Introducing Spectrum Wine Loans by CFC
Your cellar has been appreciating for years.
Now it can open doors.
Borrow against the value of your wine collection, without selling a single bottle. Spectrum Wine has partnered with Collateral Finance Corporation, a licensed lender with two decades of experience in fine collateral, to give serious collectors access to capital at 7.9% APR, with storage included and no pre-payment penalties.
Why borrow against wine?
Liquidity, without liquidation.
You spent years assembling your collection: the verticals, the ex-château provenance, the bottles you waited a decade to find. Selling them to raise capital means unwinding all of that work, and possibly triggering a tax event, at a moment not of your choosing.
A collateral loan takes a different view: your wine stays yours, professionally stored and fully accounted for, while its value goes to work. Fund a commercial investment, seize an opportunity at auction, bridge a business need. When the loan is repaid, every bottle comes back to your cellar exactly as it left.
The process
From cellar to capital in three steps.
Most collectors go from application to funds in ten business days or less.
Tell us about your collection
Share the broad strokes below: what you hold, roughly what it's worth, and what you have in mind. A Spectrum representative will follow up promptly. Collections of roughly $40,000 and up typically qualify for the $25,000 minimum loan.
Spectrum appraises, CFC prepares your loan
The same Spectrum Wine Auctions appraisal team that values collections for our sales establishes your collection's loan value. CFC confirms clear title and prepares your loan, typically up to 65% of appraised value. Prior credit history isn't a deciding factor; your collection is.
Funds arrive
From submitted application to money in hand is typically ten business days or less. Your wine remains professionally stored, insured, and waiting for you throughout the life of the loan.
The essentials
Terms a collector can actually read.
No fine-print theatrics. Here is what a Spectrum Loan looks like.
Interest Rate
Calculated daily on a 360-day year, billed monthly. Pay by ACH, check, credit card, or wire.
Term
Most borrowers renew for multiple terms; you'll be offered renewal several weeks before maturity.
Loan-to-Value
Of your collection's appraised value. A collection worth ~$40,000 supports the $25,000 minimum loan.
Fees
No origination fee, no pre-payment penalty, and storage of your collection is included for the life of the loan.
Early Payoff
Repay whenever you like, without penalty, by wire, check, or authorized sale of the collateral.
Your Wine
Held in professional, provenance-preserving storage during the loan and returned to you at payoff.
For auction buyers
Bidding on something extraordinary?
CFC also finances Spectrum Wine Auctions purchases, financing up to 65% of an item's hammer price at attractive rates. Win the lot now, spread the cost sensibly. Ask your Spectrum auction representative or contact CFC to learn more.
Questions, answered
Everything a collector would want to know.
Who is Collateral Finance Corporation (CFC)?
CFC is a licensed California Finance Lender, established in 2005, that specializes in lending against fine tangible assets: precious metals and bullion, rare coins and currency, sports cards, and wine. CFC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gold.com, a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE under the symbol GOLD. In short: they've spent two decades lending against exactly the kinds of things collectors care about.
What is Spectrum Wine's role?
Spectrum Wine Auctions' appraisal team establishes your collection's loan value. They are the same specialists who evaluate consignments for our auctions. CFC handles the lending itself. You get institutional-grade financing with your collection assessed by people who genuinely know wine.
Does CFC give investment advice about my wine?
No. CFC is a lender, not an advisor, and it doesn't offer guidance on buying, holding, or selling wine. Decisions about your collection remain entirely yours.
Who do I contact with questions?
CFC can be reached at (800) 232-5767 or Support@CFCGoldLoans.com for help with an application or an existing loan. Or start with the form below and a Spectrum representative will point you in the right direction.
Is there a minimum loan amount?
Yes: $25,000. At the typical 65% loan-to-value ratio, that means a collection worth roughly $40,000 or more. If you're not sure where your cellar lands, that's precisely what the form below is for.
How much can I borrow against my collection?
CFC typically lends up to 65% of your collection's appraised value. A cellar appraised at $200,000, for example, could support a loan of up to $130,000.
What kinds of wine qualify as collateral?
Generally, investment-grade wines with strong secondary-market demand and verifiable provenance. Think classified Bordeaux, top Burgundy, benchmark Champagne, Napa cult producers, and comparable bottlings. The Spectrum appraisal team will review your specific holdings and confirm what qualifies.
How long does it take to get funds?
Typically ten business days or less from submitted application to funds received. Applications are made through CFC's online portal at cfcwineloans.com, or call (800) 232-5767 for assistance.
What will I be asked to provide?
Contact information, an estimate of your liquid assets and net worth, a copy of a government-issued ID (a driver's license works), and disclosure of any liens, judgments, or pending litigation. CFC will also run a Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) search to confirm no one else has a claim on your wine, so you'll need clear title to your collection.
Does my credit history matter?
Not directly. Prior bankruptcies or an imperfect credit record don't drive the decision. The loan is secured by your collection, so the collection does the talking.
Are there residency requirements?
Yes. Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or legal residents living in a qualifying state. Contact CFC to confirm eligibility where you live.
Are there restrictions on how I use the money?
Yes. Loan proceeds must be used for commercial investment purposes, and you'll be asked to represent as much. The intent is simple: this is capital for opportunities, not for funding day-to-day personal expenses.
What are the rate and term?
7.9% APR on a 180-day term. Interest accrues daily on a 360-day calendar year and is billed monthly. Borrowers are generally offered renewal several weeks before maturity, and most loans are renewed for multiple terms.
Are there any fees?
No origination fees, no pre-payment penalties, no hidden charges, and storage of your collection is included for the life of the loan.
Can I pay the loan off early?
Any time, without penalty. Repay by bank wire or check, or, if you choose, through the authorized sale of the underlying collateral.
How do I make payments and see statements?
Interest is billed monthly, payable by ACH, check, credit card, or bank wire. Statements arrive by email and are always available on CFC's online loan platform.
What happens if wine market values decline? (Margin calls)
Like any collateral-backed loan, a meaningful decline in your collection's market value can trigger a margin call, meaning a request to bring the loan back to an acceptable loan-to-value ratio. You'd generally have several options: add bottles or cash to support the loan, or authorize CFC to sell a portion of the existing collateral. It's the same mechanism a securities-backed line uses, applied to wine.
Where does my wine live during the loan?
Your collection is held in professional, temperature- and humidity-controlled storage, with the same standard of care Spectrum applies to every collection in its custody, and storage costs included in your loan. Full facility details are confirmed during the application process.
How does my collection get to storage, and how does it come home?
Both legs of the journey, getting your wine safely into storage and returning it to your cellar at payoff, are coordinated through professional carriers experienced with fine wine. We call this logistics support, and borrowers should expect some cost on each leg. Because every collection is different, those costs vary with factors like the size of your collection, the distance traveled, packaging requirements, and the time of year, so they are quoted individually rather than as a flat fee. Your Spectrum representative will walk you through what to expect for your specific collection before anything moves, and insurance coverage is in place while your wine is in transit.
Can I finance an auction purchase?
Yes. CFC has a long-standing relationship with Spectrum Wine Auctions and regularly supports our sales by financing up to 65% of an item's hammer price at attractive interest rates. Contact CFC or your Spectrum auction representative to learn more about the program.
Start the conversation
Curious what your cellar could do?
Tell us a little about your collection. No commitment, no application, no fee. A Spectrum representative will review your note and follow up with an honest read on what a Spectrum Loan could look like for you.
An inventory spreadsheet of your holdings helps our appraisal team give you a sharper answer. Your representative will help you send it after your inquiry.
Subsidiary of Gold.com, Inc. NYSE: GOLD
Collateral Finance Corporation (CFC), established in 2005, offers financing on a wide array of precious metals and numismatic products, is licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Financing Law, License No. 603C377.
Loans are meant for commercial use and subject to restrictions based on state residency.
All loans are made by Collateral Finance Corporation, a licensed California Finance Lender. Spectrum Wine is not a lender and does not make credit decisions. Loan approval, rates, and terms are subject to CFC underwriting, collateral evaluation, and applicable state eligibility requirements. Loan proceeds must be used for commercial investment purposes. Borrowers must be U.S. citizens or legal residents residing in a qualifying state. Collateral is subject to margin requirements; declines in market value may require additional collateral or partial liquidation. Neither Spectrum Wine nor CFC provides investment, tax, or legal advice.