Collecting fine wine and spirits

Marcell Kustos, Founder and Director of Future Cellars

I like the idea of collecting, but I’m not sure I know enough about wine to get started. Can you help?

Absolutely! We can advise you on all aspects of starting, building and selling your wine collection. I’m a passionate wine lover with many years of experience in building cellars and wine lists of all shapes and sizes. Getting to understand your tastes in wine – now, and as they mature – is all part of the fun.

Will I need to commit a lot of money to make this interesting and worthwhile?

Ultimately, the amount you spend will depend on the type of collection you want to have. But you don’t have to commit a lot to make it interesting. There is something for everyone, with bottles suitable for cellaring starting at $50. If you are interested in wine for the longer term, based in classic wine regions, we’d recommend a minimum of $250 a month if you choose to start a Cellar Plan or around $5,000 for kick-starting a cellar. If you want to collect first growths, Grand Cru Burgundies and equivalent, your budget will need to be bigger.

When and how do I pay for my annual Cellar Plan membership?

We’d like to deliver you a seamless and welcoming collecting experience. Instead of charging your annual Cellar Plan membership upfront, we broke it into quarterly fees to be paid at the start of each quarter. Throughout each quarter, we identify the most suitable bottles for your taste and incorporate allocated wines into your collection by the end of each quarter. In particular, allocations work on a periodic basis, and we receive unmissable offers from time to time. Quarterly billing allows us to negotiate deals and utilise your funds more efficiently and flexibly.

What does the Cellar Plan membership fee include?

Your quarterly billed membership fee is essentially your investment into building your cellar. Quite literally. In the Future Rare plan, we expertly source wines worth at least $7,500 per quarter on average and in the Future Grand Cru, at least $3000 per quarter on average. No hidden management fees. In fact, we will do our best to procure wines at below market prices and after 12 months, Future Cellar will make a contribution to your collection and you can end up with up to 20% added value compared to your spend.

How much will you help me plan my collection?

We’ll help as much or as little as you would like. Generally speaking, we find a balanced input from you and us works best. If you just want access to the most sought-after wines, then we’d suggest you give Future Cellars permission to act on your behalf. Then, we can secure relevant wines that fit your cellar from small parcels. If you’re building a cellar to enjoy in the future, we would suggest a collaborative approach with a balance of purchasing decisions made between you and Future Cellars. It allows you to pick what you know you like and for us to find the little gems that you may not know you love yet.

What are the basics of a good, balanced cellar I should definitely have? 

The classic Australian regions and varieties and internationally, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Rhône, Piedmont, Tuscany, Rioja and Napa Valley never go out of fashion.  These will normally form the foundations of any balanced wine collection due to the combination of age-ability, availability, and value across different price points. We also recommend up-and-coming producers from classic regions and underdog appellations that offer a curio and high potential to increase in value. From a whisky perspective, the big names from Scotland, Japan and the USA should also be in the mix.

If I start collecting today, it will be years before my wine is ready to drink. Can I buy mature wines now?

Certainly. Future Cellars offers a comprehensive cellar management service, from sourcing to storing to selling. We regularly secure more mature stock directly from wineries and private collections. We can advise you on well-priced options or purchase on your behalf.  

I don’t have a wine cellar at home. Can you help me with storage options?

Absolutely. Fine wine is precious, and it will only retain its value and mature gracefully if it is kept in the most optimum conditions. Our secure, temperature-controlled warehouse is the perfect environment in which to keep your wine until you are ready to enjoy it or sell it. Depending on your Cellar Plan, professional storage might be included. Alternatively, you can add storage option to any Cellar Plan for an additional fee.

What if my tastes change and I no longer want what’s in my cellar?

 Future Cellars offers liquidation services through our extensive wine trade network. There are no listing fees, and we take a fixed 10% commission on any sale. This fee covers our advice, valuations and we will also coordinate the sale for you.

In your view, what is the best thing about having a collection of fine wine?

The thrill of opening a bottle of wine you know has been stored impeccably and that probably isn’t available anymore (or certainly not for the price you paid 3-5 years ago), is great. Fine wine is also an alternative investment that regularly outperforms the S&P 500 – if you are looking to diversify your portfolio. But, for me, the ultimate enjoyment is sharing bottles with friends and introducing them to the pleasure of fine wine. 

I have a lump sum of money I’d like to use to start a cellar, can you help?

A lump sum is a great way to start a cellar – and a wonderful position from which to plan future purchases. We would be delighted to speak with you to discuss your requirements.