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The Fun Wine Company

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The Fun Wine Company, Inc.
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryAlcoholic beverage
Founded2010; 14 years ago (2010)
Miami, Florida, US
FounderJoe Peleg
Headquarters
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Area served
  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Asia
  • Europe
Key people
Joe Peleg (CEO)
Christina Aguilera (CCO)
ProductsWine cocktails
Websitefunwine.com

The Fun Wine Company, Inc. is an American alcoholic beverage company headquartered in Miami, Florida. Founded in 2010, it manufactures gluten-free wine cocktails, whose products are distributed in the United States by Republic National Distributing Company. In 2021, their executives has announced a global expansion to markets in Asia, Latin America and Europe.

Known for its "colorful bottles and unique flavors", its products was inspired by Miami's culture and street art scene. In addition to being met with positive reviews by wine critics, its products received numerous awards and accolades, including at the World Wine Championships. Founder Joe Peleg also acts as chief executive officer (CEO), while American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera was named chief culture officer (CCO). As of 2023, Fun Wine generated $10 million in sales according to Benzinga.[1]

History

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Founded in 2010 by Joe Peleg, Fun Wine is headquartered in Miami, Florida, and its first wine collection launched in 2014, being initially produced in Germany.[2] It was later reported that its products began to be produced with "premium French grapes" in Southern France.[3] In 2018, FIFCO USA announced a strategic marketing and distribution agreement with the company, aiming to "expand [the brand] across the U.S. market".[2] As of 2021, the distribution of Fun Wine's products in the United States was led by Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC).[4]

Aiming to expand Fun Wine's business in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, the brand announced American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera as chief culture officer (CCO).[5][6] In an interview with Rolling Stone, she explained her team up with the corporation and work as CCO: "At this point in my life, I wanted to look into businesses and things that I really believed in and things that I loved [...] In addition to being a wine enthusiast, I am a believer in encouraging self-expression, which aligns with Fun Wine's colorful and creative aesthetic".[7]

Products

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Development

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Fun Wine manufactures gluten-free and low-alcoholic wine cocktails, made with natural flavors and sweetened with monk fruit.[8][9] Its products has been manufactured in a vegan-certified plant in the European Union.[10] The company's initial collection consisted of flavors such as Sangria, Coconut Chardonnay, and Strawberry Rosé Moscato—featuring its slogan "Bringing the fun from Miami".[11][12] In 2014, Fun Wine introduced the "world's first coffee-wine hybrid drinks", featuring carbenet grapes, espresso coffee, and a hint of chocolate.[13][14] Aiming to "make wine more accessible", founder Joe Peleg later commented, "We want this to be something light... something that you enjoy with friends", in addition to targeting Fun Wine's products to Millennials as an "alternative to beer".[3][2]

In addition to aluminum bottle to "handle the chemical characteristics of the wine", Fun Wine also is sold in glass bottles and was reported as the first wine company to introduce slim cans.[8][15] Generally known for its "colorful bottle",[7] its design—developed by Latin Grammy Award winner graffiti artist Miguel Paredes—is directly inspired by Miami's "beautiful area and city with multicultural scene".[16] In an interview with Miami New Times, Paredes described the brand's package as "a message of fun and enjoyment of life through creative experience".[11]

Promotion

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On December 5, 2019 it was set the official brand launching event during Art Basel at the National Hotel.[17] In 2022, Fun Wine promoted a special event shop hosted by Christina Aguilera in West Hollywood, featuring a variety of the brand's wine and exclusive merch designed for the Los Angeles Pride.[18] The brand also have appeared as indications in Billboard and Rolling Stone magazine issues.[6][7]

Reception

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Critical response

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Fun Wine's products received with reviews by wine critics. At the 2018 World Wine Champions, Coconut Chardonnay was called a "welcome tropical departure from your average wine", highlighting its "sweet, tropical aromas of coco lopez, pineapple cake, limoncello, and ripe papaya", while Red Sangria—the brand's top-selling flavor—won bronze medal due its "solid spritzy" composition.[19][20] Strawberry Rose Moscato eventually was called a "boozy soda-like wine" combining "aromas and flavors of sugared strawberries, strawberry soda, and cherry blossom with a supple", which earned it a silver medal in "Best Wine Cocktail" category.[21] Reviewing the brand's Hard Bubbly collection, WRAL News praised its smell, low-calorie content and use of monk fruit as sweetener.[22] However, The Huffington Post editors and writers was less optimistic about its wine collection, although considered White Moscato and Red Sangria "fine".[3]

The brand's package and bottles also was praised by designers and experts. In 2021, Beverage Testing Institute described Fun Wine packaging as "clever exuberant anime design".[23] Juliana Accioly from Miami New Times referred to its design as "a marriage of graffitti, landscape and pop art".[11] Anne Marie Mohan, columnist from Packaging World, highlighted its line "in aluminum bottle with vibrant artwork that pulses with a Miami vibe". Mohan described it as "wildly exuberant", noting the Miami's art, fashion and music culture representation in each of its bottle designs.[8]

Accolades

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Awards and nominations received by The Fun Wine Company, Inc.
Ceremony Year Recipient(s) Category Result Ref.
Beverage Testing Institute 2020 Coconut Chardonnay Sparkling Flavored Wine Bronze [24]
Cappuccino Chardonnay Bronze [25]
Espresso Carbenet Bronze [26]
Peach Passion Moscato Sparkling Flavored Wine: Best Buy Silver [27]
Strawberry Rosé Moscato Bronze [21]
Sangria Red Sangria: Best Buy Silver [28]
BTI Packaging Awards 2021 Fun Wine Best Packaging: Wine Won [23]
World Wine Championships[a] 2018 Red Sangria Best Flavored Wine Bronze [30]
Strawberry Rose Moscato Best Wine Cocktail Silver [31]
Coconut Chardonay Silver [32]
Best Buy Won

Commercial performance

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Fun Wine is sold in North America and Latin America, continuing to expand the distributions on others continents, including Asia, Africa, and Europe.[33] According to Benzinga, Fun Wine generated $10 million from the sale of 461,000 physical cases as of January 2023.[1]

Notes

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  1. ^ The World Wine Championships is "America's oldest annual international wine competition [...] each category are judged by Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) trained staff joined by top wine professionals and buyers from retailers and restaurants using a consistent, proprietary methodology developed in collaboration with Cornell University".[29]

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Fun Wine Premium Cocktails Company Appoints Tim Turner Chief US Sales Officer". Benzinga. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Thomas Pellechia (8 November 2018). "Flavored Wine Is Fun and Successful, Says a Growing Global Wine Producer". Forbes. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Tyler Kingkade (15 November 2013). "Wine in a Can Company Wants Millennials to Think Outside the Box". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Republic National Distributing Company Partners with The Fun Wine Company to Join 'Better for You' Category". Republic National Distributing Company. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  5. ^ Daniela Avila (6 June 2022). "Christina Aguilera Says She's 'Never Been One for a Rulebook'". People. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  6. ^ a b Latifah Muhammad (9 June 2022). "Christina Aguilera x Fun Wine Pop-Up Shop: Inside the L.A. Pride Event". Billboard. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Tim Chan (9 June 2022). "Christina Aguilera Talks Pride, Fun Wine and Anniversary of 'Stripped'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Anne Marie Mohan (23 October 2020). "New Wine Cottle for Fun Wine is Wildly Exuberant". Packaging World. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  9. ^ Wayne Alan Brenner. "Miami's Fun Wine Is Launching In Texas". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Fun Wine Releases New Collection, New Packaging". Beverage Industry Magazine. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Juliana Accioly (4 February 2020). "Miami-Based Fun Wine Features Fruity Flavors and Artist-Designed Bottles". Miami New Times. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Miami's Fun Wine Company and Christina Aguilera Announce Expansion Plans Within First Months of Bubbly Launch". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  13. ^ Eliana Dockterman (26 June 2014). "Coffee-Flavored Wine in a Can Exists". Time. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  14. ^ Jolie Lee (27 June 2014). "Good Idea? Coffee-Flavored Wine in a Can". USA Today. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  15. ^ Evan S. Benn (22 May 2014). "Portable Drinks: Five Tasty Innovations". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  16. ^ Jessica Abo (1 March 2022). "How This Entrepreneur Is Bringing Wine to the Masses With a Splash of Fun". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  17. ^ Liz Tracy (3 December 2019). "Miami Art Week 2019: Free and Sponsored Events". Miami New Times. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  18. ^ Kate Hogan (28 June 2022). "Pride Month 2022: How the Stars Are Celebrating". People. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  19. ^ Javier Hasse (18 June 2018). "The Unlikely Success Story of a Flavored Wine Company from Miami". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  20. ^ Li Yingxue (4 September 2018). "Low-Alcohol Wine-Based Beverages Hit Chinese Market". China Daily. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Fun Wine: Strawberry Rosé Moscato – Wine Review". Beverage Testing Institute. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  22. ^ WRAL Staff (18 December 2020). "New Fun Wine Hard Bubbly Collection Launching in 2021: Review". WRAL-TV. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  23. ^ a b Julia Gordon (5 January 2021). "2021 Winners of BTI's Annual Packaging Competition". Beverage Testing Institute. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Fun Wine: Coconut Chardonnay – Wine Review". Beverage Testing Institute. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Fun Wine: Cappuccino Chardonnay – Wine Review". Beverage Testing Institute. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  26. ^ "Fun Wine: Espresso Carbenet – Wine Review". Beverage Testing Institute. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  27. ^ "Fun Wine: Peach Passion Moscato – Wine Review". Beverage Testing Institute. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Fun Wine: Sangria – Wine Review". Beverage Testing Institute. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Friends Fun Wine Wins Coveted 2018 Best Packaging Award". Business Insider. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  30. ^ "Friends Fun Wine NV Red Sangria European Union – Wine Review". Beverage Tasting Institute. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  31. ^ "Friends Fun Wine NV Strawberry Moscato European Union – Wine Review". Beverage Tasting Institute. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Friends Fun Wine NV Coconut Chardonnay European Union – Wine Review". Beverage Tasting Institute. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  33. ^ "Fun Wine Set to Disrupt the Beverage Industry with Never Used Monk Fruit". Associated Press. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
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