Buffs Boost Boutique Vineyards: Winestyr

With the launch of their business Winestyr, Robert Wilson (Fin’06), pictured in the middle, his brother John Wilson (Jour’06), right, and lifelong friend Scott Washburn (Fin’06), left, have one strong intention: to elevate the visibility of small, niche wineries.

Since January 2012 Winestyr has connected small wineries across the country directly with consumers. It also makes it simpler and cheaper for an individual to purchase unique wine online. Robert says a consumer will never pay more than $10 for shipping, and the wine comes to them directly from the winery.

The concept for Winestyr emerged in 2010. Robert was preparing to move to England for a master’s degree program but was inspired by the idea for Winestyr when his father, Jack Wilson (Mktg’72), lamented the fact that boutique wineries often were inaccessible to the public. Ecstatic about his new business concept, Robert put his master’s degree on hold.

“I never thought I’d have a good enough idea to be an entrepreneur,” Robert says. “The fact that I had saved money and cut my financial responsibilities [for England] set the stage to start a business and really jump head first into it.”

With the success of craft breweries sprouting around the country, Robert wanted to bring the same model to wineries. He had some knowledge of the wine industry because of a brief stint selling wholesale wine to retailers in Chicago after graduating from CU-Boulder.

Scott joined Winestyr after working as one of the original account executives for Groupon in Orlando and John, an attorney, became the “key legal piece” for Winestyr. With the crucial business and legal assets secured, the company became a reality. Robert became a certified specialist of wine in February 2012 by taking a difficult wine-based test ranging from wine chemistry to worldwide wine regions.

Scott, who helps with the acquisition and sale of wines, says he loves developing personal relationships with the winemakers.

“It’s been challenging, exciting and rewarding,” he says. “At the end of the day, we really just want to provide a great experience for customers and help wineries gain exposure.”

The trio travels to the West Coast at least once a year to seek out unique wines, doing the remaining wine acquisition via phone. They launched with 20 wineries in their marketplace and continue to be selective as the company grows.

They promote their company through digital advertising, social media and word-of-mouth.

“There is a prevailing sense to root for the little guy,” John says. “That’s who we’re out there to help.”

Learn more at www.winestyr.com. Get $10 off your first Winestyr purchase
of $50 or more with the coupon code “Buffs” at checkout.