Additionally, both cars and wine are best enjoyed and appreciated with a beautiful backdrop and equally enthusiastic people.

In essence, that’s what the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is all about – exotic cars and equally expensive wine.

Taking place over the past weekend at the beautiful Lake Como in Italy, automobile aficionados gathered to admire and spend money on their passion. 

While some soaked in the atmosphere of what is essentially a petrol head’s daydream, classic car collectors armed themselves with Euros as the wheels of the bidding war started rolling.

Highlighting the extravaganza was the Sotheby’s auction, generating a total revenue of 27.6 million Euros - around R361 million during the auction. The star of the show was a historic 1952 Ferrari 212 Export Barchetta, which sold for 6.72 million Euros (R87.9 million).  

According to managing director of Sotheby's Europe, Max Girardo, the Ferrari 212 is the perfect embodiment of what these auctions are all about.

Also coming under the auctioneer’s hammer were Ferraris F40, F50, 288 GTO and the Enzo – each fetching well into the seven figures.

The Concorso d’Eleganza also included motorcycle exhibitions and displays of cars ranging from yesteryear to concepts and prototypes of the future. 

Next to the Monaco Grand Prix, which also took place over the course of the weekend, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este is probably one of the only events where cars and wine mix perfectly.

Photo Credit: Tim Scott