The Wade Bales Wine Society offers wine en primeur, that is, wine still maturing in the cellar. This centuries-old European tradition enables wine-lovers and investors to buy at considerably lower prices than the eventual retail price.

The success of wine futures depends on the ability to select blue chip wines with sound investment credentials. With a reputation for premium quality and the ability to source limited-release wines, Wade Bales has been able to make special requests to top winemakers to have limited editions set aside for the Wine Society.

As an example of the investment potential - or a future price saving, if you like – in 2008, 400 cases of Kanonkop Paul Sauer were bought en primeur at R2 640 a case.  When the wine was released from cellar a year later, each case retailed at R3 840, representing a potential return of 45%. 

“To realise the best return, we advise buyers to keep their wine for at least five years. The scarcer they become, the more desirable.”

Wade Bales.

Watch this space for Wine Futures 2010