Q & A
Questions & Answers
Marketplace Access
Do I need a paid subscription to access the Marketplace?
No. You only need to be registered with VINEX (Sign Up here) and have received an account to login - it's free. Through an account, Sellers can easily offer their bulk or branded wines, plus offer to supply any relevant published buying requirements. Buyers can search, view each wine's details, save to their WatchList and request samples. With paid Professional access, Buyers can publish their own sourcing requirements for Sellers to offer supply, plus both Buyers and Sellers can access the marketplace's advanced trading and supply management functionality. The best way to trial VINEX and all the features is to subscribe for Professional 90 Day Trial access.
How does the member profile and ranking work?
VINEX protects all Buyers’ and Sellers’ identities to ensure all transactions and sampling is conducted fairly and without bias. To provide confidence when trading, each member's profile displays important information, including country of origin, subscription level, and their level of activity. Members are given a star ranking based on their VINEX activity and status in the industry.
Member Rankings (based on trading activity)
A higher ranking means the member has been more active through the marketplace, complied with the trading rules and is well established in the industry. Member rankings are regularly reviewed. VINEX reserves the right to adjust a member’s ranking if there is a breach of the Trading Rules.
How can I access more functionality and information or purchase additional access for my team?
You can upgrade your subscription at any time or purchase additional user access - login and select My Profile (under your displayed name) or Subscriptions on your Dashboard; then select Professional or Corporate and complete your subscription.
Agreements
After completing a trade, when do I receive the agreement?
All completed trades must be approved by VINEX Clearing & Settlement. This process generally takes 2 days however, all agreements are subject to the Buyer's approval of a final sample and technical specification declaration; and the Seller's acceptance of the payment terms. On receiving both parties' acceptance a Sale & Purchase Agreement is issued and ready to be signed.
Features
How do Notification Alerts work?
With a Professional subscription you can filter the marketplace down to show wines specific to your interest, then select Receive Alerts and save alert. This saves the alert profile under My Alerts on your dashboard. Then, when a new published wine matches your filter selection you'll receive an email notification with a direct link to the wine's details. You can set-up multiple alerts with either a narrow or broad range of filters. You will only be notified if the wine matches your qualified filters. All alerts are grouped into one daily email, and only sent to you if there's a wine matching your specific request.
Offering or sourcing wines
How can I easily publish my wines or sourcing needs?
In the Bulk or Bottled marketplace, select +Add New Wine, select Buying or Selling and navigate through each section and the options. The system will pre-select many of the details for you. Note, there's some details which are Required*, but most are optional. Of course, the more detail you add the more likely you are to engage with a Buyer (or Seller) and save time, not needing to answer lots of questions. You decide what's important to accurately describe your wine (or sourcing requirement) to get the best result. After publishing your first wine you can save time publishing subsequent wines by re-opening your first wine and select Duplicate. This creates a copy for you to edit the basic details and quickly publish any number of further wines. You can also select Edit Listing at any time if you need to correct or change any details.
Q & A - Buying
Buyers: Your questions are answered here
Access More Supply. Reduced Risk. Efficiently.
How does VINEX reduce my risk when dealing with Sellers?
The role of VINEX is to provide a secure trading market where you can easily connect and successfully complete negotiations, supported by a sampling approval process.
The VINEX experience and systems reduces your risk and promotes legal, ethical and fairness in trading. We provide the following assurances through to reaching and executing an agreement:
Registration Verification
All members are authenticated at registration
Publishing Approval
New members' wines must first be approved by VINEX
Security and Privacy
Advanced technology provides secure protection and privacy
Sourcing & Supply Rules
Trading activity is monitored and reviewed
Member Ranking and Profile
All members are ranked by trading activity and status
Sampling Restrictions and Monitor
Requests are restricted for new members, and monitored
VINEX Support
Industry experienced VINEX support is available to all members
Clearing and Settlement
Completed trades are subject to the trading rules
Member Anonymity
Protection of anonymity is paramount (if selected)
Member Feedback
Feedback is encouraged and reviewed
To source and secure wines, do I need to become a member?
Yes. You need to register and receive VINEX approval for an account to be opened. Once approved, you can publish your sourcing requirements, request samples from offered wines, and depending on the trade method interact to complete a purchase. To search the marketplace and request samples from available wines you must first upgrade and subscribe for Professional access. VINEX is a business to business marketplace and you must be a proprietor or representative of an organisation in, or associated with the wine industry.
Who are the Sellers?
Sellers include wine cooperatives, independent producers, wine agents/brokers, contract winemakers, bottling companies, brand owners, exporters and wholesalers. Members range in size from large to small, and are located within or across multiple regions in more than 19 wine producing countries. To trade using VINEX they have first had to be verified and approved by our team. Each member has a VINEX profile which displays their status, country of origin and summarises activity.
Can I source grape-based products, other than wine?
Yes. You can source, search for and purchase grape derived products, including juice, must, concentrate, flavoured wines, fortifieds and grape spirit. In addition to searching the marketplace, you can also encourage suppliers to respond to your specific requirements by adding your own sourcing requirement. VINEX Support can assist with more information, just message us.
Can I source wines across all three marketplaces?
Becoming a registered member enables you to publish your requirements on the Main Market using one of the available trading methods (except Pre-Harvest). If your requirement is for a premium quality/appellation/regional wine, it will also appear in the Boutique Market targeting premium Suppliers. If you upgrade and subscribe to Professional, you can access the Direct Market (Invitation Only) and confidentially invite preferred Sellers only to respond to your requirements - all priocing and details are hidden from the Main Market). Your upgrade will also provide you with access to the Supply Management System with enhanced funcationality to manage your existing suppliers and brokers, plus access Pre-Harvest Forward agreements.
PURCHASE 90 DAY PROFESSIONAL TRIAL
Access all functionality and areas of the markeplace today for £90. Receive notification alerts, group your listings, utilise all trading methods (including Pre-Harvest) and access the Direct (by invitation only) Market for 90 days.
What fees do I pay to complete a purchase?
None. You will not be invoiced any fees on completing a purchase. However, you must first register and receive VINEX approval to enter the market.
If you want to search listings and place bids, make counter-offers or request samples on wines listed by other members you must first upgrade and subscribe for Professional access.
Fees & Rates Summary
- No Listing or Contract Fees
- Access subscription fees are optional
- Pre-Harvest Forward Contract fees apply
- Listing Promotion fees are optional
- Fulfillment service fee is optional
- Fees may apply for other VINEX services, eg. Freight Quotes
How does the Direct (Invitation Only) Market work?
The Direct Market is available to access by Professional subscribers only. You can add sourcing requirements and restrict supplier universe to only those you know or would like to discretely approach. Your the details of your requirements are restricted in view (no price, volume details or technical specifications are displayed), being only available to those Sellers (brokers and suppliers) you invite. The details of your specific requirements are hidden from the Main Market.
Through your listing, you can confidentially invite up to 8 Sellers per listing (search by Country and Company Name) to offer supply. This enables you to pre-qualify the suppliers you would like to notify and confidentially source supply from. The Direct Marketplace provides you with control and efficiency, whilst creating competitive tension amongst those suppliers invited to respond to your sourcing requirements. Your anonymity is protected throughout to ensure a fair and unbiased negotiation, including sampling to objectively secure the best available supply at teh lowest whole-of-supply cost.
Can I request samples?
Yes. Sampling is obviously vital in completing a successful purchase and many suppliers will provide samples on request and several style options. If a Seller chooses not to provide samples when listing and negotiating with you, they must still supply a final sample and technical specification declaration for your approval upon completing a trade, as part of the Clearing & Settlement process. All trades are subject to your approval of a final sample and specification declaration.
What are the 5 Wine Quality Levels A - E?
The quality levels ranging from A - Luxury down to E - Generic are broad categories in which wines can be classified to provide an indication of their level of quality. Just as price may also indicate a quality level, the A - E categories are another convenient way to search and compare wines of interest. Of course, you will ultimately make your own determination as to the quality, style and value of a wine. The Boutique Market is only relevant for wines within the quality grading levels of A - C and are from a region.
Below are some guidelines to consider when listing your wine requirements and selecting an appropriate quality level.
A - Luxury | Wines showing exceptional concentration of flavor, structure and character. Suitable for iconic wine brands, generally released following extended maturation. |
B - Premium | Wines showing outstanding regional or varietal characters, with impressive flavour, structure and character. Suitable for aspirational wine drinkers, released after limited maturation. |
C - Reserve | Wines showing good regional or varietal characters without the flavour weight and structure of Premium quality. Suitable for the occasional wine purchase. |
D - Commercial | Wines showing an approachable varietal character with less structure and weight than Reserve quality or above. Suitable for everyday drinking. |
E - Generic/Other | This quality level is for generic (entry-level) wine, flavoured wine, must, juice, concentrate, spirit, tannin and all other grape-based products. |
What is VinScore?
VinScore is an independent evaluation service provided by VINEX's qualified tasting experts. The service is only available for Bulk 'Finished/Bottle-Ready' and 'All Bottled' wines. Each wine is given a rating (within its quality level) out of 5.0; with a tasting descriptor. It’s an objective assessment designed to assist you by providing a valuable unbiased filter to compare and select wines and save time. Sellers are not obligated to purchase or display a VinScore rating.
Q & A - Selling
Sellers: Your questions are answered here
Access More Buyers. Experienced. Efficient.
How does VINEX reduce my risk of dealing with buyers?
The role of VINEX is to provide a secure, digitised trading market where you can connect and successfully complete negotiations, reach new buyers, all supported by an efficient sampling process.
VINEX reduces your risk and ensures legal, ethical and fairness in trading. We provide the following assurances through to contract execution:
Trading Rules
Trading activity is monitored and reviewed
Member Feedback
Feedback is encouraged and reviewed
Member Ranking and Profile
All members are ranked by trading activity
Sampling Restrictions and Monitor
Requests are restricted for new members
Professional VINEX Support
VINEX supports all members
Clearing and Settlement
Completed trades are subject to the trading rules
Registration Verification
All members are authenticated at registration
Member Anonymity
Protection of anonymity is paramount
First Listing Approval
New member listings must be approved by VINEX
Regular Audits
Compliance audits are conducted regularly
Exception Reporting
Comprehensive daily reports are monitored
Security and Privacy
Advanced technology provides secure protection
To offer and sell wines, do I need to subscribe for access?
No. Once you have an account you can offer and promote your wines for sale - it's free.
There's no publishing or negotiation fees. You only pay a fee if completing a successful trade agreement.
Fees & Rates Summary
- No listing or negotiation fees
- Contract fees apply to completed trades
- Pre-Harvest Forward Contract fees apply
- Professional access subscription fee is optional
- Wine promotion fees are optional
- Fees may apply for other VINEX services, eg. Freight, VINPay Guaranteed Invoice Payments
Who are the buyers?
Buyers purchasing through the marketplace have all been verified by VINEX. They include established exporters, importers, bottling facilities, wholesalers, retailers (and other wine producers who have additional supply requirements). Buyers are across all regions and markets across more than 57 countries.
Can I sell grape-based products, other than wine?
Yes. You can offer all types of grape-derived products including juice, must, concentrate, flavoured wines, fortifieds and grape spirit. For wines, there are options to customise your listings; including organic, kosher, crude, faulty and numerous other variations. VINEX Support can assist with more information.
When selling, what fees do I pay to VINEX?
Suppliers are invoiced a contract fee payable to VINEX on either receiving a fully executed Sale & Purchase Agreement, or wine under the agreement is drawn-down. Fees are based on a percentage of the total value of each contract, and may also include an optional Fulfillment fee. Other VINEX services are also available that may including fees, eg. securing a Pre-Harvest forward contract, freight or to VINPay invoices. A full list of Rates & Fees can be found under Services here
Do I have to provide samples?
Obviously sampling is vital to completing a successful trade. While you can choose not to supply samples, when you add a listing and negotiate with a buyer, you must provide a final sample for the buyer’s acceptance as part of the Clearing & Settlement approval process. If samples are made available when negotiating a trade you are 300% more likely to complete a trade.
How do I supply samples?
When offering your wines through the marketplace, you can indicate if samples are available or not. The supply of samples to interested buyers is at your cost, including freight and must be delivered duty paid (if international). VINEX will advise you of the buyer’s request and provide dispatch address details, along with labels to print and apply to each bottle. On entering a tracking number, VINEX automatically reports the delivery status displayed on your dashboard.
Can I show my company name?
Yes. When publishing each wine, before selecting Request Offers to push the details live, you can tick the option to "please display our company name and description to others viewing my wines." This way, each of your wines in the marketplace will display your company name above your profile and ranking for all members to see, and read a short description about your company. To remove your name from a published wine at any time, select Edit Listing and untick the option above Request Offers and then select Request Offers to republish your wine without your identity showing.
How does the Direct (Invitation Only) Market work?
The confidential Direct Market is available to members with Professional access. Here you can offer your wines and restrict your universe of buyers to only those in the industry you would like to confidentially approach. Your wine offered is locked and restricted in view (no price, quantity or technical details are displayed) and can only be viewed by members invited with an Access Code. You can confidentially invite up to 8 members (search by Country and Company Name) to respond to your offered wines. If the buyer you're looking to invite is not in the VINEX database, there's a request button to add the buyer's name. When offering your wines, you can pre-qualify the buyers you would like to notify and trade with. The Direct Market provides you with control and efficiency, whilst creating competitive tension amongst those buyers invited to submit offers. Your anonymity is retained throughout to ensure equality in trading when offering your wines, and to avoid destabilising the main market.
When listing a wine, what are the 5 Quality Levels A - E?
The wine quality levels ranging from A - Luxury down to E - Generic are broad categories within which wines must be classified to provide an indication of quality. Just as price may also indicate a quality assessment, the A - E categories are another convenient way to search and compare wines of interest. Of course, you will ultimately make your own determination as to the quality, style and value of a wine. The Boutique Market is only relevant for wines within the quality grading levels of A - C and from a single region.
Below are some guidelines to consider when listing your wine requirements and selecting an appropriate quality level.
A/Luxury |
Wines showing the exceptional concentration of flavour, structure and character. Suitable for iconic wine brands, generally released following extended maturation. |
B/Premium |
Wines showing outstanding regional or varietal characters, with impressive quality, structure and character. Suitable for aspirational wine drinkers, released after limited maturation. |
C/Reserve |
Wines showing sound regional or varietal characters without the flavour weight and structure of Premium quality. Suitable for the occasional wine purchase. |
D/Commercial |
Wines showing an approachable varietal character with less structure and weight than Reserve quality or above. Suitable for everyday drinking. |
E/Generic/Other |
This quality level is for generic (entry-level) wine, flavoured wine, must, juice, concentrate, spirit, tannin and all other grape-based products. |
What is VinScore?
VinScore is an independent evaluation service provided by VINEX to increase buyers' interest in your wines. The service is only available for 'Finished/Bottle Ready' and 'All Bottled' wines. Each wine is given a rating (within its quality level) out of 5.0. With a VinScore your finished wine listings will be more appealing and provide an unbiased filter to help buyers compare listings of interest. Whilst you’re not obligated to purchase or display a VinScore, it has been shown that listings are 300% more likely to lead to a completed trade.
Can VINEX assist me with a wine valuation?
Yes. VINEX provides a service called VinValuation – it’s free and you don’t need to supply a sample. Based on your wine’s details, VINEX will respond to you with a VinValuation after taking into account all market and current trading factors. We will advise a valuation price range along with commentary on the prevailing market conditions.