Burgundy's tip of the market is two domaines — and one owner
WineCap 2026: Leroy and d’Auvenay take 17 of the top 25 most expensive fine wines and 64% of combined value. DRC still #1 at £195,406 a case. Only one non-Burgundy in the top 25.
The tip of the fine-wine list is not a region. It is two domaines under one owner.
The Drinks Business, 3 September, on WineCap’s ranking: Domaine Romanée-Conti is still the most expensive case at £195,406. Second is d’Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet at £186,419. Of the 25 most expensive brands in 2026, 17 come from Domaine Leroy and Domaine d’Auvenay. Together they account for 64.1% of the list’s combined value. Both houses belong to Lalou Bize-Leroy, who also keeps a 25% share of DRC.
WineCap: at this end, price tells a story about scarcity as much as quality. D’Auvenay farms 3.87 hectares across 16 appellations. Some parcels make a few hundred bottles. Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet is 0.064 ha. Leroy is tiny holdings and some of Burgundy’s lowest yields.
Only one wine outside Burgundy cracks the top 25: Chave Ermitage Cathelin at #15, £61,143. White Burgundy is 36% of the names and 43.4% of the value. Average white case £102,197 against £74,822 for red.
Seventeen of the top 25 fell an average 2.0% over 12 months. The summit stayed Burgundy.
Mini-concept: a correction can trim a percentage. It does not open the cellar door on 0.064 hectares.
A flavoured can has no waiting list. These cases are priced for scarcity first.
Remember: 17 of 25 most-expensive names are Leroy or d’Auvenay — 64% of the value.
Source: The Drinks Business