This new wine delivery service is making a splash

By Lizzy Rosenberg Last updated Jun 11, 2019

If you’re an avid wine enthusiast, subscribing to a wine subscription service might be a worthwhile purchase. And while there are a number of them out there, from Winc, to Naked Wines, and — of course — Vinebox, Empathy Wines is a brand new winery that should probably make its way onto your radar.

Empathy was started by Gary Vaynerchuk, an entrepreneur, author, speaker and internet personality who hails all the way from Belarus. Vaynerchuk started out in the wine industry working for Wine Library, a mom and pop wine shop in New Jersey. He moved on to hosting a wine vlog called Wine Library T.V., then co-started Cork’d, and eventually began investing in various brands. After dabbling in various fields, he decided to start Empathy alongside two friends, Jon Troutman and Nate Scherotter. The website calls it “an alternative circumventing traditional channels.”

The brand works directly with a number of renowned vineyards across the globe, including Shannon Ranch Vineyards, Bokisch Vineyards, Marietta Vineyards and Mettler Family Vineyards. They source top quality grapes, and produce their own vintages. From there, Empathy sells directly to wine drinkers across the country. .

Empathy released their Rosé in May and more recently release White Wine, which is a bright blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Grenache Blanc. It can be purchased on the Empathy Wines as a one-time buy, in three bottles, or you can subscribe to receive them every four weeks. The brand’s Whites and Reds will ship in early summer and fall, costing $81 one-time shipment or as a subscription for $243. Not too shabby.

If you’re interested in subscribing, the brand offers Club Empathy, which gives a VIP experience to those who sign up for three shipments of 12 (aka 36 bottles per year). Customers will receive recommendations, destination tastings, and entry to exclusive events across the U.S.

You can also sign up for SMSomm, which is a texting service that gives Club Empathy subscribes personalized recommendations, so you always have an idea of what to drink. Cheers!