Vivino wine marketplace and app

Vivino Brand Origin and History

Vivino was founded in 2010 in Copenhagen, Denmark, by Heini Zachariassen and Theis Søndergaard. The brand was created to solve a common consumer problem: the difficulty of choosing a wine without expert knowledge. By developing an image recognition technology that allows users to scan wine labels, Vivino built the world's most downloaded wine app and a massive peer-to-peer rating community.

Business Model and Manufacturing

While Vivino does not 'manufacture' physical goods in the traditional sense, its platform serves as a global marketplace for thousands of winemakers and retailers. The software development and headquarters operations were established in Denmark, with significant expansions into the United States and other global markets. The wine sold through the platform is sourced from every major wine-producing region globally.

Ownership and Global Reach

As of 2024 and beyond, Vivino remains a private company backed by major international venture capital firms, including Kinnevik AB, Sisu Capital, and Moët Hennessy. While it has received strategic investment from luxury groups, the ultimate ownership is held by its founding shareholders and investment groups. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and Copenhagen, maintaining a dual-continental presence to manage its global user base and retail partnerships.