The Company's Origins:
Touchstone Wines was founded on a shared vision to take to market undiscovered fine wines. The genesis of this ideas was born in Upstate New York more than twenty five years ago. In 2006, Lou Capitao knew it was time to substitute the corporate suit for the entrepreneurial hat and do something that was in his blood. He convinced his old friend, Mark Tramont, another industry veteran to endeavor in their dream. Today, Touchstone Wines imports wines from a number of different regions of Italy, Portugal, and Australia, and markets these wines in over 25 U.S. states with the assistance of local sales representatives and its distributor partners.
Our Business Philosphy:
We believe that individual commitment, creativity, taking ownership and initiative are the cornerstone of team performance. Working as a team, we fully embrace a focused determination toward achieving the common goal. Our relationships with our suppliers and trade partners are of the utmost value and very personal. Our success can only be a result of the collective contribution of the many stakeholders. To develop a business structure offering great value to our client base, we must provide unparalleled service, consider new approaches, be incredibly creative, and absolutely focused on achieving results.
What Sets Us Apart:
Our emphasis is on the consumer and we keep a close ear to the market by listening to those bearing the interest of our valued consumers. In the U.S. market, we do so by working the street tirelessly and unceremoniously in conjunction with our distributors and winery partners. We believe in building brands account by account, and are intensely active in the market to achieve our aim.
Our Consulting Work:
We also believe others can benefit from our knowledge, experience and business practices we developed over time. Through consulting services our clients can benefit from tried and true principles. As we develop strategy and jump at the opportunity to execute, we are merely working on the notion of walking the walk and talking the talk. Founding partner, Luis Capitao has broad international wine experience consulting the public and private sector of selective Eastern European countries. A 25 year wine industry veteran, Lou is well versed in the numerous intricacies of importation and the challenges of brand building and market management. His continued engagement in the U.S. marketplace can be a tremendous asset to foreign wineries seeking assistance, offering creative solutions to optimize investment levels, and thus ensure the highest probability of launch success at the most effective cost.
Consulting Services are offered in a number of wine related business development activity including:
- Strategic Business Insight
- Brand Ideation & Design
- Importation Strategy & Regulatory Compliance
- Channel Analysis & Market Representation
- Marketing Planning & Promotion Development
- Distribution Target Setting
- Effective Distributor Sales Management
In an advisory capacity, Touchstone Wines can be a formidable ally to foreign producers and member associations in developing entry market and brand building strategies. To learn more about our services or request a proposal please contact Lou Capitao by email, lou@touchstone-wines.com or at 831 917-1716.