There are many exciting changes coming your way this year, including a new-and-improved buying and trading platform, industry-leading events and world-class buying and region guides. We examine how these changes will benefit you – and your collection
This is a big year for Vinfolio. It has been six months since we first announced our merger with FINE+RARE and we are now able to communicate some of the exciting changes you will begin to experience soon.
First and foremost, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the ongoing support of our customers and colleagues. Our recent merger has helped us identify numerous opportunities to substantially improve your experience and service – and we are deeply committed to continually refining and transforming our business model to exceed your expectations on all fronts.
In time, you will start reaping the benefits of a new-and-improved buying and trading platform, built in-house at FINE+RARE following extensive user feedback and testing. We will adapt and evolve the platform’s functionality following your input before launch – and continually thereafter – to ensure it meets your personal requirements, frequently updating you on any changes you can expect.
We are confident that all of these new applications, outlined in detail below, will fundamentally change your experience and create a simpler, more intuitive, higher-functioning system that can be accessed wherever you are in the world.
Soon, peer-to-peer trading, real-time market updates, and richer buying guides will also combine to assist you in making the most informed buying decisions about your collection.
This article is the first of many regular updates which will introduce and focus on these changes, explaining how they benefit you and the collection you already have with us.
Behind the scenes: F+R proprietary software working hard to make your purchasing journey more intuitive
Upcoming FINE+RARE technology updates: a taste of what is to come for Vinfolio
New My F+R and Trading platform
This year, we will launch a new Portfolio/My F+R platform, which has been built following user feedback to fundamentally improve your experience. Market data will be used to inform you about key trading opportunities and how these might affect your portfolio.
The new-and-improved Portfolio product detail page, with the ability to list items for sale immediately
There will be even greater integration between the checkout journey and the Editorial section, enabling you to read the most current long-form features on the regions, wines and producers you are interested in. Fine wine insights will also automatically populate with newly released critic scores, real-time market demand and signposted relevant Editorial content.
Peer-to-peer trading will also become available, as you will be able to set your own trading prices online using market insight and data, list and unlist products, with new features to receive or place bids.
A glimpse at the Portfolio single-page cellar view and activity section
For the first time, you will also be able to see a single-page cellar view featuring all the most critical buying and trading facts, which is a significant reduction from the current four pages.
En primeur + richer more informative buying guides
Our first global Bordeaux en primeur campaign will launch in May with a detailed report on the 2022 vintage (read our initial thoughts on the year here), with representatives from all our local teams spending time in the region, tasting the wines. Not only will all clients have access to our in-depth reporting (as well as access to expert advice from their local teams), but there will also be the opportunity to pre-order wines.
This year, you will also have access to hundreds of in-depth region and producer guides. At present, our site boasts 475 articles and 290 producer profiles – and this number will continue to grow as more at-a-glance shorter-form articles and more comprehensive, multi-page reports on the wines you are most interested in will be available to help you make the most informed buying decision in your local market.
You’ll now be able to find full details and insight on our global events on our site
Global events
We are also working on an exciting global events calendar with some of the world’s most venerable producers. Global events have been part of the FINE+RARE Group for several years. Halted during Covid, these returned with a vengeance in 2022 with over 20 intimate tastings and dinners with many of the world’s most venerable producers, including Château Rayas, Ausone, Le Pin, Pétrus, Harlan Estate and Domaine des Comtes Lafon at remarkable venues such as The Ritz, Claridge’s and The Connaught.
Optimized checkout
Features will be introduced later this year to facilitate multi-currency purchasing online. Improvements will also be made to the current checkout journey, making it more intuitive and efficient. There will also be a greater ability for customers to settle delivery costs online, taking into account reservist sales and credit note proceeds at checkout, and offsetting these against orders.
Global FINERARE.COM and local domain launches
Over the next 12 months, significant changes will also be introduced to improve your online service needs, starting with a user-centered website (with a new URL) which will launch this spring. The global website will provide greater visibility for sourcing new wines, as well as improve how you manage your collection. It will also include improved order tracking and account status updates.
Additionally, the existing search and filter journey will be improved and the Editorial section will be easier to navigate, signposting you to richer, localised content to help you make the most informed purchase possible.
You’ll be able to explore and register interest in our global events online, and you’ll now also have access to local stock availability, services and listings.
Coming soon: local currency and local language capabilities
In time, each market will get their own tailored website signposting the most relevant educational and informative content as well as invites to tastings. For the first time, it will also be possible to view and access local services and inventories of wines in local markets, and connect with other local-market sellers.
This is just the beginning of an exciting chapter and we look forward to communicating all of these features, including the ability for suppliers and producers to manage their own marketplace (which will increase the number of real-time products available on the platform), in due course. It has never been a more interesting time to buy and sell wines and spirits in this ever-evolving global marketplace.
If you have any questions or feedback about this, or anything else, please contact Group CEO Patrick O’Connor directly