Vinotemp
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Wine storage solutions |
| Founded | 1985 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Francis Ravel |
| Headquarters | Henderson , United States |
Key people | India Ravel-Hynes (CEO) |
| Products | Wine cabinets, wine racks, cooling units, wine cellars |
Vinotemp International specializes in the production and distribution of wine storage solutions, including wine cabinets, racks, cooling units, and wine cellars.
History
Established in 1985 in Los Angeles, California by Francis Ravel, Vinotemp originally concentrated on wine production before transitioning to manufacturing wine cabinets. A significant milestone occurred in 1993 when Ravel invented a self-contained cooling system for wine, which became one of the company’s top-selling items.
In 2005, India Ravel-Hynes assumed the role of CEO and obtained patents covering multiple innovative designs and features related to wine storage. Although production continued in Los Angeles, Vinotemp expanded its administrative functions by opening an office in Irvine, California in 2011 to enhance accounting, design, and marketing capabilities.
The company encountered criticism in 2013 due to a policy that penalized customers for posting negative reviews; this policy was eliminated after the enactment of the Consumer Review Fairness Act in 2016.
By 2016, Vinotemp was ranked #44 among leading women-owned enterprises in Orange County, California by the Orange County Business Journal. In 2019, the headquarters were moved to Henderson, Nevada.
Today, Vinotemp produces wooden cabinetry within the U.S., while its metal cooling units are manufactured in Europe and China.
Brands
Vinotemp’s portfolio includes brands such as Epicureanist, Element, Wine-Mate, Cellartec, and Sonoma Wine Hardware. The acquisition of Apex in 2010, a manufacturer known for upscale wine racks, broadened its offerings in the luxury wine storage market.