Frequently Asked Questions

If you're a wine enthusiast and would like to start a home business, Wines for Humanity may offer the type of business opportunity you're looking for!

What is Wines for Humanity?

Wines for Humanity was founded in 2007 by Anton Steinhart, fulfilling a desire to help prevent homelessness in America in families with children. He believed that the concept of wine appreciation and education through wine tastings could be paired with his mission. Wines for Humanity Advisors promote exclusive wines at private wine tastings and charitable events, and through every tasting a donation is made to the local charity in the prevention of homelessness.

What does a Wine Advisor for Wines for Humanity do?

Wine Advisors conduct in-home wine tastings. They provide background information on each wine that is tasted as well as guide the guests through the basic steps of wine tasting.

Do Wines for Humanity activities allow you enough flexibility to achieve balance between your work and your family?

Work and family balance is something we all constantly want to improve. It's quite a challenge to achieve balance in anything, but the rewards are worth the effort when you figure it out. Because you are in charge of your own schedule, you don't have to work set hours and can take vacations and be home with your family whenever you want.

Are there any experience or education requirements to become an Independent Wine Advisor with Wines for Humanity? What does the company look for when choosing new wine advisors?

Anyone can become a wine advisor with Wines for Humanity, and becoming an advisor is very simple. The majority of our Wine Advisors are wine enthusiasts, not experts. They enjoy earning income while increasing their own knowledge and appreciation of fine wine.
Our wine advisors receive training and continual support from their recruiter - the wine advisor with whom they join. Leaders and the corporate office offer individual training and support calls, a team meeting or call in, and many other support tools. You can be successful without prior wine experience. Education, videos and tasting notes are provided for each wine offered. Wines for Humanity looks for individuals that are self starters interested in making a difference all the while earning an income. If you have an interest in building a business, a genuine heart for people and an interest in wine, it is probably a good fit.

Does Wines for Humanity offer periodic "refresher" seminars or other types of training and educational programs to Wine Advisors?

There are many opportunities to keep your presentation fresh and you are provided with timely wine education and news. Current information comes to you in a weekly newsletter; The News Decanter, through on-line information, monthly seminars and annual Wine Advisor meetings, to name a few.

Are certain areas of the US currently more in demand than others, and are there opportunities for consultants outside of the US?

Currently, Wines for Humanity is open in 8 states in the U.S. CA, IL, AZ, FL, MI, MO, NC, and WI.
We work with each state's individual shipping laws to support our business model in each state. We have plans to open in other states in the future. We are not open outside of the U.S. at this time.
Because Wines for Humanity is such a new concept we need Wine Advisors nationwide. There are no saturated areas, and it's quite possible that a new consultant will be one of the first consultants in their location.

Are there specific personality traits that would be beneficial to a Wine Advisor’s success?

It is important to be upbeat and enthusiastic and have fun while providing basic wine education at the same time. We want to make the tasting enjoyable so that more are scheduled, our contribution to charity grows larger, and the Advisor earns an equitable commission.

What type of investment is required to get started as a Wine Advisor?

Wines for Humanity offers a starter kit that each new wine advisor purchases, however there is no initial coast to get started. Before the Wine Advisor is charged for the kit and before it is shipped, the advisor will complete their initial training.
The kit contains corkscrew, crystal tasting glasses, and marketing materials. The kits are extremely reasonable and amount to a very small investment for this fantastic business opportunity.
We also offer special promotions on our kits so anyone interested in becoming an Independent Wine Advisor for Wines for Humanity will want to be sure to ask about the details of our special promotional offers. For example, as part of our program we have offer a Fast Start Promotion. This promotion allows the Wine Advisor to get off to a successful start and earn a $50 rebate or 6 bottles of wine of your choice up to a $30 value each.

How does a Wine Advisor earn income with Wines for Humanity?

The Wine Advisors earn 17% commission for the wine preferences placed at their wine tastings and 10% from phone and website selections.

Do Wine Advisors have an opportunity to earn bonuses or promotional trips?

There are additional opportunities to earn more in our leadership program.
Incentives and promotions are made available to Wine Advisors for reaching benchmarks on different activities.

What kind of time commitment is required of Wines for Humanity Advisors?
It really depends on the individual Advisor. We have 3 types of Advisors:

• Hobbyist – Becomes a Wine Advisor because of the love of wine, wants to earn a discount on wine, has a desire to meet others, and wants to earn a little extra income, or give to charity. These advisors are usually people who work full time in other jobs or are leading busy lifestyles. They will do the minimum requirement of 6 tastings per quarter.
• Part Time – Typically conducts at least one or two wine tastings per week. Stay at home moms and dads often fall into this category, as do those who are employed full time
• Full Time/Career –These Wine Advisors can see that there is an incredible business opportunity in Wines for Humanity and decide to pursue it. This category comprises stay at home moms and dads, those who are looking for a career change, those who are newly unemployed, retirees, and people who love wine and have always wanted to be in the wine business. They typically present two tastings per week and train and lead a team of Advisors.

The Wine Advisor can terminate the relationship at any time. Everyone should try the opportunity as there is nothing to lose, but so much to gain!

How do Wine Advisors handle marketing? Does the Advisor do his or her own marketing, is there support from the parent organization, or is it a combined effort?
Wines for Humanity supports its consultants' marketing efforts wholeheartedly, but it's a combined effort. Wines for Humanity provides the marketing materials; the Advisor decides how to use them. Materials include brochures and promotional flyers.
As an Independent Wine Advisor with Wines for Humanity, you are your own boss but you are never alone! We provide you with all the training necessary to meet your business goals. In addition, you will be invited to team meetings and local training opportunities.
We are committed to helping Wine Advisors reach 100% of their stated goals.

On average, what percentage of a Wine Advisor’s time is devoted to marketing and bookkeeping activities compared to the total time spent on all activities as an Independent Wine Advisor?
The average wine tasting event takes 2 hours including set up, presentation and close out. The time consultant's spend on host coaching, marketing and bookkeeping varies depending on the individual and the size of their business. Generally you would calculate 3.5 hours per tasting to include all activities related to the tasting.

Who decides which wines will be offered and are there requirements or standards that must be met by the vineyards before their wines can be featured by Wines for Humanity?

Wines for Humanity works closely with the winemakers to ensure the highest quality of wine the Wine Advisors represent. Several wine sample sets are available for the consultants to choose from. These are created by the company. Advisors have the ability to customize a sample set as well, to meet an individual host request.

What's a "typical" wine tasting hosted by a Wine Advisor? Does it happen at the Advisor’s location or somewhere else?

The wine tasting occurs at a hosts’ home. The Host purchases the sample set of 7 bottles and provides light appetizers. The Wine Advisor brings the tasting glasses, marketing materials and walks the guests through the basic steps of wine tasting, and provides them with information and food pairing ideas for each wine. All of the information presented is provided.
Guests are able to select from the wines they sample as well as other wines in our inventory. everything selected is shipped directly to the host. Wine Advisors do not stock any inventory. Wines for Humanity has a 100% satisfaction return policy. The company takes care of all payment transactions and returns. This is a home tasting people look forward to hosting and attending. Wine Advisors are told repeatedly how much fun the hostess and her guests have.

On average, about how long do tastings last?

The presentation portion lasts about one hour. You total time commitment, including office work is 3.5 per tasting.

How does someone go about requesting a tasting?

Through contact with an Advisor – in person, by email, by phone or through the corporate website.

What suggestions for success would you give to a new Wine Advisor?
Love what you do. Take pride in the fact that you are facilitating the opportunity to give to charity. Have fun learning about wine and sharing this fantastic opportunity with everyone.

What could you expect to you see in your future with Wines for Humanity?

Personal and professional growth and success Continued involvement in our mission in prevention of homelessness.