eBay launches online wine shop

Online retailer eBay has launched eBay Wine – an online wine shop selling everything from fine and rare wines to everyday drops to customers in the US.

Launched in collaboration with wine app Drync, customers can browse over 10,000 wines by grape variety, region and price via Drync’s nationwide network of wine retail partners.

The site will offer wine from over 500 regions in 30 countries, from well-known wine hubs like Sonoma and Tuscany to emerging regions like Galilee and the Bekaa Valley.

Retailers across the US will pay to list their products on Drync’s app, which has been integrated with eBay. Wines can be delivered to 45 different states in the US, and, in addition to wine, the website will sell wine related accessories from stoppers to decanters.

“Whether you’re in search of wine to celebrate a special occasion, give as a Mother’s Day gift, or add to your collection, eBay is offering a fresh, modern way to find the perfect bottle,” said eBay’s Alyssa Steele.

“Combining eBay’s unparalleled reach and innovative platform with unmatched inventory, the launch of eBay Wine is another way we’re providing shoppers with amazing choice and selection – for a unique shopping experience,” she added.

Neither Drync nor eBay will assume any legal responsibility if a retailer fails to comply with the drinks laws of its state.

“Our collaboration with eBay allows us to bring the reach of the marketplace to our wine retail partners while empowering a broad consumer audience with a huge selection of wine to choose from,” said Brad Rosen, founder and CEO, Drync.

“The collaboration marks a significant shift in the wine industry – offering realtime inventory from large and small retailers throughout the country through a marketplace that includes both in-store pick up and delivery options,” he added.

Drync was founded in 2008 as an app for wine lovers to catalog their favourite drops, upload pictures of the labels and share reviews.

In 2013 it launched an online wine shop that allowed users to buy the wines on the site and either have them shipped or pick them up at the retailer.

Like its rival Amazon, eBay is keen for a slice of the online wine pie, which is experiencing double-digit growth in the US. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay has 162 million active buyers – 79% of items sold on the site are new.