At a wine auction, the decisive bid may come from someone who is not even in the room. In Bad Kreuznach, for example, prospective buyers can submit their bids to commission agents during the pre-auction tasting on 7 November 2026. These authorised intermediaries then bid on behalf of their clients – turning a wish for a particular bottle into a binding instruction.
That may sound like a minor role on the fringes of the auction. In fact, a commission agent brings together several stages: accepting instructions, potentially advising on the selection, placing the bid and, after a successful bid, clarifying the arrangements for completing the purchase. Those who do not attend are not handing over the buying decision, but rather its practical execution within the agreed limits.
Instructions begin outside the auction room
Instructions to bid should be specific: which wine is of interest, how many bottles are wanted, and what is the buyer’s personal limit? The maximum bid is not automatically the eventual purchase price. It is the ceiling up to which the commission agent may bid. If the hammer falls below that level, the price is based on the actual hammer price – plus the costs applicable to the particular auction.
For the Nahe auction, the Schlossgut Diel winery specifies in its information for 2026 a commission of five per cent of the hammer price, plus VAT; shipping costs may also apply. This is a specific statement by this winery, not a general fee structure for every auction. Before giving instructions, prospective buyers should therefore check the current terms of their commission agent and the particular event.
Who buys – and who bids?
The published VDP.Nahe conditions describe a clear division of roles: recognised wine commission agents are authorised to bid. When the hammer falls, a purchase contract is initially formed between the winery consigning the wine and the commission agent, who has previously received authorisation from their client to place bids. The details of the instructions – such as the agreed limit – concern the relationship between those two parties.
This explains why an absentee bid is more than a non-binding expression of interest. The conditions also stipulate that clients’ bids must be entered into the auction software in order to be considered. Anyone wishing to have bids placed on their behalf should therefore register in good time and check the deadline for submitting instructions. For the 2026 event, the VDP lists the pre-auction tasting as running from 9am to 11am; bids can be submitted directly to the commission agents there.
Advice with clear limits
Commission agents are not simply mouthpieces for a bid. The VDP describes them as advisory intermediaries and notes that the accredited professionals have had the opportunity to taste the auction wines. Such expertise can help buyers assess the wines on offer or enquire whether a single bottle is available rather than an entire lot. However, the scope of the specific instructions should be expressly agreed – advice is no substitute for setting your own price limit or checking the costs.
As with any intermediary arrangement, it is also worth considering potential conflicts of interest without assuming they exist across the board: does the commission agent bid exclusively on behalf of clients? Are there additional agreements with a winery? How are multiple clients who want the same lot handled? The published Nahe conditions explicitly leave additional agreements between wineries and commission agents unaffected. This is not evidence of any specific influence, but it is a good reason to clarify roles and remuneration transparently in advance.
The hammer falling is not the end
If the commission agent wins the lot, invoicing, payment and receipt of the wine follow under the applicable conditions. The Nahe version dated August 2024 lists commission, VAT and possible shipping costs among other items; for 2026, buyers should check whether updated conditions apply. Anyone placing an absentee bid should therefore ask not only about the maximum price, but also about the total amount payable and the delivery arrangements.
Using an intermediary makes an auction more accessible, particularly for people who cannot travel or bid in the room themselves. It works best when instructions, price limits, fees and responsibilities are clear before the first bid. Then the decision remains with the bidder – even if someone else raises a hand in the room.
Original reviewed by the editors · 5 November 2026
