- Expertise spanning over 170 years
- Curated range of ‘anyday’ wines & special bottles
- State of the art storage and logistics facilities
Cellar Circle Membership
We’ve been helping the best people enjoy the best wines since 1854. During that time, we’ve found that the more rewarding way to build a cellar is by getting to know exactly what sort of wines each of our customers most enjoy. So we introduced Cellar Circle.
Cellar Circle allows us to get to know your tastes and interests, and help us to build the right wine portfolio for you. Members work with a personal advisor to buy, store, sell and drink fine wine, with various special benefits – including the best storage rates and access to limited parcels – offered on top.
We invite you to join us.
What is Cellar Circle?
Membership starts from £100 a month, all of which goes to building your wine portfolio. You can spend it as you wish, and there are no hidden fees. Here's what your membership includes:
A welcome call so your advisor can get to know you and what you like, and who’ll remain on hand to guide you, vintage by vintage, region by region.
Exclusive access to some of the world’s finest and rarest wines.
Excellent storage rates for your wines.
Free deliveries (UK mainland).
Fine Wine Guides
At Lay & Wheeler we are passionate about wine and if you have decided that now is the time to start building your very own wine collection then we’d love to help you.
Between us we have a pretty unbeatable knowledge about wine that has come from decades of learning, tasting and listening. With Cellar Circle membership, you'll have access to a Fine Wine Advisor, who will be able to give you all the bespoke guidance you need.
And we've also put together a selection of brief guides for budding wine collectors and those of you just interested in learning more about wine.
Unique events and experiences
Wine investment and storage
“My Cellar Circle wine advisor is honing in on my wine interests and is increasingly suggesting particular wines that she feels I would be interested in. Her recommendations are excellent and feel very personalised. We have a great rapport online and she provides a first class service .”
Ready to Join Cellar Circle?
Your Wine Discovery Journey
Cellar Circle - How does it work?
- I've just joined - what happens next?
Once you are a member of the Cellar Circle, your personal wine consultant will contact you to talk with you about your wine preferences and the aims and goals that you have for your wine collection. They will then keep you informed of relevant offers and wines that they feel you would appreciate. If you specifically ask, they will even make purchases on your behalf.
- How do I buy wine?
You can speak to your advisor, email our team or buy wine online at Lay & Wheeler, where you can learn more about wine regions and styles before making your purchase. You’ll also receive regular email offers from us, detailing new releases and offers.
- Can I adjust the amount of money I put into my account?
Email our Sales Support Team to amend the amount you pay each month. Changes made before 15th of the month will be reflected in the next direct debit payment, and those made thereafter will be reflected the following month.
- Where are my wines stored?
Your wines are stored in a specialised bonded wine storage facility - Coterie Vaults. This is a state-of-the-art warehouse, specially designed to keep your wines in optimum condition until you’re reasy to drink them.
- What are the storage costs?
Storage charges are per 9 litre case per year. This is charged monthly in arrears, with part-months and part-cases charged pro-rata. Our current rates can be found here.
- How do I arrange for my wines to be delivered?
Log on to your online account or email the Sales Support Team to arrange delivery of your wine - they're always happy to help.
- What does 'In Bond' mean?
We recommend buying ‘In Bond’ when purchasing for your Cellar Circle account. This means that the wine needs to be stored in a bonded warehouse, allowing you to defer the payment of Duty and VAT until you decide to have your wines delivered. This is particularly important when buying wines for future resale, as storage in a specially-designed warehouse means that your wine will stay in the optimum condition for both reselling, or future enjoyment.
- What does 'En Primeur' mean?
Some fine wines are sold before they have arrived in the country and - in some cases – before they have even been bottled. It’s a fantastic way to secure rare or sought after wines while they still maturing in barrel, and before they go on the open market. Selling wines in this way is described using the French term ‘en primeur’.
New vintages of Bordeaux, Burgundy and the Rhône are normally offered in this way. The wines are sold and shipped ‘In Bond’ and arrive at Coterie Vaults to be added to our customers’ accounts. At this stage you can choose to pay the duty and VAT at the prevailing rate and have the wine delivered directly to you, or you can choose to store it with us until it is ready to drink.
- Is there a minimum commitment?
Membership with full benefits starts at £100 a month – the entire amount goes towards the purchase of wines, and you can buy wine for drinking now or for future enjoyment.
- My friend is a member of Cellar Circle and referred me. Do we get anything?
Yes! You and your friend will both get £50 of credit into your accounts. Just let us know who referred you (via your advisor or email Sales Support) and we'll take care of the rest.