Site to be Home to Largest Number of Washington Wines Available Anywhere
SEATTLE, Wash.—(October 30, 2009) — TMSA Holdings, owner of Esquin Wine Merchants, has purchased Bellevue-based madwine.com (MadWine). Acquisition of the online wine retailer occurred in April; a complete redesign of madwine.com was completed in late September.
The purchase brings two great brands—MadWine and Esquin Wine Merchants—under one roof. For customers, this will mean unprecedented access to domestic and international wines.
“Pairing MadWine with Esquin is an incredible opportunity for us to expose the great wines of Washington state to the rest of the country,” says Chuck LeFevre, owner of TMSA and Esquin Wine Merchants. “In fact, MadWine will offer more Washington wines than any other on-line retailer.”
By the end of September MadWine will feature 4,000 different domestic and international wines, a nearly 236 percent increase over the 1,700 wines available on the site when the company was purchased in April. Within the next two years the company plans to have 10,000 wines for sale on the site.
Despite the economic downturn, the wine business is booming for TMSA, Esquin and now madwine.com. Since TMSA purchased Esquin in 1997, sales have grown six-times over; inventory has expanded tenfold. TMSA expects the same results for madwine.com. Moreover, TMSA expects to grow MadWine’s 8,000-customer base at a rate similar to Esquin’s, which has expanded from 2,200 customers in 1997 to more than 22,000 customers today.
The partnership between Esquin and MadWine will be a boon for customers in myriad ways. Online shoppers now have access to Washington wines not often seen outside the state. While there will be some overlap with Esquin’s 5,000 different wines, MadWine will have thousands more labels available for its on-line customers. Local MadWine customers can have their orders shipped, but orders will also be available for pick-up at Esquin’s retail location in Seattle. For orders over $250 MadWine will even provide free delivery within the greater Seattle area.
With its acquisition by TMSA, MadWine becomes part of a family business. Stephanie Burkhart, daughter of TMSA owner LeFevre will manage MadWine, along with Esquin Wine Storage. Her sister, Alisha Gosline, will continue to manage Esquin Wine Merchants.
TMSA is the holding company for MadWine and Esquin Wine Merchants, the largest retail wine merchant in Seattle. The store has been part of Northwest landscape since 1969, and is located at 2700 Fourth Avenue South, just four stoplights south of Safeco Field at 4th Ave. South and South Lander. MadWine is located online at www.madwine.com. Visit Esquin at www.esquin.com for more details on upcoming wine tastings, or to sign up for their free monthly wine mailer, or contact the store at (206) 682-7374.
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Media Contact: Kelsey Simmons
Randall PR / (206) 624-5757
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