Why Professional Valuations Matter

When wine and spirits collections become part of divorce proceedings, probate estates, or financial assets, the stakes are high. Courts, insurers, and regulators require valuations that are independent, accurate, and defensible. A casual appraisal won’t do.

Cellared Fine Wine specialises in professional, court-accepted valuation reports that meet the strict standards of Family Law, Probate, SMSF trusteeship, and insurance requirements. Our valuations are trusted by law firms, accountants, insurers, and private clients across Australia.

A photograph of two bottles of wine. One R P by Farr, one Tout Pres by Farr - both 2022 Pinot Noir. The bottles sit on a green velvet background. On the right of the bottles is a green fern in a black pot.

Expert Witness & Legal Valuations

David Messum, founder of Cellared Fine Wine, is an accredited valuer and wine industry professional with over 15 years’ experience. His credentials include:

  • Member, Australian Valuers Institute (AVI)

  • WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits

  • Formal training in property and chattel valuation (Advanced Diploma Certified Asset Valuer - Australian Valuers Training Institute)

  • Extensive expert witness experience, including compliance with the Expert Witness Code of Conduct under the Civil Procedure Act and evidence accepted in Family and Probate courts

  • 15+ years in the fine wine industry: winemaker, importer, marketer, cellar manager, and consultant

Reports for Family Law & Probate:

  • Independent, impartial, and court-compliant

  • Suitable for asset division in divorce settlements

  • Recognised in Probate cases for estate distribution

  • Clear, professional reporting designed for solicitors, barristers, and judges

SMSF & Superannuation Asset Valuations

Wine and spirits often form part of Self Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) as alternative assets. The ATO requires these assets to be valued accurately and regularly.

Cellared provides:

  • Valuations prepared in line with ATO compliance requirements

  • Annual or periodic revaluations for audit purposes

  • Reports suitable for trustees and accountants managing SMSF audits

  • Market valuations based on industry data, auction records, and wholesale/retail comparables

Insurance & Adjuster Reports

Insurers and loss adjusters require valuations that clearly set out replacement vs indemnity values.

We deliver:

  • Reports accepted by major insurers and claims adjusters

  • Reinstatement (replacement) and indemnity valuations, clearly distinguished

  • Fast turnaround for urgent claims

  • Nationwide service, including on-site inspections

Cellared Fine wine Insurance valuation

Why Work With Cellared Fine Wine?

  • Accredited expertise – Member of the Australian Valuers Institute

  • Specialist knowledge – Over 15 years’ experience across winemaking, wine marketing, cellar management, and valuations

  • Credibility in court – Evidence accepted under NSW, Federal, and Probate jurisdictions

  • Comprehensive methodology – Market data drawn from Australian auctions (Langton’s, Wickman’s), global merchant lists, wholesale importers, and fine wine indices

  • Tailored service – Reports written to meet the standards of Family Court, ATO auditors, or insurance providers as required

FAQs

Are your reports accepted in court?

Yes. Our valuations comply with Family and Probate Court requirements and have been used in divorce and estate proceedings.

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 condition report wines and spirits?

Yes. We assess and report on the physical condition of bottles, packaging, and cases, and can provide photographic evidence where required.

We also consider the provenance and storage history of wines and spirits, which is especially critical in the case of very high-value bottles or collections. Provenance, fill levels, cork integrity, and storage conditions are key factors in determining both market value and insurability.

Our approach ensures each valuation is not just a number, but a comprehensive report that stands up to scrutiny in court, insurance, or audit contexts.

Do you work with insurers and adjusters?

Yes. We provide reinstatement and indemnity valuations widely accepted by insurers and loss adjusters.

How to you Value wine & Luxury Assets?

We determine value using the principle of fair market value, consistent with valuer best practice. This is based on recent Australian secondary market sales (auctions, private sales, and trade benchmarks), supported by data from global fine wine markets and international luxury goods exchanges.

Where relevant, we factor in Australian taxes, duties, and import costs to ensure the valuation reflects true local replacement or realisable value. Our international luxury goods database allows us to benchmark rare and high-value items against comparable sales globally, ensuring our valuations are defensible, independent, and accurate.

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 Professional Valuation

We understand the sensitive nature of family law, probate, and insurance matters. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

Get your Clients Collection Valued