Ta Cave

What Ta Cave does

Ta Cave Sàrl operates a community-driven wine bar network in Switzerland built around a CHF 250 one-time "Apéro à Vie" lifetime membership. Members receive a daily aperitif (one drink for the member and one for a guest) at any affiliated bar, validated via QR code through a dedicated iOS and Android mobile app ("Ta Cave Members"). Points pinard are accumulated at a rate of 13 points per CHF 1 spent and redeemed for rewards such as discovery glasses, snacks, and priority event access. The company runs two owned venues — the original Ta Cave Lausanne (opened 2015, 1,840 members listed) and Ta Cave Basel (opened 2020, 1,011 members) — and an affiliated partner network that includes Eat Me Genève (1,353 members), Eat Me Lausanne, and the seasonal Auberge du Sanetsch in Valais. The company also produces a proprietary wine line at Monte Carasso in Ticino for the network, runs ticketed events (Champagne Brunch, Blind Wine Tasting, Riesling Week, Silvester raclette), and operates pop-up experiences in Lavaux vineyards with Domaine Porta.

The business model rests on three revenue streams: prepaid lifetime membership (one-time license), recurring food and beverage sales at owned venues and partner establishments, and transaction-based event ticketing. The membership is non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-cumulative (one bar per day). Pricing for events is in CHF and inclusive of VAT, with example ticket prices of CHF 33 for tastings, CHF 39 for brunch, CHF 69 for set-menus, and CHF 70 for New Year's Eve. Three equity crowdfunding rounds financed the original expansion: 850 founding members in Lausanne (March 2015, CHF 212,500), 1,450 in Geneva (2018, CHF 362,500), and 1,500 in Basel (2020, CHF 375,000), totaling CHF 950,000 raised from the community. The technology stack is intentionally light: a Squarespace-hosted website, the Ta Cave Members mobile app for QR validation, Stripe and TWINT for payments, Google Analytics for traffic analysis, and Covermanager for reservations, with no AI/ML components. The headcount is reported as 1–10 employees, and the founders (Guillaume, Yannick, and Elâ Borschberg) remain operationally involved. Ta Cave won the 2015 Prix Milestone — Excellence in Tourism from Suisse Tourisme.

Name

Ta Cave

Legal name

Ta Cave Sàrl

Website

https://tacave.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ta Cave operates a Swiss community-driven wine bar network centered on a CHF 250 lifetime membership granting daily aperitif access at owned and affiliated bars via a QR-code mobile app, serving wine enthusiasts in Lausanne, Basel, and Geneva.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Bar & Hospitality Membership Services

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (4453)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Bars (THAFAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine Bars (CRANACAE), Alcohol Subscription & Wine Clubs (Retail) (CRANABAF), Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF)

Keywords

• Wine bar network
• Lifetime membership
• Aperitif service
• Hospitality club
• Affiliated bars

Headquarters

HQ city

Lausanne

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Lifetime Membership (Apéro à Vie): One-time payment of CHF 250 for lifetime access to daily aperitifs (1 glass for member + 1 for guest) across all affiliated bars. This is a non-refundable, perpetual revenue model with no subscription renewals.
2. Food & Beverage Sales: Revenue from food and beverage sales at owned bar locations (Lausanne, Basel) and affiliated partner establishments
3. Event Ticketing & Dining: Paid events including Champagne Brunch (CHF 39/pp), Cozy Silvester Night (CHF 70/pp), Blind Wine Tasting (CHF 33/pp), Lunch events (CHF 69/pp), and Riesling Week tastings (CHF 33)
4. Points Pinard Redemptions: Members earn 13 points per CHF 1 spent, which can be redeemed for surprises like discovery glasses, snacks, priority event access, and goodies
5. Affiliation Fees (Implied): Bars pay to join the Ta Cave network, gaining access to qualified members and promotional support

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ta Cave operates a community-driven wine bar network across Switzerland, anchored by the Apéro à Vie lifetime membership pass priced at CHF 250. Members receive the Apéro Every Day benefit (one free drink per day for the member plus one guest) at any affiliated bar in the network, validated via QR code through the Ta Cave Members mobile app, while accumulating Points Pinard for rewards. The network combines owned venues in Lausanne and Basel with affiliated partner bars, and is supplemented by proprietary Ta Cave wines from Monte Carasso, ticketed events, and food & beverage sales.

Product overview

Ta Cave operates a network of wine bars and affiliated restaurants across Switzerland, unified by a community-driven membership model. The core offering is the Apéro à Vie Pass — a CHF 250 lifetime membership accessible via the Ta Cave Members mobile app (iOS/Android) that enables QR code-based drink redemption at any affiliated bar. Members receive the Apéro Every Day benefit (daily wine/beer/cocktail for member + guest) and accumulate points pinard for rewards. The company also produces its own Ta Cave wine line (Monte Carasso, Ticino) and hosts events including live music, tastings, brunches, and pop-ups. The ecosystem spans owned locations in Lausanne, Basel, and Geneva, plus partner establishments like Eat Me and Auberge du Sanetsch.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Loner Deer: Musical act performing at Ta Cave Basel events
• Auberge du Sanetsch
• Eat Me
• Apéro à Vie
• Apéro Every Day
• Points Pinard

Products and services

• Apéro à Vie Pass (Membre TaCave) A one-time CHF 250 membership pass granting lifetime access to the Apéro Every Day benefit: one free drink per day for the member plus one for a guest, validated via QR code through the Ta Cave Members app, with Points Pinard accumulation for rewards and surprises.
• Ta Cave Members App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling members to display their QR code pass for scanning at affiliated bars, track Points Pinard, access events, and manage their lifetime membership.
• Ta Cave Wine Bar Service (Lausanne & Basel) Owned wine bar service in Lausanne (Rue du Simplon 35) and Basel (8 Klingental) offering wines, small plates, terrace seating, and the Apéro Every Day benefit validation for members.
• Ta Cave Monte Carasso Wine Proprietary wines produced for Ta Cave at Monte Carasso in Ticino, with custom Ta Cave labels, available at affiliated bars including Ta Cave Basel.
• Ticketed Events (Champagne Brunch, Blind Wine Tasting, Cozy Silvester Night, Father's Day Lunch, Riesling Week) Paid dining and tasting events including Champagne Brunch (CHF 39/pp), Cozy Silvester Night (CHF 70/pp), Blind Wine Tasting (CHF 33/pp), 4-course Ticinese Lunch (CHF 69/pp), and Riesling Week tastings (CHF 33/pp).
• Affiliated Bar Partnership Program Program enabling bars and restaurants to join the Ta Cave network, gaining access to qualified members and promotional support. Partners include Eat Me Genève, Eat Me Lausanne, and Auberge du Sanetsch.

Quantifiable outcome

• 850 founding members raised via crowdfunding in 2015
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Domaine PortacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Event partnership at 11 Chemin des Daillettes, Aran, VD. Hosts Ta Cave pop-up wine experiences in Lavaux vineyards. Features wine tastings, aperitif dînatoire, and panoramic views.
• Heinz WeineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Collaboration partner for Riesling Week & Mosel Tasting at Ta Cave Basel. Specialty wine merchant providing curated Riesling selections for the June 2026 tasting event.
• Loner DeerminorOthers · 1 January 2026Live music performer at Ta Cave Basel events. Performed at March 2026 live music evening, providing intimate concert experiences to complement aperitif atmosphere.
• Eat Me LausannecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Affiliated partner bar located near Ta Cave Lausanne. Offers international cuisine and cocktail bar experience. Perfect for extending aperitif into dinner.
• Auberge du SanetschminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Seasonal affiliated partner open mid-June to mid-October at Barrage du Sanetsch. Features Valaisan wines and regional cuisine. Ideal for hikers, cyclists, and mountain enthusiasts.
• Monte Carasso VineyardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Vineyard producing exclusive Ta Cave wines in Tessin. Located in Monte Carasso. New wines produced specifically for Ta Cave Basel, with custom labels designed for the brand.
• Eat Me GenèvecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2018Affiliated partner bar offering travel-inspired cuisine and cocktails. Open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Hosts Ta Cave members who enjoy their daily aperitif access. Located at Rue Zurlinden 6, Geneva.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• 67 Pall Mall: London private members' wine club offering curated tastings and access to fine wine across an engaged community. Closely mirrors Ta Cave's lifetime membership, multi-venue access, and curated-event model, though at a much higher price point and older demographic.
• Willi's Wine Bar: Long-standing London wine bar known for an intimate, regular-customer atmosphere and a curated French-leaning wine list. Comparable to Ta Cave in its neighborhood wine-bar identity and emphasis on a returning enthusiast community.
• Experimental Cocktail Club Group: Paris-founded international group of curated cocktail bars and restaurants. Comparable to Ta Cave as a small-group operator of curated, atmospheric beverage venues focused on community and craftsmanship rather than mass-market volume.
• Hedonism Wines: London fine wine retail destination with in-store dining and tasting experiences. Comparable to Ta Cave as a hybrid wine retail + on-premise + events concept targeting wine enthusiasts willing to pay premium prices.
• Spring Restaurant: London restaurant and wine bar with a strong natural-wine identity and tight community following. Comparable to Ta Cave in combining bistro dining, curated wines, and event-driven repeat visits from a passionate base.
• Berry Bros. & Rudd: Historic UK wine merchant combining retail, events, and tasting experiences for a loyal enthusiast base. Comparable to Ta Cave in the membership-driven relationship model, exclusive events, and blending wine retail with on-premise experiences.
• Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels: Paris-based natural wine bar from the Septime group focused on small-producer wines and a tight community of regulars. Comparable to Ta Cave in its curatorial, community-driven wine bar format in a single metropolitan market.

Others

• NeueHouse: Membership-based hospitality and workspace concept offering curated programming and member experiences. Comparable to Ta Cave thematically as another lifetime-membership, community-led operator, but adjacent rather than directly competing in the wine bar category.

Broad incumbents

• The Wing: Membership-based community and workspace concept with curated events and member privileges. Comparable to Ta Cave's lifetime-pass / community-of-members logic, though the Wing operated in a different category (workspaces) and at larger scale.
• Soho House: Global hospitality membership club operating hotels, bars, and restaurants for paying members. Comparable to Ta Cave as a much larger, broader incumbent of the membership-based hospitality model — overlapping on member access to bars and curated events but at very different scale and category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tacavelausanne
• Facebookfacebook.com/tacave.lausanne
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ta-cave

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ta Cave