I enjoy watching Shark Tank. I don’t watch it often but whenever I find it on television I am glued. I am equally fascinated in the creativity of my fellow humans and the art of the negotiation. I have noticed on the show that many times thinking outside the box pays off for the entrepreneurs. However, there are times when the Sharks say what I am thinking “why reinvent the wheel.” I was recently introduced and sent a sample of a new type of monthly wine club and I am fascinated by it. On the one hand I think it is a great idea, on the other I am thinking why reinvent the wheel. Please continue reading and at the end share your thoughts with me about Wineist.
Here is the scoop of Wineist:
Wineist is a one of a kind monthly wine subscription service for all wine lovers.
“With the monthly tasting kit you will receive a unique set of different quality wines of various price ranges, styles and regions, handpicked by our international team of experts, who agreed to offer their impartial professional knowledge to serve you a unique experience to taste, understand, discover and enjoy delightful wines from faraway places as well as the amazing stories behind them.”
For $19.99/month 2 month trial; $17.99/month or $15.99/month for 6 months you receive a wine tasting pack that includes: 6 50ml or 100ml samples of handpicked wine, notes for a guided tasting, food pairing suggestions, information on the wine and a recipe. All shipping is free.
Wineist is run by professional wine experts and enthusiasts who are educated in wine and passionate about wine. Each month’s wine pack has a theme with creative art work. For example they have offered a “Wines that Rock” sample pack that contained Warburn Estate’s AC/DC Back in Black, Rock n’ Wines Kiss Zin Fire, Slayer’s Reign in Blood Red, Mendocino Wine Company’s Rolling Stone Forty Licks Merlot, Broken Back Winery’s Motorhead Shiraz, and Nightwish’s Nightwish Imaginaerium. All of their packs look fun and creative. The pack I received was from December and titled “Most Magical Tipple,” here are the wines it included:
African Pride Wines, The Long Walk 2013 South Africa: 100% Sauvignon Blanc; very light gold; inviting aromas of stone and orchard fruit, lychee, and citrus; creamy and bright on the palate; fresh acidity with low acidity offer softness on the palate and a clean finish.
Wachtenburg, Splash 2014 Germany: 100% Riesling; soft gold; vibrant aromas of stone fruit, melon, white floral notes, and citrus; rich and round acidity that penetrates the palate leaving a long, mouth-watering finish.
Montes, Cherub Rose 2013, Chile: 100% Syrah; soft pink; strawberries, cherries, citrus zest, and floral notes; soft on palate with round acidity and a crisp texture with a long dry finish.
Chateau d’Or et Gueules, Les Cimels 2012: 60% Syrah, 30% Carignan, 10% Grenache; dark ruby with scarlet hues; candied nose of violets, dark berries, lavender, savory herbal notes, tobacco, and vanilla; rich and silky on the palate with a delicious rustic quality; well balanced acidity with dusty tannins and a long, dry finish.
Bocopa, Don Mantillon 2013 Spain: 100% Monastrell; soft ruby; blue and red berries; pepper, mushrooms, dried violets, balsamic zest, and spice; rustic and dry on the palate with round acidity, medium body; well-integrated tannins and a clean yet pleasing finish.
Navarra, Pagos de Araiz 2013 Spain: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot; garnet; red and black fruit, dusty earth, smoke, cassis, spice notes, pepper, savory herbal notes, and toasted walnuts; smooth mouth-feel with rich texture, layers of complex flavors that continue to evolve after opened; round acidity, dusty tannins; full body, long, dry finish.
After sampling all six wines, if there is a particular wine you enjoyed and want more of, or if you want more of each of them, then you simply order that wine or wines on Wineist web site and the wine shows up at your door. Easy! From the six samples I received I honestly liked them all. It was an eclectic mix of wines that would be great in full body form.
So, what do you think? Is Wineist a great idea or is it reinventing the wheel? I love the idea that you can “sample” before you buy. But at 50ml there really is one glass per bottle so you cannot really share unless you get the 100ml bottles. However, there is considerably less risk. You are not stuck with a bunch of wine, and a large financial commitment, you don’t like. It’s unlikely you will not like any of the six wines in the sample pack but if for some reason you don’t worst case you are only out $20. And if you do like them you can order one or all at a discount. Furthermore, is this a concept less for my generation and more for the Millennials? Please share your thoughts, comments, opinions with me about Wineist.
ROCKIN RED BLOG 
22 responses to “Wineist: A New Way to Discover #Wine”
These cute bottles remind me of the Christmas gift packs: 4 different bourbons or BBQ sauce or hot chocolates. It’s a nice way to try a spirit or wine you wouldn’t buy. I like the concept and the illustrated information booklet. It’s a low risk way to introduce wine but I see it more as a gift for friends, clients, or relatives at Christmas. I’m curious to know what the percentage of actual wine sales are as a result of trying the samples. Are they generating buyers for the wines offered?
I know they are generating buyers for wines offered but I don’t know the percentage of sales. It is an interesting concept. Low cost “try” before more expensive “buy.” However, the wines in their full format are still not expensive. Thanks for reading.
Dear okiewinegirl2015,
thank you for the compliments on our concept and the information brochure. We offer a range of different gift options suitable for many occasions. Check it out on our webpage: http://www.wineist.com/gifts/
The full bottle sales are definitely keeping our partner wineries and we will do our best to keep it that way.
Cheers!
The Wineist Team
Very fun! I wonder how they bottle them up? Like, open a bottle & redistribute into the wee bottles?
I bet the Winerist people love their job!
It is fun. I too wonder how they get the wine into the bottles. Thanks for reading.
Dear Jill,
we sure LOVE our work here at Wineist! 🙂
For re-bottling we have a special purpose built machine that enables us to fill our samples in an oxygen free environment, preserving quality of the wine.
Cheers!
So interesting! I’d love to see pictures. Thanks for introducing me to this!
Similar concept tried and failed. Tasting Room, Circa 2007. Also had huge regulatory issues in the US.
The transfer to the “wee” bottles had to be done in an oxygen free environment. Was technologically difficult and inefficient.
In your example of Imported wines, in the US, only 17 states allow shipping imported wines.
Interesting. Thank you for sharing Liz. Cheers!
Dear Liz,
you are exactly right, the re-bottling of full bottles to sample-sized ones is the most important part of our business, that is why we have a special purpose built machine that enables us to fill our samples in an oxygen free environment, preserving quality of the wine.
Cheers!
The Wineist Team
I actually think it’s a great idea! I’ll have to go check them out, for sure. Thanks for posting this!
Thank you for reading Kathryn!
You know it’s really not a bad deal at all!
The idea is a good one, pay a small price and get to sample prior to buying. It’s like having multiple tasting rooms delivered to your house. But here’s my initial thought. How are they getting the wine in these little bottles? As a winery, I would be concerned with the bottling process and its effect on my wine. What are they doing to maintain the quality of the initial bottled wine? What is the business relationship between them and the winery? If the people like the sample, you stated they order directly on wineist. How is compliance dealt with and who ultimately fulfills the orders?
All very good questions. I do not know how they are getting the wine into the bottles. I can tell you I did not open them for weeks after they sent it to me and the wine was fresh and crisp. No appearance of any effects of oxygen at all. I do not know the business relationship between Wineist and the wineries but I do know Wineist fulfills the follow up orders for the full bottles. Great input Lori. Thank you!
Dear Dracaena Wines,
thank you for your compliments on the idea!
Regarding our process of sample “creation”, we have a special purpose built machine that enables us to fill our samples in an oxygen free environment, preserving quality of the wine.
Cooperation with our partner wineries is very important to us and we do our very best to make it beneficial for both sides. The wineries are the ones who ultimately fulfill the order through their own sales network. If you want more information regarding this topic, do not hesitate to contact us via the following email: info@wineist.com
Cheers!
The Wineist Team
There are so many companies out there that offer wines monthly. I do like the variety offered and samples of each. It’s true that no one wants to get stuck with large bottles of wine. All very valid questions that Lori stated above that for a true winelover makes you question. I’d be interested in seeing how this company does.
It is an interesting concept. Will certainly be useful to see how they do. Thank you Jennifer!
Interesting concept. I like the low risk and I think it would be particularly well suited to consumers who aren’t sure what they like or lack confidence when faced with the “wall of wine”. I can’t say I wouldn’t use it, but I’m pretty comfortable with the “DIY” style of purchasing wine I’m accustomed to…my .02
Thank you Martin.
Good concept, but I share same concerns as Lori e.g., the wine transfer protocols, storage etc. The downfall of knowing too much about production. For the average millennial, not knowing much about wine – then ignorance could be bliss!
I completely agree with you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.