The investment
Bordeaux Fine Wines Limited (company number 06701468) sold fine wine investment portfolios to UK retail investors, supported by high-profile promotional activity.
What investors were told
Investors were told the company held, or could obtain, the specific wine they had purchased and that it would appreciate in value over time.
What went wrong
Investigation established that the company had taken substantial sums from investors for wine to which it never had legitimate access. Solicitors acting for creditors described the arrangement as requiring serious investigation, and allegations that it resembled a Ponzi structure were widely reported.
Investor impact
Creditors were owed in excess of £3m according to the solicitors representing them in the winding-up petition.
Regulatory, insolvency and court action
The High Court in London made a compulsory winding-up order closing the company in the public interest, with the Official Receiver appointed as provisional liquidator ahead of the final order.
Current documented position
The company was wound up and the matter concluded. There is no public record of investors recovering the deficit.
Key Lesson
Wine investment is not a regulated activity. There is no Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection, which makes verification of stock and title the investor's only real safeguard.
Source & Further Information
UK court closes wine investment firm with millions owed
Decanter / Companies House (company 06701468) — published 27 May 2015
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