2 Online Wine Business Success Stories [2024]
Starting an online wine business can be exciting and scary. However, if done right, the online wine shop can be profitable. To start an online wine business, identify a niche and conduct market research. Navigate the licensing, permits, and taxes and create a simple but functional website.
Whether you have your wine production plant or a dropshipper, focus on delivering quality service.
In this list, you'll find real-world online wine business success stories and very profitable examples of starting a online wine business that makes money.
1. The Wine Spies ($12M/year)
Red, the founder of The Wine Spies, came up with the idea for his business after working in high-tech and eCommerce. He partnered with a friend from a previous project and realized that there was a need for a trusted online source for fine wines. Red went door to door, convincing wineries to join their flash sale business model, and eventually earned their trust and built a loyal customer base. The Wine Spies became profitable within six months and continues to grow today.
How much money it makes: $12M/year
How many people on the team: 6
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/015/578/thumbnail/JJ_Headshot_1.jpg?1688792300)
The Wine Spies is an online wine marketplace, founded in 2007, that only sells wines it loves and has a fiercely loyal customer base that has kept the company profitable and growing steadily with over a decade of exceptional service and value.
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/293/642/thumbnail/Mike-Rome-Fractional-CMO-CGO-moonwater.jpg?1705329941)
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/018/378/thumbnail/Gillian_Crawford_founder_at_Lily_Blanche__the_personalised_jewellery_company.png?1688802463)
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/020/448/thumbnail/Screenshot_2023-03-22_193158.png?1688804860)
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/018/566/thumbnail/Dmitriy-Peregudov-GiftBasketsOverseas.jpg?1688802858)
2. CoolerSomm Limited ($1.8M/year)
Sarah Newton, a marketer in the travel industry, launched CoolerSomm after her salary was cut due to the pandemic. Utilizing her eCommerce experience, she created an online store selling wine accessories. Within a week of launching, the business was already turning a profit, thanks to effective Google Adwords campaigns.
How much money it makes: $1.8M/year
How much did it cost to start: $2K
How many people on the team: 1
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/017/542/thumbnail/founder.jpg?1688801392)
Solo founder Sarah Newton launched online wine accessories business CoolerSomm during the pandemic and was able to turn over $50,000 in its first full month of trading online, with an average margin per sale well in excess of £100, thanks to her eCommerce experience from previous roles and businesses.
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/018/190/thumbnail/IMG_2191.jpg?1688802251)
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/018/695/thumbnail/unknown-male-person-eps-10-vector-13383958.jpg?1688803016)
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/014/167/thumbnail/Jacob_Bags.jpeg?1688805005)
![](http://d1coqmn8qm80r4.cloudfront.net/users/avatars/000/018/970/thumbnail/Josh-Summers-Headshot-Square.jpg?1688803456)
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.