We caught up with Webb’s Head of Fine Wines & Whiskies Marcus Atkinson to explore what it is like selling at auction.
Hi Marcus, selling wines or spirits at auction sounds like a slightly daunting process is it not?
The complete opposite, it is even easier than using any other online bidding platform. We can arrange couriers to collect or you can drop off the items at our Mount Eden cellar and we take care of the rest. You could also request an appraisal by sending us a photo and a brief description. In the case of a larger collection we will arrange a time to come to you. We answer bidders’ questions, we arrange viewings if needed, we handle cartage, and organise payment directly into your bank account.
Is Webb’s only interested in very high end wines and spirits?
In our auctions we tend to have bottles and cases that range in price from $1 reserve through to over $70,000. They cover a huge range of price points and rarity. In terms of what can be achieved — a lucky bidder recently won a pre-aged bottle of 2019 Kumeu River Village Pinot Noir for a hammer price of just $17 and in the same auction we had a Macallan 25 Year Old whisky achieve a total of $4,897 including buyer premium.
What tends to sell well at auction?
Big name brands like Felton Road, Te Mata Coleraine, Stonyridge, Onellaia, Masetto, Sassicaia Lafite, Mouton, Petrus, Cheval Blanc, Domaines Liger Belair, Romanee Conti, Ponsot, Mugnier, Dom Perignon, Krug, Selosse, Macallan, Springbank, Yamazaki, Karuizawa et al.
If I am only selling one bottle, how do you ensure that it is getting enough buyer attention?
Whether you are aiming to consign a special single or handful of bottles, all our vendors benefit from Webb’s significant expertise (we have the largest Fine Wines and Whiskies-focused team of any auction house in New Zealand), marketing infrastructure and a highly established client base. In recent times we have been entrusted with some of the most significant wine collections in New Zealand, such as those of former All Black, Andy Haden and Sir George Fistonich.
What are you personally enjoying right now and what excites you about the local wine industry?
Puiriri Hills Pope from Clevedon is always thrilling to encounter, and the latest 2020 offering should be the best yet, I cannot wait to get my nose into it. Some exciting natural wines with incredible complexity leapt out at me recently, and I loved their ‘unabashed unusualness’.
What about buying at auction, is this something that only suits experts and serious wine buffs?
Given that you can find very affordable, pre-aged wines, these auctions are an excellent place to try new varietals, compare vintages and producers and expand your knowledge base. Likewise, with a bit of research and talking to our team of experts we can help steer you in the right direction. However, auctions are also an excellent place to find those missing gems in an already established and purposeful cellar.
How do I learn more about selling and buying wines with Webb’s?
Join our tastings and attend our live auctions in person. This is a great community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for great wines and spirits and the collecting, investment and imbibing possibilities they represent!
Webb’s Fine Wines & Whiskies Department is currently inviting entries for their upcoming online and live auctions. If you have a bottle or entire cellar you are thinking of bringing to market, please get in touch. We would love to hear from you, offer you a complimentary appraisal and discuss the possibilities. marcus@webbs.co.nz
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay @followers #followers @everyone #everyone #SellWinesandSpirits #webbsAuction
Published: April 2024