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Why Invest In Wine?
Investing in wine is about more than just financial return – it’s about building a cellar that delivers pleasure, pride and lasting value over time.
While the fine wine market has faced some headwinds in recent years, it remains a compelling long-term asset. Unlike more volatile financial markets, fine wine has historically demonstrated resilience and steady performance, making it a reliable store of value. In fact, today’s market conditions present attractive opportunities to secure world-class wines at favourable prices – a rare moment for collectors to enter or rebalance portfolios ahead of the next upward cycle.
Demand for top-tier producers remains strong. Iconic wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and beyond continue to hold global appeal, underpinned by limited production and enduring prestige. These are the ‘blue-chip’ names of the wine world – consistently sought after by collectors, drinkers and wine investors alike.
Fine wine also offers a natural form of diversification. A well-structured cellar – balanced across regions, vintages and producers – can help mitigate risk and support long-term portfolio performance.
Above all, we are wine merchants, not financial advisers. Our role is to guide clients towards wines with proven track records, strong provenance and long-term potential.
FAQs
Why should I invest in wine?
The key points that tend to attract investors include:
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Tax efficiency, as there is no Capital Gains Tax on wine sales (up to a value of £400,000)
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Diversification within an investment portfolio
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A tangible asset, physically held in a secure environment and registered in your name
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A stable, long-term investment with growing global demand and consumption
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Relative liquidity — thanks to our relationship with Liv-ex, wine can be traded with ease
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A more engaging investment in an increasingly technical and complex financial landscape
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An unusual dividend — should things go well, the returns can be quite delicious
What is the right wine to invest in?
Wine investment is a highly specialised area of the market, traditionally centred around four to five dozen wines, predominantly from Bordeaux. As the prices of these wines have risen sharply in recent years, the market has begun to broaden — moving beyond the choicest Bordeaux Châteaux to include fine Champagne, Super Tuscans, cult Napa estates, and, increasingly, the great wines of Piedmont.
As with any investment, success lies in choosing the right stocks at the right time.
How do I check the value of my wine?
Farthinghoe has adopted brand-new technology that gives our clients an industry-first level of control and transparency. We are proud to be the only company in the UK offering clients the ability to view the real-time value of their wine portfolio, place bids, and sell their stock directly — all through a beautifully designed, personalised dashboard.
Powered by data from Liv-ex, the world’s leading fine wine trading exchange, our system provides live bid/offer pricing and last traded values for most wines on the market. Liv-ex connects over 440 trade members globally, typically listing more than £20 million worth of fine wine at any given time.
Why does some wine go up in value?
With some estates producing only limited quantities, demand for great vintages remains consistently high. Advising on how to select the right wines to invest in is something we do regularly at Farthinghoe. Wine tends to increase in value over time because:
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Demand steadily outstrips supply
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Certain wines surge in popularity in new markets
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As reputation grows, so too does value
Do I need to know a lot about wine?
No – you don’t need an in-depth knowledge of wine to begin investing. That’s exactly where we come in. At Farthinghoe, we’ve been advising clients on individual wine investment portfolios and strategies since 2005.
Our Managing Director, Alex Cox, has worked with private clients across the UK and advised international investment firms based in Singapore and Hong Kong.
It’s important to note that wine investment is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and, as with any investment, portfolio values can go down as well as up. If investing is of interest, any member of our experienced sales team would be happy to discuss a tailored investment portfolio with you.
Where do I keep my wine?
Your wine is stored at Octavian in Corsham, which is widely considered the finest bonded wine storage facility in the UK — and arguably the world. It is held in an account under your name, ensuring you retain full legal title at all times.
How long do I need to invest for?
Investing in wine is not a short-term, quick investment. A medium- to longer-term strategy of five years or more is advised.
What are the risks?
The wine investment market, like most markets, is cyclical and influenced by sentiment. However, a well-balanced, structured, and diversified portfolio can help mitigate fluctuations and provide a natural hedge over time.
How do I start?
Give us a call on 01295 811188 – we’d be delighted to answer any questions you may have and work with you to create an investment strategy and portfolio tailored to your tastes, goals and philosophy.