Specialist valuations for deceased estates, executors and probate lawyers
Probate Wine Valuations
Why Professional Probate Valuations Matter
When a wine or spirits collection forms part of an estate, a general appraisal is rarely sufficient. Probate matters require valuations that are independent, well-evidenced and clearly documented—so executors can administer the estate with confidence and solicitors can rely on the report if questions arise.
Cellared Fine Wine provides probate-focused wine valuation reports for solicitors, executors and trustees across Australia, including Date of Death valuations and current market reporting where required.
Who this is for?
We work with:
Probate and estate lawyers
Executors and administrators
Trustee companies and professional fiduciaries
Accountants supporting estate administration
Families managing inherited collections
Common probate scenarios we assist with
Wine and spirits included in the estate asset pool
Beneficiaries require a fair basis for distribution
Disagreements between beneficiaries on value or disposal
Large or high-value cellars requiring condition/provenance consideration
Collections held in professional storage or interstate
Matters where the estate needs both Date of Death and current value reporting
What you receive
Every report is written for a legal and estate-administration audience and can include:
Date of Death valuation (as at the relevant date)
Current market value (if required for administration or sale planning)
Itemised inventory valuation (producer / wine / vintage / format / quantity)
Market evidence summary (Australia + relevant global benchmarks where needed)
Notes on condition, packaging, provenance and storage history (where available)
Clear assumptions and methodology, stated in plain English
A valuation conclusion that is easy to use in estate accounts
Remote-first, Australia-wide
In many estate matters, physical inspection is impractical or disproportionate in cost—particularly where wine is held interstate.
We can complete many probate valuations using:
A cellar inventory (spreadsheet, photos, storage statements)
Photographs of key bottles/cases (labels, levels, cartons)
Storage and provenance information where available
Where inspection is required, we can arrange it by scope.al benchmarks where needed)
Notes on condition, packaging, provenance and storage history (where available)
Clear assumptions and methodology, stated in plain English
A valuation conclusion that is easy to use in estate accounts
Independent and defensible
Probate matters require clarity and neutrality. Our valuation process is designed to be:
Independent (not tied to any single auction house or retailer)
Evidence-based (supported by verifiable market data)
Appropriately conservative where provenance or condition is uncertain
Transparent in assumptions and limitations
Where disposal is required, this is managed as a separate engagement (optional), so valuation integrity remains clear.
Turnaround and fees
We keep probate matters moving. Typical turnaround is 5–10 business days from receipt of inventory and supporting information (urgent matters by request).
Fees are based on:
Size and complexity of the collection
Requirement for Date of Death research vs current market only
Level of condition/provenance work required
Whether physical inspection is needed
How to instruct us
To commence, email:
Inventory list (or storage statement / cellar app export)
Estate context (Date of Death and purpose of valuation)
Any provenance information (purchase history, storage history)
Photos of high-value items where available
We’ll confirm scope, fee, timeframe and next steps the same business day where possible.
FAQs
Do you provide Date of Death valuations?
Yes. We can prepare valuations as at the relevant Date of Death and clearly note the effective valuation date and evidence sources.
Do you provide expert witness testimony?
Yes. In addition to written reports, we provide in-court expert evidence and are experienced in cross-examination protocols and can act in mediation meetings.
Do you need to physically inspect the wine?
Not always. Many matters can be completed remotely using inventory, photos and storage statements. Where inspection is necessary (or requested), we can scope this.
Are your reports suitable for solicitors and estate accounts?
Yes. Reports are written to be practical for executors and solicitors—clear methodology, assumptions and itemised values.
What affects the value of a deceased estate wine collection?
Beyond label and vintage, value can be materially affected by condition (fill levels, packaging), provenance, storage history, and market liquidity in Australia.
Do you provide SMSF valuations?
Yes. We prepare compliant reports for SMSF trustees in line with ATO requirements. Annual report updates to reflect market and asset condition are also provided.
Request a Probate Wine Valuation
We understand the sensitivity and time pressure that can accompany deceased estate matters. If you’re acting for an executor, trustee or beneficiary group, we’ll make the process clear, defensible and efficient.