Uncorked: Episode 5 - Price & Prejudice
Welcome to the fifth episode of Uncorked, the Cult Wines podcast. Hosted by our Co-founder and CEO, Tom Gearing, and joined by Jonathan Stevenson, EVP of Cult Wines North America, this week’s guest is Sean Wright, Fine Wine Buyer based in our London office.
This episode weighs how price shapes judgment. The team unpacks what the latest release season is signalling, how buyers balance value against timing, and why provenance can tilt a decision before a cork is pulled. It is a conversation about discipline, patience, and the subtle cues that distinguish a pass from a purchase.
We also step back to compare wine with other collectables, and nod to a few smart ideas on the desk right now, before answering some questions from you, our listeners.
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What topics were covered?
Sean’s Route into Fine Wine Buying
Sean shares how he transitioned from studying politics at university to a career in wine, with early experience working in a Brighton wine bar and ongoing studies toward the WSET Diploma.
Tom and Jonathan discuss Sean’s background and why politics and wine are not as far apart as they sound. Tom draws a line between the structures, regulations and lively opinions that shape the wine world and the kind of frameworks studied in politics and international relations.
Sean explains how that lens influences the way he views distribution, producers, financing, and the broader market. He also discusses working through the WSET Diploma and how structured tasting is influencing his purchasing and drinking habits. Sean sits on our buying desk, working closely with teams across the global business to source the right wines at the right time.
September Releases in Focus
With September releases underway, the team step through what this part of the calendar is, how it developed, and how it felt this year. Sean traces the model back to early examples, such as Rothschild & Concha Y Toro's Almaviva, and explains why the window now matters for a broad set of regions.
Pricing is a live topic. The group discuss producers that made meaningful adjustments, with Almaviva singled out for dropping from €115 last year to €75 this year. The mood is realistic yet constructive, with a focus on how well-judged pricing can set a release up for success.
Provenance, Back-Vintage Releases & What Matters
The conversation turns to ex-cellar releases and how the market values provenance. Château Latour serves as a recent example, featuring a discussion of the 2012 release and how ex-château premiums are perceived once wines enter the secondary market.
Sean notes that some trade buyers have specifically requested ex-cellar stock in recent years, with proof tags specifically for the Latour releases. The takeaway is simple: provenance can carry weight, particularly for back vintages.
Alternative Investments & Context
Tom brings in a wider lens, comparing recent moves in wine with other collectable markets. The team touch on watches, whisky and art, and how each has fared through the cycle. It sets a useful context for how buyers and collectors are approaching decisions this year and why selectivity is back in fashion.
Picks & Places to Watch
Without giving the game away, Sean shares a few wines and categories on his radar. Almaviva is highlighted again in the context of pricing discipline. White Burgundy receives a mention in discussions about changing drinking patterns and increased trade activity for whites. There is also a nod to how different regions are adjusting in 2025, as well as where the buying desk is seeing momentum build.
Listener Questions
The episode closes with questions from listeners. Value emerged, along with considerations on weighing storage and timing when comparing releases and back vintages.
Sean also answers a personal favourite: his gateway bottle. In an unexpected twist, he recalls winning a raffle in his early twenties for a 1996 Mouton Rothschild, which set him on a path that led to today’s role on the buying team.
Final Thoughts
Episode five offers a clear view, including how our buying desk is thinking right now. From what September told us, to why provenance matters, to where pricing feels sensible, Sean’s view pairs neatly with Tom and Jonathan’s market context.
There is plenty more in the full conversation, including where we think opportunities may sit next, so tune in to explore the details.
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