Lyric Wine Auction 2023 Royal Ascot Adventure

A five-night royal adventure for four, replete with a visit to the Royal Ascot, England’s finest sparkling wines, and luxury accommodations. See below for full details of this lot.

Bids must be received by electronic submission using the link below by 3:00 pm Central time on Friday, April 28. Winners must submit copies of the passports for all four guests to the Lyric Wine Auction office by Saturday, April 29 to allow time for the advance security clearance required of everyone admitted to the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot. Failure to provide the requested information by Saturday, April 29 could result in the forfeiture of portions of this auction lot.

About the event

Feel just like royalty on this decadent and exclusive trip featuring one of the most quintessential British experiences — Royal Ascot! Begin your weekend by checking in to one of London’s most iconic five-star luxury hotels, Claridge’s. Set in the heart of Mayfair, Claridge’s is an art deco icon and a byword for understated elegance. Since the 1850s, Claridge’s has excelled at the finer things in life: glamorous design, inspiring dining, and impeccable service.

The “quite right” trip in London continues with the Sipsmith Distillery. Enjoy a private tour of their enchanting distillery in West London, learning about the handcrafted process of making the quintessential expression of a London Dry Gin, followed by a cocktail session with founder, Jared Brown. You and your guests will also enjoy lunch at a restaurant nearby.

Then, descend upon Royal Ascot, with fascinators expertly crafted by Sarah Riffle of City Mouse Adornments and member of Lyric’s creative team. There you will join Simona Vassilev and Ted Vassilev from DTR Modern Galleries in the invitation-only Royal Enclosure. The origins of the Royal Enclosure can be traced back to 1807, when an area was reserved exclusively for family, guests, and the Household of King George III to view the first running of the Gold Cup. The Royal Enclosure as it is known today was established in the mid 19th century when the Emperor of Russia, Nicholas I, visited Ascot for the first time as a guest of Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert. The concern raised from an impromptu descent into the Winners’ Enclosure by the Emperor, the King of Saxony, and Prince Albert to examine the winner of the Queen’s Vase, prompted authorities to enclose the area in front of the Royal Stand in 1845. Excluding the Royal Stand, this area immediately became the most exclusive part of the racecourse.

Royal Ascot is also equally synonymous with sartorial elegance, being awash with exquisite fashion and magnificent millinery creations. From the arrival of the Royal Procession to the communal singing around Ascot’s Bandstand, each of the five days is an event that must be seen to be believed.

At the conclusion of your London experience, you will then venture to the English countryside in Kent for the Icons Experience at the Gusbourne Estate. Your stay during the Gusbourne experience will transport you back to medieval times with a fascinating history. Located in the center of Rye, East Sussex, The George coaching inn in Rye was renovated to create one of the most stunning hideaways on the south coast. The building dates from 1575 and has an enviable heritage. An eclectic and contemporary design has been given to this historic fabric using a wide range of antique and modern furniture, materials, and art. The result is a comfortable blend of old and new, creating an atmosphere which is relaxed, informal, and individual.

Upon your visit to Gusbourne’s beautiful 60-hectare estate, you will understand why this unique parcel of land produces such outstanding fruit year after vintage year. For the first time, wine lovers have the opportunity to taste wines from an extraspecial portfolio, available exclusively through the Gusbourne Icons Experience – an immersive tasting and dining event hosted by one of the knowledgeable Gusbourne Ambassadors who will lead guests through a tutored masterclass, inviting you to explore the story of each wine from soil to sun, vine to grape, tank to barrel to bottle.

To complement a specially created lunch menu, the Ambassador will select one of Gusbourne’s limited-edition wines to pair with each of four courses prepared on site by Head Chef Anthony Coppard. Your Ambassador will pour Gusbourne’s rarest limited-edition bottles, including older vintages, still wines, and its very special new prestige Cuvée. A money-can’t-buy treat for you and a guest, you will join either Chief Winemaker Charlie Holland or Global Brand Ambassador Laura Rhys, MS for a private dinner. And to help you reflect and reminisce about your wonderful time spent in England, two magnums of Gusbourne are included to toast with friends and family upon your return!

Bidding will close Friday, April 28, 2023 at 3:00 PM. The starting bid is $30,000. Please place your best and final bid by the stated deadline. The winner will be contacted by the Lyric Opera team on Saturday, April 29. Payment must be received by Saturday, April 29. Bidders are responsible for any applicable fees or taxes.

Current bid: SOLD

Current bid amount will be updated each business day.