THE WORLD’S DESTINATION FOR FINE & RARE WINE™

What began as a package store in 1820, today stands as the largest global wine auction house, the oldest and most respected wine shop in America, and the world’s destination for fine and rare wine™. In its over 200-year history, Acker Merrall & Condit, now known simply as “Acker,” is a true one-stop shop for expert wine services in every form. Since beginning its fine wine auction business in the US in 1998 and Hong Kong in 2008, Acker now has a presence in over 10 countries with over 130 employees worldwide. The company conducts live auctions nearly every month out of its Delaware and Hong Kong outposts in addition to weekly internet auctions. Acker cemented its position at the top of the wine auction market by being the first wine auction firm to exceed US$100 million in revenue between all of its affiliates in 2011, and crossed the $1 billion mark in auction revenue in 2018, achieving upwards of 5,000 new world records at auction each year.

Acker’s culture is deeply rooted in customer service, upholding a commitment to the highest standards. The company’s vast array of amenities include a world-class wine club, fine wine retail inventory, a wine concierge service, advisement on wine investing, cellar consultations and appraisals, first-class wine education programs, bespoke events and tastings, and corporate business services, in addition to its crown jewel, global fine and rare wine auctions. Acker has come to the forefront in recent years as it pioneered wine industry technology allowing consumers access to its twenty-plus years of auction data via the Acker Markets Platform to track the top regions, producers, and vintages in the fine wine market. Now in its third century in business, Acker remains committed to embracing technology and emerging trends, while remaining dedicated to its foundation of offering fine and rare wine to collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

HISTORY

In 1998, the third generation of the Kapon family led by John Kapon, expanded the retail store operation to conduct independent, live auctions in New York City. Rather than follow in the footsteps of traditional auction houses who, at the time, charged commissions to both buyer and seller, Acker set itself apart by removing the sellers commission entirely, attracting many new collectors to the world of wine auctions. Generally known to be little more than open rooms with rows of chairs facing an auctioneer, Acker’s auctions became food and wine celebrations – convivial, social gatherings hosted at some of New York’s best restaurants - all of which were “bring your own bottle” friendly and offered tastes of wines from the collections being sold. Almost overnight, the wine auction archetype was transformed from a starchy, stiff, business event to a vivacious assembly of oenophiles, and Acker continued to set itself apart from its competitors. It remains to this day an innovator in the wine industry, embracing technology and emerging trends, while employing a unique, warm, and welcoming approach to offering fine and rare wine to collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

Only ten years after its first auction in New York City, in 2008 Acker became the first auction house to recognize the growing thirst for wine in Asia and held its first Asia sale on May 31st in Hong Kong. Acker Asia’s first sale was a tremendous success, selling over $8M USD to a market recently freed from prohibitive tariffs on wine. In 2011, Acker cemented its position at the top of the wine auction market by being the first wine auction firm to exceed US$100 million in revenue between all of its affiliates, setting hundreds of world records for wine throughout the year in the process. It crossed the $1 billion mark in auction revenue in 2018. That record was shattered in 2021, when Acker crossed the $1.5B lifetime threshold at auction, and sold over $200M across its businesses in that year alone. In 2021, Acker launched its official Spirits Department, with global expert representation in the US, Asia, and the UK. Dedicated spirits auctions and events began to serve this deeply active yet underserved segment, and the spirits market continued to boom.

With affiliated companies in Hong Kong, New York City, Tokyo, the United Kingdom, and further expansion on the horizon, Acker hosts live auctions every month, and has a constantly running internet auction, providing its clients constant access the world’s best wines and spirits. Today, it is the world’s largest wine auction house, atop the wine auction market in revenue earnings for the majority of the past decade. Its name is synonymous with personalized, polished, and expert services in all areas of wine and spirits.

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    Please note there will be a credit card usage fee of two percent (2%) on the total auction purchase price up to the credit card payment limit of USD$15,000, HKD$150,000, or SGD$20,000 for live auctions, and on the total amount charged on internet auctions (except where prohibited by applicable law).