A decanting apparatus for wine and the like and method of use thereof wherein a source vessel is compressed within a cradle having an open end where the lip of the mouth of the source vessel communicates with the lip of a decanting receptacle. A pair of adjustable vertical support members are hinged to the open end of the cradle. The apparatus has a drive mechanism for tilting the vessel relative to the vertical support members and a control unit for operatively controlling the means for tilting, allowing for an unattended decanting operation.