Temecula, Provenance, and Fine Wine Auctions with Powell Yang

What makes a wine collectible? And how do you navigate a marketplace built on provenance, rarity, and trust? In this episode of Pour Temecula, we’re joined by Powell Yang, Director of Sales and Consignment for Spectrum Wine Auctions. Powell’s wine journey spans continents and decades—he’s worked in Napa, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and now bridges the U.S. and Asian markets. Along the way, he’s helped build some of the world’s most serious cellars and brokered the sale of legendary bottles.

We get into the nuts and bolts of the fine wine auction world—how consignment works, what makes a wine auction-worthy, and what collectors look for beyond just age and prestige. Powell shares insights on buying vintage bottles, spotting storage issues, and what to know if you're ever tempted to sell part of your cellar. We also talk about the emotional side of collecting—why someone might want a birth-year wine, and how to balance sentiment with drinkability.

Of course, we had to bring it home to Temecula. Does Southern California wine have a place in the secondary market? Not yet—but Powell offers an honest take on what it would take for a region like Temecula to gain traction with collectors. Whether you’re a seasoned buyer or just wine-curious, this is a rare peek behind the curtain at a world where every bottle has a backstory—and every cork pulled can mean thousands of dollars on the line.

We’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s your favorite winery, a memorable story, a question, or let us know what topics you’d like us to cover — leave us a voice message on Speakpipe, and you might hear yourself on a future episode! Contact us on Instagram (@pourtemecula) or send us a message ([e-mail])—we're always excited to connect with fellow wine, beer, and beverage lovers!