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The Story of Chris Thiran - Founder of Belgium Wine Watchers & Best Wine Auctions

Chris Thiran, the founder of Belgium Wine Watchers and Best Wine Auctions, is not your typical wine merchant. His journey into the world of fine and rare wines didn’t begin in a grand château or exclusive vineyard, but rather in the kitchen of his own brasserie, Sablon, located in Brasschaat, Belgium. Driven by a deep passion for gastronomy, Chris was not only the owner but also the chef, crafting dishes from scratch and serving them straight from the heart. His dedication to quality and authentic flavours laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable wine business
“A great bottle of wine deserves more than just a place in a cellar — it deserves a journey, a story, and the right buyer. Our job is to make that happen, with precision and respect.”

— Chris Thiran,

Founder of Belgium Wine Watchers & Best Wine Auctions

bww history
bww history auction

A Spark Ignited by One Unlikely Bottle

It all began with a visit to a wine auction in the heart of Antwerp. Chris purchased several lots of older wines, including a selection of bottles from 1970 labeled Château des Sablons — an unknown château, but one that happened to share its name with his restaurant. He decided to offer it as a suggestion on the wine list. The response was immediate and enthusiastic. Customers found the wine unique and delicious. Their reaction sparked something in Chris: curiosity turned into passion, and soon into action. He began attending auctions more frequently and started adding mature, unusual wines to his wine list. Demand grew quickly — faster than what could be consumed within the restaurant. What started as a culinary side note was turning into a serious opportunity. Chris began placing ads and buying wines directly from private cellars in the region.
SHOP ALL WINES

From Brasserie to Belgium Wine Watchers

As the wine collection grew, storage and service within the brasserie became impractical. In 2000, Chris launched a separate business upstairs — literally on the second floor above the restaurant. Belgium Wine Watchers was born. Chris lived a double life. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., he worked on the wine business. From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., he ran the brasserie. From 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., he welcomed wine clients again, and at night — often until 1 a.m. — he returned to the world of wine. Mondays, when the restaurant was closed, were reserved for visiting private wine cellars. After two intense years of balancing both businesses, he made the decision to close the brasserie and focus entirely on wine.
bww history collection