The Facts
Aguttes announced an auction of 120 magnums of La Chablisienne's Chablis Les Vénérables 2017, which traveled aboard the schooner Persévérance between the North Pole and the South Pole. The bottles departed on June 21, 2023, and returned to France on March 14, 2024, after a 55,000-kilometer voyage. From October 6 to 8, 2026, Aguttes will host an exhibition of expedition artifacts, including a model of the schooner, navigation instruments, and photographs. The auction will take place on October 8 at 8 p.m., with proceeds benefiting Dr. Jean-Louis Étienne's scientific project studying the Southern Ocean, a key carbon sink.
The Signal
The voyage, which included La Chablisienne managing director Damien Leclerc aboard, imparted unique aging characteristics to the wine due to constant motion and pressure changes, enhancing aromatic complexity. For collectors, these magnums represent a rare convergence of fine wine, polar exploration, and scientific philanthropy. The auction offers not only the bottles but also experiences such as cellar visits and crew uniforms, making it a distinctive opportunity for investors seeking objects with a documented provenance tied to a high-profile environmental mission. The sale signals growing market interest in wine with narrative-driven provenance, particularly when linked to climate research.
- People: Jean-Louis Étienne, Damien Leclerc
- Auction Houses: Aguttes
- Locations: Paris, Concarneau
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