We live in a world where wine holds a pretty high position in society when it comes to complimentary beverages. It’s available in different variants and is perfect to accompany different types of dishes and foods.
However, the worst thing about drinking wine is consistently being on the lookout for a corkscrew to be able to crack open a bottle. That’s potentially the worst experience that one can indulge in. That’s where Copa di Vino comes into play. This is a single-serve wine, available in a bottle that enables individuals to take a sip on the go.
Founded by James Martin, the unique product and the company are currently worth $25 million. They did not accept any of the counter-deals offered by the sharks.
About the Founder
Copa di Vino was founded by James Martin, as we just mentioned. He was born and raised in Dalles, Oregon, and graduated from the Linn-Benton Community College with a degree in electrical engineering.
Following his graduation, and after a lot of deliberation, James worked as the head of a popular beverage company called Quenett. However, he later came across an abandoned flour mill, which he decided to transform into a winery.
That’s when he came together with his friends, families, and neighbors to start Sunshine Mill Winery in 2005.
Founding Copa di Vino
The idea of Copa di Vino came to James when he was on vacation in Florida. While he was traveling on the train, the only thing that he could think about was drinking a glass of wine.
Soon after, James started working on making his idea a reality. After a lot of trials and errors, James was finally able to make things work and the final product was ready in 2009, leading to the foundation of Copa di Vino.
When the product first came out, the most common question that people had was regarding the shelf life of the product. James managed to innovate the design of the single-serve bottle in a way that would retain the taste and quality of the wine without ruining the flavor profile.
Copa di Vino on Shark Tank
James appeared in the second season of Shark Tank, asking for $300,000 for 5% equity. To counter that pitch, Kevin O’Leary offered him $500,000 for 51% of the company. James rejected the deal citing that the stakes were too high.
Although Copa di Vino managed to secure pretty great sales and climbed to a $5 million valuation, the company struggled with inventory issues.
Later, James took his business back on Shark Tank in season 3, where he asked for the same amount. Three sharks came together to offer a joint deal of $600,000 for 30% equity. However, seeing Jame’s attitude, the shark pulled out.
Copa di Vino after Shark Tank
Following their Shark Tank appearances, the company has grown exponentially. They even acquired Splash Beverage Group and grew their annual sales to over $6 million, which is mind-boggling. As of 2023, the business has a valuation of $25 million.
