Webb’s was delighted to bringThe Cellar of the Auckland Wine Club to market in a single-owner online auction, which achieved white-glove sales status: every lot sold.

A white glove auction is a rare and highly successful auction where every single lot offered finds a buyer, also known as a "100% sell-through rate". The story behind the 'white glove' name, is the tradition of presenting the auctioneer a ceremonial pair of white auction gloves at the end of the sale to celebrate such a major achievement. 

As reported in the NZ Herald Newspaper’s Canvas Magazine, this white glove sale at Webb's is a result that reflects the exceptional quality of the collection and depth of appetite among New Zealand's wine community for cellars assembled with genuine conviction. Likewise, it is a testament of the tenacity, expertise and acumen of our Fine Wines & Whiskies team. 

Our thanks to John Bergin and the Auckland Wine Club for entrusting this remarkable collection to us. To the new custodians of these bottles: may they be opened at precisely the right moment.

Carefully curated by the club’s Cellar Master, John Bergin, this offering represented the kind of cellar every wine lover aspires to build, shaped by years of thoughtful collecting, deep knowledge, and genuine passion for wine. For John, the experience was refreshingly straightforward. Webb’s specialists visited at home, taking the time to hear the stories behind the collection and to appreciate the depth and care of the cellar firsthand.

“There's a lot of love and care that's gone into this cellar, it's been well looked after. But the time has come, and we've made the decision to work with Webb's, to find people that will really appreciate the love, concern, and care, that's gone into each bottle".— John Bergin

Together, a clear plan was agreed, after which the team meticulously documented and professionally packed each bottle, transporting the collection to Webb’s for individual photography and specialist cataloguing.

From there, everything was managed seamlessly—the marketing, bidding, buyer enquiries, and shipping—leaving John free of complexity or administration. Following the sale, he received a detailed results report, prompt payment, and the gratifying feedback of bidders who described the auction as truly exceptional.

The Auckland Wine Club was established in the mid-1980s by John and a group of like-minded enthusiasts, united by a shared ambition: to access wines at their ideal moment of maturity. Its origins were characteristically colourful. After returning to New Zealand with a range (and quantity!) of remarkable bottles sourced on his travels, John’s growing imports eventually drew the attention of customs, who advised that a licence would be required to continue. One thing led to another, and the Auckland Wine Club was born. What began as an interest shared between friends evolved into something far more enduring, a cellar that grew to thousands of bottles, and a community defined by curiosity, generosity, and a deep appreciation for fine wine. Notable highlights included the 2017 Terra Sancta ‘Slapjack’ Pinot Noir, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Aszú 5 Puttonyos, South African Pinotage and René Rostaing Côte-Rôtie.

With the Club reaching the end of its journey, this remarkable cellar was then offered in its entirety at Webb’s, where its legacy continues with those who share the same love and interest in great wine.

We were truly delighted to bring this collection to auction, honouring the Club’s ethos of curation, passion and provenance.