According to Reuters (and confirmed by Steve Heimoff), Napa Valley Vinters (NVV) is now holding introductory meetings for Napa-based wineries to meet with Amazon.com regarding the requirements for selling their wines through Amazon. In other areas, Amazon is meeting directly with wineries, but the large number of Napa-based wineries seems to be the motivation for group meetings (also as a way for NVV members to get value from their membership fees).
Note that this coverage is based on a press release from NVV, not an official annoucement by Amazon.
Napa Valley Vintners describes themselves as follows:
Now in our seventh decade, the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) non-profit trade association is the sole organization responsible for promoting and protecting the Napa Valley Appellation as a winegrowing region second to none in the world. Respect for our history reinforces our commitment to the preservation and enhancement of the Valley's land, wine, and community for future generations. We address the shared interests of more than 310 member wineries and aspire to be the essential organization for all Napa Valley vintners.
Previous posts about Amazon.com moving into online wine sales:
- Amazon (Quietly) Sells Wine
- Details on Amazon's Upcoming Wine Program
- More Musings on Amazon.com Wine Sales
- Jeff Stai on Amazon.com's Wine Program
This is the first report that states Amazon will be using New Vine Logistics (NVL) for fulfillment.
According to Jeff Stai of Twisted Oak (who has met with Amazon), wineries will set the price at which their wines will be sold, and Amazon will pay them 50% of the selling price.
Do readers know of any other winery associations being approached by Amazon?
UPDATE: Winecast also notes the Reuters report and links to The Wall Street Journal coverage.
UPDATE: New Vine Logistics aquired their initial fulfillment infrastructure from the failure of WineShopper.com, which had previously received a $30 million investment from Amazon.com. In other words, wine has been on Amazon's mind for a long time, and there is a previous relationship between Amazon and NVL.
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