A formal valuation is sometimes needed for reasons beyond sale — for insurance cover, for probate, for the orderly settlement of an estate, or simply for the peace of mind that comes from knowing what a collection holds.
LANGTONS has prepared formal valuations for clients across Australia for more than three decades. Where required, we can provide documented reports recognised across the Australian wine trade.
When a formal valuation may be needed
A formal valuation is most often requested for:
- Insurance — to support a cover schedule, particularly for cellars of meaningful value
- Probate and deceased estates — to establish a date-of-death value for legal and taxation purposes
- Family settlement — to support the equitable division of a collection
- Financial planning — where a cellar forms part of a wider asset picture
- Gifting and intergenerational transfer — to record value at the time of transfer
If you are unsure whether a formal valuation is what you need, our specialists are glad to talk it through. In many cases, a preliminary estimate is enough — for more, see The role of a valuation.
How a formal valuation is prepared
Our specialists draw on:
- recent sales history across LANGTONS and the wider Australian market
- current market demand
- rarity, vintage quality and bottle size
- physical condition, where the wines can be inspected
- provenance and storage history, where known
Where practical, valuations are based on physical inspection of the wines — either at LANGTONS, at the cellar, or through a combination of documentation and photographs. The approach is shaped by what the valuation is for, and by what is practical in the circumstances.
What a valuation report includes
A formal valuation report from LANGTONS will generally include:
- an inventory of the wines covered
- a per-line valuation, with notes where relevant
- a total valuation figure
- the basis on which the valuation has been prepared
- the date of valuation and the signature of the responsible specialist
Where the valuation is being prepared for a specific purpose — probate, insurance, or otherwise — we will shape the report accordingly.
Fees and timeframes
A formal valuation is a paid service, with fees determined by the size and complexity of the collection, and the level of inspection required. We will provide a clear quote before any work begins.
Most valuations are completed within two to four weeks of confirmation. Larger or more complex collections may take longer, and we will agree a timeframe with you before commencing.
Working with your advisors
Where you are working with a solicitor, accountant, executor or financial advisor, we are glad to liaise with them directly — sharing the right information, at the right pace, and with the discretion the matter calls for.