How to sell vintage wine

How about Craigslist?

 

You can sell at wholesale prices to major retailer like Zachy's, K&L, etc., but may I suggest having Winebid handle the sale: http://www.winebid.com/

 

I have a few expensive bottles too and when I went to sell them, I spoke to a couple brokers. They told me that because I was not a known collector and couldn't prove how the wine had been stored etc, that I wouldn't be able to get close to top dollar. As such, I just drink it...

 

Not easy.
If you are not a known (to major broker) collector,regularly dealing with major auction houses like Hart & Davis familiar with the conditions in your Wine Cellar,getting published top values is virtually impossible.
When you have a relationship with them,the entire process is painless and relatively easy.
There are a lot of great name wines in private cellars but even when perfectly looking outside ,a lot of them are just vinegar.

 

I'm afraid that I don't understand, can you elaborate? I believe the seller sets the reserve level; that's why similar bottles in different lots often have different reserve prices. Lots on WineBid range from $10 to thousands.

 

Alcohol is prohibited on Craigslist http://www.craigslist.org/about/prohibited.items

eBay is not a likely option unless you are a pre-approved dealer http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/alcohol.html

 

Send me the details of the wine, I'll pass them on to a friend (VP of Vincor/a Constellation company) he might be interested.

[email protected]

 

Thank you! Like most every day, I've learned something new!

 

I would reccomend that you contact your local chapter of the Chaine Des Rottiseures and or your local Maitre De Escoffier chapters... then send an email to the members with your asking prices. its hard to sell vintage wine if you are not connected with a dealer. I used to buy from Sothebys, but have not been active for quite a while...

Mouton depending on the year can range from $85 to $1000... for a 750 ml bottle. check out Kevin Zraly's book on wine for best years etc...

 

Why don't you post up what you have and price (in FerrariAds/miscellaneous) and see if someone here is interested?

 

Depending upon each state's liquor laws it may be possible to sell to a retailer, a restaurant or post a notice in a wine store's bulletin board. If you do tastings at places with other winos try having a list that can be passed around for the other participants.

In California stores can buy collections. In Seattle I one time bought some wines based upon a notice on a store's bulletin board.

Jeff

 

You could try you local wine shop. I sold some to mine. Biggest question they will have is how it has been cellared. If you've taken care of it they will most likely buy, but not at retail prices.

Donations to charity auctions also can work well, if you don't need the cash.

 

www.winecommune.com

I buy and sell 50-100K there per year.

 

Do you have cases or 1s and 2s to sell? Singles are more difficult to move and will be priced accordingly.

I'm personally interested to hear what you have. PM me any time.

 

A lot of the advice given so far is spot on.

I too would like to know what you have.

Another avenue would be Stefan at Blicker Pierce and Wagner in Napa.

 

I have a bottle of Justino Henriques Rare Rainwater dated 1872 that I was looking into selling. My father had purchased it years ago, so I do not know what the storage history of it is. I was wondering what would be a good location to get more information regarding selling it. I appreciate any thoughts or information that is shared.

 

Exactly correct. He didn't lead you astray.

We see it all the time, people call us with a bottle of "X' and they want to sell it. After discovering that it has been stored on top of the 'fridge for the past 3 years they tend to be pretty unhappy when we tell them it has no value on the collector market.
We won't even get into the fact that selling any alcohol to another person without a license is illegal.

 

You can check out commerce corner on erobertparker.com or forums at winespectator.com. Of course, they will be skeptical of authenticity and provenance.