New York

NEW YORK RETAIL

 Victor Rabot 
 Fine Wine Buyer 
 Victor.Rabot@sothebys.com

A French citizen who grew up in Agen (in southwest France), Victor lived in Hong Kong from 2011 to 2019, when he began working for Jebsen Fine Wines in their private/corporate division. He joined Sotheby’s in July 2016. Victor’s passion for wine started in 2005 after visiting domaines in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, meeting the people and learning the story behind their wine. “It was something very special,” Victor says. “Since that time, my passion has never stopped.” After high school, he spent two years studying winemaking and viticulture in Saint-Emilion. Victor has a bachelor’s degree and an MBA in Wine Marketing and Management from Bordeaux International Wine Institute (part of INSEEC Group). His studies allowed him to work in various wine regions of France, from Bordeaux (at Château Pape-Clément) to Bandol.

“What is enjoyable with wine is that it brings people together, but it’s also about discovery because each wine is different,” he says. “When I am not working with wine, I read about it to learn more.” Victor is always open to new producers and regions, but his favourite is the Rhône Valley. He also enjoys film photography, watching movies, trying new restaurants, going to the beach and surfing.

Cat Stephani 
Fine Wine Sales Associate
Cat.Stephani@sothebys.com

After over a decade immersed in the rich culture of New York City fine dining, Cat joined Sotheby’s Wine in 2021, bringing her vast experience as a sommelier, beverage director, and wine educator at some of the top beverage programs across the country to the Sotheby’s Retail Wine Department.

From humble beginnings as a cellar hand for Laurent Tourondel, to her work with three Michelin-starred wine lists, Cat is thrilled to now be sharing her visceral expertise of the fine wine world directly with Sotheby’s clients. She brings a tailored approach to a wide range of curation, inspired by the culture, history, and sense of place that a glass of wine somehow tethers and invites us together to share.

“What drew me to working with Sotheby’s was very simple. You have an unparalleled selection at your fingertips. The immediacy of storied classics alongside emerging lights of both traditional and developing wine regions offers a rare and rewarding sense of discovery, one I have never been able to resist.”

Cat holds a Level II Certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers as well as a Level III Advanced Certification through WSET, where she is currently pursuing the Diploma Program.

Tom Baxter 
Fine Wine Sales Associate
Tom.Baxter@sothebys.com

Tom joined Sotheby’s in August of 2020 as Administrator for Wine and Spirits in London. With no previous auction house experience, his first foray into the auction world was a steep learning curve, but one that taught him a great deal.

Prior to joining Sotheby’s, Tom worked at two Michelin-starred establishments in London, gaining experience both as a wine buyer and as a sommelier on the restaurant floor. Alongside this, he obtained the Certified qualification from the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2019 and in 2021 passed the WSET Diploma in Wine and Spirits.

Tom holds an MA in Chinese Studies from Pembroke College, Cambridge and speaks French, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. He relishes every opportunity to use these languages in his work.

In his current role as Fine Wine Sales Associate in New York City, he enjoys nothing more than learning about wines within their cultural context, sharing his passion with others and making new discoveries in the ever-evolving beverage market.

WORLDWIDE

Jamie Ritchie
Worldwide Chairman
Jamie.Ritchie@sothebys.com

Jamie’s claret obsession has kept him at Sotheby’s since first joining in London in 1990 (that’s 50% of his life!). “I still remember the chateau name and vintage of some wines that my father served the family when I was a teenager, so there was obviously an early interest. At 18, I was buying wines that I liked by the case,” Jamie says.

“Long ago, I calculated that if I lived until I was 70 and drank a bottle of wine every day, I would have 20,000 great experiences. I was pretty sure I would drink those 20,000 bottles, so I decided that I had better learn something about it. There are two ways to enjoy wine: work in the business or earn enough money to buy it. I chose the former.”

Jamie launched the first Sotheby's wine auction in New York in 1994, and loved the U.S. so much that he made it his permanent home. Today he is Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s Wine, leading both the retail and auction business. The best place to find him is on a plane, traveling the world for Sotheby’s Wine. He regularly attends tastings and client dinners, visits wineries and conducts auctions for countless benefits. Jamie earned the WSET Diploma in 1988.

In his spare time, Jamie stays in shape by playing tennis, golf and hiking, likes to spend time with his family and travel with them.

Serena Sutcliffe, MW
Honorary Chairman


Serena is the Honorary Chairman of Sotheby's Wine, having previously been Worldwide Head for twenty-five years, from 1990 to 2015. She is a Master of Wine, passing the exam at her first attempt, and is considered one of the world’s leading authorities on wine.  A former Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine, Serena was made a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government in 1988.  She was elected to the Académie Internationale du Vin in 1993 and, in 2002, she received the New York Institute of Technology’s Professional Excellence Award.  In 2006, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Society of Bacchus America. Also in 2006, Serena was awarded the title of Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur for her seminal work in promoting and selling French wines.  She is the first person in the British Wine Trade to receive this honour. 

Serena is an internationally recognised wine writer and renowned taster, and writes regularly for many international publications.  She is a regular lecturer and broadcaster in Europe, the United States and Asia.