US start-up DRINKS raises $15m to expand its wine delivery platform

Los Angeles-based tech start-up DRINKS has secured $15 million in a Series B funding round as it aims to scale its platform which allows retailers to market wine for delivery around the US.

The round was led by Beverly Pacific, with participation from Shea Ventures, and brings DRINKS’ total funding to approximately $25 million.

DRINKS says it maximises consumer demand by generating customised store shelves and wine packs to match prospective customers with the right wines. Last year it delivered over 10 million bottles of wine.

It aims to provide an end-to-end solution, from curating a customised selection of wines specific to each customer, to state-level compliance, to delivery to a home, office, or one of 10,000 local pickup locations.

DRINKS CEO Zac Brandenberg said: “We are excited to announce this additional financing and welcome these strategic investors to our team. This round of financing is a validation of DRINKS’ leading marketplaces, best-in-class technology and data science, and groundbreaking ship-to-home platform.

“As the technology leader in the wine industry, we will continue to disrupt the way wine is sold by leveraging our digital reach and marketplace efficiencies to bring consumers the highest quality wine at the lowest prices, direct to their door.”

Shea Ventures managing director John Morrissey said: “DRINKS’ mission of ‘changing the way wine is sold’ immediately drew us to their digital platform. In so many categories, we have seen consumers demand an effortless shopping experience with convenient delivery – and we believe wine should be no different.

“With its innovative personalisation technology and direct access to prestigious wineries that enable consumers to easily and affordably purchase premium wine, DRINKS is uniquely poised to set the stage for the future of wine sales in the United States.”