NY Vintner Taps US Private Cellars to Avoid Wine Levies
Brooklyn retailer Chris Leon is sourcing European vintages from U.S. cellars to bypass import tariffs. This helps firms maintain stock without paying levies.
A New York wine retailer is adopting an unconventional strategy to navigate the high import tariffs currently affecting the United States. Chris Leon, owner of the Brooklyn-based shop Leon & Son, is sourcing European vintages from private American cellars rather than importing new stock from overseas.
Leon’s approach involves identifying and purchasing fine wines from France, Italy, and Spain that are already physically located within the country. These bottles, often tucked away in residential basements or the cellars of local restaurants, are then offered to consumers through a new online auction platform. This model allows the business to circumvent the steep levies that have reshaped the economics of the wine trade.
