WineCommune Site News

We are hiring!

2007-03-05T14:07:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say that we are hiring a few entry level positions. Wine knowledge is generally required, but we are willing to teach the right person.

Click here to see our job openings.

Our Phones Are Down

2006-11-17T11:13:00.000-08:00

Poor weather (which in California means a light drizzle) has taken our phones offline. The phone company expects to have them back up today.

See WineCommune in Real-Time

2006-08-18T14:41:00.000-07:00

Spy allows you to watch activity on WineCommune in real-time.

WineCommune is Going to Bordeaux

2006-03-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

Shaun Bishop, WineCommune's lead wine buyer, is going to Bordeaux in April 2006 to taste the 2005 Bordeaux. He posts his notes, impressions, and pictures. In addition, he will bring you the scoop on what wines are hot or not.

Follow his journey at: http://www.winecommune.com/bordeaux-2005

New Year, New Look!

2006-01-02T13:02:00.000-08:00

WineCommune is proud to start 2006 with a new look!

This new design is the 5th generation of WineCommune. We have been running a version of the same design since 2000.

The basic structure and function of the site remains the same. Keep an eye out for new features coming soon.

Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the new design.

The Official WineCommune Fleece Pullover

2005-12-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

The first publically available WineCommune Fleece Pullover is up for auction.

Bid now at: http://www.winecommune.com/lot.cfm/lotID/962418

Bid to Win is Back!

2005-11-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

From November 21st through December 25th, 2005, WineCommune will be giving away two $100 American Express Gift Checks (valid anywhere American Express traveler's check are accepted) each week - one a buyer and one to a seller. Entry is simple! Every bid or Buy It! placed during a week is an entry in the contest. There is no limit to the number of entries you make as long as your bid is legitimate. A random bid or Buy It! will be chosen and both the person who placed that bid or Buy It! and the seller of the item bid upon will each get a $100 gift check!

Click here for full details.

Selling Gifts for the Holidays

2005-11-17T13:07:00.000-08:00

Have a lot that would make a great gift? Adding the wine gift icon is free and easy. When you post your lot for sale, look for the checkbox marked GIFT LOT. Just check that box! That's it! Be sure to describe what gift services you can provide the buyer in the lot description field.

Your lot will be featured in a special gift category and have a special gift icon appear next to it in the category and search listings.

Click here for more information on the Gift Section.

Tips to Increase Your Holiday Sales

2005-11-17T13:05:00.000-08:00

Get ready to increase your sales this holiday season! Reach out to more buyers and extendthe holiday shopping calendar by following these tips:

Make sure buyers know you take PayPal or Credit Cards. Holiday shoppers want to avoid delays. Ring up more sales by allowing them to pay you immediately.
Use Buy It! in your listings. Auction buying is fun, but somebuyers prefer not to wait when they see an item they like. Buy It! allows them to purchase it on the spot.
Offer expedited shipping options. Expedited shipping helps ensure items arrive on time, relieving concerns about timely delivery.
Include photos! People feel more confident buying when they can see the item for sale. Items with photos get the most views and fetch higher prices.
Include shipping costs if possible. Lots with the most detailed shipping costs and payment information get more bids. Buyers like to know all their costs up front.

Participate in the Rusty Staub Foundation Fundraising Auction

2005-10-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

Ever since its founding in 1985, the Rusty Staub Foundation has become synonymous with the motto that has been the driving force behind our steadfast commitment: “Benefiting Youth, Fighting Hunger.” The Rusty Staub Foundation Emergency Food Pantries will serve almost half a million meals each year to these needy families, almost two thirds of whom are children.

For the third year in a row, the RSF has partnered with WineCommune to allow you to participate in this auction fundraiser. Bid now on fantasy packages of wine, food and travel to help raise money for this worthy cause.

Click here for full details.

WineCommune/WineZap matches your donations to Hurricane Relief

2005-09-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

As you know, Hurricane Katrina devastated a wide swath of the U.S. Gulf Coast earlier this week. As a small part to help in the rescue and recovery efforts, WineCommune and WineZap are announcing a joint donation matching effort. For every dollar you donate to the American Red Cross from now through September 15, we will match 100%, up to a total of $3,000. Our goal is to raise a total of $6,000 including yours and our donations.

How it works:

Make a donation online at RedCross.org.
Keep your confirmation email and forward it to contact@winezap.com.
We'll match 100% of your donation until we hit our $3,000 limit or until September 15.

Please note that we're only matching donations from today (September 2) onward. If you've already made a donation this week, thank you, but our matching donation is an attempt to encourage those who haven't made a donation yet, or to encourage those who've already given to "double their money" if they give more.

Our goal is to raise a total of $6,000 to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Thank you for your contribution.

UPDATE: We met our $6,000 goal within 1 hour of posting this call to action. Thank you for your contributions! We encourage you to continue donating.

Our biggest $1 auction yet!

2005-08-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

Our biggest $1 no reserve auction yet is going on right now! Over 2100 bottles beginning at $1 with no reserve. They all close this Sunday, August 14th. There are no reserves, whatever the final bid is the selling price.

Check it out today!

A Taste for Life 2005 - Fundraiser for Diabetic Youth Foundation

2005-08-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

WineCommune proudly presents a special invitation! A Taste for Life 2005 Fifth Annual Fine Wine Tasting, Dinner and Auction on Saturday, September 17, 2005 in San Francisco. Proceeds benefit The Diabetic Youth Foundation

Once again, 'Taste' will unveil the most coveted wines at unique tables of nine persons, each led by a well-known wine expert. Last year's table hosts included Rajat Parr (Michael Mina Restaurant), Master Sommelier, Larry Stone (Rubicon) and James Laube (Wine Spectator Magazine). Champagne and "sounds of Bordeaux" will conclude the tasting followed by a sit-down dinner prepared by super-star chef Michael Mina, recently given the Grand Award by Wine Spectator Magazine, the highest honor for wine and cuisine.

It would be our honor to welcome you to this exclusive evening. To view the wine tasting tables please visit www.atasteforlife.net and click on ‘Wine Tasting Tables’.

This is an intimate affair with only 80 seats available. Tables are restricted to nine persons. As each table is unique and will not be duplicated, once a table is full, it’s full! We encourage those of you who plan to attend to make your reservations right away to ensure your top table choice.

Each year, A Taste for Life donates proceeds to a diabetes-related cause, The Diabetic Youth Foundation (DYF). Proceeds from A Taste for Life 2005 will help send diabetic youth and their families to camp. Bearskin Meadow Camp in Yosemite Valley, among other camps run by the DYF, enriches the worlds of children affected by diabetes, teaching them how best to approach life with this devastating disease. The result is a life-changing experience and one that brings about the realization that there are other kids just like them with diabetes and that life can be meaningful and fulfilling.

We hope to see you on September 17th for what is sure to be an unforgettable tasting experience! For table listings, tickets, and more information about A Taste for Life 2005 please visit: http://atasteforlife.net

Customize the category and search results pages

2005-07-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

Now you can choose what columns of information you want to see when you browse the categories or run searches on WineCommune. Simply customize your display to select which columns you want to see.

Some columns of information are required, but you can decide whether you want to see

Images
Hot auction indicator
Reserve indicator
Close time
Bid count
Shipping cost
Seller information
and lot number

See the information most important to you! Enjoy!

Click for Full Size Images

2005-07-18T17:04:00.000-07:00

On any lot with an image you can now click that image to view a full size version of that image. Many sellers take high resolution detailed images of their wines. Until now, the widest a photo could be was 600 pixels. Now, if you click any lot image, you will get the full detail.

WineCommune is Hiring!

2005-06-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Do you have wine industry experience?
Are you customer service oriented?

We are looking for a wine auction manager to work in our Emeryville office. Help us manage a fast growing part of our business - consignment auctions! Please see the ad at Craigslist for full details and application information.

48 HOUR BORDEAUX SALE FEATURING THE WINES OF GERARD PERSE: PAVIE, MONBOUSQUET, & PAVIE-DECESSE

2005-06-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

WineCommune is pleased to bring you Robert Parker’s highly rated Bordeaux wines from the estates of Gerard Perse at DEEP DISCOUNTS! About Mr. Perse, Robert Parker says “…I extend my congratulations and accolades to the relatively young new proprietor of Monbousquet, Gerard Perse. With his acquisition of Pavie, Pavie-Decesse, and La Clusiere, he has quickly become the most powerful player in St.-Emilion. This is good news for consumers since Perse is obsessed with quality…I predict he will turn these estates, particularly Pavie, into superstars”. These prices only last 48 hours or until we sell out - whichever occurs first. Enough said... enjoy!

Click here to view all wines for sale.

Better Thumbnails Through Science

2005-05-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

Actually just an upgraded image system. When a seller posted a new item with a photo, the system has always automatically image thumbnails that appear next to the item in category and search listings. The quality of these images has always been poor.

Today we implemented a new thumbnail system that dramatically improves the quality of the thumbnails. All new images uploaded going forward will be processed by this new system.

Compare the old and new:

OLD

NEW

The new image is much crisper and gives a better impression of the item being sold.

Did you receive a form from the TTB?

2005-05-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

The TTB is sending out routine renewal notices. If you received one, please click here for more information.

2 Different Charity Auctions

2005-03-29T16:17:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, WineCommune is hosting two different charity auctions right now:

Check them out!

$1 No Reserve Items with No Bids

2005-03-16T17:08:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick tip:

To see the items starting at $1 with no reserve that have no bids, select the Low Opening No Reserve category, then sort by lowest price. Be sure to scroll past the featured auctions to see the whole list.

For a shortcut, click here.

Supreme Court Interstate Wine Shipments Decision

2005-03-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

Although the Supreme Court of the United States has not officially announced anything, we have heard some rumors that the decision on interstate wine shipments is expected in the next day or few days. Officially, the Court has announced a decision by June (the end of the 2004 term).

Keep an eye on the SCOTUS recent decision page.

Consignment Auctions from WineCommune!

2005-02-22T09:30:00.000-08:00

Check out these lots all starting at $1 with no reserve. They are offered by WineCommune on behalf of wine consignors. We are helping people sell their wine in a fast an efficient manner. WineCommune is in possession of all the wines and has inspected each bottle.

New auctions will start each Monday - always at $1 with no reserve.

Don't want to deal with posting items for sale yourself? Does your state restrict your ability to sell wine? Consign your wine to WineCommune. WineCommune is now a licensed California auction house able to sell your wine for you. When you consign wine to WineCommune for sale, you ship the wines directly to us, we list them for sale, collect payment from the buyer, ship the wines to the buyer and then send you a check! It is the fast, low hassle way to sell your wines.

Click here for more information on consigning your wine to WineCommune.

Ability to Delete Images

2005-02-14T11:22:00.000-08:00

Sellers now have the ability to delete an image on their item, not just replace it. Previously, an image could only be removed by replacing it.

Several people contacted us wanting to be able to remove a photo from an item, but not have to replace it with another. Now, when you edit an item, you see the current images listed with that item and a checkbox next to each to delete them.