Wondry Wine, a North Texas wine business launched in 2021 by husband and wife team Whitney and Chaz Gates, has landed an investment deal on ABC’s "Shark Tank" with Dallas entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.
The couple appeared on Season 14 of the show, which gives budding entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their businesses to the “Shark” investors. They wore shirts that read “Be Bold. Sip Different” as they pitched their “re-imagined, higher-alcohol level, fruit-infused wine collection.”
Cuban was so impressed by their pitch in episode 6, which aired on Nov. 11, that he offered to invest $225,000 for 15% equity in their start-up wine company.
Wondry Wine specializes in “cocktail wines” infused with organic fruit extracts in flavors like Mango Citrus Twist, Peach in Peace and Sangria Especial. They also offer cocktail creams, which are “an adult take on a milkshake” that can be served on ice or poured in coffee or over ice cream.
Cuban tweeted on Nov. 12 that he was “glad to be partners,” with Wondry.
In an Instagram post on Nov. 11, Wondry thanked their customers and supporters. “We promise to continue chasing our dream for a more diversified wine industry & crafting the best, most innovative cocktail wines & creams… with a little help from our new friend @mcuban.”
Whitney Gates is a graduate of the viticulture program at Grayson College in Denison, and was previously a marketing professional who spent 13 years managing brands and sales for companies like General Mills and Keurig/Dr Pepper. Chaz Gates is a practicing attorney.
Wondry Wine can be found in Total Wine and Target stores. The company is also offering a 25% off "Shark Tank" sale on their website at wondrywine.com while supplies last.
