Vinfolio Creates a Program to Manage Investments in Fine Wine

 

Vinfolio, one of the country’s leading fine wine companies, recently announced the launch of a new cutting-edge fine wine investment program. Now, in addition to securing some of the most sought after wines by the bottle, Vinfolio clients can also gain access to a selection of investment-grade stock in original cases directly on the company’s e-commerce platform, or by working directly with Vinfolio’s executive team to build a bespoke fine wine investment portfolio.

“From the time of my initial investment in Vinfolio back in 2016, it seemed that the U.S. market was lacking a player who could bring the idea of fine wine as an investment opportunity to the mainstream in a clear and accessible way,” says Don St. Pierre, Executive Chairman of Vinfolio. “Now, with the addition of more than 5,000 cases of investment-grade wines to our platform and the launch of our full-service investment program, we are proudly assuming that mantle.”

“Historically speaking, fine wine has outperformed many of the traditional asset classes available and we are seeing more and more people looking to diversify by building a wine portfolio,” Vinfolio President Adam Lapierre says. “We believe we are in a unique position to support clients embarking on this journey thanks to our deep knowledge of the collectible fine wine market, unmatched global network of suppliers and innovative business model. I’m particularly excited by our full-service investment program: the process is extremely simple, fully transparent and, at the same time, low cost to the investor. It’s a game-changer.”

Vinfolio’s strength lies not just in the sourcing of fine wines at the best prices, but also in its use of technology to create a platform that provides both buyers and sellers with all the requisite tools and intelligence to successfully build and liquidate a wine portfolio. In addition to its marketplace platform, Vinfolio has proprietary access to crucial flow-data which lies at the heart of all our decision-making. The company’s algorithm dynamically looks at current U.S. retail listings, auction sale prices, and sales on its own platform to determine what is the current fair market value of a given wine. From there, Vinfolio can trigger buy or sell activities to ensure a sound investment and a healthy return.

Over the last three decades, investment-grade wine has performed very strongly against just about all major asset classes. Analysis of a representative selection of the foremost traded investment-grade wines reveals a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 11 percent since 1988. In context, the returns for U.S. Equities (DJIA), U.K. equities (FTSE), Asia equities (Hang Seng), Gold, and Oil for the same period were materially lower.

ABOUT VINFOLIO

Vinfolio is majority-owned by Executive Chairman Don St. Pierre Jr. and his business partner and good friend Allan Warburg, co-founder and co-CEO of Bestseller Fashion Group China. St. Pierre is the recipient of numerous wine industry accolades, including being named number seven on Decanter magazine’s 2011 Top 50 global wine industry power players and selected by Wine Enthusiast Magazine as the 2011 International Man of the Year. In 2012, the French government awarded St. Pierre Jr. the degree of Knight in the French Ordre du Mérite Agricole, and in 2015, he was appointed as a member of the supervisory board of Vinexpo Overseas. Vinfolio’s ownership also includes Jean-Michel Valette, who chairs the Education and Examination Board (EEB) of the Institute of Masters of Wine and is former chairman of Robert Mondavi Corporation and Peet’s Coffee, Jon Moramarco, former CEO of Constellation Brands, and Steve Case, founder of AOL and co-founder at venture capital firm Revolution

Visit https://www.vinfolio.com/wine-investing for more details on Vinfolio’s new investment initiative.

Madre Mezcal Secures $3 Million Series A Round to Grow Top Mezcal Brand

Madre Mezcal, one of the fastest growing mezcal brands in America, recently raised $3,000,000 to apply to the brand’s growth strategy to new products and new markets. The Series A round was led by Room 9, a NYC-based venture capital studio that specializes in investing in the consumer sector.

Amid an increasingly competitive mezcal category, Madre has found success through a grassroots strategy aimed at introducing new consumers to the mezcal category. With the additional funding, Madre is being poised to expand its word-of-mouth campaign, largely driven by in-person activations and online engagement. The priorities of the funded Madre brand will be to expand its product range to target new consumption occasions, while also expanding its distribution and marketing efforts in new countries, US states, and online.

“Beyond a great-tasting, easy-to-drink mezcal, Madre’s success has been a result of working closely with the communities that have driven word-of-mouth for the brand,” says Chris Stephenson, CEO of Madre. “For us to expand while continuing this successful path, we needed a partner that recognizes the cultural authenticity that fuels our approach. With Room 9, we’ve found a partner that understands the growth opportunities through product, geography and digital expansion, and encourages the brand development through cultural engagement.”

Room 9 is an early-stage venture capital studio whose selective portfolio spans across the consumer, food, beverage and technology sectors and includes Jot Coffee, Los Sundays Tequila and Cleancult. Room 9 Founder, Anish Bhatia previously led fundraising efforts for Los Sundays, an award-winning tequila brand based out of Orange County, CA, and currently sits on their Advisory Board.

About Madre
Distilled with both the newcomer and the seasoned consumer in mind, Madre is a ‘gateway mezcal that offers beautifully well-balanced flavor with smooth finish. With less smoke than most mezcals, Madre opens palates to a new market of consumers thanks to its signature blend of espadin and cuishe. Madre is a certified artisanal product from Mexico, hand made by mezcaleros in open air palanques located in the rural hills of Oaxaca. Using local water and natural airborne yeast, Madre’s flavor is directly tied to the earth it comes from. https://www.madremezcal.com/

About Room 9
Room Nine is not your typical early-stage VC. Our Creative Agency + Venture Studio model is for the misfits who create, deviants who innovate and dreamers who dare tell their stories. Our generation craves authenticity more than ever and at Room Nine we celebrate their fearless pursuit of design and culture. Room Nine’s portfolio spans across consumer, food, beverage and technology sectors. Our mission is to discover, partner with and fund authentic brands and founders.

After Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s Amazing Oprah Interview It’s time for God Save the Queen

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah was definitely eye-openining, nay, shocking! It gives a lot more insight into the challenges of marrying royalty, and even more into being a biracial person in the British tabloid spotlight.

Perfect time we might say for this classic little ditty from the Sex Pistols, “God Save the Queen.”

TasteTV’s Dog Surfing Gift Guide for Pet Lovers

YAPPY HOLIDAYS! SURFS UP, PAWS DOWN

 

The World Dog Surfing Championships and TasteTV would like to wish you a Yappy Holiday Season!

To help you find great Holiday gifts, plus to support small businesses, we’ve created our first ever

WORLD DOG SURFING GIFT GUIDE

 

Enjoy!

 

WDSC SWEATSHIRT: SURF DOG ON WAVE PORTRAIT #1

This live shot of an awesome surf dog has been recreated as a piece of watercolor art, on a warm and snug 50% cotton sweatshirt.
Show you have taste in dogs, cool sports, and modern art. On Your Chest!

DERBY CALIFORNIA HOODIES

World Dog Surfing Champs Derby & California are not only appearing now in Amazon Prime’s new series, The Pack, they also have a new line of groovy hoodies and t-shirts.
Be part of their fan pawparazzi!

A WDSC SURF PACK T-SHIRT

Speaking of Packs, you can form your own when wearing this WDSC Surf Pack long-sleeve t-shirt
You can call your pack whatever you want, BTW. Just not “Sam”

PET RENU SHAMPOO FOR CLEAN DOGS

Keep your (or a friend’s) pup clean, fresh, and flea free with this line of dog shampoos from Pet Renu.
A clean dog is a happy dog (owner).

FUN PET SERVICES AT WAG HOTELS

Wag Hotels is a great place to board your pet while on a trip away, but even if you stay in town it’s also great for daycare, training, and even stylish grooming.
Makes a nice gift certificate for 2021 too.

HANKS DOG STUFF POOP TRANSPORTER

Because when “someone’s got to go” someone else has to clean it up.
At least look stylish and prepared while doing it.

KEEP THEM DRY AND WARM IN A STUNT PUPPY JACKET

In the winter it’s colder and usually wetter… even if you have fur.
Stunt Puppy jackets will take care of that problem for the dog in your life. And, they look pretty cool too.

PET CBD FROM VETCBD

If your dog or cat has any issues like these then VETCBD can:
-Support joint mobility
-Support normal brain function
-Help maintain normal GI health
-Help promote calmness
BTW, not officially tested on humans, in case you have any bright ideas.

URBAN DENIM LOUNGE BED FROM PET P.L.A.Y.

You might want to curl up on this lounge bed yourself, but you’ll just have to stay on your sad old couch.
Lead-free zippers for chewers, Eco-friendly all around, and machine washable.

TASTY DOG-THEMED WINE FROM MUTT LYNCH WINERY

A long-time partner of the WDSC, Muttlynch is based in Sonoma County, and you know what that means.
Yup, It means that their wine is delicious.
Also, all of their bottles have dogs on them.

A COLD BOTTLE OF ALE FROM PEDRO POINT BREWING

OK, maybe it’s not just Ale.
It’s “Ale-armingly“ good! LOL
They also have Pilsners, IPAs, and Sour and Fruit beers too. And they LOVE dogs

A HIP NEW COLLAR FROM DOOG

What self-respecting pooch wants to wear the collar you have on them now? The answer, none! Or maybe, let’s say, a very small number.
DOOG has collars that your friends will stop you and say, “Dude, where did you get that cool collar, and why didn’t you get me one for the Holidays?” And you’ll be like, “Dude, I did!”

DOG FOOD AT PET FOOD EXPRESS

Because a dog’s gotta eat, so you might as well make it the best “eatings” they can get, from a wide selection and with the help of a knowledgeable and friendly staff.
They can also give that pup a good Holiday wash and trim, now or in 2021.

A DOG BANDANA FROM CALIFORNIA CANINE

You know the old saying, “If you really love someone, you’ll give them a cool dog bandana.” So, how much love do you have? That bandana needs to be on someone special’s gift list.
BTW, California Canine has other cool accessories too.

WORLD DOG SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPS V2 COTTON CAP

We guarantee, you wear this hat, people will talk to you. Or at least give you great service. And a smile.
In 2020, that’s a lot.

THE GOUGHNUTS DOG TOY, YOU CAN THROW IT AND THEY CAN CHEW IT. EVERYONE IS HAPPY

You throw, they bring it back, then they chew on it. Maybe they don’t even bring it back, maybe they just sit down and have a good gnaw. A very good, happy, healthy, satisfying gnaw. That’s what a dog really wants. You can tell, this gift idea is just gnawing at you

SUPPORT ROCKET DOG RESCUE

A nice donation or adoption goes a long way to changing a life.

SUPPORT PENINSULA HUMANE SOCIETY

Saying it twice, because it’s still true.
A nice donation or adoption goes a long way to changing a life.

Need Bigger Sharks? Sea Monster Cove Gets you Nose-to-Nose with a 25-Ton Prehistoric Shark

If you enjoyed the Megalodon-sized thrills in bestselling author Steve Alten’s The MEG (which Warner Brothers turned into a blockbuster movie), imagine becoming part of the action yourself. Sea Monster Cove immerses visitors in an interactive multimedia experience where prehistoric sharks and other massive sea creatures are anything but ancient history.

Steve Alten, author of the NY Times bestselling MEG series, has created a world like no other. He says that Sea Monster Cove is a revolutionary multimedia entertainment concept that combines virtual reality, a web TV series, a video game and learning platform into one interactive site.

The Sea Monster Cove website of Alten’s imagination is a spectacular, five-star aquarium-themed resort located on Maug, a remote (and very real) island in the Western Pacific. Maug‘s volcano erupted 5 million years ago; today all that remains are three uninhabited islets that had been the volcano’s rim and a flooded magma chamber that serves as its lagoon.

Why place a virtual island resort here? That’s where Alten’s research and storytelling takes over. Eight years ago, a French marine biologist, Dr. Maxime Rostand discovered superheated mineral water rising up through Maug’s lagoon. Through a series of events, including an emergency C-section which saved two pups of a deceased pregnant prehistoric Mako shark, Rostand discovers the source of the hot mineral water to be a primordial aquifer located 2 miles beneath the sea floor — its inhabitants dating back 380 million years.

Having established the backstory about how these terrifying creatures managed to escape extinction (the “home videos” of the two surviving pups growing up is MUST-SEE), it’s time to meet and interact with the critters. Imagine the greatest aquarium-themed park ever conceived, holding the most terrifying prehistoric sharks and sea monsters that ever lived. It’s not hard to do.

At Sea Monster Cove, the special effects are motion picture-worthy, and the wildlife doesn’t just swim around in benign circles; in fact, they seem quite aware that you are watching them, and they clearly do not like it, especially when you enter their domain to do a little “cage diving.” In each of these heart-pounding, 360-degree experiences, the user controls the viewing angle, attempting to track the attacks as they happen (there are day and night versions available). The action is nonstop and the creatures so real that it is easy to lose yourself in a two-hour reprieve from reality.

The adventure is retold and advanced in Alten’s original episodic web TV series, Where Sea Monsters Roam (available to website members). Most unique: what happens in the series also happens during your aquarium visits. As an example, if Snowflake, the park’s 63-foot, 25-ton prehistoric albino Mako drags a crane into her tank in the opening episode, don’t be surprised to see it lying on the bottom on your next visit!

In addition to visiting the sharks and sea monsters, members will soon be able to experience what it’s like to venture into the prehistoric aquifer in a hunter sub and capture them in a Sea Monsters Roam video game. There’s also an education center, and a private library offering enhanced versions of Alten’s novels as well as teacher curriculum materials for distance learning.

One of the most popular features may just turn out to be CELEBRITY CAMEOS — the first one featuring James “Murr” Murray, one of the stars of TV’s Impractical Jokers. Murr, whose new novel, DON’T MOVE (Blackstone Publishing, co-written by Darren Wearmouth) debuts October 20, claims he and his bride, Melyssa stopped by Maug Island on their way home from their honeymoon to visit Sea Monster Cove when things “got out of hand.”

On another note, the MEG sequel, MEG-2: The TRENCH, is in pre-production, as is The LOCH (a thriller about the Loch Ness Monster) along with one other underwater feature, which cannot be announced just yet (but the enhanced version of the novel is available in the website’s private library). Steve Alten is also the founder and director of the nonprofit Adopt-an-Author teen reading program, considered by many educators to be the most effective tool to get reluctant readers to read.

For more information, visit www.seamonstercove.com