A New Look At Wine Tasting And Travel

While wine tourism has taken off in recent years, however few companies or cruise lines seem to have gotten it right. What little I have seen of consumer wine trips hasn’t felt very satisfying.

So, I was curious to find out more about the newly launched Sommsation, a subsidiary of American holding company Eldridge Industries. The company invests in a large mix of industries including technology, sports, media, real estate, and the consumer sector. While some major wineries are owned by major investment houses, it is rare that the parent entity behind a wine tourism company has such an in-depth tech, media and financial background.

I recently sat down with Sommsation’s founder Danielle Diliberti and asked her a few questions about how the company was created and its long-term goals. All questions have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Liza B. Zimmerman (L.B.Z.): Why did you found Sommsation?

Danielle Diliberti (D.D.): Sommsation was founded in 2021 as an online marketplace for wine-tasting experiences and an online wine shop for small-production wineries. The company also offers in-person or virtual sommelier services, and wine trips.

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Sommsation’s leadership team shared an interest in a wine-focused platform that went beyond sales, aiming to create a space for memorable experiences connected to the people behind each bottle.

L.B.Z.: What services does Sommsation provide?

D.D.: A comprehensive suite of wine-centric, hospitality services, including wine tastings, sommelier services and bespoke travel experiences led by industry professionals.

L.B.Z.: How has the company’s tech background helped you plan wine trips and tastings?

We use our technological expertise to power our entire business to explore various aspects of wine buying, wine tasting and luxury wine-centric travel.

Our tech-driven approach allows us to analyze data at a scale that traditional wine companies often can’t. This means we can deliver a highly personalized experience, from helping customers navigate wine offerings to ensuring they receive curated recommendations based on individual preferences. Our technology also simplifies logistics: as travelers can seamlessly coordinate with our team about different aspects of their trip.

L.B.Z.: How has the reaction to the company been, thus far?

D.D.: Very positive, our in-home and office tastings have been especially popular. One of the top offerings has been our virtual Sunday School by Sommsation. These tastings are fun, social and interactive. Consumers can simply sign up, receive a wine shipment and Zoom in at the designated time.

L.B.Z.: What types of tasting experiences have you done in homes and offices?

D.D.: We create customized experiences, from casual, themed tastings to formal, guided sessions. These events are tailored to the preferences of our clients. Some recent seminars have focused on sustainability and women-owned wineries.

L.B.Z.: How do you create the wine tours and decide where they go?

D.D.: Our wine tours are based on relationships with top wineries and vineyards. We choose destinations that offer exceptional wines and rich cultural and culinary experiences.

L.B.Z.: What countries are you operating luxury wine tours in?

D.D.: France, Italy, Spain, Argentina and the United States.

L.B.Z.: How do you think your tours take guests to different areas and how does it affect their food and wine experiences?

Our tours are designed to take guests off the beaten path by exploring lesser-known regions and iconic destinations. We’re able to bring guests behind the scenes with producers so they can have experiences not often featured on traditional wine tours.