Circle of Wine Writers

What Circle of Wine Writers does

The Circle of Wine Writers is a London-headquartered international nonprofit professional association for wine and spirits communicators—authors, writers, journalists, bloggers, broadcasters, photographers, and educators. The organization traces its origins to approximately 1960, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010 with a dinner at the National Gallery Café in London. It operates with a small staff of around 11 employees and is governed by a member-elected committee, currently chaired by Colin Hampden-White. Its membership roster includes globally recognized figures such as Jancis Robinson MW OBE, Jane Anson, and Olly Smith, and the association markets itself as "the world's leading international association" in its field.

Name

Circle of Wine Writers

Legal name

Circle of Wine Writers

Website

https://circleofwinewriters.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Circle of Wine Writers is a London-based nonprofit professional association for international wine and spirits communicators, offering tiered membership, the subscription online magazine The Circular, and events for writers, journalists, photographers, and educators worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees for wine writers, journalists, and communicators who wish to join the professional association and access member benefits.
2. Friends of the Circle Subscriptions: Premium and Platinum tier subscriptions for industry supporters and friends who wish to access restricted content including The Circular, visits, video links, and events.
3. Events and Shop: Revenue generated from events, visits, and merchandise available through the Circle's shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Circle of Wine Writers is a member-based professional association offering annual membership to wine and spirits authors, writers, journalists, bloggers, broadcasters, photographers, and educators worldwide. Its flagship deliverable is The Circular, a subscription-only online magazine featuring articles, interviews, reviews, and analysis on wine regions, industry news, and professional practice. Members and Friends of the Circle gain access to additional benefits including online seminars, vineyard visits content, curated video links, member photography galleries, and Circle-organized events and tastings.

Product overview

Circle of Wine Writers is an international membership association for wine and spirits professionals, offering a tiered structure centered around its subscription magazine The Circular (accessible to members and Friends), with Premium and Platinum Friend tiers providing access to exclusive content including wine visits, video links, events, and online seminars. The organization serves as a professional network and educational resource for wine writers, journalists, photographers, broadcasters, and educators worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Annual membership of the Circle of Wine Writers, providing networking, education, and professional development access to international wine and spirits authors, writers, journalists, bloggers, broadcasters, photographers, and educators.
• The Circular Subscription-only online magazine featuring articles, features, interviews, reviews, and news about wine and spirits, distributed to members and Friends of the Circle.
• Friends of the Circle Premium & Platinum Premium and Platinum Friends of the Circle tiers offering enhanced access to restricted content including The Circular, vineyard visits, video links, and Circle events, with a one-off joining fee plus annual subscription.
• Let's Talk… and Let's Taste… Online Seminars Online educational seminar series providing educational content and tastings to Circle members on wine topics and professional development.
• Wine Visits Access to Circle-curated vineyard and winery visit content, available to Premium Friend of the Circle members.
• Video Links Curated collection of video content related to wine and wine writing, accessible to Premium Friend of the Circle members.
• Circle Events Upcoming wine events and tastings organized by the Circle, accessible to Premium Friend of the Circle members.
• Circle Galleries Photography galleries showcasing wine regions, vineyards, and wine-related imagery contributed by Circle members.
• Member Resources Resources including member discounts, member news, and professional development materials made available to Circle members.

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• National Gallery Café (London)minorOthersThe Circle of Wine Writers held their 50th anniversary dinner at the National Gallery Café in London in 2010, marking a significant celebration venue partnership for the organization.
• The Ordre des Coteaux de ChampagneminorOthersMember Jolanta Smiciene is a member of The Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, representing a professional affiliation for Circle members with this champagne organization.
• Académie du Vin LibraryminorOthersHermione Ireland, head of Académie du Vin Library (a boutique wine publisher dedicated to publishing finest wine writing), is featured as a Friend of the Circle.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Decanter: Leading global wine media brand featuring many of the Circle's marquee members (Jane Anson, Jancis Robinson). Overlaps with the Circle's audience of wine communicators and serious wine enthusiasts, but operates as a commercial publisher rather than a membership association.
• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET): The dominant global wine education and qualification provider. Comparable as a UK-headquartered, internationally recognized wine credentials organization, but larger in scale and focused on structured education rather than press/communications.
• Vinous Media: Major wine criticism and content platform founded by Antonio Galloni. Comparable as a destination for serious wine writing and reviews, but operates as a commercial subscription media business rather than a professional association.
• International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC): Established UK-based body running wine and spirits competitions, judging, and awards. Comparable as an international wine industry institution engaging both producers and press, though its primary output is judged awards rather than member content.

Direct peers

• Guild of Sommeliers: A US-based membership organization for wine and beverage professionals offering education, exams, and community. Directly comparable as a professional association for wine communicators/service professionals with tiered membership and content offerings.
• Court of Master Sommeliers: International body awarding the Master Sommelier qualification; targets wine professionals with rigorous exams and a community of certified members. Overlaps with the Circle as a professional credentialing and networking body for wine professionals.
• Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI): International federation of sommelier associations spanning dozens of countries. Highly comparable as a global membership organization serving wine service professionals with national chapters and international events.
• Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin: Traditional Burgundy-based wine brotherhood and gastronomic society with international chapters. Highly comparable as a long-standing, international wine society providing member events, dinners, and institutional identity for wine enthusiasts and professionals.
• Académie du Vin: Boutique wine education and publishing organization founded by Steven Spurrier. Already a known partner of the Circle (Hermione Ireland is a Friend of the Circle). Targets serious wine students, educators, and writers with curated content.

Emerging players

• Wine Folly: Modern digital wine education and content platform catering to a broader consumer audience. Comparable as a wine content/community platform, but positioned for entry-level consumers rather than professional communicators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/circle-of-wine-writers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Circle of Wine Writers