Scout and Cellar?

AndrewH · May 12, 2020, 1:09am

Guessing MLM programs relying on friends selling to friends isn’t exactly a gang buster market right now.

Kris_Patten · May 12, 2020, 2:09am

You nailed it! I have recently called out her “Level 3 Somm” status to both the Court of Master Sommeliers and WSET. She is a WSET Level 3 graduate however many of her ‘consultants’ are on record on YouTube and podcasts discussing how she is almost a “Master Somm” and that there are only 250 (or 320 or 324 or whatever number they want to make up that day) “Level 3 Sommeliers” in the world. HOW embarrassing. Unfortunately I think they must be getting this story from a common source, which I would assume is her. It burns me up for my friends who actually are sommeliers through the Court-it’s so incredibly wrong to imply that you are an Advanced Sommelier when you are WSET Level 3. Technically she’s not a Sommelier at all.

Scout & Cellar is a multi-level marketing scam company that sources from wineries and private label bottling companies that are pretty easy to uncover if you look at the descriptions of their wines. Probably 2nd or 3rd press of those wineries’ own brands that they sell nationwide for a 1/3 the price. Definitely not the “small production” they allude to as most of them are well known, large producers …but then again a lot of what they market is not the actual product but the pyramid scheme “get in first” “opportunity” anyways. It really is a slap in the face to professionals in the wine industry. If you want to check a hilarious video montage of some of their reps talking about their CEO’s credentials I created The Instagram page @mlmwineschool to bring to light the fraudulent claims they make. I have so much material it’s unreal. Don’t even get me started about the medical claims they make or if their compliance is on point. I have already reported them to the TTB multiple times based on claims from local reps that they are ordering more than our state’s DTC allowance per individual/household. I also am not sure how they are acting as a supplier and not an online retailer considering they have multiple brands with multiple sources, domestic and import and usually several different sources under the umbrella of each of their brands. And now they’re launching spirits? Grape based and a low alcohol-I’m sure it’s to get around ABV laws. Anyone have any insight on that or the online retailer vs direct shipper guidelines?

Anyone who touts level 3 in the Master Somm process is full of it, if you’re in the program it is Level 1, Certified, Advanced, Master. I’ll have to ask a couple MS’s if they passed Level 4.

alan_weinberg · May 12, 2020, 4:40am

reminds me of Pieroth. Went to a wine “tasting” once where a Pieroth rep was selling wine. I remember one tasteless vapid wine where the “expert” touted it as, “so smooth, tastes exactly like water.” He was right.

ToddFrench · November 10, 2022, 6:00pm

@K_John_Joseph mentioned, via text, that a colleague came in to introduce him to this amazing wine ‘that’s healthy because it doesn’t use a bunch of additives’ - it’s called Scout & Cellar.

I looked it up, and it’s a freakin’ MLM (multilevel marketing) company!

https://join.scoutandcellar.com
(this link doesn’t embed, so the website is below, scroll down to ‘our consultants’)

Bragging about the ‘ingredients list’ as well, I’m still laughing out loud. How is this even legal?

(Edit, just found out that JJB (Boisset) has a program like this as well - wow)

Arv_R · November 10, 2022, 7:28pm

I thought the C in JC Boisset stood for ‘Chaptalize’ ?!?!?

Tom_G_l_a_s_g_o_w · November 10, 2022, 7:38pm

They have a wine bar in the SF Ritz, JCB Tasting Lounge - The Ritz-Carlton - JCB Collection and Napa and Yountville. It doesn’t surprise me the we employ whatever means necessary to sell wine.

Nate_Simon · November 10, 2022, 7:38pm

I recall someone at our office years ago was a “consultant” for what sounds like a similar business, though I can’t recall the name. So, it’s been done.
Obviously this one is dressed up with all the 2022 buzz-phrases, imagery, and shibboleths such as their “Clean-Crafted Commitment®.”
A number of CT notes, most of which are fair-to-middlin’.
TTB search tracks most wines back to “Cider Works LLC” in Healdsburg.

brigcampbell · November 10, 2022, 7:59pm

Full disclosure: I was the CIO of a large MLM company and have worked in some capacity with most of the well know companies in a past life.

I’m guessing the consultants, whatever they call them, are not actually selling the wine or handling it.

They get a friend to sign up and all purchases by them pay the upline.

Al_Osterheld · November 10, 2022, 8:01pm

There was a thread on Scout & Cellar a couple of years ago. I think there was also a thread about a similar business, but don’t recall the name.

-Al

ToddFrench · November 10, 2022, 8:03pm

Found it, will merge, thanks Al

brigcampbell · November 11, 2022, 12:24am

Gross generalization:

Typical MLM pays out 50% of every sale in commission.

If they purchase shiners or relabeling then they need to bump the price 8x.

They claim most wines are made by them. I don’t know what those costs are.

D_Mowe · November 11, 2022, 2:53pm

Hey Todd,

This has been done for years at https://www.wineshopathome.com/

They are a hugely successful business located here in Napa and move a ton of wine (Probably around 300k cases). We relocated my business in 2019 and they bought our old building for their operations (45k sq ft). They buy wine, blend and bottle.