WINECHAT

Conversation with Malte Häusler

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Wine is not only a popular luxury item but also a highly sought-after investment these days. In our WineChat, we talk to Malte Häusler, co-founder and CEO of the investment platform Timeless, about a new form of wine investment based on digital participation models – opening up access to the capital markets for very exclusive wines.
Malte Häusler has been co-founder and, since the end of 2023, CEO of the investment platform Timeless. The economics graduate brings more than 20 years of experience in finance and corporate development. After founding his first start-up in the automotive sector with the Gapless brand, he and his co-founders shifted the company’s focus in 2021 to a platform for investments in tokenised tangible assets, where he played a key role in driving growth and strategy as CFO. Today, he continues to lead the company into a promising future – as a European investment platform for digital investments in exclusive collectibles such as wine, art, watches, sneakers and more. His mission: to make fine collectibles investable for more people – simply, digitally and transparently.

Through Timeless, wine enthusiasts, collectors and connoisseurs can invest in shares of carefully selected fine wines and benefit from their appreciation in value. So how exactly does such an investment through Timeless work?

Simply put, we turn a bottle of wine into a digital asset. Our experts curate selected top wines from around the world with clear potential for appreciation. These are tokenised into shares via our platform, enabling our users to become co-owners of these bottles for as little as £50. Timeless and its partners take care of everything: optimal storage conditions, trading, insurance, and managing the sales process. Once a wine is sold, all shareholders receive their share of the proceeds. The entire process is managed through an intuitive app – transparent, secure, and fully digital.

Why is buying shares in tangible assets such as wine so appealing, and what advantages does wine investment offer compared to other tangible assets?

Tangible assets generally have one decisive advantage: they are independent of fluctuations in the traditional capital markets. Wine, in particular, is attractive due to its combination of limited supply, growing global demand, and cultural prestige. What sets wine apart is that it continues to evolve. Maturation, rarity, and history create a natural increase in value over time. Moreover, wine is not just an investment – it is a cultural asset. This creates an emotional connection that is often less present with other assets such as watches or art.

What returns can you expect from wine investments – and where are the biggest risks?

Historically, average annual returns in the fine wine segment have been around 8 to 10% – and considerably higher in strong years. Of course, much depends on the timing of entry, the producer, and the overall market situation. The main risks lie in market liquidity, global trade developments, and – in the case of physical assets – counterfeiting or improper storage. This is exactly where we come in: we only purchase certified bottles, store them professionally, and thereby minimise risks for our investors.

We only purchase certified bottles and store them professionally, thereby minimising risks for our investors.

How does Timeless identify these special wines with potential for appreciation worldwide, and how is the connection between dealers or collectors and Timeless established?

We work with a strong international network of dealers, auction houses, wineries, and collectors – from Bordeaux to Hong Kong. Our category experts and partners continuously analyse markets, vintages, ratings, and price trends. We rely on a combination of data-driven evaluations and decades of expertise within the network. Once an investment qualifies for our platform, we verify all authenticity and storage criteria – and only proceed when every standard is met. Our connections to producers and merchants are built on trust, quality, and a long-term commitment to transparent marketing.

Was there a particularly spectacular investment or a special bottle that you personally remember?

Absolutely – one real highlight was our investment in a 2010 Romanée-Conti. A bottle with iconic status, in extremely high demand worldwide, and produced in minuscule quantities. Within just a few hours, all shares were sold. Moments like these vividly demonstrate how strong the demand for such rarities is – not only as a passion, but also as an investment. And to be honest, the very idea of being involved in such an icon still fascinates me to this day.

Do you have a favorite wine-related anecdote you love to tell?

What I particularly remember is a user who once held shares in Château Lafite Rothschild through Timeless – and then decided to give away a share of his favourite bottle, asking us for a voucher in return (which can now be purchased for any tangible asset for someone else). For him, it was more than just an investment – it was a story, a statement. This nicely illustrates how emotional the subject of wine can be, even in the digital age.

Our final question: What’s your personal favorite wine? Can you tell us how you discovered and fell in love with it?

I’m a big fan of Barolo, especially those from small, family-run wineries in Piedmont. My favourite? A Barolo Monvigliero from Burlotto – powerful and complex, yet wonderfully delicate. I first discovered it in northern Italy, on an evening in a tiny trattoria with good food, laughter, and great company. Those are the moments that make wine unforgettable. In everyday life, I often reach for something lighter: a crisp French rosé or a Pinot Gris from.



Malte, thank you for this inspiring conversation.

Timeless is a digital investment platform for exclusive tangible assets, including top wines such as Château Lafite Rothschild and Dom Pérignon. Users can buy shares in carefully selected collector’s bottles starting from just €50. The wines are stored securely, while the platform handles storage, trading, and expertise. This allows investors to potentially benefit from the appreciation of rare wines—without any effort or the need to check for counterfeiting themselves.

More about Timeless

Don't miss out: We are giving away three €50 Timeless vouchers, which can be used to invest in exclusive collectibles.

Participate & Win
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