Restoration of Legendary French Wine Hidden During WWII

On June 2, 2026, eight remarkable bottles of French wine, Chateau d’Yquem, were restored. These bottles survived the upheavals of World War II and communist rule, hidden beneath the floor of a Czech castle.

The renowned sweet white wine, originating from a collection of 136 bottles, was uncovered at Becov nad Teplou in the 1980s. It belonged to the Beaufort-Spontin family, who fled Czechoslovakia at the end of WWII under suspicion of Nazi collaboration.

The wine lay hidden under the floorboards alongside the St. Maurus Reliquary, believed to contain bones of St. John the Baptist, until communist police discovered it. While the shrine went to Prague for restoration in 2002, the wine remained.

In 1984, the family enlisted Danny Douglas, an American businessman, to retrieve the wine. This led to its discovery when authorities realized Douglas’s intentions. Ten years ago, rescue efforts for the wine began.

Chateau d’Yquem took charge of the restoration, caring for their 1892 and 1896 vintages. According to cellar master Toni El Khawand, their small tasting confirmed the wine’s authenticity and flavor. Laboratory tests also verified its legitimacy, allowing the wines to be re-bottled.

The re-bottling resulted in five full restored bottles returned to Becov. El Khawand described the tasting as a “magical experience,” noting its unique aromas and complexity, such as cedar, dried fruit, saffron, cinnamon, and nutmeg, with hints typical of aged Chateau d’Yquem.

Although recent Chateau d’Yquem vintages sell for hundreds of dollars, El Khawand emphasized the wine’s moral and historical significance over financial value.

While there are no auction plans, Becov intends to exhibit the wine and cognac collection, featuring an 1899 Pedro Ximenez sherry and an 1892 port. They have launched a fundraising campaign for the exhibition, aiming for more extensive analysis and further restoration if possible.

This unveiling comes shortly after the discovery of another wine collection in Georgia, featuring bottles associated with figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Joseph Stalin.