One of Australia’s rarest wine collections - a full set of Penfolds Grange - will go under the hammer in Adelaide on Tuesday 5 October.

The complete 44-bottle set, which includes one bottle from each of the 1951 through to the 1994 vintages, is expected to bring in excess of $90,000 setting a new world record price.

Not only is the set is in superb condition, it is unique in that each of the bottles from 1951 -1986 are signed by the creator of Grange, the late Max Schubert, with the remaining bottles signed by Penfolds chief winemaker, John Duval.

The Grange set is just part of a stunning selection of some of Australia’s finest and rarest wines to be sold at the Oddbins 25^th Anniversary Premier Wine Auction, a highlight of the biennial Tasting Australia Festival being held in Adelaide from 3-10 October.

According to Oddbins auctioneer, Mr Stephen Lumb, another highlight is a selection of 20 wines from the private collection of the late Max Schubert, AM.

"This historically important offering includes early vintages of Penfolds Grange, as well as experimental wines from the late 1950s and early 1960s," Mr Lumb said.

"All wines bear Max’s signature and come with a certificate signed by Max’s wife, Thelma."

Mr Lumb said for those interested in compiling a set of Australia’s most famous wine, bottles from the 50s vintage were available, with rare examples of the wines made in 1956, 1957 and 1958 - years when production of Grange was meant to have ceased.

There is also a set of 16 Grange magnums with vintages 1979 to 1994 .

Apart from the magnificent collection of Grange, Mr Lumb said the 800-lot auction presented an opportunity to discover classic, historic and collectable wines from all Australian wine regions.

"From small makers such as the 2.5ha Golders Vineyard in Tasmania to the large well established companies like Orlando Wyndham, the auction presents an insight into the range, diversity and absolute quality of wine available to today’s consumer," he said.

"Many of the catalogue items have come direct from the wineries themselves, with smaller makers taking the opportunity to present their wines to the world. Many of the wines have only previously been available through cellar door or mailing lists, or in some cases the availability was essentially an urban myth."

A selection of museum stocks and large format bottles have been made especially for the auction, Mr Lumb said.

Historical and interesting wines include the 1962 Henschke Hill of Grace 1962, a 1956 and 1963 Mt Edelstone, a 1945 Stonyfell vintage port, a 1962 Penfolds 60A, a 1954 Houghton Cabernet, and a 1963 Kalimna Cabernet Bin 64 with the label bearing the word "experimental" and Max Schubert’s initials.

Large format bottles include imperials (6 litres) from Henschke, Baldivis, Chateau Yaldara, Elderton, Fox Creek, Irvine, Orlando, Tatachilla, Wirra Wirra, and Yalumba, and a 9-litre Massoni Lectus sparkling cuvee - the ideal size to see in the millennium.

For those wishing to invest in the future, a barrique of Andrew Harris Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is on offer and available for tasting prior to the auction.

Unique to the auction is the St Hallet "Committed to Shiraz" Outback Tour. St Hallet front man, Bob McLean will host a flight through the outback and back vintage tastings of Old Block, Faith and Blackwell shiraz.

The auction will be held at The Spirit Bond at Penfolds Magill Estate, Penfolds Road, Rosslyn Park in Adelaide on Tuesday 5 October.

Inspection and tastings will be held from 2 to 4 pm. The auction will start at 4pm. The $20 catalogues are now available. For further information contact Merrilyn Middleton or Stephen Lumb at Oddbins Wine Auctions on (08) 8362 4700 or via email: oddbins@oddbins.com.au.