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When people think of alternative investment opportunities, things like real estate, private equity, and commodities probably come to mind. This is because investing in these so-called alternative assets has become far more accessible in recent years. Investing in these areas has proven to be enjoyable and, perhaps most importantly, quite lucrative—and as a result, more and more platforms have been developed to make these investments easier and more accessible.
But there’s a whole host of other rewarding alternative assets to consider adding to your portfolio. Wine, for example, has consistently outperformed the Global Equity Index in year-end rankings for the past 15 years. In this article, we’ll explore the world of fine wine investment with a Vinovest review.
What is Vinovest?
Founded in 2019 by Anthony Zhang and Brent Akamine, Vinovest is a technology platform that has set out to democratize the often exclusive and elitist world of fine wine investing. While traditional methods of investing in wine may be thoroughly gatekept, Vinovest allows newcomers to bypass these barriers so they can explore or establish themselves in this asset class.
Vinovest connects investors to a global network of fine wine sellers with the goal of getting you the finest vintages at the best possible price. Wine experts are also on staff to provide top-tier recommendations catered to investors’ personal wine preferences and investment goals. Vinovest works to verify the vintage and authenticity of each wine on the platform, so you know that you’re investing in a quality product every time.
In addition to helping you select the wines you invest in, Vinovest also provides physical space in which to safely store your wine. Vinovest cellars protect your wine from damage and degradation over time. This means you can explore the world of fine wine investing without having to spend a fortune building an optimized wine cellar on your own—though you can also choose to store it yourself if that is your preference.
What is the key focus of Vinovest?
Vinovest stands out as a company that strives to make a timeless, long-beloved collectible accessible to newcomers by making use of technological innovation. Their platform is intuitive and easy to use, the expert-curated and authenticated selection of wines is tailored to your preferences, and advisors are always on hand to help you choose the best investment for your portfolio.
Whether you’re coming to the platform as a knowledgeable wine lover or a passionate investor eager to develop knowledge on a new asset, Vinovest has the tools and support to get you where you want to go.
Vinovest features
You can’t come away confidently from a Vinovest review without a breakdown of the platform’s features. So, without further ado, here are the biggest highlights of Vinovest:
- Low minimum investment: There are four different investment tiers for members to consider with Vinovest, but in general, it is a very reasonably priced investment option. Members can get started on Vinovest with as little as $1,000. Once you fund your account, experts build a portfolio that’s catered to your preferences and investment goals. A $5,000 portfolio usually includes between 45 and 60 bottles, and you can choose to sell or enjoy your investments as you see fit.
- Protection and security: Once your portfolio is established, your wines are thoroughly insured against physical damage and product degradation, and professionally stored in the Vinovest cellar. If you feel more comfortable storing them in your own cellars, you can have bottles shipped to you at any time.
- Get support from expert sommeliers and portfolio advisors: Portfolio advisors are available for one-on-one consultations to ensure your portfolio is accurately tailored to your unique taste and investing preferences. They are also able to answer questions you have about investing in wine if you’re new to the asset and looking to learn more.
- Exclusive access to limited vintages: Because the Vinovest team has a broad network of industry connections around the world, the wines available through this platform include rare or difficult-to-find vintages—and they’re often priced below retail.
Drawbacks to consider
Although there are many benefits to investing in fine wines, any platform you consider will have its drawbacks. In order to present you with a complete Vinovest review—one that will allow you to confidently decide whether or not this is the right platform for you—we must cover the cons in addition to the pros. Here are some drawbacks identified by some users:
- Fees: Due to the costs associated with safely storing fine wines, Vinovest charges a portfolio management fee, and the exact price tag associated with that varies based on your investment tier—somewhere between 2.25% and 2.85%. This fee also covers insurance, storage, and authentication.
- Early liquidation penalties: In addition to the annual management fees, you’ll also pay a 3% penalty for early liquidation of investments in the event that you want to sell them within the first three years.
Reasons to try Vinovest
If you’re looking to diversify your portfolio with a low-volatility, long-term asset, wine investing could be a great route for you to take. With the advanced tech and expert insight Vinovest provides its members, investing in wine is easier and safer than ever.
The platform also allows you to tailor your portfolio’s risk tolerance to align with your investment strategy. Conservative investors can expect to yield around 5.5% in annual returns, while aggressive investors can expect to yield something like 12% in annual returns. In addition to the AI-powered portfolio options, more knowledgeable wine investors can buy individual bottles to strengthen their portfolios.
Bottom line
Vinovest is an easy-to-use, inclusive platform that combines technology and expertise to create a wine investment option that suits both the novice investor and the wine expert. If you’re still working to build a nest egg for yourself or develop confidence in investing, you may not be in a great position to branch out into alternative investments—especially with a company that’s relatively new.
But concerns you may have around their lack of established background should be soothed with the knowledge that, when you invest with Vinovest, you have full ownership over your product. Even if the company goes under, you’ll maintain control over your investments.
To find information beyond what was covered in this Vinovest review, or to start investing with Vinovest, visit them online today.