VINTRUST EXPANDS SUITE OF SERVICES TO MEMBERS

October 03, 2008 (PRLEAP.COM) Lifestyle News
SAN FRANCISCO, CA OCTOBER 3, 2008 – Vintrust, the leading wine management and cellarage firm, has significantly enhanced its e-commerce platform and online tools for wine collector clients with the re-launch of Vintrust.com.

The redesigned website and expanded suite of services offers clients online access to Vintrust's catalogue of fine and rare wines, including a variety of resourceful ways to search for and buy wines. The option to have wine shipped or to store in Vintrust's secure storage facility offers customers an added level of flexibility. Three months of free storage are included with new wine purchases, as well as complimentary storage during weather holds- times when the weather does not permit ideal conditions for transport. All client purchases are automatically added to their online Wine Asset Management account.

Vintrust's Wine Asset Management account gives customers a free online cellar management tool and enables them to join the Vintrust community of collectors and enthusiasts. With an online account, members can transfer wine between locations, initiate a wine consignment request and receive valuation and drinkability information about each wine in their cellar. Members have access to SOMMscored wine recommendations, wines rated by Vintrust's elite team of SOMMeliers, and receive Vinalerts- email alerts of newly acquired fine and rare wines.

Additional benefits to clients include a subscription to the recently redesigned and expanded SOMMselections quarterly wine journal, access to SOMMspeak blog postings by Vintrust's team of professional Sommeliers, and the option to upgrade Wine Asset Management accounts with the purchase of a newly released Bluetooth scanner and barcodes.

"Our enhanced website provides an ideal online complement to the human side of our service: our Wine Directors who work closely with each client to make sure their wine collecting needs are met. We now offer multiple touch points and service options for our customers to meet their specific preferences." says Barry Waitte, Vintrust CEO. "Vintrust services some of the most discriminating wine collectors in the world, their high expectations continually drive us to be a better business."

One of Vintrust's most popular services for clients is the selection of fine and rare wines available to members. Vintrust's vice president of wine acquisition Jason Alexander highlighted a sampling of extraordinary bottlings at a range of price points available through the web site:
- Domaine Jean Grivot Vosne Romanee Aux Chaumes 1998 $60;
- Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache 2005 $5,000;
- Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion 2003 $190;
- Comtes de Voguë Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2005 $750;
- Gaja Conteisa 1999 $190;
- Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 $325;
- Halleck Pinot Noir The Farm Sonoma Coast 2006 $55;
- Jonata Red Blend Cancion de Jonata Santa Ynez Valley 2005 $90;
- Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac 2005 $1,600;
- Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2004 $45.

In addition to offering facilities for wine storage, Vintrust also accommodates the needs of collectors who wish to store or ship their wine elsewhere. Clients are given the option to pick up their wine at any of the company's corporate or warehouse locations in the San Francisco Bay and New York Metro areas. Hand delivery is available for clients in the Bay Area, as well as preferential negotiated FedEx and UPS rates for shipment to states and countries where legal.

Founded in 2003, Vintrust empowers luxury wine collectors and producers to take control of their wine assets through a suite of management, cellarage and expert consultative services, providing "white glove" attention to detail every step of the way. Clients gain access to state-of-the-art storage facilities and easy-to-use inventory management software, as well as Vintrust's team of professional sommeliers and wine directors who provide advice on wine collecting, aging and acquisition, and assist with consignments/dispositions. For more information about Vintrust and the services available, visit www.vintrust.com or call 877-846-8787