You can now support universities by drinking wine, thanks to Vinoshipper. A growing number of alumni associations nationwide are turning to Vinoshipper’s platform to build and support wine programs. It’s a win-win — universities raise money by selling wine, and wineries get to sell directly to consumers.
Since its start in 2006, Vinoshipper now has sixteen universities selling wine on its platform. Vinoshipper ensures the wines are shipped legally, in compliance with state regulations. They also connect universities to wineries. “We coordinate all the wines and selections with the universities,” says founder Steven Harrison.
One of the most successful programs to date on Vinoshipper is the Stanford Wine Collection. Now in its 38th year, the Stanford Wine Collection has sold over 1 million bottles. It features eight wines selected via a blind tasting panel of alumni from the wine industry. This panel includes Peter Mondavi Jr., current owner of Charles Krug Winery, Chris Christensen, founder of Bodkin Wines, and Janet Pagano of Ovid Winery.
On the other end of the spectrum, Cornell University‘s wine program is brand new in 2018. Its wine program showcases alumni who have seen success in the wine industry, and consists of just two wines made by Millbrook Vineyards. Millbrook Vineyards is run by multiple Cornell alumni, and is known as one of the top wineries in New York’s Hudson Valley. The label also features artwork from a Cornell alumni.
What’s impressive is the breadth of the wines sold on the Vinoshipper platform. There are wineries from nearly all fifty states (yes, there are wineries in Alaska!) and everything from blue wine to The Bachelor wines. Vinoshipper also sells beer, cider, and mead.
From a quality standpoint, Vinoshipper’s selection has quite a few critically-acclaimed wines. The roster includes Willamette Valley Vineyards for Oregon State University, Kunde Family Winery for Stanford University, and Stuhlmuller Vineyard for the University of Southern California.
Because the wines are sold directly to consumers, their pricing is extremely reasonable. For example, a bottle of 2014 Cultivar Sauvignon Blanc for the University of Colorado Boulder is just $14, and a Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon for Santa Clara University is just $40.
As universities continue to seek new fundraising methods, we expect many more to take on the Vinoshipper platform soon. To learn more or check out the list of available university wines, visit Vinoshipper.com.