths. In short, SK Networks can offer wines in rarely seen quantities from the best châteaux. This auction alone features 161 cases of Lafite with 20 case parcels each of 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996, and 2003. There are 15 or more cases of Latour 1995, 1996, and 2003; Margaux 1996 and 2003; and 100 cases of Mouton-Rothschild including 20 case parcels of 1995, 1996, 1998, and 2003. The sale also includes 17 cases of Haut-Brion 1990, 15 cases of 1998, 10 cases of Margaux 1990, and most notably, 20 cases each of Lafite, Latour, Margaux, and Mouton-Rothschild; all from the now legendary 2000 vintage.

SK Networks’ wine holdings, which amount to many millions of dollars in value, are kept in London or Bordeaux, in some of the world’s finest storage facilities - adding an extra layer of trust and security to a group that is fast becoming one of the most significant players in the Asian wine market. The pristine quality of the wine was confirmed by Sotheby’s thorough inspection process which took place over several days.

The quality and volume of this auction is momentous and estimated to fetch in excess of HK$27.3 million/ US$3.5 million.

Serena Sutcliffe MW, Worldwide Head of Wine at Sotheby’s says this of the SK Networks Collection, “Blue-chip Bordeaux is the bedrock of the fine wine trade and we are deeply conscious that Asians prize these vinous classics more than anyone. So it is logical that we should bring this superb line-up of Bordeaux’s greatest names to auction in Hong Kong, the city that has distinguished itself as the centre of appreciation for these stunning bottles.”

Mr. Suk Hyun Kang, Head of Wine Business at SK Networks said, “SK Networks entered the fine wine market only five years ago. Wine Networks, which is based in Seoul, is now active across the world with a presence in the established wine centers of Bordeaux and London as well as Hong Kong which is now one of the true centers of the global fine wine market. We are therefore delighted that this selection of great vintages from the very best Bordeaux Château is being offered by Sotheby’s Hong Kong. The sale is an opportunity for wine collectors in Asia and around the world to acquire these excellent wines all of which are offered in pristine condition.”