The game between Sunflower and Feitian: Why was the "Sunflower trademark" sold at a high price at the auction?

Key points of this article (organized): In the world of old wine buyback and collection, the game between "Sunflower" and "Feitian" has always been a hot topic among collectors.

1. The alternation of history: the political shift from "Feitian" to "Sunflower"

To understand Sunflower Moutai The value must go back to the special era of its birth. The evolution history of the Moutai trademark is essentially a microcosm of China’s modern history.

1. "Political Crisis" marked by Feitian

As early as 1958, in order to deal with the possible political sensitivity of the early "Five Star (Wheel)" trademark in overseas markets, the Kweichow Moutai distillery introduced the "Feitian" trademark taken from Dunhuang murals for export. However, after the Cultural Revolution broke out in 1966, the image of the fairy in the "Feitian" logo was considered to belong to the "four olds" or "weird powers and chaotic gods" and was no longer in line with the values ​​of the time.

2. The birth of Sunflower logo

In order to reflect the political meaning of "Sunflower blossoming toward the sun", the Kweichow Moutai distillery officially changed its export trademark to "Sunflower brand" in 1967. This trademark witnessed the great changes in Chinese society in the 1960s and 1970s, and carried a strong sense of the times and symbolic value.

---

2. Scarcity Pricing: Why can Sunflower become the “King of Auctions”?

In the field of collection investment, price is often determined by "non-renewability". The core reason why Sunflower Moutai can outperform the ordinary Feitian is its extremely short duration.

1. The fleeting production cycle

The Sunflower trademark only existed for about 8 to 11 years (1967 to 1975). In 1975, because the Sunflower trademark was not as well recognized as Feitian in overseas markets, the Kweichow Moutai distillery decided to restore the "Feitian" trademark and completely changed the label in 1976. Compared with the Feitian brand that has lasted for decades, the production of Sunflower Moutai is extremely limited. One bottle is consumed and one is lost. It is a veritable out-of-print product.

2. Behind the premium price record

According to market records, in 2021, a box of "Sunflower brand" Moutai (24 bottles) produced in 1974 at Sotheby's auction house in London, England, was sold for 1 million pounds, which is equivalent to about HK dollars. 9,000,000 yuan. In 2012, a bottle of "Daye Sunflower" Moutai produced in 1967 was auctioned for approximately HKD 550,000 high price. This rate of return far exceeds that of real estate or gold, giving it a strong "hard currency" attribute.

---

3. Version details: the value password hidden in "Sunflower"

Not all Sunflower Moutai have the same value. When a senior buyback officer authenticates, he will stratify the valuation based on the following details:

1. The legendary "Daye Sunflower"

This is the earliest version of the Sunflower series (1967-1968), named after the larger Sunflower leaves in the trademark pattern. Since it lasted only a few months, it was extremely rare and was once considered a legend. The buyback value of this type of wine in the secondary market is often based on "orphan" pricing.

2. The mainstream "Small-Leaf Sunflower"

Produced from 1969 to around 1975, the main Chinese characters were changed to simplified Chinese characters, which is the main body of Sunflower Moutai currently seen on the market. Although the output is relatively large, it is still difficult to find a bottle of treasures returned from abroad.

3. The legendary "Three Revolutions Sunflower"

In 1978, in order to save resources, the Kweichow Moutai distillery used the remaining 258,000 Sunflower trademarks from the Cultural Revolution period for domestic sales packaging. This batch of wine has the Sunflower label on the front, but the "Three Revolutions" label on the back. This "mix and match" makes it very topical in the old wine market.

---

4. Quality Game: Chemical Aesthetics and Time Value of Old Wine

In addition to its symbolic value, Sunflower Moutai’s excellent wine quality is the physical support for its “hard currency” status.

1. The ultimate expression of "12987" craftsmanship

Sunflower Moutai was produced in the most traditional and pure period of Moutai craftsmanship. Follow the strict rules of one production cycle per year, with two feedings, nine cooking times, eight fermentations, and seven wine extractions. This model of slow work and meticulous work gives the wine a rich flavor.

2. The second brewing of time

The alcohol concentration of Moutai is as high as 53 degrees, which is proven to be the golden point where alcohol molecules and water molecules are most closely combined. After decades of aging, the acids and alcohols inside Sunflower Moutai have undergone esterification reactions. The wine body has become bright and slightly yellow, and the taste is mellow, smooth, and dense. The mature aroma of this "famous wine with collectible value" cannot be imitated by modern new wine.

---

5. Hong Kong’s advantages: tax dividends and global asset allocation

For collectors in Hong Kong, now is the golden moment to re-examine the value of Moutai in their hands.

1. Spirits tax reduced by 90% in 2024

According to the "2024 Policy Address", starting from October 16, 2024, the import price will exceed HKD 200 For spirits, the tax rate on portions exceeding 100% will be significantly reduced from 100% to 10%. This means that the transaction costs of high-end assets like Sunflower Moutai in Hong Kong have dropped significantly and liquidity has significantly improved.

2. Credit endorsement from International Auction Center

As one of the three largest wine and spirits auction centers in the world, Hong Kong has a complete legal system and appraisal mechanism. A bottle that has passed through a professional auction house in Hong Kong or a reputable buyer (such as Wing Fat Trading Company) certified Sunflower Moutai has extremely high acceptance and premium space in both domestic and overseas markets.

---

6. buyback experts remind: How to prevent the "premium price trap"?

Due to the considerable value of Sunflower Moutai, there are endless imitations and top-notch wines on the market. When considering liquidating or collecting, be sure to pay attention to the following details:

• Plastic cap integrity: The genuine rubber cap should be able to rotate slightly but not loosen, and the inkjet code should have an obvious grainy feel.
• Not drinking is the key: The height of the fill level directly affects the value. If the fill level is lower than the bottle shoulder, the buyback value may be significantly reduced.
• Sealing details: For the original box Sunflower, the wrinkles and secret marks on the seal are important basis for judging whether it is original or not.
• Environmental odor: Remember not to store Moutai together with mothballs, perfume, etc. The odor will completely destroy the value of a bottle of old wine.

---

Conclusion: What you collect is wine, but also the residual warmth of the times.

The game between Sunflower and Feitian is essentially a showdown between historical scarcity and mass circulation. Feitian is now hard currency, while Sunflower is an eternal historical orphan. In the current cycle of deep adjustment in the baijiu industry and return of prices to rationality, Sunflower Moutai, which has a real vintage and is well-preserved, is still the flagship asset to resist risks.

Do you have this kind of "hidden version" of collectible wines in your home? Are you looking for a professional, honest and market-oriented buyback channel?

---

📢 Chunxiang Wine Merchants——Professional Moutai and high-end old wine buyback

We have been working in the field of old wine buyback for many years and are well versed in various types of "Sunflower", "Feitian", "iron-cap” version identification and valuation strategy. Whether it's a single bottle or original case, we offer:

✅ Preliminary identification: Preliminary quotation based on drawings, saving you the trouble of running around. ✅ Instant cash transactions: Settlement based on the highest market price and exchange rate of the day to ensure maximum benefits. ✅ Door-to-door service in Hong Kong: We value privacy and have dedicated personnel to follow up.

Get a value for your Feitian Moutai collection

Before turning a collection into cash, organise the Moutai details related to 'Sunflower versus Feitian: Why the Sunflower Label Commands Auction Premiums'. Do not rely only on the highest online asking price; compare the version, condition and current demand. With vintage baijiu, pay particular attention to leakage, the capsule and the back-label typeface.

• WhatsApp instant quotes:46135667 (Click here to chat directly)
• Service scope: Free door-to-door service in all areas of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories, and outlying islands)
• Valuation speed: WhatsApp photo inquiry, reply within 10 minutes
• Delivery method: Same day cash / bank transfer, no hidden fees

WhatsApp inquiry for estimate