What is WineAlpha?
WineAlpha is a wine advisory working principally with private, trade, and institutional clients with interest in the market
for rare and collectible wine. We also periodically undertake consultancies for brand owners, and our corporate events
are best-in-class (and not at all stuffy!)
for rare and collectible wine. We also periodically undertake consultancies for brand owners, and our corporate events
are best-in-class (and not at all stuffy!)
Advising
Buying:
WineAlpha provides buying advice to collectors at every stage, from beginning collectors looking to start a collection, to owners of
some of the world's largest collections. We provide the advice you need to realize your collecting objectives. These objectives can include investing in wine as an asset, buying the very best wines for drinking—or a bit of both. We help you to evaluate all of the offers
in the market (from merchants, auctions, and private sales) in terms of value, condition, and provenance so that you build a collection of AAA-quality wines perfectly suited to your wishes.
WineAlpha provides buying advice to collectors at every stage, from beginning collectors looking to start a collection, to owners of
some of the world's largest collections. We provide the advice you need to realize your collecting objectives. These objectives can include investing in wine as an asset, buying the very best wines for drinking—or a bit of both. We help you to evaluate all of the offers
in the market (from merchants, auctions, and private sales) in terms of value, condition, and provenance so that you build a collection of AAA-quality wines perfectly suited to your wishes.
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Selling – or not:
When you feel it is time to take some profit off the table, WineAlpha can help you to maximize your returns through practiced negotiation of estimates, reserves, and contract terms. We will survey all options: live auctions, buy-out offers, consignment options, and private sales. We will get you a contract with all of the features you need, including some things you didn't know to request. Some wine collectors would like to keep their wine but put the value of their collection to work. For top-quality wines impeccably stored, it is possible to use the asset value of the collection to collateralize a loan. WineAlpha will help you evaluate offers from all lenders. |
Securing:
As with all personal property assets, wine must be properly shipped, stored, and insured. WineAlpha has contacts throughout the U.S., U.K., Asia, and Europe to ensure the integrity of your collection.
As with all personal property assets, wine must be properly shipped, stored, and insured. WineAlpha has contacts throughout the U.S., U.K., Asia, and Europe to ensure the integrity of your collection.
Appraising & Inspecting
Charles Curtis is certified as an appraiser of wine and spirits by the Appraiser's Association of America. He has been providing USPAP-compliant appraisals (those that conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) since 2012. These are serious, professional appraisals that will stand up to the scrutiny of lawyers, bankers, and insurance adjusters. We regularly work with all types of appraisals, especially the following:
A specific format of Fair Market Value appraisals can also be used in conjunction with the IRS form 8283 and appropriately-prepared deeds of gift to establish the value of non-cash charitable contributions for income tax purposes.
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In addition to formal appraisals, WineAlpha can also inspect collections to establish and document the condition and authenticity of your wine collection. The ideal—particularly with high-value acquisitions is to inspect before purchase. When this is not possible, we can inspect collections and, where necessary, address issues with vendors relating to condition and authenticity.
Commercial Insights
WineAlpha is also available for work with trade clients on special projects. These are individually-designed consultancies ranging from launching a product in Europe or Asia to creating educational materials and events around a particular wine brand to performing due diligence for suppliers of private label wines.
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SpeakingCharles Curtis has deep experience creating compelling wine events for many audiences, beginning with ordinary consumers with no special knowledge of fine wine. His simple, down-to-earth approach (and background as a chef) can engage even those with the most nominal interest in the topic. Knowledgeable consumers and keen collectors will be delighted with his depth of knowledge and ability to source top wines for any budget. We organize events for private and corporate clients alike.
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