En Primeur The Basics

En Primeur: The Basics

En Primeur, also known as Wine Futures, refers to the process of buying wine before it’s bottled and released onto the market. Wines can only be purchased by the unmixed case and are usually delivered 2-3 years after the vintage.

En Primeur FAQs

What is En Primeur?


See Available En Primeur Vintages

How does En Primeur work?

  • En Primeur wines are purchased before they are bottled and released onto the market and while they are still lying abroad. En Primeur wines are bought at In Bond prices - ie exclusive of Duty & Vat.
  • You will be notified of their arrival and asked for any further delivery instructions.
  • All En Primeur purchases are Ex-Vat and Ex-Duty. If/when you choose to have the wines delivered (anywhere in the EU) these taxes become payable. No other discounts or vouchers apply to En Primeur wines.

Why buy "En Primeur"?

The opening En Primeur price is almost always considerably cheaper than the future price of the wine on the open market. En Primeur can also be the only way to secure wines that are available in very limited quantities (some properties produce as little as 200 cases a year).

What exactly do I pay?

The price of the wine is exclusive of Duty and VAT (but inclusive of shipping and insurance). Once the wines arrive in the UK, Duty and VAT can be deferred further if the wine is stored 'in bond' in a registered bonded warehouse. If it is possible that you may re-sell your wines later, it is advisable to store them under bond.

How much is Wine Duty?

£2.23 per 75cl bottle of still wine.
£2.86 per 75cl bottle of sparkling wine.
£2.98 per 75cl bottle of Port wine

UK VAT = 20%  (applied after duty)

Rates are subject to change by the government at any time.

What does "In Bond" mean?

When the vintage is bottled and delivered to Berry Bros. & Rudd in the UK, the cases are held initially in a bonded warehouse. This means that no UK duty or VAT has been paid on the wine. If you request the wine to be delivered to you (anywhere in the EU) then duty and VAT will be payable by you in addition to the price. You can keep the wine in bond, please discuss your requirements with our team. Read More.

What's included in En Primeur Prices

A description of the wine and prices will be set out in our en primeur price list and in specific vintage brochures. All prices are quoted in bond and are inclusive of freight and delivery to Berry Bros. & Rudd warehouse in the UK. Prices may vary due to fluctuations in currency and the market and to stock not being sold.

Are En Primeur wines insured?

We will remain responsible for insuring the wine at the original invoice value until your delivery and/or storage instructions have been completed. Ownership of the wines will pass on settlement of all outstanding charges.

When are En Primeur wines shipped to the UK?

En Primeur wines are usually promoted by reference to a specific vintage and are subject to a closing date for orders. Please check our website or the specific vintage brochure for the relevant closing dates. The website and or the specific vintage brochure will indicate an anticipated date by when that vintage will be bottled and shipped to the UK, such dates are an indication only and are not guaranteed.

What happens after the wine is shipped to the UK?

Following shipment, your wines, by default, will be entered directly in to your Private Reserves in bond. Once the wines are in your Private Reserves, we will notify you by email. Wines entered into Reserves in this way will not be charged initial rent until your account's cyclical annual rent date.

On receipt of this email, or the subsequent invoice for rent, should you wish to take delivery we can arrange this as per our normal delivery terms. Any rent charged on wines withdrawn within 30 days of the date of invoice for rent will be credited.

Customers who elect to have their wine cleared from bond will be required to pay duty and VAT at the prevailing rates at the time of delivery. Please contact us for details of current rates of duty and VAT.

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