Wondry Update | Shark Tank Season 14

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Whitney and Chaz Gates recognized a gap in the wine market—bold, fruit-infused wines with higher alcohol content.

Drawing inspiration from Whitney’s uncle’s homemade wines, the couple launched Wondry, a unique wine brand that blends rich fruit flavors like peach, apple, and mango.

Their mission extended beyond great-tasting wine—they aimed to support underrepresented entrepreneurs through every purchase.

But did their vision convince the Sharks? Let’s dig into Wondry’s Shark Tank journey, the deal they secured, and their post-show success in this comprehensive Wondry update.

Wondry Shark Tank Pitch Recap

• Entrepreneurs: Whitney Gates & Chaz Gates

• Business: Fruit-infused wines with higher alcohol content

• Ask: $185,000 for 8% equity

• Final Deal: $225,000 for 15% equity (Mark Cuban)

The Pitch: A Bold Twist on Wine

Whitney and Chaz entered Shark Tank Season 14 with a clear vision: redefine the wine experience with Wondry’s fruit-based blends.

Unlike traditional wines from grapes, Wondry uses fruits like peach, mango, and apple, offering a sweeter, bolder taste with double the alcohol content of most sweet wines.

The couple shared their hands-on approach to the business, managing production, bottling, and shipping from their Dallas facility.

They also highlighted their tasting events and loyalty program, which help build brand awareness and engage customers.

Sharks’ Reactions & Investment Decision

Shark	Response	Reason
Daymond John	No Offer	Liked the couple but lacked wine industry knowledge.
Lori Greiner	No Offer	Avoids investing in sugary products.
Peter Jones	No Offer	Bad experience in the wine business.
Kevin O’Leary	No Offer	He had already invested in his wine venture.
Mark Cuban	Accepted Offer	Saw strong potential; invested $225,000 for 15% equity.

While most Sharks backed out due to personal preferences or industry concerns, Mark Cuban saw the potential and asked about their biggest scaling challenge.

Chaz revealed they needed an automated bottling system, which caught Mark’s interest.

After a brief negotiation, they secured a deal with him for $225,000 for 15% equity—a significant win for Wondry.

Wondry Shark Tank Update: Post-Show Growth

Since appearing on Shark Tank, Wondry has experienced explosive growth, driven by Mark Cuban’s investment and the massive exposure from the show.

Sales & Revenue Growth

Timeframe	Revenue Milestone
Pre-Shark Tank (2021-2022)	$250,000 total sales
Immediately Post-Shark Tank	1000% increase in sales
11 Months Post-Shark Tank	Revenue quadrupled to $1.1 million
2024	Annual revenue of $500,000
2025 (estimated)	Company valuation at $1.5 million

Retail Expansion & Distribution Deals

One of Wondry’s biggest wins post-Shark Tank was securing a 10-year distribution agreement with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, one of the largest liquor distributors in the U.S. This deal allowed them to expand into major retail stores.

Retailer	Location Expansion
Target	Expanded across multiple locations
Total Wine & More	Increased shelf presence
Costco	Secured retail partnership
Online Sales	Boosted through website and e-commerce

This expansion boosted brand recognition and accessibility, allowing more customers to experience Wondry wines.

Key Factors Behind Wondry’s Success

Several factors contributed to Wondry’s rapid growth after Shark Tank:

• Unique Product Differentiation – By offering fruit-infused wines with higher alcohol content, Wondry carved out a niche in the competitive wine market.

• Strong Branding & Customer Engagement – Their tasting events and loyalty programs foster customer loyalty.

• Strategic Retail & Distribution Partnerships – The deal with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits was a game-changer, opening doors to nationwide retail expansion.

• Shark Tank Effect & Mark Cuban’s Support – The show’s exposure led to a massive sales spike, while Cuban’s investment helped scale operations.

• Mission-Driven Approach – Consumers resonate with Wondry’s commitment to supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs, adding to its brand appeal.

Final Thoughts: Wondry’s Future & Lessons from Their Journey

Wondry’s success story is a testament to bold innovation, perseverance, and the power of the right partnerships.

Their Shark Tank appearance boosted their revenue and positioned them for long-term success in the wine industry.

With continued retail expansion, strong brand loyalty, and a mission-driven approach, Wondry is on track to become a household name in fruit-infused wines.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Wondry’s journey offers valuable lessons:

🔹 Know your unique value proposition – Their focus on fruit-based, high-alcohol wines sets them apart.
🔹 Be prepared to scale – Their bottling challenge highlighted the importance of having a growth plan.
🔹 The right investor makes all the difference – Mark Cuban’s support helped them secure key distribution deals.

As Wondry expands, we look forward to the next chapter of its success. Stay tuned for more Wondry updates!

Have you tried Wondry wines? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!