What is A Unicorn Wine & Where to Find It (10 Best Bottles)

Unicorn wine is a term used to describe some of the rarest, most elusive, and sought-after wine bottles in the world. 

The term has become increasingly popular in the past few years, and it seems like an increasing number of wine lovers and collectors are on the lookout for these precious wines.

Whether you want to obtain unicorn wines for investment or prefer sipping on these exclusive drinks at your next pool party, getting your hands on a bottle can be quite hard.

So, how exactly do you go about finding a unicorn wine? 

We’ll cover the exact characteristics of unicorn wines, 10 great unicorn bottles you should add to your wine list, and how Vinovest can give you exclusive access to such rare bottles.

What is Unicorn Wine?

Named after a mythical creature, the unicorn wine category does carry a certain degree of enigma, elegance, and mysticism. 

But what exactly defines a unicorn wine?

Let’s take a look at some of the unofficial criteria that wine experts (like Rajat Parr) have come up with to define unicorn wines:

• Production size: The wine has to be produced in a very small batch - about 200 cases or so.
• Rarity: The wine is usually hard to find - you might see a bottle only at a special event (like an auction or an exclusive tasting.)
• Price: There are no price limits for unicorn wines, so they don’t necessarily come with a hefty price tag.
• Winemaker: In some cases, the winemaker is retired or no more alive, adding to the brand’s mystique.

Note: The thing is that while these are some good guidelines the wine culture society has come up with, they’re not set in stone. So, a unicorn wine doesn't necessarily need to check every item on this list. 

But one quality is common among all bottles that have unicorn status - they’re rare, hard to find, and sought-after by wine geeks and enthusiasts all around the world. 

Fun fact: There’s an urban winery called Unicorn Wine Guild and Tea Room. This unique Ohio-based winery offers wine and food pairing and afternoon tea events.

Next, let’s see some of the most exciting unicorn wine bottles you can add to your wine list.

10 Best Unicorn Wines

Here are 10 of the most sought-after unicorn wines that are desired by wine geeks, lovers, and enthusiasts all around the world:

1. 1995 Sine Qua Non 'Queen of Hearts' Rose (Sine Qua Non 'Queen of Hearts' Rose 1995 ($96,805)
2. 1993 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru ($44,633)
3. 1921 Chateau Cheval Blanc ($39,599)
4. 1821 Grand Constance ($26,198)
5. 1907 Heidsieck & Co Monopole Gout Americain Brut ($2,049)
6. 1929 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Les Gaudichots ($27,073)
7. 2002 Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru ($7,760)
8. 1985 Marius Gentaz-Dervieux Cote Rotie Cote Brune ($3,744)
9. 1990 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru ($10,090)
10. 2010 Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier Clos de la Marechale ($287)

1. 1995 Sine Qua Non 'Queen of Hearts' Rose (Sine Qua Non 'Queen of Hearts' Rose 1995 ($96,805)

This limited edition Californian Rose was produced in only 25 cases (300 bottles.) It was the first Rose edition that the Sine Qua Non unicorn winery ever produced, and the winemaker never meant to release it for sale. 

So, the wine cannot be found in the market or bought through the winery’s exclusive mailing list, which raises this label to exclusive unicorn status. At this point, only a handful of bottles are traded at auctions, and the rarer the wine gets, the higher the price becomes.

2. 1993 Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru ($44,633)

Lalou-Bize Leroy, who is in charge of Domaine Leroy, pays close attention to the vineyard practices and keeps the winemaking process as natural and organic as possible. 

This means production numbers are usually low. The wines created are unique and pure, often selling for tens of thousands of dollars. 

In exceptional vintages like 1993, production lots of these natural wine labels can be minuscule -  about 2 barrels per batch. So if you’re a wine lover with an affinity for organic and natural wine styles - this might be the perfect gift for you. 

3. 1921 Chateau Cheval Blanc ($39,599)

This 100-year-old wine made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc has undoubtedly survived the test of time. 

The 1921 vintage was excellent, and the Cheval Blanc producer managed to create beautiful wines with high alcohol and phenolic content. With only a handful of these old vintage wine bottles, the competition for obtaining them is fierce. 

4. 1821 Grand Constance ($26,198)

Hailing from a historic unicorn winery, this 200-year-old wine was specially made for Napoleon Bonaparte. However, the French political leader died before the wine was released. Today, there are fewer than 12 bottles in the world. 

The Grand Constance sweet wines are made with raisined Muscadel and Pontac red grape varieties - a true delight for any wine lover who gets a bottle of this unicorn wine.

5. 1907 Heidsieck & Co Monopole Gout Americain Brut ($2,049)

This is one of the most expensive and unique Champagne bottles in the world. 

The wine has aged for almost a century in a shipwreck at the bottom of the Baltic Sea (about 60-65 meters below surface level.) The wine cases were smuggled on a ship to Russia in 1916 when a German submarine hit the ship. In 1997, a Swedish salvage team found the wine cases. 

The unusual storage conditions helped preserve the Champagne, making it a one-of-a-kind collectible that any wine connoisseur would love to get their hands on.

6. 1929 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Les Gaudichots ($27,073)

This wine is produced by one of the most iconic wine estates, from one of the most unique terroirs, and in one of the century’s greatest vintages. This makes it one of the most desired wine labels in today's wine culture society. 

While it’s more than 90 years old, this DRC Pinot Noir wine showcases incredible longevity and well-preserved red fruit taste characteristics.

7. 2002 Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru ($7,760)

This is a sublime white wine from Domaine Leflaive - one of the most renowned Chardonnay producers in the wine world. The wine is ripe and powerful with a complex palate and refreshing acidity. 

This bottle makes the perfect gift for any white wine lover. 

8. 1985 Marius Gentaz-Dervieux Cote Rotie Cote Brune ($3,744)

This is an exceptional red wine made from the Syrah grape variety. This wine was crafted by the legendary wine producer Marius Gentaz. The production numbers are a mere 600-800 cases of the estate’s tiny vineyard plot in Cote Rotie. 

9. 1990 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru ($10,090)

Coche Dury produces some of the finest Chardonnay wines. The 1990 white wine vintage was exceptional, and the winemaker produced a small batch of extraordinarily sensual wines aged in new oak and stirred on their lees. 

This resulted in great wines with rich texture, citrus fruit aroma, and brioche hints.

10. 2010 Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier Clos de la Marechale ($287)

This rich red wine is a coveted Pinot Noir from the exceptional terroirs of Nuits Saint Georges. This rare wine is extremely tannic and flavorful, with subtle minerality taste and soft aromas.

It’s the perfect addition to any celebration, so don’t hesitate to indulge in a glass of this unique red at your next dinner or pool party.

How to Invest in Unicorn Wines and Other Fine Bottles

Sourcing fine wines is usually tough, and finding unicorn wines is even tougher. Such rare bottles are usually in possession of very few lucky ones.

So, how can you obtain a few of these rare bottles for yourself?

Vinovest is an AI-based wine investment platform that can help you transform your love of rare wine into a profitable passion! Vinovest assists with everything from wine buying, storing, and selling to giving you access to a deep network in the wine world and special event opportunities. 

Vinovest’s Master Sommeliers will advise you every step of your wine investment journey, ensuring you build a winning wine portfolio. 

Additionally, suppose you want to sip on a glass of the wine you just bought through the platform. In that case, Vinovest can also deliver it to your doorstep, no matter your location - whether that’s San Francisco, Napa Valley, or France! 

What are you waiting for? Sign up today and obtain some of the most collectible bottles in the world.

Obtain Iconic Unicorn Wine Bottles Today!

Unicorn wines attract many investors, wine connoisseur professionals, and Sommeliers. They’re the holy grail in the wine world, and obtaining a unicorn bottle is a great achievement. 

Are you ready to get on the fast track to obtaining a coveted bottle of unicorn wine? 

Sign up with Vinovest today to get exclusive access to the most desired wine bottles from Napa Valley, San Francisco, Burgundy, and other renowned wine regions.