They were talking about low value, high volume Italian wines to be supplied to China / Hong Kong. Usually not open to private investors but demand is high and contracts to supply in place. Minimum investment is half a container which equates to £14k, and promising returns between 14-23%. In essence any profit made is split 50/50 with transport, insurance and admin coming out of their cut. To make it even more 'appealing' they even offer a buy back guarantee after 12 months.’
My response:
Finbow Wines Ltd was incorporated on 10.6.1999. The latest accounts are made up to 30.6.2008 as a dormant company. Finbow would appear to have been dormant since its incorporation in 1999. Companies House currently list Finbow Wines Ltd as a non-trading company. Vivian Paul Rees is the sole director (appointed 11.11.2009).
Finbow Wines Ltd's registered office is at St. Clements House, 27-28 Clements Lane, London EC4N 7AE. These are serviced offices.
Finbow Wines Ltd's website (www.fin-bow.com) is registered in the name of Simon Dempsey of London SE12. Dempsey was a director of Finbow from 5.4.09 to 11.11.09. The website was registered on 20.5.09. It deals in generalities and does not name any director.
From the Finbow site:
'We are a team of internationally experienced wine buyers, sellers and consultants who have worked in the industry for over 20 years. We have created FINBOW to share our passion for the finer things in life.
Together we offer a unique blend of experience and expertise. Some of us have been around wine for all of our lives and have personal, hands-on knowledge of the wine making process. Others have developed expert judgement by helping individuals and institutions build world-class collections that can provide pleasure for years to come.'
The following quote from the wine knowledge section of the site suggests that Finbow Wines Ltd may be the only company in the world outside the Bordeaux négociants to be able to buy en primeur direct from top Bordeaux estates:
My advice
Companies House records show that Finbow Wines Ltd has only recently become an active company, so has no track record. 'Low value, high volume Italian wines' are unlikely to have much value if it remains unsold after a year. It is not clear from the website what experience the current director of Finbow Wines Ltd has in buying and selling wines into China. This seems to me a decidedly speculative deal with considerable risk attached.
All in all this is not a deal I would want to invest in.
Finbow Wines Ltd's registered office is at St. Clements House, 27-28 Clements Lane, London EC4N 7AE. These are serviced offices.
Finbow Wines Ltd's website (www.fin-bow.com) is registered in the name of Simon Dempsey of London SE12. Dempsey was a director of Finbow from 5.4.09 to 11.11.09. The website was registered on 20.5.09. It deals in generalities and does not name any director.
From the Finbow site:
'We are a team of internationally experienced wine buyers, sellers and consultants who have worked in the industry for over 20 years. We have created FINBOW to share our passion for the finer things in life.
Together we offer a unique blend of experience and expertise. Some of us have been around wine for all of our lives and have personal, hands-on knowledge of the wine making process. Others have developed expert judgement by helping individuals and institutions build world-class collections that can provide pleasure for years to come.'
The following quote from the wine knowledge section of the site suggests that Finbow Wines Ltd may be the only company in the world outside the Bordeaux négociants to be able to buy en primeur direct from top Bordeaux estates:
'Buying en primeur
Due to our long-standing relationships with prestige vineyards, we can give you exclusive opportunities to purchase their wines before they reach the market, when you can expect to pay significantly more.
Due to our long-standing relationships with prestige vineyards, we can give you exclusive opportunities to purchase their wines before they reach the market, when you can expect to pay significantly more.
http://www.fin-bow.com/wine-knowledge/
Previous enquiries about Finbow Wines Ltd suggest that the Italian wine may be called Frassine, which apparently the company 'can buy for £1.95 and it sells in China for around £3 a bottle. The minimum purchase is 3500 units'.My advice
Companies House records show that Finbow Wines Ltd has only recently become an active company, so has no track record. 'Low value, high volume Italian wines' are unlikely to have much value if it remains unsold after a year. It is not clear from the website what experience the current director of Finbow Wines Ltd has in buying and selling wines into China. This seems to me a decidedly speculative deal with considerable risk attached.
All in all this is not a deal I would want to invest in.
