Traveling Vineyard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wine, direct sales |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | |
| Services | Winery |
| Website | www.travelingvineyard.com |
Traveling Vineyard is an American multi-level marketing company based in Ipswich, Massachusetts, that sells wine. The company was founded in 2001, and in 2010 it was purchased by Richard Libby and restructured.[1]
It is marketed by means of approximately 5,000 Independent representatives.[1] Traveling Vineyard representatives, called Wine Guides, pay one-time fees, and in return, the company sends them a Success Kit[2] with wine education materials (including notes on individual wine varietals and food pairings), sample accessories, tasting glasses, and ten bottles of wine for the first tastings. Traveling Vineyard also provides website setup and access to training and support.[3]
Traveling Vineyard is a member of the Direct Selling Association, which holds member companies accountable to ethical standards and policies that protect independent salespeople and consumers.[4] The company is also a member of the Better Business Bureau.[5] Traveling Vineyard uses the party plan method of direct selling.
Wine tastings
Wine Guides connect with event hosts from their social networks to arrange free, in-home wine tastings. Wine Guides help hosts prepare for the event and then present guests with specific wines they can taste with the opportunity to order. Wine Guides make marketing fees from their sales to customers, not from how many people they recruit to be on their team.[6]
Sommology
In 2013, Traveling Vineyard launched Sommology. Sommology is a food and wine pairing educational resource. It was created in collaboration with Eddie Osterland, America's first Master Sommelier.