SKINNER LAUNCHES FINE WINE DEPARTMENT
BOSTON, Mass. - December 29, 2006
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www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art announces the launch of a Fine Wine department. This new specialty department makes Skinner a convenient venue for the consignment and purchase of fine wine, and the sole auction house in New England to offer wine at auction. The first Skinner auction of Fine Wine is slated for or Fall of 2007.
"This new specialty department is a true differentiator for Skinner in the marketplace and it feeds directly into our corporate strategy of drawing new and younger collectors to our auctions," notes Karen Keane, CEO of Skinner, Inc. We've already received substantial interest from our customers and we're excited at the prospect of this new venture."
Skinner's Fine Wine department will be headed by Marie Keep, a long-time wine enthusiast. Marie is actively involved in the wine and food industry in the Boston area and brings excellent knowledge of the auction industry, having been Skinner's long-serving Boston Gallery Director.
Skinner's Fine Wine department will be headed by Marie Keep, a long-time wine enthusiast. Marie is actively involved in the wine and food industry in the Boston area and brings excellent knowledge of the auction industry, having been Skinner's long-serving Boston Gallery Director.
"Skinner has always had expertise in discovering treasures throughout the house and into the attic, and with our Fine Wine department, we're now able to extend that same level of knowledge into the cellar," notes Marie Keep, director of Fine Wine. Keep continued, "As a society, our awareness and connection to wine and food increasingly resembles the European mentality. This transformation has occurred over a relatively short time frame. As a result, there is a solid and growing interest in buying and consigning fine wines not only in metro-Boston, but New England and the nation."
Skinner will work in close collaboration with its chosen retail partner, Lower Falls Wine Co., based in Newton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1935, Lower Falls is a third generation family owned wine business dedicated to unparalleled personal service and the knowledge of wine's proper place in today's lifestyle. Co-owners Chris and Phil Minervino head a dedicated staff who will assist Skinner in many aspects of the auction process as well as provide client and logistical support at the time of property release.
"Skinner is poised to deliver a most significant and timely service to New England's wine loving community," said Phil Minervino. "Mature, rarer and cult wines are increasingly desirable ... and for good reason!" adds Chris Minervino emphatically. The pleasure-seeking audience who enjoys vinous-related experiences is growing. In a very real sense, the Skinner/Lower Falls collaboration will bring more liquidity to the market by introducing new buyers and sellers.
Skinner is currently accepting consignments for its inaugural auction of Fine Wine and can accept a single noteworthy bottle or an entire collection. For more information on Skinner's Fine Wine department, please contact Marie Keep at 617-350-5400 x 311.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series,
Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site
www.skinnerinc.com.
