The SOMM Journal
The SOMM Journal is a digital-first wine and spirits trade publication offering subscription-based digital editions, webinars, and editorial content to sommelier trade professionals and wine enthusiast consumers, monetizing through recurring subscriptions and brand advertising.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersEncino, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The SOMM Journal does
The SOMM Journal is a digital-first wine and spirits trade publication serving the U.S. and global wine industry, with corporate operations based in Sherman Oaks/Encino, California. The publication's core product is a portfolio of monthly and bi-monthly digital magazine editions covering wine regions, winemakers, sommeliers, and broader beverage industry trends, supplemented by educational webinars and a video series ('V is for Vino') distributed via YouTube. Its underlying technology stack is conventional web publishing infrastructure (WordPress-based site at sommjournal.com) with no disclosed proprietary platforms, apps, APIs, or AI capabilities.
The business monetizes through two primary streams: recurring subscription fees from two distinct tiers — Trade Subscribers (sommeliers, wine directors, restaurant beverage programs, and hospitality professionals) and Consumer Subscribers (wine enthusiasts) — and advertising/sponsorship revenue from wine producers and hospitality brands, with visible partnerships including Guinigi wines and J. Lohr. The publication operates with a very small team of 1–10 employees, is privately held with no disclosed outside funding, and shares branding, social media channels, and likely editorial infrastructure with its sister title, The Tasting Panel Magazine. Its leadership is anchored by Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Meridith May, who oversees both publications.
The SOMM Journal firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The SOMM Journal
- Legal name
- The SOMM Journal
- Website
- https://sommjournal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The SOMM Journal is a digital-first wine and spirits trade publication offering subscription-based digital editions, webinars, and editorial content to sommelier trade professionals and wine enthusiast consumers, monetizing through recurring subscriptions and brand advertising.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The SOMM Journal industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wine Trade Publication
- NAICS
- Periodical Publishers (51312)
- SIC
- Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food, Cooking & Beverage Magazines (MPAJAEAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines (MPAJAEAM)
Keywords
Where The SOMM Journal is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Encino
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The SOMM Journal business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Subscription Revenue: Recurring subscription fees from trade subscribers (sommeliers, wine professionals) and consumer subscribers (wine enthusiasts) for access to digital editions and premium content.
- Advertising: Advertising revenue from wine brands, wineries, and hospitality businesses featured in the publication and on the website. Sponsorships from brands like Guinigi wines and J Lohr visible on website.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
The SOMM Journal product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The SOMM Journal is a national print and digital wine and spirits trade publication that sells access to digital magazine editions, educational webinars, and editorial content covering wine regions, producers, sommeliers, and beverage industry trends. The publication operates separate Trade Subscriber and Consumer Subscriber subscription tiers, supported by advertising and sponsorships from wine brands and hospitality businesses.
Product overview
The SOMM Journal is a digital-first publication covering the wine and beverage industry. The company offers a portfolio consisting of Digital Editions (bi-monthly magazines with educational content on wine regions, winemakers, and industry trends), Webinars for professional development, and Educational Content through stories and contributing columnist features. The publication serves both trade professionals and consumers through Trade and Consumer subscription tiers. Content includes a TV/web series component (V is for Vino) in addition to the core magazine format.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Digital Editions
- Webinars
- Trade Subscriptions
- Consumer Subscriptions
- V is for Vino
Companies that use The SOMM Journal
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The SOMM Journal technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The SOMM Journal partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The SOMM Journal competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wine Spectator: Largest U.S. wine print and digital publication covering wine reviews, regions, and trade content. Directly comparable as a subscription-supported wine media brand targeting both enthusiasts and trade professionals.
- Decanter: Established global wine magazine with print and digital editions, regional coverage, and trade-focused content. Comparable in editorial scope, subscription model, and wine trade audience.
- Wine Business Monthly: B2B trade publication covering the wine industry, including production, sales, and distribution. Directly comparable trade-pro audience and advertiser base to The SOMM Journal.
- The Tasting Panel Magazine: Sibling/affiliated publication sharing editorial leadership (Meridith May), social channels, and office with The SOMM Journal. Directly comparable beverage trade title with overlapping advertiser base.
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine: Wine-focused consumer and trade magazine with digital editions, reviews, and regional coverage. Competes directly with The SOMM Journal for wine enthusiast subscribers and wine brand advertising dollars.
Emerging players
- Wine Folly: Digital wine education platform with content targeted at enthusiasts and trade. Overlaps with The SOMM Journal's educational mission and consumer subscription tier.
- SevenFifty Daily: Digital-first trade publication covering the beverage alcohol industry with a focus on on-premise and three-tier distribution. Comparable as a digitally-native wine/beverage trade media brand competing for advertiser share.
- GuildSomm: Nonprofit wine education community for sommeliers with online content, study materials, and events. Overlaps with SOMM Journal's trade education and sommelier career development content.
Broad incumbents
- Beverage Dynamics: Trade publication covering the wine, spirits, and broader beverage retail and on-premise markets. Overlaps as an advertising-driven trade beverage media title targeting similar hospitality buyers.
- Imbibe Magazine: Broader beverage culture magazine covering wine, spirits, beer, and cocktails. Comparable as a trade and enthusiast publication with subscription model and beverage brand advertising.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat2 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The SOMM Journal social profiles
Digital presenceThe SOMM Journal financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The SOMM Journal leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The SOMM Journal funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The SOMM Journal M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The SOMM Journal
What does The SOMM Journal do?
The SOMM Journal is a national print and digital wine and spirits trade publication that sells access to digital magazine editions, educational webinars, and editorial content covering wine regions, producers, sommeliers, and beverage industry trends. The publication operates separate Trade Subscriber and Consumer Subscriber subscription tiers, supported by advertising and sponsorships from wine brands and hospitality businesses.
Is The SOMM Journal a public or private company?
The SOMM Journal is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The SOMM Journal founded?
The SOMM Journal was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The SOMM Journal based?
The SOMM Journal is headquartered in Encino, United States, in the North America region.
How does The SOMM Journal make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Subscription Revenue is the primary driver. The others are advertising.
Who are The SOMM Journal's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wine Spectator, Decanter, Wine Business Monthly, The Tasting Panel Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Emerging players are Wine Folly, SevenFifty Daily and GuildSomm. Broad incumbents are Beverage Dynamics and Imbibe Magazine.
Does The SOMM Journal have an API?
No public API is recorded for The SOMM Journal.
What industry is The SOMM Journal in?
The SOMM Journal's product category is Wine Trade Publication. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAEAF, Food, Cooking & Beverage Magazines, with a secondary code of MPAJAEAM, Business, Finance & Industry Trade Magazines. Its NAICS code is 51312 and its SIC code is 2721.