FAQs

We’re always happy to connect with fellow wine enthusiasts. Use the contact information below to email or phone us.

Zachys Wine Auctions
T: +1-914-448-3026
Email: auction@zachys.com

You’ve come to the right place! Our Wine Specialists are the most qualified in the wine auction world. We love working with exceptional people and are experts at working with extraordinary bottles.

Start by reaching out to one of our Wine Specialists, who will be happy to guide you through the process. You can fill out a form through our site here or call +1 (914) 448-3026, and an auction specialist will respond within 48 hours. 

What should you expect in the process? We’ll ask for a list of the wines you are interested in selling, along with some details, such as quantity, size, vintage, etc. Our team will then evaluate your collection and provide auction estimates and guidance on the best timing and markets for sale. If you decide to move forward, we’ll coordinate delivery to our warehouse in Port Chester, NY, where we will do a final inspection and confirmation.

Once the wine arrives at our warehouse, our team typically takes 2-4 weeks to catalog the collection and prepare it for sale. During that time, your designated Wine Specialist will discuss timelines and the types of auction(s) that best suit your unique wine collection.

Yes. In many cases, worn labels signify that the wine has been stored in proper cellar conditions (cool and appropriately humid) and may be very appealing to collectors.

While we don’t provide formal insurance appraisals as a standard service, we’re happy to discuss possible options. Please contact us to speak with a specialist.

It’s easy to get started bidding! Follow these three simple steps: 

  1. Create an account online at https://bid.zachys.com/login
  2. Select an auction
  3. Review and accept our Terms & Conditions
  4. You’re ready to go!

Once registered, you can place your bids online, by phone, or in person. For more information on bidding please visit our page Bidding: How It Works. 

You can easily monitor the status of your absentee bids within the “My Items” section of our auction website while logged into your account. This page provides a clear summary of: 

  • Your Current Bids: See an overview of all your active bids. 
  • Winning Bids: View the lots where you are currently the highest bidder. 
  • Outbid Notifications: Identify the lots where you have been outbid. 
  • Watched Lots: Keep track of lots you're interested in but haven't bid on yet. 

You'll receive an email confirmation when you bid, if you’ve been outbid, and when you win your wine!

You can adjust your current bids or place new bids on lots you have set to watch, directly from the “My Items” page. If you need further details on a lot, click the lot number to open the Lot Details page. Upon the auction's closing and after results have been confirmed, invoices will be promptly emailed to winning bidders. 

Not necessarily! If you don't know your client number or this is your first time bidding with Zachys, don't worry—we can easily register you as a new client. Just provide your billing and shipping addresses, telephone numbers, and valid credit card information on the form. 

Our bidding system is designed for clarity. Increments are as follows, depending on the current bid price: 

Current Bid Price

Increment

$0-100

Increases by $10

$100-500

Increases by $20

$500-1,000

Increases by $50 

$1,000-2,000

Increases by $100 

$2,000-5,000

Increases by $200 

$5,000-10,000:

Increases by $500

$10,000-20,000

Increases by $1,000

$20,000+

Increases by $2,000

 

Your “Max Bid” represents the maximum amount you will pay. The system will automatically bid up to that amount on your behalf. You can increase your Max Bid or place new bids anytime before the auction closes.

If someone outbids your Max Bid, you’ll receive an email notification that you may want to increase your bid.

The exact date and time the auction closes are displayed on the bidding pages. You can submit bids at any point from the time the auction opens until it officially closes. 

  • Live auctions:Bidding closes when the individual lot is hammered. 
  • zCollections online auctions:Bidding starts closing for all lots in the auction at the specified end time. 

Using our search feature, you can search by lot number, keyword, region, type, size, vintage, packaging, and current bid amount. A complete list of wines in each auction is also provided via a downloadable spreadsheet (“Catalog Excel”) available on the auction page. 

Catalogs for our upcoming auctions are available in two ways: you can download a free PDF instantly from our website or email us at auction@zachys.com with your name and mailing address, and we will gladly send you one.

Our specialists determine estimated values through extensive research and globally recognized expertise. These estimates consider current market trends, retail and release prices, and recent auction results. They are intended as a guide—the final selling price is ultimately determined by the bidding activity during the auction.

The assessment notes provide crucial information about the condition of the wine you're considering. Here's a quick guide: 

  • Understanding Fill Level and Ullage: This explains how much wine is in the bottle and whether any evaporation has occurred, which is natural for older wines. Fill levels are measured relative to the shoulder of the bottle (for Bordeaux-shaped bottles) and in centimeters to the foil capsule (for Burgundy-shaped bottles).
  • Understanding Label Assessment Notes: This section offer insights into the condition of the bottle's label, including any wear, tears, or discoloration. 
  • 5 Tips for Buying Old Wine: Get helpful pointers for confidently purchasing older vintages. 

We currently have three auction types: zCollections (our bi-monthly online auctions), Studio Sales (streamed live from our Port Chester studio), and Live, In-Room auctions.

Our auctions are open to everyone, but spaces fill up quickly! If you plan to attend in person, advanced registration is required.

Experience the excitement of our live auctions with curated tastings of the wines on offer, Michelin-rated dining, and an elegant, welcoming atmosphere. Contact us for more details — we’d love you to join us!

Tip: While you can register on the day of the auction, pre-registering saves time and guarantees availability. Email auction@zachys.com before the auction date to secure your spot. 

Invoices are sent within two business days of the auction ending. Your credit card on file will be charged automatically within 48 hours.  If no credit card is on file, we kindly request payment as soon as you receive your invoice.

Zachys reserves the right to cancel unpaid orders after 31 days.

  • US Auctions: United States Dollars 
  • Hong Kong Auctions: Hong Kong Dollars 

For any other currency: Please contact Zachys to discuss options at +1 (914) 448-3026 or +852 2530 1971. Zachys will determine the exchange rate at its sole discretion. 

Yes, among other methods. See the list below for the different payment methods accepted.  Payment can be made by phone or through the secure link provided on your invoice. Please note that a 2% processing fee applies to credit card payments. 

  • Credit Card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, and China Union Pay).
  • Bank Wire Transfer (Authorization Letter may be required for third-party payments) 

For Bank Wire Transfers, we recommend that prospective buyers supply bank references before the auction. This helps ensure a smooth, expedited process. 

Sales tax depends on the auction location:

  • Port Chester, NY: Sales tax applies
  • Delaware: No sales tax
  • Other Locations: Tax regulations vary by state or country

For zCollections and Live Studio auctions, the auction's location is displayed when joining an auction.

Before and immediately following an auction, wines are stored in our secure, climate-controlled warehouse facilities in either Port Chester (New York), Newark (Delaware), or Hong Kong (through our partner facility, JAS).

To make things even more convenient, all winning lots include 90 days of complimentary storage at our Zachys Port Chester storage facility. We also partner with Uovo for domestic long-term storage. If you're a Uovo client, we can arrange delivery directly to their facilities—smooth, simple, and convenient.

Something to remember: All wines are delivered in compliance with the laws of the state or country in which they are stored. Delivery rates and restrictions may vary based on location. For complete details, please consult our Buying & Bidding Information. To schedule delivery or collection of your purchases, please contact us at clientservices@zachys.com.

No, but we have a good reason. We want to ensure you are ready to receive your winning wines. Once the auction concludes, you will receive an email with storage and shipping instructions. To make things extra convenient, we give you 90 days of free storage to determine when and how you want to receive your wines.

The easiest way is to log in to your account at zachys.com using your email address (be sure this is the same email you registered for in the auction) and navigate to ‘Stored Wines’ to make your collection or shipping arrangements.

Our Client Services team is also happy to help schedule a convenient delivery or pickup time. They can provide expert advice on your wines' best storage or shipping options. Contact them at auction@zachys.com or call +1 (914) 448-3026 (Monday-Friday, 9:30 am-5:30 pm EDT).

Please note: After an auction, it may take up to 72 hours for your wines to become available so you can arrange pickup, shipping, or alternate storage options.

We offer a variety of shipping options to suit your needs. Depending on location, options include ground, 2-day air, overnight, temperature-controlled trucking, or consolidated shipments between warehouses. After the auction, you will receive an email with instructions on choosing how you want to receive your shipment.

We would be delighted to arrange a pickup for your wines, which are available at our Port Chester location, and show you around our amazing retail store while you are here! Before scheduling an appointment to pick up your wines, check that you’ve completed payment for those items. When you schedule your appointment, please be sure to provide us with at least 72 hours’ notice to allow us to pick and pack your wine. Here's our contact information: 

We want your bottles to arrive safe and sound—they deserve first-class treatment! If you’d like extra packaging for pickup (or if we decide it’s a must), there may be a small processing fee to give your wines that extra bit of TLC. Cheers to a smooth trip home!

In most cases, yes. Please email us at auction@zachys.com if you have any specific instructions or questions.

Yes, we do. We offer consolidated sea and air shipping between our New York and Hong Kong warehouses several times a year and can arrange dedicated shipments to many international destinations. Please contact us at clientservices@zachys.com for a personalized quote. Kindly note that international spirits shipments may have certain restrictions and be subject to duties and taxes depending on the destination country.

New York Fine Wine Storage is our secure, temperature-controlled storage facility—the same one that gives you 90 days of complimentary storage! You might see the name on your storage invoice. 

Zachys has been a trusted leader in fine wine auctions for over 25 years. Our team of specialists carefully reviews every bottle we sell, conducting inspections in private cellars and warehouses around the world. Whether you're a seasoned collector or new to auctions, we are committed to delivering an exceptional experience—from the first bid to the final pour.

Auctions can be overwhelming if you are new to the process. We’ve compiled some of the common terms you might encounter during your journey.

Term

Description

Reserve

The confidential minimum sale price agreed with the consignor.

Hammer Price

The final winning bid, before fees and taxes.

Buyer’s Premium

A 25% fee added to the hammer price.

Lot

A group of bottles offered as a single auction item.

Estimate

A price range reflecting market value and previous auction performance.

Absentee Bidder

A bidder who submits a maximum bid in advance; the auctioneer bids on their behalf during the live auction.

Max Bid

Your highest offer—the system automatically bids up to that amount for you.