The Art of Gifting: A Vintage Experience with Ksenia Karpenko
Ksenia Karpenko, a celebrated sommelier and Founder of Bespoke Wine Collection, has an incredible story to tell — from an unexpected calling to pioneering luxury wine gifting. With six Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards under her belt, Ksenia shares how she turned her deep passion for wine into a business that blends personal stories with investment value. In my inspiring interview with her, she talked about the power of personalisation, the similarities between fine wine and art collecting, and why these passion investments continue to captivate collectors worldwide.
As a reputed sommelier and six-time Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winner, your love and knowledge of wine is irrefutable. Where did it come from? Has wine always played a special role in your life?
I guess it was fate!
Wine truly found me, and in the most unexpected way. I was looking for my path in life and asked the Universe, 'What am I here for? What’s my purpose in life?'. The very next morning I woke up with the word 'Sommelier' unshakeable from my mind. That day changed everything.
Within just three days, I was taking the first steps towards a career I had never known existed — a decision my parents refused to support, which meant I spent the next six months surviving off buckwheat and rice. But, I couldn’t have been happier — I’d found my calling, my true passion.
That was 18 years ago!
Your company, Bespoke Wine Collection, is highly unique in that it offers a fully personalised wine gifting service. Could you please tell us a bit more about what you offer and what sets it apart from others?
Bespoke Wine Collection specialises in curating luxury gifting experiences that foster a deep appreciation for fine wine, gastronomical delights and the refined culture surrounding them.
For example, our wedding collection is designed to celebrate the past, present and future! Six cherry-picked fine wines of the vintage (year) the couple got together, designed so the couple will indulge in tasting each bottle on an important milestone in their marriage — 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th wedding anniversary. This is not just wine, it’s the promise of a happy, long future to the newlyweds!
Alongside their wine collection, the happy couple will receive a beautifully personalised Bespoke Bound Book, featuring history, gastronomic pairings and serving suggestions for each wine. It will also be customised with their own photos, heartfelt wishes and precious memories, creating a truly one-of-a-kind celebration of their journey together.
Whether it’s a gift for a cherished friend, a gesture of appreciation for an acquaintance or a romantic gift for that special someone in your life, at Bespoke Wine Collection we transform the act of giving into an extraordinary affair.
Where did the idea for Bespoke Wine Collection come from?
Bespoke Wine Collection was inspired by an amusing moment with my eldest nephew. One afternoon, while trying to get my mischievous nephew to settle down, I promised him a special gift for his 21st birthday as a bit of leverage. When he excitedly asked, 'What’s the gift?', the idea of a wine collection was the first thing that came to mind.
Right there, 17 years ago, I realised I wanted this to be more than just a collection — it was an opportunity to give him an education in wine and teach him to appreciate it.
As I travelled and curated wines from his birth year, I recognised the gift-giving anticipation of wine held equal magic to the tasting itself. Our Coming of Age Collection features 21 fine wines, all hailing from the vintage of your child’s birth year. My nephew, Leo, will savour one wine every year, culminating in the enjoyment of the final bottle on his 45th birthday.
My deep passion for wine, built over 18 years of experience, constant pursuit of knowledge and appreciation for the emotional connections wine creates have culminated in what my Bespoke Wine Collection company has become today.
Personalisation has become a keyword in the luxury market. Why do you think people are drawn to it?
Personalisation has become such a powerful trend because it taps into something deeper than just ownership — it’s about identity and experience. When people invest in something personalised, they’re getting more than a product; they’re getting a piece of themselves reflected in that item or experience.
Harnessing the power of personalisation, we curate truly unique experiences: gifts people will see themselves in. By infusing our gifts with a personal touch, we elevate them to a level that goes beyond gifts, turning them into profound expressions of thoughtfulness.
You also offer a tailored service to help with the creation of fine wine portfolios and wine investments for exclusive clients. Much like art, wine doesn’t correlate strongly with stock and bond markets, largely making it less susceptible to risks associated with financial market crashes. What do you think makes fine wine an interesting investment?
Like many other luxury assets, fine wine has a strong tendency to grow in value as only a very small quantity of bottles is produced each year. Unlike other luxury assets, though, the unique feature of fine wine is that it is made to be consumed. For example, with every passing year, there are fewer specimens of a spectacular wine, such as the 2000 Château Mouton Rothschild, available. The rarity factor means that these wines will fetch higher and higher prices as they become increasingly scarce.
According to the Knight Frank Luxury Index, fine wine assets have grown in value by a remarkable 146% over the past decade. Their Wealth Report 2023 Q4 revealed wine was the second best passion asset, outperforming every other luxury asset across the 12 months of that year. This renders fine wine investment a solid option for all serious investors.
In recent years, there has been much buzz around whisky investment. How does this compare with fine wine investment? Do you believe that this trend will continue?
Both whisky and fine wine attract investors seeking rarity, quality and long-term value growth. However, whisky has a unique edge in that, once it’s bottled, it doesn’t age further, preserving its character indefinitely, whereas wine continues to evolve in the bottle, with certain peak maturity points impacting its value.
As I curate and manage my clients' investment portfolios, I’m currently in an observational phase when it comes to whisky investment. The remarkable 500% increase in value from 2013 to 2023 is undeniably tempting, though the recent dip reported in the Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index, which now stands at 280%, raises some caution in my view.
Additionally, distilleries have responded to investor interest by releasing limited editions and rare casks for the collector’s market. While this strategic move appeals to certain investors, there are growing concerns about the potential over-commercialisation of the market.
For now, I’m carefully weighing the pros and cons, and studying the whisky market extensively. This approach ensures that if we decide to incorporate whisky investment as a service, we’ll be fully equipped with the knowledge to serve our discerning clients with the highest standard of expertise.
As we see with art, there is often a lot of emotion and sentimentality involved in owning wine and building a collection of it, which is why they are referred to as ‘passion investments’. Wine, like food, can bring up cherished memories. In your experience, to what extent does this inform the choices of wines added to a portfolio? How much is the notion of passing the collection down to future generations factored in?
Great question!
Long-term holding has indeed proven advantageous in fine wine investments, with some high-profile portfolios kept for 10 to 20 years or more. Certain wines, especially from Burgundy and Champagne, have appreciated by over 1000% in these timeframes, particularly for iconic vintages or limited releases that attract consistent global demand.
However, unlike art or other collectibles that can be passed down with fewer constraints, fine wine portfolios face unique challenges for inheritance. Wine is perishable and requires climate-controlled storage to preserve its quality and value. Additionally, fine wines have peak drinking windows, and if held beyond these, they may decrease in value. Legal and logistical factors, such as taxes, provenance verification and ownership transfer, also make inheritance more complex compared to art.
Wine’s value as an investment asset lies in timely sales and regular portfolio management rather than indefinite holding, making it less suited for traditional inheritance strategies.
Any tips for those looking to start their own wine collection?
Starting a wine collection can feel daunting, but it's also deeply rewarding. First, consider why you want to build your collection. Is it for special occasions, regular enjoyment, or perhaps, even as a gift for the next generation? Defining this purpose early on helps guide all your decisions and ensures the collection aligns with your goals and tastes.
Curation is essential, so consider how adventurous you want to be. You might begin by selecting wines you already know and enjoy, or you could branch out, exploring new regions, grape varieties or producers. Some collectors enjoy creating vertical collections (different vintages of the same wine) or building around a favorite grape variety. This approach lets you dive deep and gain a nuanced understanding of the wines you’re passionate about.
Lastly, don’t overlook expert guidance and proper storage. Just as you would research a major purchase, learning about a wine producer, vintage and history enriches your experience. And, once acquired, wines need a stable, temperature-controlled environment to mature gracefully. Whether in a wine fridge, cellar or bonded warehouse, good storage ensures your collection stays at its best, ready for you to savor or share.
We’re here for you every step of the way, ready to assist with any wine-related questions, big or small! Whether you're just beginning or refining your collection, our goal is to make the process seamless and enjoyable, helping you explore and appreciate the fascinating world of wine.
Do you have a favourite wine, and if so, why is it your favourite?
That is such a tough question!
One thing is certain, though — I can’t imagine a life without Champagne. There's always a reason to celebrate, after all!
My fascination with wine mirrors my fascination with people — their beautiful souls, intelligence and unique qualities. I love being surrounded by extraordinary people and stunning, diverse wines, each with its own story and character. But, ask me again in 10 years…who knows, maybe by then, I’ll have met 'The One'!
