A reader named Stan recently wrote with an intriguing question that I’m certain has vexed a number of our WRO regulars, who occasionally come into a rare and valuable vintage wine.
I have had in my possession a 1963 1800ml bottle of Dow’s Vintage Porto for over 10 years now, and am considering selling it. What/where would you recommend that I go about doing this?
Thank you for any help you can give.—Stan
The question is intriguing because I’m not sure there is one good answer for the owner of a single bottle of precious wine (albeit in a large format).
There are auction companies that handle this sort of thing, and some of them even conduct business online. A Google search of wine auctions should provide a few good leads.
But I wonder if the value (I’m guessing it to be around $1000) would fetch the hoped-for return after auction commissions and shipping costs were backed out? I don’t really know.
I know that within the state of California, where I live, once a wine has reached a certain age it can be sold privately by a collector to a wine merchant in a legal transaction. But the wine merchant will be looking for a price well below the retail value because the merchant will have to mark-up the price on the re-sale to realize a profit.
Then there is the donation route. There are numerous charity wine auctions that will accept a donation and give the owner a tax donation credit for the full retail value.
Another interesting way of disposing of a rare vintage is through a trade with a wine merchant or collector. Someone who wants the particular bottle you are offering may be willing to trade wines you would rather have — of equal value — and there would be no need for money to change hands.
Of course, there’s the old-fashioned solution, too. Throw a party and drink it. The 1963 Dow’s was a fabulous vintage, but it has peaked. Seems like a good time to haul out a big hunk of Stilton and invite a few friends over!
8