About us

STORY

“An idea came to me back in 2003 to create a place for wine enthusiasts, open day and night for them to gather, store their wines optimally, share their passions and enjoy exclusive events. This led me to open the first wineBANK in my Rheingau hometown — the cornerstone for a global network of successful wineBANK locations. With clubs throughout Germany, Europe and the USA, we’re proud to have nurtured a growing wine community unlike any other.”

CHRISTIAN RESS

FOUNDER OF WINEBANK

FRANCHISE

The first wineBANK was founded in the German Rheingau wine region near Frankfurt in 2009. It has been the meeting place for wine enthusiasts in central Europe ever since.

Over the years, the unique private members’ club concept has grown into a successful, international network with locations in Germany and Austria. The biggest advantage: Every member has access to all locations – in Europe even 24/7, 365 days a year – with their personal member’s card. They can enjoy wine with business partners and friends wherever they wish to!

In 2020, the concept is being introduced to the US. The brand is called wineLAIR in the States. The first wineLAIR club welcomes its guests and members in Washington D.C.

Every wineBANK or wineLAIR club has its own individual character. Architecture, site, design – the creative interplay between factors ensure that all guests can enjoy an exceptional and unique experience in every club.

Besides the co-founders Christian Ress, Steven Buttlar, Frank Klemm, Stefan Ress, Clemens von Eltz-Rübenach and Olivier Brun the international wine & spirits distributer Mack & Schühle has recently invested in the wineBANK Franchise.

Run Your Own wineBANK

Why not run your own wineBANK?

We are looking for motivated partners in large cities and winegrowing regions to establish a wineBANK of their own and help drive continued growth of our dynamic network. Interested in opening a wineBANK and/or have a suitable property? Talk to us!

We’ve developed a comprehensive international franchise system to support you from the initial stages of planning right up through daily operations. Our franchise partners are given everything they need to run their locations successfully — architectural sketches, pre-negotiated partnership agreements, a tailored online management system and a series of comprehensive communications and marketing materials. Here is an overview.

What we offer

Start-up management from the planning phase to the grand opening

Support in planning & construction

Global access system (BOSCH) incl. card management

Digital management system

wineBANK Management System for fully automated and digitalized contract creation, invoicing, content management, etc.

Specially programmed software

Brand usage rights of our internationally networked wine club incl. corporate identity and design

wineBANK brand

Press relations, print advertising products, integration into social media campaigns, newsletters, etc.

Marketing & Communication

Community events, cross-location
collaborations, introduction to important partnerships

Operating support

Your profile

Commercial know-how and
experience in the management of a company

Entrepreneurial thinking

Communication skills, openness
and hospitality

Interest in wine & people

Ideally professional experience in hotel,
gastronomy, real estate or project development
or the wine industry

Relevant previous knowledge

Exceptionally good and numerous contacts
with potential customers, partners and
industry representatives in the region

Regional network

Willingness to invest in the
construction of the wineBANK location

Funding

Your responsibilities

Capitalize basement space or
unused real estate/space
(ownership or rent/lease)

Provision of the property

Architectural design, including a (cigar) lounge or other special features depending on the operating concept, independent operation of the wineBANK

Planning & Operation

Conversion and furnishing of the location
according to the wineBANK manual
for the interior and exterior presentation

Compliance with the design concept

Ensuring (separate) access for
members around the clock, when legally
permitted

Operation of the wineBANK 24/7

Implementation of local cooperations,
organization of events, welcoming potential members for tours

On-site sales and active club management

Purchase of the “By the Glass” wine dispenser and the hardware for the Bosch access system

Purchase of special hardware

Requirements for the property

Central location or easily accessible
location in suitable target area

Excellent location

Constant temperature 10-16°C and
humidity at around 65%

Perfect climatic conditions for wine storage

Representative location and property
ideally between 300-1000m²,
depending on the operating concept

Representativity

Yard entrance, loading zone or similar in the immediate vicinity for storage and retrieval of wines

Loading and unloading possibility

Emergency exit & sanitary facilities

Parking spaces within walking distance

RUN YOUR OWN WINEBANK

Why Not Establish Your Own Bank?

The very first wineBANK came into being in the Rheingau at the end of 2009. Today, this property is considered to be an architectural and enophilic jewel of the Rhine/Main region. A venue that is visited daily by discerning wine lovers.

The concept has been very warmly received right up until today. And with an occupation rate of almost 100 percent, it is a highly profitable undertaking. What was first of all intended simply as an experimental pilot project is now expanding throughout Europe and the rest of the world. We are looking for spirited, dynamic partners in major cities and wine-growing regions, who would like to develop their own wineBANK and who, at the same time, wish to become a driving force in our burgeoning network.