JF Hillebrand transports fine wine collection

Global logistics provider JF Hillebrand managed the transportation of a highly-valuable consignment of one of Australia’s most prestigious wines – Penfolds Grange.

The Penfolds Collection, considered the finest set of Penfolds Grange wine ever to be sold, includes a full collection of authenticated bottles spanning six decades, from the very first vintage of 1951 to the current vintage of 2006. It also includes 13 magnum cases.

JF Hillebrand UK operations director Dan Morris says: “Being entrusted with the movement of such a valuable and prestigious collection of wines to London was a considerable logistics challenge – one involving a meticulous operation and care and attention.

“We needed to ensure the wine was carefully protected for the long journey, and also that no temperature damage would occur during the transportation operation.”

Prior to departure, the bottles were carefully secured in Styrofoam boxes and were insulated to protect against potentially damaging temperature fluctuations.

JF Hillebrand collected the wine from Treasury Wine Estates, owners of the Penfolds brand, on January 24, and then securely re-packaged the collection for air-freight to London Heathrow airport.

On arrival in London the collection was carefully and securely transported by two drivers, for added security, to a warehouse in nearby west London, where the wines were finally re-packaged before being delivered to Hedonism Wines – a fine wine boutique in London’s Mayfair – on January 29.

Hedonism Wines expect the collection to fetch around £1.2million/AU $1.8million.

11 March 2013 - Felicity Murray