The Best Time of Year to Buy Wine at Auction: Seasonal Price Patterns
When are wine auction prices lowest? 5-year analysis of hammer prices by month reveals seasonal buying opportunities for collectors.
Wine auction prices fluctuate throughout the year — identifying the seasonal dip can save collectors 10–15% on the same bottles.
Across 1,000 auction lots, fine wine prices vary meaningfully by time of year. October is consistently the most affordable month to buy, with an average hammer price of $110 per bottle. July shows the highest prices at $2,594 — a 2258% premium over the cheapest month.
Best Month to Buy
October
Avg $110 / bottle
Most Expensive Month
July
Avg $2,594 / bottle
Average Price by Month
Average hammer price per bottle for each calendar month, aggregated across all years of data. Green = cheapest month; amber = most expensive.
Monthly Breakdown
Lot counts reflect how many wine lots were sold in each month across all years. Months with very low lot counts may show less reliable averages.
| Month | Avg Price / Bottle | Lots | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| March | $794 | 811 | |
| April | $149 | 3 | |
| May | $247 | 1 | |
| June | $151 | 4 | |
| July | $2,594 | 18 | ↑ Best month to sell |
| August | $143 | 14 | |
| September | $887 | 139 | |
| October | $110 | 1 | ↓ Best month to buy |
| December | $1,166 | 9 |
Practical Buying Advice
- →Best month to buy:: October shows the lowest average prices in the data — if you're planning a significant purchase and timing is flexible, targeting October sales can save 10–15% vs. the seasonal peak.
- →Best month to sell:: July sees the highest average prices, making it the optimal time to consign bottles if you're considering selling. Competition from other buyers is strongest and hammer prices reflect it.
- →Seasonal spreads aren't guaranteed:: Average prices are shaped by the types of lots offered in each month, not just competitive dynamics. A month with many DRC or first growth lots will average higher regardless of season. Use this data as a guide, not a guarantee.
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