Manhattan West Private Equity Fund said it completed its growth equity investment in Vino Vault and is now its largest shareholder. Vino Vault, which has already completed five acquisitions, plans to acquire additional companies.
Vino Vault offers a comprehensive wine storage network for general enthusiasts and serious collectors, providing a full suite of services, including concierge-style wine storage, expert inventory organization, collection analysis and turnkey auction management services.
In a related development, Vino Vault hired Jeff Smith as Chief Wine Officer.
“Our goal is to become the nation’s leading wine storage and value-added ancillary services provider,” said Jeff Anthony, President and CEO at Vino Vault. “The funding and intellectual capital we’ve gained from Manhattan West will help us redefine the way people think about and manage their wine collections. Manhattan West’s expertise in serving high-net-worth individuals and families, in addition to its familiarity and experience in our industry, is critical in driving us toward our mission to make wine collecting simple, enjoyable, and hassle-free.”
Vino Vault has locations in Los Angeles, New York City, and Dallas. It recently acquired La Cave Warehouse in February 2022, the New York Wine Storage Company in January 2022, and expects to announce new acquisitions soon. With an objective of having a presence in every major market in the world, Vino Vault’s latest capital infusion, advised by Fluential Partners, will enable the penetration of new markets across the U.S., as well as identify new opportunities in Europe. Additionally, the company plans to deploy capital toward building best-in-class technology offering a seamless user experience to all clients globally.
The Manhattan West Private Equity Fund is an active value-add investor in lower middle market companies focused in the media, entertainment, sports, and consumer sectors. The Fund is currently open to new investors with plans to close later this year.
