Winc operates a direct-to-consumer online subscription service and builds a portfolio of wine brands aimed at younger drinkers. The company launched in 2011 and leverages consumer insights to develop brands such as Summer Water Rose and Folly of the Beast. Winc’s brands are also sold in progressive restaurants and premium retailers nationwide. The company said it has seen a dramatic increase in subscribers since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Winc is developing new brands, including a line of health-conscious wines under the Wonderful Wine Co umbrella, and is using its banking relationship to support continued expansion and brand development. Winc, which rebranded from Club W, is a Los Angeles-based startup that has expanded from an online marketplace into a full-fledged alcohol business. The company sources and produces the wines it sells and uses customer "palate profiles" to deliver personalized recommendations. Winc says it can offer bottles for as low as $13 by eliminating middle-men such as importers and wholesalers and sourcing directly from vineyards. Its wines are sold online and distributed offline as well, including being served at restaurants and sold at select retailers. CEO Xander Oxman describes the business as a digitally native approach to the traditional wine-club model focused on delivering more value and a better consumer experience. The company has raised funding to support growth, with total funding now over $30 million. Club W offers personalized wine recommendations based on customers' palates and a new curated selection each month, with bottles starting at $13. The company emphasizes collapsing the supply chain to deliver proprietary wines directly to enthusiasts at value price points. Club W is venture-backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Shining Capital Holdings and Crosscut Venture Partners. CEO Xander Oxman said the additional financing is a vote of confidence as the company continues to grow and expand. Bridge Bank's Southern California Technology Finance group worked with Club W to deliver a customized financial solution to support its growth. Club W is a Los Angeles, CA-based wine company that built a distribution platform to deliver high-quality wines from around the world at lower prices. It provides individual monthly recommendations for members using its proprietary Palate Profile™ system. Members can also make their own selections, with bottles available from $13. The company was founded in 2011 by Xander Oxman, Geoffrey McFarlane and Brian Smith. Club W raised $9.5M in a Series A round led by Bessemer Venture Partners. The company intends to use the funds for product development, further integration of its supply chain and expansion of marketing initiatives. Club W operates a personalized and curated subscription service for wine, positioning itself as an online community for wine enthusiasts. Founded in 2011, the company aims to simplify discovery by matching curated selections to consumers' personal tastes and removing pretension from wine buying. As part of its growth strategy Club W announced a relocation to Los Angeles and has been associated with incubator Amplify.La. Management cites strong traction and says the new capital will expand reach and better connect with consumers. The company previously closed a $500,000 angel round in early 2012. No revenue or user metrics are disclosed in the articles.

Total raised

$49M

Funding rounds

5

Latest round

Debt Financing

Latest activity

Mar 2021