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Tag: WINERY

  • Cash boost for Wineries in the Philippines

    Cash boost for Wineries in the Philippines

    Online marketplace startup Winery Philippines has raised an undisclosed amount in a new round of financing.

    It says it will use the cash to boost its sales and marketing efforts and grow its customer and vendor base. The second round of funding, backed by a consortium of private investors, gives the company a seven-digit USD valuation, tripling its value a year after its initial funding round.

    Winery Philippines was conceived in 2016 by a group of wine lovers who wanted to improve access to quality wine for Filipinos, the company says. It has become a curated online wine marketplace that sells product from boutique wine importers.

    According to company data, retail wine revenue in the Philippines is expected to increase annually by 9 per cent to reach US$400 million in 2021.

    Winery Philippines founder/MD Chris Urbano says that while venture capital has poured into Chinese wine and spirits marketplaces over the past five years, smaller but promising markets like the Philippines are still off the radar for many investors. “Our backers see the chance to establish early market leadership amid thinner competition, higher margins and a small but profitable and fast-growing segment.”

    Most of Winery Philippines’ customers are in Metro Manila, but Urbano says it is growing order volume from provincial areas and second-tier cities.

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  • Aussie pops cork on curated online wine marketplace

    Aussie pops cork on curated online wine marketplace

    WINERY Philippines recently launched the country’s first online global “cellar door” at the Society Lounge in Makati City early this month. Australian Chef Chris Urbano, chairman and founder of Winery Philippines, imports his own boutique wine collection from his country for select boutique restaurants in town and high-net-worth clients. He realized that Manila is an emerging market where wine drinkers are increasingly looking for distinctive high-quality, value-for-money spirits from around the world, as well as better information and convenience when purchasing wines than those from traditional wine retail stores.

    Although they are not hard to find in stores or restaurants, access to good-quality boutique wines and information regarding them are hardly accessible.

    “The best part about e-commerce is how it has turned into an emotional journey for consumers. It lets them find, know and connect with products they love through the easiest means possible,” Urbano said, when asked about the most rewarding aspect of running an online store.

    Backed by a private consortium of angel investors who share Urbano’s passion for sharing high-quality wine experiences in the Philippines, he launched the country’s first purely online and social-media community for passionate wine lovers and wine lovers-to-be.

    Of course, Manila has its fair share of wine suppliers who bring truly high-quality and even rare wines, but they are limited to a few physical stores. What Winery Philippines hopes to bring to the local market is for wine lovers to have immediate access to quality boutique wines, as well as to be introduced to the pleasures of knowing and experiencing a great bottle.

    Apart from reaching out to the growing wine community via social media, Winery Philippines also holds several events throughout the year. Every summer, the team stages a gathering for participants to sample on wine while enjoying acoustic music, street food and meeting other passionate drinkers.

    They also hold wine pairing events, where attendees are introduced to various cuisines that would pair best with specific wine varieties and blends. Through e-commerce and social media, Winery Philippines is focused on becoming the most trusted wine supplier and provider of wine education for passionate drinkers in the country.

    It is also through this medium that the company affords to sell great wine at the best prices possible, as an online store eliminates the expenses of maintaining a physical store.

    VIPs, such as Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely, Australian Embassy’s Counselor for Development Section Kerrie Anderson, businessmen and other expats, were in attendance for the event.

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