Today, GrapeSeed Wine Fund launched as the first company to marry consumers’ desire for choice and exclusivity with winemakers’ passion for creating distinctive, small production wines. Leveraging a crowdfunding model, GrapeSeed enables members, or “Partners,” to pay a subscription fee to fund one-of-a-kind wine projects from its growing roster of iconic winemakers. This discreet channel of distribution effectively breaks down barriers that exist between consumers and artisan winemakers, creating a unique new community of wine lovers.
GrapeSeed offers its Partners three membership levels that provide them with a variety of benefits, including access to wine steward services, wine country experiences and pre-release wine selections, depending upon partnership level. At every level, Partners make a monthly $100 wine fund contribution that may be used toward wine purchases.
Dave Trebilcock, GrapeSeed Founder, stated:
“What has always amazed me is how hard it is for even great winemakers to get their wines in front of the right consumers. GrapeSeed brings together wine enthusiasts with an unparalleled collection of winemakers, making our members, or Partners as we call them, an integral part of the process. GrapeSeed wines would not exist if it were not for the financial support of our Partners.”
At launch, GrapeSeed has assembled a dream team of winemakers from Napa and Sonoma to create exclusive wines supported by consumer seed funding. The highly acclaimed team includes Jessica Boone, Nick Goldschmidt, Jean Hoefliger, Ed Sbragia and Douglas Stewart. GrapeSeed will expand into other well-known wine regions around the world as it develops its network of exceptional winemakers.
26-year veteran winemaker with a vintner passport that includes Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Chile, Argentina and all of North America, Nick Goldschmidt, noted:
“Some of my favorite Sonoma vineyards are so small it would be impossible to get those wines to market under normal circumstances. With GrapeSeed, no matter how limited the production, I know that GrapeSeed Partners will have access to something unique.“
Jean Hoefliger of Alpha Omega Winery explained:
“The winemaking world can sometimes be traditional—a little conservative—and GrapeSeed allows winemakers to branch out creatively. It provides the audience I need to try innovative blends and concepts.”
Ed Sbragia, former winemaster at Beringer Vineyards, vintner owner of Sbragia Family Vineyards and celebrated winemaker of more than 32 years, added:
“I’ve always wanted to create wines from Napa and Sonoma that showcase historic growing regions where families like mine have been farming for generations. Without GrapeSeed Partners, my wine project, Permanence, would never have come to fruition.”
GrapeSeed Partners have total control over their wine experience, from deciding which wines they want and when they wish to receive them, to reserving allotments of upcoming releases at special pre-release prices. GrapeSeed wine prices range from $25.00 to more than $200.00 per bottle. GrapeSeed also provides Partners with exclusive access to popular wine country events and unique experiences at its winemaker partner properties.
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