2023 Auction Lots

2 – 750ml three (3) bottle sets of Krug “Soloist to Orchestra in 2003” (1 each: Krug Clos du Mesnil 2003 Blanc de Blancs, Krug 2003 and Krug Grande Cuvée 159ème Édition)
2 – 750ml three (3) bottle sets of Krug “Soloist to Orchestra in 2006” (1 each: Krug Clos du Mesnil 2006 Blanc de Blancs, Krug 2006 and Krug Grande Cuvée 162ème Édition)
2 – 750ml three (3) bottle sets of Krug “Soloist to Orchestra in 2008” (1 each: Krug Clos du Mesnil 2008 Blanc de Blancs, Krug 2008 and Krug Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition)

Four (4) day unforgettable trip of a lifetime to the heart of Champagne and Clos du Mesnil for two (2) couples

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from any major city in the contiguous United States to Paris, France for two (2) couples
VIP Meet and Greet, roundtrip airport services with customs assistance
Roundtrip, airport transfers and private ground transportation to all stated activities

Four (4) nights’ accommodations at Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa for two (2) couples
Visit and vertical tasting of Clos Du Mesnil at Krug’s Clos du Mesnil vineyard, with a picturesque, “in the middle of the vineyards” lunch experience in the Clos
Private apéritif and dinner in the Maison de Famille dining room prepared by Three Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Lallement, paired with Clos Du Mesnil, followed by a music experience in the Krug Yurt
Discovery tour of Champagne, including the Krug vineyard and the city of Reims with lunch
Sunset hot air balloon flight over the Champagne region

For nearly two centuries, Krug Champagne has been synonymous with the good life in all its forms. The house was founded in 1843 in Reims by Joseph Krug, who understood that “the true essence of Champagne is pleasure itself.” Since then, six generations of the family have safeguarded the standards of quality and excellence.

Two very lucky couples will experience the ultimate in Champagne with a four-day immersion into the house of Krug. After flying in comfort to Paris, you’ll be whisked away to the nearby Champagne region and transported to your hotel.

The newly renovated Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa reimagines the concept of a wine country retreat. Overlooking the vineyards and the UNESCO World Heritage site that surrounds it, the 47-room hotel is divided into a 19th century post house and a modernist wing. The luxurious accommodations were inspired by the cultural heritage of the region, favoring natural materials to create a sleek and sybaritic environment.

Your party will be treated to one of the rarest of all Champagne experiences: a private, vertical tasting of Krug Clos du Mesnil. In 1971, the Krug Family bought and revived a small 4.5-acre walled vineyard in the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, known as Clos du Mesnil. The vineyard is overlooked by the village church and has been protected by walls since 1698. Initially, its Chardonnay grapes were included in the blend of Krug Grande Cuvée, but from 1979 onward the wine’s sheer class and personality persuaded the family to bottle it separately. It is one of the rarest of all Champagnes, a Blanc de Blancs produced in small quantities from one of the world’s greatest vineyard sites. Your vertical tasting will be followed by a luncheon among the vines.

The gastronomic high points will continue with a private dinner prepared by Chef Arnaud Lallement, owner of the Three Michelin-starred restaurant L’Assiette Champenoise in Reims. Lallement’s cuisine is based on three core themes—local, seasonal and organic, with ingredients carefully sourced from suppliers who share these same values and who are located within a few miles of the restaurant. The restaurant has held the ultimate accolade of Three Michelin Stars since 2014.

You’ll enjoy Chef Lallement’s creations followed by a musical experience in the wooden yurt constructed in the garden of the Krug family house in 2018. Specifically designed for sound experiences, the Krug Yurt—which required more than 900 hours of carpentry and woodwork to create—is the vessel of the Krug Echoes tastings, where guests discover Krug Champagnes with their unique music pairings, a non-technical and unforgettable way to discover Krug Champagnes.

In addition to your unforgettable experiences in the Krug vineyards, you’ll have a tour of the Champagne region and the city of Reims. When Hugh Capet was crowned King of France in the Reims Cathedral in 987, it was the beginning of that city’s 800-year association with royalty. First constructed in the 5th century and rebuilt many times since, the cathedral today is an awe-inspiring experience. Other high points in the city include the Palace of Tau, the Saint-Remi Basilica and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Your overview of Reims will culminate in a hot air balloon flight at sunset.

Each fortunate couple will also receive a vertical of the Krug “Soloist to Orchestra” series in the vintages 2003, 2006 and 2008. At Krug, each individual plot and component is considered to be a fine musician contributing its own unique character to a Krug Champagne. The distinct melody of each wine, its level of freshness, intensity, roundness and depth are all crucial to the creation of the whole. Each vintage will consist of a bottle of Clos du Mesnil, Krug Vintage and Krug Grande Cuvée.

This lot is an unprecedented opportunity to experience the Champagne region from the perspective of one of its greatest houses: four days of magnificent wine, world-class food and evocative music—and it’s ALL for the kids!

Insider's Info

Roundtrip, Business Class Airfare from any major city in the contiguous United States to Paris, France, VIP Meet and Greet, roundtrip airport services with customs assistance, airport transfers and all ground transportation to stated activities are included. The lunch at Clos du Mesnil is a barbecue meal paired with Clos du Mesnil Champagnes and is weather permitting. Non-alcoholic beverages are included at stated meals, and wines are only included as stated. Any additional meals, beverages or activities are at the winning bidders’ expense. Hot air balloon ride is weather permitting. Gratuities are not included, not required and at the discretion of the winning bidders. Visit to be scheduled for mutually agreeable dates at least six (6) months in advance, based on availability and must be redeemed by December 2023. Not available to be scheduled during French holidays, weekends or the month of August. Proposed agenda and visit subject to future COVID-19 rules and regulations.

Donor

The House of Krug