A brief history of Langton's
Stewart Langton established Langton’s Fine Wine Auctions in Melbourne in 1988. It
was then the first specialist wine auction house in Australia. The following year
Andrew Caillard MW joined him and together they established Langton’s Sydney. From
its earliest years, Langton’s has enjoyed partnerships with some of the leading
players in the fine wine industry.
In 1990 Christie’s, the world’s largest wine auctioneers, formed a unique business
alliance with Langton’s. Since 1991 we have been a partner in the Penfolds Wine
Clinic program, a specialist re-corking service for enthusiasts and investors. In
1994 we conducted the inaugural Henschke Quality Assurance program with C. A. Henschke
& Co., a re-corking of older Henschke family cellared wines.
In 1991 Langton’s released its Classification of Australian Wine, the first credible
form guide to fine Australian wine. Re-classifications followed in 1996 and 2000.
Langton’s Classification is now an industry benchmark for the Australian wine industry.
In 1991 Langton’s also published its own secondary market price guide – Langton’s
Fine Wine Buying and Investment Guide. This publication is now in its 5th edition.
Wine investors and the wine trade regard it as the bible of Australian wine investment.
Since 1989 Langton’s has conducted a continuing series of special event Australian
wine auctions. These themed auctions promote and provide the best Australian wines
to an ever-growing national and international audience. Each fully illustrated catalogue
provides clients with detailed commentary and analysis. These auctions are important
events on the world wine calendar.
In 2002 Langton’s launched its Australian Fine Wine Index. The Langton’s Fine Wine
Index (LFWI) is the first credible index to chart the performance over time of a
balanced portfolio of Australian wine.
With the launch of www.langtons.com.au, 2002 proved to be a watershed year. Langton’s
award winning auction technology has set a new standard for online wine auctions.
The launch of our online Wine Exchange in 2004 has seen Langton’s further consolidate
its position as both the market leader and innovator.
In 2005 Langton’s released its much awaited new Classification of Australian Wine
IV. This Classification is the new benchmark for quality Australian wine and features
a growing listing of the best 101 Australian wines.
2006 saw the launch of Langton’s Penfolds En Primeur followed in 2007 by the Great
Estates of Western Australia En Primeur. With our annual Bordeaux En Primeur releases
every May Langton’s has quickly established itself as the Australian market leader
for the purchase of wines En Primeur.
In 2007 we published our new online Wine & Food Magazine and in late 2007 followed
up with the launch of two new Wine Exchanges – for Sydney & Heritage wines.
Knowledge is our strength
Langton’s is Australia’s most influential and authoritative fine wine business.
Our Classification of Australian Wine (now in its 4th edition), Langton’s Fine Wine
Buying and Investment Guide (in its 5th edition), Langton’s Fine Wine Index (LWFI)
and our Price Guide database tracking the price movement of over 15,000 wines are
among the tools, unique to Langton’s and now available online, which our clients
use to make informed wine investment decisions.
Andrew Caillard MW, Langton’s Sydney partner, is also the author (having been involved
in every edition as a taster and then co-author) of the 2004 The Rewards Patience,
the 5th edition of this remarkable record of Penfolds wine achievement.
Through our regular wine Auctions, special event Auctions, wine Exchange, commentary
and analysis Langton’s has been instrumental in developing the Australian secondary
wine market. This record of achievement and expertise, distilled from many years
of experience, is un-matched by any other player in the Australian market. It is
this knowledge and expertise, which – we believe – gives us a meaningful and lasting
relationship with our buyers and sellers.
Innovation is our edge
Since its inception Langton’s has been at the forefront of innovation in the Australian
fine wine market. In the late 1980s we introduced the silent bid auction to Australia.
Today we are at the beginning of a period of significant change as e-commerce revolutionises
the wine marketplace. The ‘tech-wreck’ of April 2000 and the subsequent failure
of many Internet start-ups paves the way for established businesses to take the
lead with e-business initiatives that will make them leaders in their industries.
A major behind-the-scenes IT transformation has taken place at Langton’s. A new,
purpose-built wine software system has streamlined our business. This end-to-end
system manages our stock, warehouse, wine listings, Auctions, Exchange, wine information,
invoicing and payments. Fully integrated with www.langtons.com.au, it delivers all
the benefits of this new way of doing business to our clients 24/7 online.
The advent of www.langtons.com.au makes Langton’s the most advanced fine wine service
in the world.
Customer service is our guarantee
Our longest partnership has been with our members. We value the loyalty of our clients.
Many have been buying and selling wine through Langton’s since it began. What guarantees
Langton’s business – past and future – is your satisfaction with our services. We
have earned our reputation and market leadership by serving our customers.
The launch of www.langtons.com.au brings with it the traditional customer service
values of Langton’s 16-year history. The use of the latest technology simply means
we can raise the standard of service we offer to a new level.
It is this unique mix of traditional and electronic wine auction services, synthesised
seamlessly together, that gives our clients a most extraordinary wine buying and
selling resource. Use it and enjoy it!
Become a Langton's member
Become a Langton’s member today. At www.langtons.com.au there’s never been a better
time. Find out more by clicking Join at the top of your screen now.
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