Holiday gift giving of wine just got a lot easier;MyWinesDirect.com: Free Shipping on Every Order Hard-to-find wines at hard-to-beat prices:

November 21, 2005 (PRLEAP.COM) Lifestyle News
MyWinesDirect.com: Free Shipping on Every Order
Hard-to-find wines at hard-to-beat prices: holiday gift giving just got a lot easier

Super-high gas prices, super-low temperatures – who wants to schlep to the wine store and haul wine back home? With MyWinesDirect.com, customers no longer have to. And with holiday gift-giving season fast approaching, they can order value-priced wine from small producers and ship to multiple addresses all at once. That way, consumers can ship wine as gifts, stock up for holiday parties and family meals – all without ever leaving home.

And those pricey shipping costs? That’s what sets this company apart. MyWinesDirect.com offers free shipping on every order. That’s not a promotional gimmick, it’s standard procedure – and a smart way for consumers to save money when shopping for unique holiday gifts.

With a focus on delivering both value and hard-to-find wines to customers, MyWinesDirect.com is bringing ease of use and can’t-miss quality to wine shopping. The company sells wines in the $8-$25 range, and features a variety of wine gifts, including a 6-pack of handpicked bottles priced at $79.95. That’s less than $13.50 per bottle for wines that taste like they cost $30. As such, customers have a clear understanding of what they’re getting: convenience and unmatched value.

“Our goal is to give our customers confidence and trust in the quality of what they’re buying,” says CEO and President Bryan Dougherty. “By focusing on small wineries, the consumer is encouraged to explore and try new wines. People often visit wine country and go from winery to winery, tasting a lot of wine they don’t like in search of a few gems. We cut through all that so customers can enjoy the best wines from around the world without all the guesswork. And we offer a money-back guarantee, which is another incentive to discover something new.”

Because people tend to buy wine based on recommendations from trusted friends, MyWinesDirect.com also has a novel approach to helping shop-weary customers choose the wine that’s right for them – the company lets customers decide which wines the website sells. Every 4 to 6 weeks, the company gathers different groups of customers together on the East and West coasts, and asks them to taste a group of boutique wines. If the panel likes a wine, the website sells it. If not, it’s sent packing. It’s power to the people, vino style.

“When customers understand that our wines are being chosen by people like them, they feel confident that they’re going to like what they buy,” Dougherty says. “We also give them lots of flexibility to buy what they want, when they want. There are no automatic shipments or fixed obligations. Customers can pick from an assortment of packs and specials, mix and match their own selections or give gifts. Recipes are included on the website that are designed to pair perfectly with the wines ordered, which is particularly useful during the holiday season. People can really get creative with entertaining ideas depending on their mood and need.”

Most consumers place a high premium on value, and MyWinesDirect.com delivers. Half of its wines are priced below $15, the other half is priced between $15-$25. “We’re committed to quality and value,” says Chief Marketing Officer Trissie Rost. “We know there’s a lot of intimidating language and ritual around wine, and we’re working to break down those barriers. We want wine to be a regular part of people’s lifestyle. Wine is fun and meant to be shared, so it’s perfect for the holidays. And with 6-packs of amazing wines priced at $79.95 plus free shipping, it’s a great holiday value. How can you go wrong?”

MyWinesDirect.com currently ships to the consumer’s door in 26 states, covering close to 80% of the in-home wine purchasing market. Wine may be purchased in any state as long as shipments are sent to a legally accepted state, so gift givers can be anywhere. New regulations and expanding awareness of direct-to-consumer purchasing make for an exciting growth plan.

For more information on MyWinesDirect.com, including its innovative consumer tasting panel, visit www.MyWinesDirect.com. For further media needs, please contact Kimberly Charles of Charles Communications Associates at (415) 730 0064 or kcharles@charlescomm.com.