WineBid
WineBid is an online wine auction that has run weekly sales since 1996, with wine stored and shipped from Napa, California. This page covers what it sells, how bidding works, and every buyer cost, including shipping, storage and pickup, with a direct link to winebid.com.
- Founded
- 1996
- Based in
- Napa, California
- Buyer's fee
- Varies, shown per lot
- Auctions
- Weekly, Sun 7 p.m. PT
Go to WineBid →How buying worksFees
About WineBid
WineBid started selling fine and rare wine online in 1996. Title passes in Napa County, California, where its partner Global Storage Network (GSN) stores, ships and releases the wine. It also has a Hong Kong branch and its own import arm for European wines.
A weekly auction closes every Sunday at 7 p.m. Pacific, and special sales close at other times. Lots that get a bid in the last three minutes go into Overtime, which can run until 7:10 p.m. Each bottle is inspected and stored in temperature-controlled space before sale. Buy Now items carry no premium.
What WineBid sells
How buying works at WineBid
- Make an accountSign up free. Bids in your first auction are pre-authorized on your card and voided at the close.
- BidBid during the week. A bid in the last three minutes sends the lot to Overtime.
- PayYour card is billed at the close for the hammer, premium and tax.
- Store or scheduleWine sits in GSN storage in Napa. Shipments never go out on their own; you schedule them.
- Ship or pick upChoose a ship date in a safe weather window, or book a curbside pickup in Napa.
What it costs
WineBid's premium varies by lot, and storage and shipping depend on your free or paid membership tier.
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| Buyer's premium | Varies by lot; shown on each listing and at checkout (it was a flat 17% from 2015) |
| Buy Now | No premium |
| Membership | Cru free; Collector $49 a year; Pro $99 a year |
| Free storage | 2 months for Cru, 4 for Collector, 6 for Pro |
| Storage after that | $0.50, $0.40 or $0.35 per bottle per month by tier, billed on the 1st, not prorated |
| Shipping | Quoted when you schedule; Collector saves 10% and Pro saves 25% |
| Card fee | The processor's fees at its published rates; no fixed surcharge listed |
| Pickup no-show | Restocking fee (amount not published) |
| Approved cancellation | Processing fee of up to 10% |
| Sales tax | California tax on hammer plus premium, except direct shipper states and exports |
Worked example: if a lot shows a 17% premium, a $500 winning bid costs $585 plus California sales tax and shipping. A Cru member who leaves it in storage for 3 months after the 2 free months pays $1.50 per bottle.
Paying, pickup and storage
| When to pay | Due at the close. If payment is not in within 4 calendar days, the account is suspended and the lot may be resold. |
| Shipping states | Availability depends on each destination's laws. The shipping calculator shows what is possible for your address. Louisiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon and Wyoming are direct shipper states with their own tax rules. |
| Weather and temperature | Most shipments go out only when both Napa and your address are between 20°F and 80°F. You can waive this, but you lose condition claims. Expedited and temperature-controlled options may be offered. |
| Packing | Styrofoam shippers. Ice-pack boxes for 750ml bottles in 6- or 12-packs. |
| Storage | Free for 2 to 6 months by tier, then per-bottle monthly fees. There is no limit on how long wine can stay. |
| Pickup | Curbside at 759 Skyway Court, Napa, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment with 24 hours' notice. An adult over 21 with ID can collect for you. |
| Large bottles | Bottles over 3 liters need a quote from GSN. |
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UX Search is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by WineBid. Bidding, payment and delivery all happen on the house's own site under its own terms. Information checked October 22, 2026 from winebid.com (FAQ, membership, bidding help, Overtime FAQ, terms, why WineBid) and globalstoragenetwork.com (shipping, pickup, FAQ) and wineberserkers.com (2015 premium change notice); fees and rules can change, so confirm them on the sale page.