NAPA, Calif. – NOVEMBER 2, 2023 –Napa Valley-based Wine Service Cooperative (www.wineservicecoop.com) is pleased to announce a host of enhancements to the company’s infrastructure and services. These developments include a $5 million investment in state-of-the-art technology and fulfillment facilities for owner-customers and a new website featuring updated services and branding. As Wine Service Cooperative begins its second half-century serving the wine industry, this transformative investment cements its position as California’s leading company for integrated DTC and wholesale storage, fulfillment, and logistics services.
Wine Service Cooperative is uniquely structured as a member-owned, non-profit organization. “A member-owned cooperative is a very powerful kind of organization, with significant benefits for our members, both in terms of superior pricing and customer service,” said WSC President Steve Tamburelli, who previously served as the general manager for Chappellet Winery and the president and CEO of Clos Du Val Winery. “Because our customers are also our owners, our motives are as pure as they can get.” As a nonprofit, Wine Service Cooperative operates as an at-cost organization, resulting in below-market pricing and the distribution of annual dividends to its member-owners. “When you couple world-class service, below-market pricing, and the ability to return a portion of each member’s annual spend through a dividend program, WSC becomes an extremely compelling option.”
Over the past two years, Wine Service Cooperative has invested in best-in-class technology and facilities to support its member experience. This includes enhanced customer reporting and analytics, a new warehouse management system to streamline fulfillment, real-time wholesale inventory management via a new ERP system, and increased automation, including warehouse robotics to assist WSC’s long-tenured team with the ordering, packaging, shipping, and put-away processes.
In California, Wine Service Cooperative is one of the few organizations of its kind to offer both DTC fulfillment, wholesale fulfillment, and wholesale export fulfillment. In addition to these services, WSC provides extensive value-added services, including kitting, tissue wrapping, label removal, strip and case labeling, and repacking—services that enable wineries to easily introduce new products and formats for both DTC and wholesale programs.
In addition to its three current warehouse facilities in Napa Valley, Wine Service Cooperative has also established a new fulfillment warehouse in Louisville, Kentucky. This new location allows members to store inventory closer to their Midwest and East Coast customers, minimize shipping rates, and offer 2-day service to 98% of US wine consumers. By using intermodal transportation to the Midwest, WSC also saves 65% in greenhouse gas emissions and eliminates the need for pollution-heavy air freight.
One of the key differentiators of Wine Service Cooperative is its highly skilled and responsive Member Success Team, which includes several longstanding associates with 20-to-30-year tenures as logistics experts. The Member Success Team provides personal attention and white glove service to members as experts in custom product fulfillment, supply chain logistics, and both DTC and wholesale fulfillment. “Because our customers are also our owners, it creates an environment of excellence and accountability,” said Director of Member Success Jenni Opatz. “The needs and best interests of our members are always at the forefront of our business. In addition to being proactive and working collaboratively with our members to anticipate their needs and exceed their expectations, we give our members a voice. They are active participants. When they provide input, we put that feedback into action.”
“If you are a winery looking to find a trusted partner to solve all of your storage, fulfillment, logistics, and post-production needs, there has never been a better time to become a member of Wine Service Cooperative,” added Tamburelli. “By being that partner, we allow our members to focus on what they do best—making great wine.”
Tamburelli’s sentiments are echoed by the Cooperative’s current members, including Tony Rodriguez, the inventory control manager for Joseph Phelps Vineyards. “Wine Service Cooperative has truly been an exceptional partner. The customer service team is very accessible and quick to resolve any questions or requests. Orders always go out on time, and the team is always willing to assist with any last-minute urgent order requests.” Greg Allen, the winemaker and president for Far Niente Wine Estates, also views WSC as an integral partner, “The team at WSC has unmatched attention to detail, professionalism, and dedication to customer satisfaction. I’m proud to have long considered Wine Service Cooperative effectively a part of our own organization. Our team is grateful for the smooth and hassle-free transactions we’ve had with WSC and would highly recommend them to anyone in need of reliable and quality warehousing and DTC fulfillment solutions.”
Wineries interested in becoming members of Wine Service Cooperative or for more information about the company’s comprehensive suite of DTC and wholesale storage, fulfillment, and logistics services are invited to contact Director of Member Success Jenni Opatz at Jenni@wineservicecoop.com.
About Wine Service Cooperative
Established in 1972, Wine Service Cooperative promotes the growth and success of our member wineries with an integrated suite of DTC and wholesale storage, fulfillment, and logistics services. Our cooperative business model empowers members as owners and drives our core values of accountability and exceptional customer service. We are committed to leveraging best-in-class technology and facilities to streamline the member experience, optimize supply-chain efficiency, and support winery success. To learn more, visit www.wineservicecoop.com.
