Where To Buy and Sell Fine Wine Investments

For investors seeking alternative assets with the potential for long-term returns and stability, fine wine investments have emerged as a compelling option for diversification—it’s projected that the fine wine market is expected to grow by a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%, from approximately $1.9 trillion in 2025 to $3.3 trillion by 2035.

Combining tangible appeal with strong projected growth, fine wine offers a unique investment path for high-net-worth individuals seeking diversification and enjoyment. This guide walks you through the top ways to buy, hold, and sell wine as part of your portfolio.

Top Options for Buying and Selling Fine Wine Investments

Below are the primary methods used today to access the fine wine market, including how each works, its benefits, and key considerations for each approach.

Direct Purchase of Bottles

• How it works: You’ll purchase bottles directly from retailers, vineyards, or at auction. For example, Sotheby’s auction house offers online auctions to purchase fine wines.
• Benefits: You’ll retain full, tangible ownership of the wine to keep as an investment or for personal enjoyment.
• Considerations: High-value wines require a long-term commitment involving proper storage and insurance. Additionally, beginner investors can expect to wait between six to 10 years before selling, as the wine will need time to mature and gain value. As a result, there’s limited liquidity with the purchase of physical wine.

Investment Cellars

• How it works: A professionally managed investment cellar stores wine in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment on behalf of investors so that it ages properly and can be appreciated. This option typically includes security and insurance as well.
• Benefits: Professionally managed wine storage provides peace of mind and ensures your investment is safe and secure.
• Considerations: You’ll incur storage fees and have less control over your tangible investment since it won’t be in your possession.

Wine-Growing Land Groups

• How it works: You’ll invest directly in wine-growing land like a vineyard.  
• Benefits: You may be involved in the full wine production process. Additionally, you may benefit from land appreciation over time as income is generated from wine production.
• Considerations: A large capital investment is necessary. Compared with farmland used to grow crops, which averages about $4,170 per acre, vineyards are typically appraised at much higher values–in some cases, as much as tens of thousands of dollars per acre.

Specialized Wine Investment Funds

• How it works: Wine investment funds allow investors to engage in fine wine investing without the need for buying, storing, or trading. Funds are pooled from multiple investors to purchase, manage, and trade fine wine, and they’re managed by investment professionals with extensive knowledge of the fine wine market.
• Benefits: Wine investment funds allow investors to invest in fine wines with a reduced barrier to entry and without the need for hands-on management. Fund managers apply their knowledge and expertise to invest on your behalf.  
• Considerations: Management fees can add up, ranging from 1-2% of the investment capital annually, as well as 10-20% of profits (if certain thresholds are met).

Wine Investment Platforms

• How it works: Online marketplaces offer investors a place to buy, sell, and even trade investment-grade wine, similar to other types of assets. Some marketplaces also offer wine storage solutions. Examples include companies like Cult Wines, Vinovest, Vint, RareWine Invest, and CultX.
• Benefits: Wine investment platforms open fine wine investing to a broader audience through accessible digital access.
• Considerations: Before starting wine investing, investors should investigate and compare fees between the various wine investment platforms and research a platform’s credibility and history.

The Bottom Line

Fine wine investments offer high-net-worth investors an alternative mix of lifestyle appeal in their investing, personal enjoyment, and the potential for long-term returns. Whether you prefer collecting bottles, leveraging expert-managed cellars, or using digital platforms, choose your method based on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and preferred level of involvement. It’s important to remember that wine should complement your broader portfolio, not replace it entirely—diversification is always key.