By Annette Shailer, editor Beer & Brewer
On demand alcohol delivery service WineRun will launch tomorrow (9 July), offering quality wine, spirits, craft beer and snacks delivered in 30 minutes seven nights a week.
Founder and owner of Firefly Neutral Bay Daniel Sofo is the brainchild behind WineRun, which will initially only service Sydney's lower north shore region.
While there are already a few similar services available, WineRun’s difference is that it is offering restaurant quality wine, beer and spirits delivered in half an hour.
“I guess I’d like to promote smaller producers with a point of difference, but not too challenging that it scares folks away. It’s about balancing some recognisable brands with the more eclectic,” said Sofo.
“The offering isn’t static; it will evolve with new arrivals every month or so. If I get a serious beer following I’ll even commence featuring limited release and seasonal brews.”
Some of the brands on offer include Arras, Hentley Farm, Spinifex Wines, Feral Brewing, Mountain Goat, Monteith’s, Tanqueray, Jameson and Chivas Regal. WineRun also offers a range of snacks including the ever-popular Gelato Messina, as well as tobacco products.
The concept for WineRun came about as a way to make wine purchasing less intimidating and to reflect our increasing demand for products to be delivered to our doorstep.
“I noticed my girlfriend’s hesitancy to visit a bottleshop to choose a wine one day about a year ago. When I quizzed her why she was so reluctant she rattled off a bunch of reasons such as it was cold and unfriendly and the number of wine choices was overwhelming,” said Sofo.
“She had a point and I figured many others felt the same way. I did some research around on demand delivery and realised we are increasingly expecting things to be brought to our doorstep in a timely fashion, booze being no exception.”
The WineRun service is only available from 5:30-9:45pm every day to adhere to NSW licensing laws.
“Our wonderful licensing laws here in NSW stipulate last orders at 9:45pm for a 10pm close. I could talk forever about the short-sightedness of not encouraging people to enjoy a drink in their own homes as opposed to out in the pub but it has all been said before, and with a lot less swear words than I’d use.”
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