Corporate gifts
Corporate wine cellar: building a collection to entertain clients
A corporate cellar allows you to entertain clients, partners, and prospects in a professional setting without relying on ad hoc purchasing. It is built around three main pillars.
Typical composition of a corporate cellar
Indicative breakdown: 30% Champagne (including a prestige cuvée), 30% white (Bourgogne, Loire, Provence white), 30% red (Bordeaux, Rhône, Bourgogne), 10% tasting spirits (single malt whisky, aged rum, occasionally a cognac).
Initial volume
A starting cellar for a firm or agency entertaining around 100 clients per year typically contains 100 to 200 bottles, with an annual turnover of 30 to 50%.
Initial budget
Usual range of €5,000 to €20,000 excl. VAT for a cellar of 150 to 300 bottles, depending on the desired standing. A wine merchant builds the selection over one or two advisory visits.
Storage
Dual-zone electric wine cabinet in a dedicated room, or an underground cellar if the building permits. Avoid areas exposed to direct light and temperature fluctuations (glass hallways, kitchens).
Renewal and rotation
Annual follow-up with the wine merchant to adjust the selection: remove wines that have reached maturity, integrate new vintages, and adapt to changes in hosted clientele.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a physical cellar required on site?
- No. A 150-bottle electric wine cabinet occupies less than 1 m² of floor space and is sufficient to cover most corporate needs.
- Can wines be stored with the wine merchant?
- Yes, external storage in the company's name is possible, with ad hoc deliveries based on requirements.
- Is the wine cellar an accounting asset?
- A corporate wine cellar can be capitalized as an asset if its business use is demonstrated. To be validated with your accountant.