Services & Fees
Everything included. One fee. On sale.
2% on sales. Nothing else.
Most advisory firms charge an annual management fee of 1–2% regardless of performance, sometimes with an additional success fee on top. We do not. Cellar Advisor charges no annual fee, no retainer, no acquisition mark-up, and no custody fee. Our only revenue is a 2% commission on confirmed sale proceeds.
If your cellar does not grow, we do not earn. This is the only fee model that creates genuine alignment between advisor and client.
How the model compares.
On a £100,000 portfolio held for five years, a 1.5% annual management fee costs £7,500 before the portfolio has moved, and compounds upward as the portfolio grows. Our 2% sale fee on a portfolio that has appreciated to £140,000 is £2,800. The difference is not marginal.
Storage costs at LCB Eton Park are passed through at cost. We do not apply a custody mark-up. Storage charges are typically £12–18 per case per year depending on format, and are billed directly by LCB Eton Park.
What is included.
Portfolio strategy & construction
We develop a written investment strategy tailored to your goals, timeline, risk appetite, and currency. Regional allocation, vintage diversification, and format selection (75cl vs magnum) are all agreed with you in advance.
Trade-only sourcing & acquisition
All wine is sourced at trade prices through our Liv-Ex membership and négociant network. You receive the wine at cost. We do not mark up on acquisition.
LCB Eton Park bonded storage
Every bottle is held in your named account at LCB Eton Park, Nottingham — HMRC-approved bonded storage with named title, climate control, and insurance to current Liv-Ex market value.
Quarterly portfolio valuations
Full mark-to-market valuations using Liv-Ex mid-prices, with 12-month and since-acquisition performance data, delivered quarterly by your portfolio manager.
Monthly market reports
Index movements, significant auction results, vintage assessments, and our forward view on the market, delivered to your inbox on the first Monday of each month.
Dedicated portfolio manager
A named individual who knows your cellar, your timeline, and your goals. Available by phone or email. No helpdesk, no ticketing system.
Cellar audits for existing collections
Full audit of an existing cellar: valuations, provenance assessment, storage quality review, and an honest appraisal of wines that no longer meet investment criteria.
Sale execution
We list and execute sales through Liv-Ex, merchant networks, and private treaty. Our 2% commission applies only on confirmed sale proceeds, not on the gross listing price.
Common questions.
Is there a minimum investment?
We build portfolios at every level. The right starting point depends on your goals and timeline. Speak with an advisor to discuss what makes sense for you; there is no obligation and no minimum to begin a conversation.
What currencies do you accept?
We advise clients holding portfolios in GBP, USD, EUR, CHF, and AED. Acquisitions are typically denominated in the currency of the wine's origin (EUR for Bordeaux and Burgundy, GBP for UK merchants). We can advise on hedging strategies for clients with strong currency views.
Do you accept cryptocurrency?
Yes. We accept Bitcoin and USDC as payment for wine acquisitions and storage. See our dedicated page on cryptocurrency payments for more detail.
How long should I plan to hold?
Fine wine is a medium-to-long term investment. We generally recommend a minimum holding period of three to five years; ten-year horizons produce the most consistent results. We can discuss liquidity requirements and build a holding structure that accommodates planned redemptions.
What happens when I want to sell?
You instruct your portfolio manager. We list through Liv-Ex and our merchant network, execute at the best available price, and transfer net proceeds to you within five to ten business days of settlement. Commission on sale is deducted from proceeds. You receive a full settlement statement.
What are your fees if I transfer wines I already own?
When transferring existing wines into Cellar Advisor's care, our fees are: 2% if you are selling to reinvest with us, 7% if you are selling to exit. This covers valuation, pricing strategy, buyer outreach, negotiation, settlement, and all LCB movements.
Ready to discuss the numbers?
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