Exclusive | Clients of NYC wine shop Sherry-Lehmann finally getting their wine back
Sherry-Lehmann’s Customers Reunited with Long-Lost Wine
After a tumultuous period of more than two years, customers of Sherry-Lehmann are finally getting their hands back on their prized wine collections.
The renowned Park Avenue wine merchant, which closed its doors in March 2023 due to a liquor license issue after almost nine decades in operation, left many Wine Caves storage service clients in limbo as they struggled to retrieve their valuable bottles.
Following a series of high-profile events, including FBI raids and legal battles between Sherry-Lehmann’s owners and its landlord, the process of returning the stored wine has begun, much to the delight of the customers.
One collector from Boston, who recently reclaimed his wine collection worth $80,000, expressed his joy at finally having his hands on coveted bottles like the 1982 Petrus and various Bordeaux wines, some of which received perfect scores from renowned critic Robert Parker.
Reflecting on his purchase from the 80s, the collector shared, “These were the first serious bottles I bought, and it was an impulse buy after reading a book by Robert Parker. I look forward to sharing them with my 101-year-old father.”
In recent weeks, numerous Wine Caves customers have been able to retrieve their long-forgotten wine collections from a nondescript office building in Rockland County, marking a significant step in the complex process overseen by Sherry-Lehmann’s former landlord.
Glorious Sun, the Hong Kong-based real estate firm owed $5 million in back rent by Sherry-Lehmann, took charge of the stored wine valued at $16 million in 2022 and moved it to Blue Hill Plaza in Pearl River, NY, where most of it remains stored in a controlled environment.
Kevin Zraly, a wine expert, emphasized the exceptional quality of the wines stored at Wine Caves, noting that only a small percentage of wines can age for over five years, with those at Wine Caves falling into that elite category.
As the process of returning the wine to customers progresses, challenges remain, with some clients proving difficult to locate due to address changes or forgetfulness.
According to Zraly, “Some customers may have forgotten about their wine or may be too old to remember they have it there.”
In a unique turn of events, Sherry-Lehmann’s Wine Caves storage arm sued Glorious Sun, accusing them of withholding the wine collection and causing delays in the redistribution process. However, a court ruling allowed the process to resume, bringing hope to customers awaiting their wine.
Discrepancies arose regarding the actual number of bottles stored, with Wine Caves claiming 300,000 bottles and Glorious Sun citing 32,000 bottles based on an FBI raid in 2023. The landlord’s primary aim is to reclaim the space occupied by the stored wine and reach out to all affected customers.
James Galtieri, a veteran wine importer, was revealed as the new majority owner of Wine Caves, with plans to settle outstanding debts and resume operations. However, negotiations with Glorious Sun hit a roadblock over legal concerns, delaying the return of the wine to customers.
Despite the challenges, Wine Caves remains committed to assisting customers in retrieving their wines and moving forward with their business under new ownership.
For some customers, like the Boston collector, the ordeal of reclaiming their wine collections has come to a satisfying conclusion, allowing them to savor their prized bottles with loved ones and create new memories.
While the recovered wine may not be in perfect condition, customers are grateful for its return and look forward to enjoying it during special occasions, cherishing the memories associated with their valuable collections.
