What are
futures?
Your trusted partner in
Wine futures
The Bordeaux En Primeur Campaign, also known as wine futures, is a way of purchasing the most sought after Bordeaux wines and vintages while they are still ageing in barrel, offering the opportunity to invest in a particular wine before it is bottled and released on the market. Payment is made at an early stage, from 18 to 24 months before each wine is bottled.
Delivery is possible from at least 24 months after the release of the Bordeaux En primeur wine.
the origin story
Some historical facts
The Futures system was created more than 200 years ago by the British and was only available for the negoce. It is only since the 1980’s that it has been open to private customers. This system enables the estates to sell their wine through allocations before the wine has been bottled. The readily available funds from these sales are then used for operational and production expenses for the next year.
When it all happens
En Primeurs Week
Each spring, thousands of wine professionals visit Bordeaux for the opening of the en primeur campaign. Over 150 of the top estates welcome journalists, buyers, importers, retailers and other wine professionals from all over the world to taste barrel samples of their latest vintage. Estates use the feedback they receive about the quality of the wine and vintage to estimate demand and set initial prices. Generally, approximately in May, the estates release their prices and allow wine merchants to buy their en primeur wines, starting the campaign.
5 Reasons to buy wine futures
Buying En Primeur often allows customers to secure a wine at a price below its eventual market release, usually around two years later. Some buyers purchase En Primeur to cellar the wine and enjoy it at its peak, while others see it as a long-term investment with the potential for future resale through auction or private market channels. In both cases, the value lies in acquiring a sought-after wine early, benefiting from both price appreciation and increased scarcity over time.
Buying En Primeur offers access not only to highly sought-after wines, but also to formats that may be unavailable by the time the wines reach the open market. CellarWorthy offers a broad En Primeur selection in the full range of available bottle sizes, from half-bottles to Melchior (18L). This gives customers a rare opportunity to secure a specific vintage in a particular format — sometimes as one of only a handful of buyers worldwide.
Buying En Primeur offers more than early access to sought-after wines; it also provides a strong guarantee of authenticity and provenance. Because En Primeur wines are purchased directly from the producing estate through dedicated négociants, every bottle can be traced back to its original source. In a market where fine wines are too often counterfeited, this direct and transparent supply chain gives collectors and drinkers greater confidence that the wine they are buying is genuine.
Buying En Primeur also gives customers the opportunity to secure their wines in original wooden cases direct from the château. Standard O.W.C. formats typically consist of 6 or 12 bottles, depending on the estate, while alternative case sizes may be available on request and adjusted to suit the order. Each case is delivered from the château to us in its original presentation and then sent directly to the customer, ensuring impeccable condition.
Buying En Primeur is also a wonderful way to commemorate a special occasion with a wine of lasting personal value. A child’s birth year, a wedding anniversary, a graduation, or another important milestone can all be marked by securing wines from that specific vintage. Over time, these bottles become more than a purchase — they become a personal keepsake, to be opened and enjoyed years later as a celebration of the moment they were chosen to honour.
Participating chateaux
Years of futures system
annual visitors
Interested in buying Wine Futures?
How It Works
We specialize in Bordeaux wine futures, guiding you from A to Z with discreet, independent advice. We protect your interests at every step—so you can purchase with complete confidence.
1. Private consult
If you are interested in buying wine futures, you can contact our sales team to schedule a private consult. During this free private consult, the potential clients questions and concerns are thoroughly addressed as well as the process and expectations.
2. Campaign plan
When you are ready to invest, we will schedule a second free consult to determine a campaign plan based on your budget and preferences. Wine Wizz will put together a proposed possible target selection which will be fine tuned together with the client.
3. En-Primeurs Campaign
Around May each year the campaign in Bordeaux kicks off and chateaux start releasing prices and ratings. The campaign lasts a couple months and during this time the target campaign selections lists will be confirmed. Invoicing & Bottling instructions are finalised at the end of the campaign.
4. Delivery or Storage
1.5 – 2 years later, the wines will be bottled and made ready for delivery. Wine Wizz will ensure all wines are safely delivered to our climate controlled depot in the Netherlands. Clients will then have the option to have their wines delivered or can opt to continue to store at our facility.
