— WHY EWI GROUP Built over 15 years. Proven through every transaction.
EWI Group gives investors direct access to fine wine and whisky through 15 years of specialist market experience and industry relationships. Every portfolio is built around the same three principles: exceptional sourcing, intelligent entry pricing and absolute provenance.
£5+ Million
Wine & Whisky AUM27.25%
Avg. Annualised Realised Return100+
Client positions realised15+ Years
Wine & Whisky Market ExperienceWhat sets EWI apartExperience that is difficult to replicate.
EWI is built on more than 15 years of direct experience in the wine and whisky trade, with longstanding relationships across producers, merchants, brokers and suppliers.
Founder-ledOne networkThe same relationships extend across both wine and whisky. One established network, developed over decades - not two businesses brought together under one name.
Proven, not promisedA track record that includes building Madison Wine through to its HKEX listing, a record-setting Sotheby’s sale, and consistently strong realised investment performance at EWI. Credentials built through transactions, not marketing.
Our track recordTwenty-five years, built deal by deal.
James Woodhead's career in wine and whisky spans over 25 years, including founding Madison Wine, a Hong Kong wine merchant that listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2015.
2011
London. Left financial derivatives to join the fine wine industry, developing a "Perfect Price Model" to normalise pricing and identify market imperfections.
2012
Hong Kong. Joined Madison Wine as founding Managing Director, building the retail space, warehouse and logistics network from the ground up.
2015
Hong Kong. Under James's leadership, Madison Wine listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising HK$56.3 million.
2017
James went on to assemble the first complete Ichiro’s Malt Card Series, which achieved international recognition when it was sold at Sotheby’s in a widely documented, record-breaking auction and featured by Forbes. He also sourced the exceptional DRC Methuselah collection that went on to set a new Sotheby’s retail record.
2021
London & Hong Kong. Founded EWI Group, bringing years of market experience, global relationships and proven sourcing expertise directly to private client and family office portfolios.
2024
One8Nine. James launched independent whisky bottler One8Nine, creating exclusive, ultra-premium single-cask releases from some of Scotland’s rarest and most sought-after whiskies.
2026
£5m+ AUM. EWI Group surpassed £5 million in assets under management, reflecting the continued growth of its private client and family office portfolios across fine wine and rare whisky.
OUR TRACK RECORDRepresentative completed transactions.
Macallan 1993 Cask (Octave)
ASSETMacallan 1993 Cask (Octave)
ACQUISITIONEXIT£90,000
£118,000
ACQUISITIONHOLDING PERIOD7 months
RETURN31.1%
£90,000
£118,000
Burgundy Portfolio (Leroy)
7 months
ACQUISITIONEXIT£96,900
£111,800
HOLDING PERIODRETURN16 months
15.38%
Springbank 1991 Cask
ACQUISITIONEXIT£56,340
£141,000
HOLDING PERIODRETURN30 months
150.27%
Domaine de la Romanee Conti Magnums
ACQUISITIONEXIT£33,250
£44,250
HOLDING PERIODRETURN18 months
33.08%
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Wine and whisky cask investment is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and capital is at risk. Assets held may be illiquid and difficult to sell quickly.
RETURNBurgundy Portfolio (Leroy)
£96,900
EXIT£111,800
16 months
Springbank 1991 Cask
£56,340
£141,000
HOLDING PERIOD30 months
Domaine de la Romanee Conti Magnums
£33,250
£44,250
18 months
31.11%
15.38%
150.27%
33.08%