Hong Kong Tycoon Albert Yeung to Auction Off HK$10 Million Fine Wine Collection at Sotheby’s
Inside Albert Yeung’s HK$10 Million Wine Auction at Sotheby’s
Few cellars in Hong Kong tell a story of passion and prestige quite like that of Albert Yeung Sau-shing. The 82-year-old chairman of Emperor Group — best known for shaping the city’s entertainment scene and building a multi-billion-dollar empire — is now parting with one of his most personal collections: a trove of rare fine wines that will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s on September 10.
Titled “The Majestic Cellar of Dr. Albert Yeung”, the sale brings together 426 bottles with an estimated value exceeding HK$10 million (US$1.3 million). But the numbers only tell part of the story. Each bottle represents decades of careful curation, the pursuit of excellence, and an eye for treasures that define the world of fine wine.
A Cellar of Icons
Among the highlights: 1990 Romanée-Conti, Montrachet grands crus, and legendary vintages from the late Henri Jayer — names that set collectors’ pulses racing. Bordeaux enthusiasts will be equally captivated, with Pétrus spanning nearly half a century (1966–2011), a celebrated Le Pin 1982, and a rare double-magnum of Latour à Pomerol 1947. That last bottle, a unicorn in the world of wine, has appeared at auction only once in the past decade.
“You are greeted by wall upon wall of the greatest names in the world of wine,” said George Lacey, Sotheby’s Head of Wine in Asia. “This is not a high-volume cellar, but one with only the most remarkable jewels.”
The Man Behind the Collection
For Yeung, who has spent a lifetime at the intersection of luxury and culture, the auction reflects both refinement and restraint. Born in Hong Kong in 1943, he began in the watch trade before expanding into real estate, financial services, and entertainment. Through Emperor Entertainment, he launched some of Cantopop’s biggest stars, including Nicholas Tse, Joey Yung, and Twins, and forged close ties with Jackie Chan.
Wine, however, has long been a quieter passion. The bottles up for sale suggest a collector who sought not sheer quantity, but the best of the best — vintages that connoisseurs whisper about, producers that define Burgundy and Bordeaux at their peak.
Hong Kong’s Place in the Wine World
The sale also underscores Hong Kong’s unique role as Asia’s wine capital. Since abolishing duties on wine imports in 2008, the city has become a magnet for collectors and the site of some of the world’s most exciting auctions. Just this May, billionaire Joseph Lau’s collection brought in nearly US$9.4 million, with some bottles fetching upwards of US$41,000.
Burgundy continues to dominate the global market, accounting for more than a third of Sotheby’s worldwide sales in 2024, with Domaine de la Romanée-Conti alone contributing nearly 20%. Yeung’s cellar, rich in these Burgundy masterpieces, is perfectly aligned with the tastes of today’s most discerning buyers.
A Majestic Moment
Whether motivated by market timing or simply a desire to share his treasures with the world, Yeung’s decision offers collectors an opportunity to step into the cellar of a Hong Kong legend. For connoisseurs, the auction promises more than bottles; it offers a chance to acquire history, legacy, and perhaps even a taste of Yeung’s own journey through the worlds of luxury, culture, and refinement.
The full catalog of “The Majestic Cellar of Dr. Albert Yeung” can be viewed on Sotheby’s website here.
