WineFi, a London-based fintech startup, has raised £1.5 million to make fine wine investing smarter and more accessible. The round was led by industry heavyweight Coterie Holdings and joined by angels, existing backers like SFC Capital, and a crowdfunding campaign. This brings WineFi’s total funding to £2 million.
The company was founded by Oliver Thorpe and Callum Woodcock. With experience at J.P. Morgan and Fidelity, Woodcock saw a gap in how wine was treated as an investment. Most platforms still cater to collectors, not investors. WineFi flips that model. It focuses on data, transparency, and real returns.
Simple, Smart, and Built for Investors
WineFi offers co-investment opportunities starting at just £3,000. It also builds custom portfolios for high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Every bottle is stored in secure, climate-controlled Coterie Vaults. Investors pay a flat 2.5% annual fee that covers storage, insurance, and even brokerage—cutting out the usual 10% sales commission.
More importantly, WineFi adds professional-grade tools to an old-school market. Clients get access to data-driven insights, asset management reports, and portfolio tracking tools—just like they would with stocks or bonds. It’s wine investing made modern.
The company is also setting new standards. It plans to introduce third-party audits, portfolio valuations, and clear asset custody rules. These steps bring a level of trust the wine market has long lacked.
CEO Callum Woodcock says the demand is clear. “Our clients are usually high earners who want to put 2–10% of their portfolio into alternatives. With market volatility rising, they’re turning to wine for diversification.”
A Market Ripe for Disruption
McKinsey estimates that 30% of all global capital could shift to alternative assets within five years. That’s up to $3 trillion. WineFi is one of the few platforms ready to serve this change. And it’s already getting attention.
In the past year, the startup won Wine Investment Company of the Year from the International Elite 100 Awards. It was also named Early Stage Standout at The Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
Coterie CEO Michael Saunders, who joined WineFi’s board in 2024, believes the platform fills a critical gap. “The model hasn’t evolved in decades,” he said. “WineFi brings deep wine expertise and blends it with modern tech. That gives them a real edge.”
With fresh capital and strong partners, WineFi is scaling fast. The company plans to grow its team, upgrade its platform, and bring more investors into the world of fine wine—without the fuss, jargon, or hidden fees.
