The Importance of Wine Storage (2024)
Investing in fine wine entails more than just buying and selling; it requires careful storage to safeguard its intrinsic value.
When you store wine at home, a future buyer has no idea what condition it has been stored in. At WineFi, we recognise the critical role of proper storage in ensuring the longevity and appreciation of your wine assets. Our advocacy for storing investment-grade wine "in bond" aligns with industry best practices, and we've partnered with esteemed establishments to deliver premium storage solutions.
Understanding In-Bond Storage
Storing wine "in bond" refers to its placement within a third-party UK government-approved bonded warehouse. These facilities meticulously regulate environmental factors to optimise wine preservation. Key advantages include:
- Environmental Precision: Bonded warehouses adhere to stringent standards, maintaining ideal conditions of temperature, light, and humidity. Such controlled environments mitigate the risk of premature aging or deterioration, ensuring the wine retains its value over time.
- Tax Benefits: Opting for in-bond storage offers fiscal benefits, as VAT and Duty remain suspended while the wine resides within these facilities. This preserves the wine's duty unpaid status and minimises financial liabilities.
Coterie Vaults
At WineFi, all of our client assets are stored with Coterie Vaults, a purpose-built storage facility situated in Suffolk, UK. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coterie Holdings, Coterie Vaults exemplifies excellence in wine preservation, characterized by:
- Cost-Efficient Management: Through our partnership, we've secured preferential rates for storage and insurance at Coterie Vaults. This competitive pricing enables us to extend cost savings directly to our clients, enhancing the value proposition of their wine investments.
- Transparency and Accountability: Upon acquisition through WineFi, clients receive meticulously labeled sub-accounts, affording them comprehensive oversight and control over their portfolios. Our commitment to transparency extends to facilitating asset inspection and audit at the client's discretion, ensuring confidence and trust in their investment.
- Comprehensive Protection: Recognising the inherent value of wine assets, we prioritize comprehensive insurance coverage at full replacement value. This safeguard offers peace of mind, shielding investments against unforeseen risks or contingencies.
Elevating Storage Standards
At WineFi, we uphold rigorous standards to safeguard the re-sale value of our clients' investments. Our storage partners adhere to stringent guidelines, including:
- Temperature Regulation: Maintaining a consistent temperature range of 11 to 14°C, our facilities ensure optimal conditions for wine maturation, mitigating the risk of temperature fluctuations.
- Humidity Management: With humidity levels maintained between 75% - 85%, our facilities preserve cork integrity, preventing moisture loss and oxidation that could compromise wine quality.
- Light and Vibration Control: Recognising the effects of light exposure and vibrations on wine quality, our partners employ advanced measures such as LED lights on sensors and specialised handling vehicles. These initiatives minimise external disturbances, allowing wines to age gracefully without interference.