Cellar Investment Partners is introducing a new investment fund that focuses on the wine market. The alternative investment fund was registered in Luxembourg last month.
“Our approach isn’t about uncovering hidden gems; rather, we’re targeting wines that consistently deliver strong returns year after year,” said general partner Kristian Nooitgedagt and managing partner Eran Habets in a conversation with Investment Officer.
Habets, who previously served as managing director at MeesPierson and has recently transitioned from whisky to wine investments, explained the rationale behind the fund. He continues to operate as a wealth management consultant alongside his new venture.
Rising demand for real assets
The growing interest in real assets has been a significant trend in recent years, driven by investors’ desires for better portfolio diversification, inflation protection, and tangible collateral. “Moreover, by investing in this fund, an investor becomes a co-owner of thousands of bottles of wine, offering a unique emotional dividend,” said Habets. The fund also benefits from the low correlation with other investments and the increasing global demand for wine, which is coupled with limited production.
“Wine consumption is rising worldwide, while production levels remain constrained,” he added.
Habets also notes the impact of climate change on wine production. “As the climate warms, production decreases, which in turn drives up prices,” he said.
Transparency in wine pricing
Within the realm of real asset investments, wine is considered one of the most established markets. “The active trading in wine markets leads to transparent price formation,” said Habets.
Nooitgedagt elaborates on the pricing dynamics, comparing it to other real assets where prices are often derived from outdated auction results. “For example, determining the value of a rare whisky can be challenging if the last auction data is from a year ago. In contrast, wine trades daily on professional marketplaces like the one in London, providing up-to-date pricing. This makes it easier for investors to accurately value a bottle of wine.”
To enhance their investment strategy, Cellar Investment Partners has partnered with Gertjan Verdickt, a wine specialist and professor at the University of Auckland. Verdickt has developed a comprehensive database that includes historical auction prices and regional returns, enabling the fund to make informed purchasing decisions. “This allows us to buy wines at favourable prices,” said Habets.
Factors influencing wine prices
Several factors influence the pricing of wine, including the country and region of production. Traditional wine-producing countries such as France, Spain, and Italy continue to dominate the market. Additionally, the winery, vintage, and quality of the wine play crucial roles.
Wine quality is typically assessed by five institutes, the most prominent being Wine Advocate, which uses a 100-point scale similar to Morningstar’s ratings for financial products. “A 100-point rating is the gold standard,” said Habets.
Investment strategy
The fund will primarily invest in investment-grade wines, which are those that receive high scores from critics like Wine Advocate and have a proven track record. “We avoid over-investing in older vintages, as wines eventually become undrinkable,” Nooitgedagt pointed out. The portfolio will predominantly feature younger wines to ensure liquidity and potential for growth.
Regional diversification is another key aspect of the fund’s strategy. “For example, wines from Bordeaux offer stable returns, while some Italian wines are more affordable but come with higher price volatility. We’re aiming to benefit from a mix of regions,” said Nooitgedagt.
Habets highlighted the growing popularity of specific top wines in Asia, where consumers prefer familiar brands. “These wines are easier to sell than, say, a lesser-known and more expensive Burgundy. We consider these trends when structuring the fund.”
Exit strategy
The wine fund has a planned duration of ten years, with the expectation that each bottle will be held in the portfolio for six to seven years. The fund will also have a phased approach to buying and selling the wines.
At some point, an exit strategy will need to be implemented. “Selling wine isn’t as straightforward as selling shares,” Habets explained. One option is to use B2B trading platforms like Liv-ex in London, which connect sellers with traders and importers worldwide, offering competitive prices. Another option is to sell through auction houses, which often fetch higher retail prices, particularly for iconic or unique wines.
“Auctions are the best exit for rare bottles, but they aren’t suitable for large volumes,” Nooitgedagt added. The fund will keep all options open to ensure flexibility.
Investors in the fund will also have the opportunity to purchase the wines themselves, provided they can do so at market value.
Target returns
Habets and Nooitgedagt aim for an annual net return of 8 percent, based on historical data, though they see potential for higher returns.
“Ultimately, we’re not searching for hidden gems; we’re focused on wines that consistently perform well according to our criteria,” said Nooitgedagt. “The wines in our fund won’t be selected just because they’re popular.”
Habets added with a smile, “Of course, there’s a good chance the wines will be delicious too.”
This article originally appeared in Dutch on InvestmentOfficer.nl.