FAQ: Collector Services

• Collector Services
  • Can I choose to personally handle some aspects of my collection and outsource others to Vinfolio?
    • Yes. We intentionally give our customers the choice of taking a hands-on or hands-off approach to their collection. You can choose to outsource as much or as little as you please.
• Sell Wine
  • Why is Vinfolio the best place to sell wine from my collection?
    • Please read our Sell wine description on our site.
  • Is there a minimum quantity of wine required to sell?
    • Vinfolio requires a minimum of $10,000 in retail value of wine being sold at one time.
  • Are there wines you are not interested in selling?
    • As a general rule, we do not accept wine to sell that will retail for less than $40 per 750ml bottle or which lacks a professional reviewer's score of 88 or higher. And we reserve the right to turn down any sales opportunity or individual wines for any reason, including regulatory restrictions and bottle conditions. Inspection Guidelines »
  • How do I get paid?
    • Vinfolio will mail payment for your wine.
• Storage Services
  • Why is Vinfolio's storage service better that others?
    • Our full-service storage provides a high level of convenience at the prices of self-storage facilities. Vinfolio's service includes inventorying with barcoding and all handling (in/out services). You never have to visit our facility unless you want to. Pick-ups cost $10 per case from Napa and Sonoma wineries, local auction houses and even Bay area retailers. Other services are available for a fee, including storage insurance, storage boxes, delivery and shipping. All storage users also benefit from online reporting and a monthly billing statement.
  • How do I request wine to be removed from storage and how much notice is required?
    • There are a several ways to initiate a removal request:
      • Use the Move wizard to initiate a move request in VinCellar, for any of your wine in Vinfolio storage for shipping, local delivery, or will call.
      • Call or email Customer Service at customerservice@vinfolio.com.
      The time required to pull the wine from storage depends on the volume of wine requested. Our service commitment is:
      • For pick-ups of 12 or fewer unique wines, requests received by noon on a business day will be available by 3 p.m. the following business day.
      • For pick-ups of more than 12 unique wines, 2 or more business days notice is required.
      Once pulled, the wine is available to ship via FedEx, for a van delivery (subject to scheduling), or to be picked up in person from will call at the warehouse.
  • How do I request pick-ups of wine from Napa and Sonoma wineries or Bay Area retailers and auction houses?
    • 1. Simply email a copy of your invoice (or order details) along with the date the wine will be ready for pick-up to service@vinfolio.com (or fax it to Customer Service at 415-946-1359). Please note there is a $10 per case fee for pick-ups.
      2. Please make sure you have already authorized Vinfolio to pick up your wine when ordering or afterwards.
      3. For retailers and auction houses, please make sure you have provided the business name, contact name, contact telephone number, and email.
      For winery requests, we will get back to you within one or two business days as to whether each winery involved permits pick-ups. Note that for pick-ups of non-Vinfolio purchases such as these, we will charge $2.50 per bottle (any size) that is pulled out of storage within 6 months of initial entry.
  • What are the storage conditions in Vinfolio's facility?
    • Vinfolio targets a constant 55-58° and a humidity level of 60-70%. Sensors at six different locations in the space monitor these parameters.
  • Where is Vinfolio's storage facility located?
    • In American Canyon at 644 Hanna Dr, Ste E.
  • If I live outside the Bay Area can I use your storage services?
    • Yes. Anyone, wherever they are located, can use our storage service.
  • How secure is my wine in Vinfolio's storage facility?
    • Very secure. Vinfolio's controlled-access storage space is accessible only via a state-of-the-art security system and is monitored by 24-hour surveillance and alarm systems. Our facilities meet all applicable building codes and each warehouse has a state-of-the-art sprinkler system with alarmed temperature sensors throughout. As further protection, the steel racks on which wine pallets rest are anchored both to the floor and to at least one adjoining storage bay. A sump pump is in place to protect against flooding.
  • Is my wine insured when it is stored at your facility?
    • No. We recommend that you insure your wine under your homeowner's policy. You can also contact Fireman's Fund or AIG directly to insure your total wine collection, whether it's stored with Vinfolio or at other domestic U.S. locations, such as your home.
• Inventory Services
  • What are my shipping and delivery options?
    • Read our Inventory Service description on our site.
  • What if I want to perform my own inventory with VinCellar but use Vinfolio's barcodes?
    • This is certainly an option. When you have finished inventorying your cellar, email service@vinfolio.com to request barcode labels for individual bottles and/or cases. Individual bottle barcode labels are $0.35 each and case labels (with a description of contents) are $1.00 each.
  • Who do I call to ask questions or to schedule a project?
    • Please contact Customer Service at (800) 969-1961.
  • What support is needed at the site while Vinfolio's team is on location?
    • Please read the Inventory Services section of our terms and conditions.
  • How do I manage my collection aftter the inventory is completed?
    • After the project is completed, one of the inventory team members will walk you through a complete demonstration of VinCellar using your collection data. They will show you how to remove wine using the barcode scanner, add wine and order barcodes for new purchases, move bottles within your cellar and access all the content available within VinCellar such as auction data, drink dates and scores.
• Advisory Services
  • If I hire Vinfolio for a collection building project, how involved would I be in approving wine purchase decisions?
    • It's up to you. You can approve each individual wine and price or you could grant us discretion to purchase within pre-agreed guidelines within your budgetary parameters.
  • Is there a minimum purchase requirement for collection building?
    • Vinfolio's collection building service is provided free of charge with an initial wine purchase from Vinfolio of $10,000. Should you request that Executive Wine Specialists meet with you at your location, there is a $1,000 per day fee plus out-of-pocket expenses (advisory fee is waived if $50,000 or more in initial wine purchases are made).
  • Why would I need a valuation report when VinCellar provides a valuation capability for free?
    • VinCellar may not cover 100% of your wine depending on what you have in your collection. For unvalued wines, we would need to manually assess other comparables to determine the value. You might also need a formal written report depending on your use of the valuation data.