En Primeur Explained

August 1, 2026 Tom Hemmingway 2 min read Updated September 2026

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En primeur is a way of buying wine while it's still in barrel, before it has been bottled and released. You pay for the wine up front, and it's shipped to you once it has been bottled, usually a year or two later.

It's most closely associated with Bordeaux, but Burgundy, the Rhône, Port and a growing number of other regions are also sold this way.

Wines are offeredWhile still in barrel
You order and payIn bond, before duty and VAT
The wine is bottledAt the estate
It arrives in the UKUsually one to two years later
You choose what nextDelivery, storage or transfer

Why buy en primeur?

AccessThe most sought-after wines are made in small quantities, and buying en primeur is often the only reliable way to secure them. Once they're in bottle, they can be hard to find at all.
PriceWines are often released at a lower price than they will fetch once bottled, although this isn't guaranteed, and it varies by vintage and producer.
ProvenanceThe wine travels from the producer straight into a bonded warehouse, so you know exactly how it has been stored.
Choice of formatYou can often choose half bottles, magnums and larger sizes, which are much harder to track down later.

How it works

En primeur wines are sold by the case and priced in bond, which means duty and VAT haven't yet been paid. You pay for the wine when you order, and duty and VAT only become due if and when the wine leaves the bonded warehouse.

When does the wine arrive?

It depends on the region and producer. Bordeaux is usually delivered around two years after the campaign, while Burgundy tends to arrive sooner. We'll be in touch as soon as your wines have landed.

Delivery or storage

Once your wines arrive, you have three options.

Take delivery

Duty and VAT are paid at this point, along with any delivery charge.

Store with us

Your wine stays in bond, so no duty or VAT is due until you take it out.

£12 ex-VAT per case, per year

Transfer

Move your wines to another bonded warehouse of your choice.

Keeping wine in bond is a good option if you're buying to age, as the wine stays in ideal, professionally managed conditions until it's ready to drink.

How much are duty and VAT?

UK duty is charged on the alcohol content of the wine, so a stronger wine pays more. Still and sparkling wines are now taxed at the same rate, and fortified wines like Port pay more because of their higher strength.

From 1 February 2026, the rate for wine between 8.5% and 22% ABV is £30.62 per litre of alcohol.

Alcohol (ABV)	Duty per 75cl bottle
12% e.g. Champagne	£2.76
13%	£2.99
13.5%	£3.10
14.5%	£3.33
20% e.g. Vintage Port	£4.59

VAT at 20% is then charged on the in-bond price of the wine plus the duty. Duty rates usually rise each February, and you'll pay the rate that applies when your wine leaves bond.

A worked example

A case of 12 bottles at 13.5% ABV, bought at £300 in bond.

Wine, in bond: £300.00
Duty12 bottles x £3.10: £37.20
VAT20% of £337.20: £67.44
Duty-paid total: £404.64

Find out more

To hear about our en primeur offers or ask any questions, get in touch with Tom.

Email tom@highburyvintners.co.uk