invino

Invino operates as a members-only e-commerce platform focused on the wine vertical, providing insider access to a curated selection of wines. The company was founded in March 2010 by the husband-and-wife team Tony Westfall and Danielle Westfall, who brought their experience from the wine industry and tech startups to the venture. Danielle Westfall's background includes roles at Wine.com and developing wine brands, which fueled her vision to disrupt the online wine retail space. Tony Westfall had previously made millions for wineries and was involved in several startups with successful exits.

The business model centers on offering daily flash sales of hand-picked wines from around the world to its members. These sales events are time-limited, typically lasting 24-72 hours, and feature wines from artisan producers to well-known brands at prices generally 30% to 80% below suggested retail. Invino generates revenue directly from these online sales. The company emphasizes a lean infrastructure, with no membership fees or minimum purchase requirements, and offers free shipping on orders of six or more bottles to attract and retain a broad consumer base. To ensure impartiality, Invino utilizes scores from trusted, professional critics rather than generating its own in-house ratings.

Significant milestones for the company include acquiring competitors such as CellarThief and Glassful, which helped expand its market reach. By 2013, Invino had raised over $3 million in venture capital from investors including Founders Fund, Correlation Ventures, and DN Capital. That same year, the company became eBay's sole wine partner, a testament to its integrated business model and technological platform, which also supports the exclusive importation of over 100 brands into the U.S. In 2017, Danielle Westfall took over the role of CEO. The founding company, Good Company Wines, was later acquired by a private equity firm in 2018. In 2019, Invino was purchased by three longtime friends and wine professionals who have continued to grow the business.

Keywords: online wine retailer, e-commerce wine, flash sales wine, wine deals, curated wine, Sonoma, members-only wine, private sale wine, Good Company Wines, Tony Westfall, Danielle Westfall, wine discovery platform, artisan producers, imported wines, wine club, online beverage sales, discount wine, wine tasting panel, CellarThief acquisition, Glassful acquisition