The 6.5 earthquake yesterday has claimed a high price victim - a $3780 bottle of cognac.



The tremor knocked over cabinets at Wellington's Regional Wine and Spirits yesterday and General Manager Alastair Morris said he was reluctant to look at the damage.



And he may have been right to fear the worst - smashed to pieces was a 700ml bottle of Louis XIII de Remy Martin cognac, along with a smaller bottle of the same drop valued at $500.



"I was like, 'oh no'. It is pretty good stuff," he said.



"But it is amazing what fell and didn't break."