So I suspect that there may be multiple intersecting threads here (state of the wine market, “must have” allocations, etc) but I’m looking for some thought partnership…
The 2024 allocation offers are flooding in. Like I expect many of you did, I went really deep into 2023 and the cellar is bursting more than usual. This has perhaps caused me to be more pensive about what I’m buying (a good thing, I expect).
Some observations:
With a notable exception (thank you @scott.becker), allocation prices are either up or flat vs. 2023 in a less attractive vintage.
Secondary market prices have generally fallen (sometimes sharply.)
Wines that I would not historically find on the retail or auction market are increasingly there in broad quantities.
I think about purchasing an allocation for three reasons:
Availability: To guarantee access to the wines I most want
Hedging: preventing the historical post-release markup/premium
Community: To support the wineries I really appreciate in both good times and bad
The combination of pricing inversion (secondary prices lower than allocation price) and increased availability really struck me today. I’m really questioning whether to continue to purchase on the primary market anything other than my “must haves.”
The “community” aspect is increasingly important to me, so at the same time I find myself more willing to support small/new producers (thank you, Berserker day!) so my potential behavior change really seems to apply to more established midsized/larger producers.
Curious how you all are thinking about this? I’m trying not to turn my back on producers I really enjoy but the logic for purchasing now seems really poor.
An (obvious) implication – The doom loop has begun and unless these producers can regain control of their supply chains so that their products aren’t widely available, differentiate their offer to us “members” beyond price, or offer something else other than free tastings that are otherwise available to the public for a fee I’m not sure how midsize wineries will keep me (and therefore I expect a bunch of others…) at a great cost to themselves.
Correct (US domestic) - but I believe similar dynamics exist elsewhere (I stopped buying all but a few BDX futures for many of the same reasons a few years ago)
I’m in a similar situation. I did go big on 2023’s and on top of that, my 300 bottle storage is full. Overflowing actually. So generally speaking I’m trying to be very picky about what to buy this year and really have to narrow it down to the must haves. There are a few I know I will always buy. I did buy some stuff on Berserker day but I have skipped out on my early 2026 releases almost entirely so far.
On top of this, I did welcome my first child in 2025 and plan to load up on the 2025 vintage to commemorate their birth year. I’ll take any recs for 2025 gems to be on the lookout for! (Domestic and international)
Reading through WB I do see a lot of sentiment of pumping the brakes on buying ( or at least trying to) for various reasons like retirement, cellar space, allocation cost etc.
But only because my tastes changed, the wines and wineries I’m interested in have changed, I’m out of room in my wine fridge, and money is.. well.. finite. Oh and I decided I like Burgundy LOL.
For tastes: I’ve been spending more on Pinot Noir and Champagne. It’s what we drink the most of now. Have less desire to explore outside of those areas.
For the wineries: I had to ask myself why I was buying certain wines. There was a time where I thought (and this is silly) that I had to buy wines so that I could one day visit… or would need specific gifts / to impress a boss. Neither has really materialized. I bought certain Napa wines that I’ve never needed to open as a result (not Realm). When it comes to Realm, I just haven’t opened any yet. I’ve tried the Bard twice and loved it - and I still WANT to drink Realm and visit someday. I just am currently saving my money for other things I enjoy. I’m hoping a visit will reinvigorate my love of these wines.
There are new wineries I’m interested in (places like Beta and MOWE) which I’m enthusiastic about because of the enthusiasm here.
And then there’s Burgundy. I’ve had some amazing experiences trying Burgs within the last 2 years and would like to buy more (as funds allow)
I just got another wine fridge so yes :D, I only buy from 3 CA sparkling projects (Westborn, Haliotide, and BXT), two CA/FLX Riesling projects, as well as one small Napa cabs project (MOWE) with two or three more on serious consideration (Sown, Riverain, Nacra) as my annual purchases.
Everything else is up to debate because between me and my bf, we already filled up our existing fridges with champagne, OR bubbles, CA/OR PN and C from BD16/17, as well as Burgundy and BDX which I really dgaf.
Like someone said here, we don’t have a drinking problem, but a buying problem
In the past couple of years I have stopped buying winery direct. With the exception of Weis Vineyards in the Finger Lakes. My wife likes the wine and it reminds us of a trip there so more or less sentimental. It helps that the prices are very fair (low) and there is a club discount.
My reasons. Bottle price (historical and current). More so shipping cost. I have more than enough wine in the cellar. Regarding availability there’s nothing I can’t live without so that is not a primary concern. It would be nice to support small businesses but naturally my own finances come first.
I suppose I could add that I consume wines from all over so I can always find something of interest to purchase should that itch need to be scratched. Living in New Jersey there is ample supply of choices.
I buy a lot of Napa Cabernet via allocation, and trimmed back in the 2022 vintage. I’ll probably trim a few more this year. With my wine cellar overflowing, and starting to think about retirement in a few years, plus the prices these days, it just makes sense.
Corison released their Spring Allocations yesterday. Will probably skip the 22’s with the exception of 1 bottle of Kronos to keep a vertical going, and load up on the 23 Rutherford.
Passed on quite a few due to a change in taste as well as discovering some new wineries in Berserkerfest. In reality the secondary market in South Florida is not that bad and I can then pick and choose what I want to drink. One allocation that I will never pass is Rafanelli.
Short answer yes, long answer no. New home purchase in fall 24’ kneecapped the wine budget and a full cellar has me being more critical of each buy. I have a buy list and try hard to stick to it but sometimes I venture off script.
No. $ is tighter than usual, plus if I really want these wines a year or so from now down the road, K & L, JJ Buckley, First Bottle, etc, shoot even Costco is an option and is darn near release price direct from winery. I feel bad for the wineries, but things got too big and now they unfortunately are really feeling it
“Allocations” is just a fancy word for “wine for sale.” The scarcity it’s supposed to connote is fictional except for a very small number of producers. Sounds like you’ve figured it out and are ready to cut your losses. Buy a wine if you want it, but if you wouldn’t pay the tab off a store shelf, don’t buy it just because it’s on a mailing list.
I’m done with allocations, mailing list offers, and sales. All my club wine orders have been paused. Too much wine on hand, storage is limited, and money needs to go elsewhere. So much easier to bring it in than have it go out. Hopefully in a year or so I can come back and diversify my cellar. I definitely need to drink down some duds and other wines/wineries I’ve lost interest in. Time to look into smaller local producers too. This supports them and would eliminate shipping costs. BD is all I really need to maintain my cellar size …..next year.
