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Celebrity Auctioneer Michael Davis

Michael Davis is one of the most experienced wine auctioneers in the world, and arguably the most qualified in North America. In his more than 20 years in the business—with Christie’s, Davis & Co., Sotheby’s, and now Hart Davis Hart —he has presided over some of the industry’s most legendary auctions, setting numerous records under his gavel. His finesse in the auction room and his poised and elegant manner at the podium are well known and he has attracted an immensely loyal following of collectors to buy and sell their fine and rare wine with his guidance.

Michael’s insight on the wine market is highly sought by television, radio and print media and he has been quoted on CNN, NPR and in virtually all wine consumer publications, as well as Time, W, Town & Country, Robb Report and many others. With the formation of Hart Davis Hart Wine Company, Michael Davis returns to the podium with the partnership and backing of the most knowledgeable and service-oriented wine team in the world.

Michael’s foray into auctions began when he was hired by Christie’s New York shortly after graduating from college. He had taken a client services position with the hope of eventually landing in the Photography Department. A trip to the Napa Valley to assist Michael Broadbent at the first Napa Valley Wine Auction in 1980 changed his plans. At Christie’s, Davis assisted with the first wine auctions in America—which at the time were elaborate road shows—and ultimately headed the Wine Department for the firm when all of its wine operations were based in Chicago.

When Christie’s pulled out of the market in 1993, Michael, along with his colleague, Paul Hart, founded Chicago-based Davis & Company Wine Auctioneers. The firm quickly became a prominent international auction house specializing in rare wines. In October 1998, Davis & Company was acquired by Sotheby’s and both Michael and Paul were appointed Senior Vice Presidents and Co-Directors of Sotheby’s North American Wine Department. In Michael’s first term at Sotheby’s, the auction house had a record-breaking year, with wine sales more than doubling.

In the fall of 2003, Michael and Paul’s contract with Sotheby’s expired and he and Paul decided to stay in Chicago to pursue a more focused approach to the business. At this point, Paul and Michael started discussions with longtime friend and esteemed colleague, John Hart, about forming Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.

Their inaugural auction in January 2005 was a resounding success. The auction saleroom was filled to capacity and bidders participated from 32 states as well as Japan, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Canada, China, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Iceland. The auction achieved an astonishing sold rate off 97%, and tallied $2 million, well above pre-auction expectations.

Michael is a longtime Chicago resident and regularly donates his spare time and expertise to various charity auctions across the U.S. and Canada, including the KCBX Wine Auction in San Louis Obispo, the High Museum Auction in Atlanta, the Lyric Opera Auction in Chicago, Toronto Symphony, and Connecticut Public Broadcasting, among others. It’s no wonder the Wine Enthusiast once hailed him as “the hardest working man in the bid-ness.”