Full Glass Wine a brand acquisition management startup that specializes in acquiring wine marketplaces, has raised a $14 million Series A round to continue acquiring DTC (direct-to-consumer) wine marketplaces, aiming to lead the DTC wine market.

DTC wine brands sell wine directly to wine lovers, bypassing traditional distribution channels

Full Glass Wine recently acquired Bright Cellars, a subscription-based wine service provider in Wisconsin, for an undisclosed price. The deal is its third acquisition in a year and enables the startup to expand its subscription-based model. Previous acquisitions include Winc, a DTC wine platform offering personalized recommendations and a subscription service, in June 2023; and Wine Insiders, a marketplace that curates a selection of high-quality wines from around the world at accessible prices, in October 2023.

“By uniting Winc, Wine Insiders, and Bright Cellars, we offer a one-stop shop for all things wine, catering to a wider range of wine drinkers than most traditional retailers, grocers, or single-brand DTC companies,” Neha Kumar, co-founder and COO of Full Glass Wine, told TechCrunch. “This comprehensive portfolio allows the company to optimize logistics for efficient delivery and leverage the power of established brands to create a powerful marketing platform.”

The firm plans to increase its technology investments using the raised funds. “Bright Cellars, our latest addition, has designed an algorithm that pairs wine by learning from user preferences and ratings,” mentioned Kumar. “This method, reminiscent of how platforms such as Spotify and Netflix customize content suggestions, helps us craft a more personalized experience for every customer. We aim to harness the power of data and AI to enhance the precision and insightfulness of personalized wine recommendations, ensuring that every customer finds and relishes wines they genuinely adore.”

A host of opportunities await in the DTC wine sector, though managing the intricate network of regulations across various states can be an obstacle, as per Kumar.

She further stated, “Ensuring a smooth customer journey, from discovering our products to receiving them, demands continuous innovation and concentration. However, there might be some misunderstandings among customers regarding DTC wine. We tackle concerns over quality by securing partnerships with reliable vineyards and implementing stringent selection processes. Although value is a pertinent factor, we provide a broad price range catering to an array of budget preferences. The primary challenge might be the preliminary discovery stage – consumers often find it daunting to pick the right wines. This is where personalization plays a key role – we employ data and technology to help consumers identify wines that they will truly enjoy.”

Full Glass Wine’s CEO Louis Amoroso and COO Neha Kumar. Image Credits: Full Glass Wine

Back in 2023, a man of multiple talents in the winery business and former associate at Goose Island Beer Company, Louis Amoroso (CEO), together with Kumar (COO), a past management director at New Money Ventures, initiated a startup. They are very open-minded about the potential of teaming up with diverse companies to increase the accessibility and services their platform offers.

“This could possibly include wineries, different food delivery solutions, or even organizing specialists to provide unmatched experiences for our customers directly through our platform,” elucidated Kumar.

Post the latest acquisition, the company is consistently working hard to ensure a seamless transition for every person involved.

“Our team at Full Glass Wine will strengthen as we are looking at including minimally dozens of employees now,” informed Kumar. “This addition will enhance our team significantly, allowing us to cater to a broader array of services to our esteemed customers.”

The startup did not provide the number of subscribers it has but said the acquisitions will help it generate more than $100 million in revenue in 2024. It plans to offer a diverse selection of over 400 SKUs and an accessible price range for customers; most bottles range from $12 to $25.

Shea Ventures led the Series A funding.

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