Tim Triptree MW

International Director, Christie's Wines & Spirits Department

Master of Wine; Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Vintners; Chevalier, Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne

Tim Triptree Master of Wine is the International Director of Wines & Spirits at Christie’s Auction House. As well as being a Christie’s auctioneer, Tim’s main role is in the planning, sale curating, and execution of Christie’s wine & spirits auctions internationally. With four years’ experience working at Christie’s in Hong Kong, but now based at Christie’s in London, his role includes the sourcing of wines & spirits consignments, along with the inspection, the authentication and valuations. In addition Tim advises on collections, on developing client and wine producer relations, hosting wine events, master-classes and talks, and acting as a wine and spirits ambassador for Christie’s worldwide. During his 20 years at Christie’s, Tim has been involved in many memorable and highly successful auctions, including the sale of the 1926 Macallan in 2018 that broke the world record for a bottle selling at £1.2 million and in April 2024, Tim was the lead on the Le Gavroche Part 1: The Restaurant & Part 2: The Wine Cellar online auctions which were 100% sold.

Tim joined Christie’s Wine & Spirits Department in 2005 having graduated with an MBA Distinction (Wine Business Management). He completed the WSET Diploma, gaining a Distinction in 2008, winning the Sherry Institute Scholarship and Constellation Scholarship. Tim became a Master of Wine in 2018 and was awarded the Trinity Champagne Scholarship whilst on the MW study programme. At the Master of Wine awards ceremony, Tim received the prestigious Noval Award for the best Research Paper which examined trends in the use of reserve wines in Brut NV Champagne.

Tim is a Senior Judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards, judging Bordeaux, Burgundy & Rhône having started as a panel judge in 2017 and has contributed to tasting articles on red and white Bordeaux for Decanter magazine. He was Senior Judge at the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, has been a judge at the International Wine & Spirit Competition, and regularly judges at the Drinks Business Global Masters Series. Tim was a contributing author to the 2022 book “On Champagne”, writing a chapter on Prestige Cuvée Champagne.

Current employer: Christies

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Communication

Industry sector(s): Agency/Importer, Auctioneer, Author, Buying, Consultant, Educator, Events, Fine and rare wines auctions, International trade, Marketing, Off trade, Project management, Sales, Wine authentication, Wine judge

Wine styles: Champagne, Fine and rare wines, Fortified wines, Madeira, Port, Sherry, Sparkling wine, Still red, Still white, Still wines

Wine region expertise: Alsace, Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Champagne, Chile, China, France, Germany, Hungary Tokaj, Italy, Jerez, Loire, Mendoza, Mosel, Piedmont, Portugal, Priorat, Rhone, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Spain, Tuscany

Market expertise: Asia, China, Europe, France, Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands, North America, Oceania, Portugal, Russia, Scandinavia, South America, South East Asia, Spain, United Kingdom, Global fine wine and spirits auctions

Specialisms: Branding, Direct to consumer, Events, Fine wine auction business, Food and wine pairing, Investment strategies, Marketing wine, New business development, Events, Routes to market, Supplier/customer relationships, Wine auctions, Wine judging