SAN FRANCISCO, March 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Today Hello Vino, Inc. announces the acquisition of Corkbin, a popular social networking app for wine enthusiasts to save and share photos of their purchases.

The Corkbin app features will add an important social dimension to Hello Vino’s groundbreaking wine recommendation engine, which has accrued an installed base of 1.7 million users through its iOS and Android apps. By enabling users to access their friends’ ratings of favorite wines, Hello Vino will also reinforce the wine profiles in its database with personal endorsements.

“The acquisition of Corkbin allows Hello Vino to enhance the entire wine shopping experience,” remarks Rick Breslin, CEO of Hello Vino. “While the Hello Vino app assists wine shoppers before they buy, the Corkbin app facilitates the tracking and sharing of their wine purchases.”

This consolidation of mobile apps is the first of its kind in the wine industry. Hello Vino’s current platform allows wineries to engage consumers at the point of purchase, while the Corkbin addition will enable wineries to build relationships with those enjoying their wines after the purchase. In addition to the acquisition, Corkbin Founder Catherine Liao will join Hello Vino as Director, Special Projects.

“Combining the features of Hello Vino and Corkbin will quickly transform our vision into reality,” said Catherine Liao, Founder of Corkbin. “We believe the most enjoyable wine experiences hinge on social interactions and contextually-relevant recommendations.”

Additional app features will include the ability to gift wines to friends and interact with tastemakers. In a recent survey of Hello Vino app users, 91% made repeat purchases of a wine based on the app’s recommendation, with 57% recommending wines to friends and social circles. Both apps are available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

About Hello Vino:
Hello Vino delivers wine recommendations to mobile devices, acting as a personal wine assistant to consumers looking to purchase the perfect bottle of wine for a meal, a specific occasion, or according to personal taste preferences. The app is a free download on the App Store. More information, including video demonstrations and features, are available at HelloVino.com

Contact:
Rick Breslin
Hello Vino, Inc.
415-598-8466
rick@hellovino.com
http://hellovino.com

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SOURCE Hello Vino