Wine Enthusiast

Overview

Wine Enthusiast Companies operates in wine e-commerce, media, education, events, and travel markets through its commerce and media divisions. The commerce division sells wine storage, accessories, and lifestyle products via catalog, online, and B2B channels, while the media division publishes Wine Enthusiast magazine with reviews, news, and ratings.¹²

History

Founded in 1979 by Adam and Sybil Strum via a direct-mail corkscrew ad that generated over 100 orders in the first year. In 1984, it became the exclusive U.S. distributor of EuroCave wine storage products; the magazine launched in 1988. Key recent milestones include 2022 Great Place to Work certification, opening of a showroom and tasting center in New York, and relaunch of the Importer Connection program in 2023.¹²

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products include imported items like EuroCave from France and custom or sourced wine cellars and accessories; manufacturing is outsourced with in-house design services for custom cellars.²

Notable Products

• EuroCave Wine Cabinets - Exclusive U.S. distribution of French wine storage units since 1984.
• Wine Enthusiast Magazine - Print and online publication with 25,000+ annual wine and spirits ratings.
• Corkscrews - Original direct-mail product that launched the company.
• Wine Glasses - Specialized stemware for varietals and tasting.
• Wine Racks - Storage solutions for home and commercial use.

Reputation

Certified Great Place to Work with 88% employee approval, higher than U.S. average; recognized as a B Corporation for wine innovation and information. Not BBB accredited despite long operation; perceived as a key resource by wine enthusiasts for products and ratings, though some note catalog shopping complaints.¹⁵