France Based Winalist Secures One Million Euro Strategic Investment to Supercharge Wine Tourism in Portugal, Forge Elite Winery Partnerships, and Skyrocket Global Visibility of Luxury Wine Travel Experiences

Friday, June 20, 2025

French startup Winalist raised a strategic round of one million euros to dramatically expand its footprint within the thriving wine tourist market of Portugal, continuing its mission to be a leading player in wine traveling around the globe. The firm will deploy it to set up a new office in Porto, boost collaboration with best-in-class Portuguese wineries, and enhance overseas popularity of wine-producing regions in Portugal by leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies and customized luxury experiences—ensuring Winalist’s vision of reinventing travelers’ discovery and engagement with Europe’s premier wine-producing regions.

Winalist, a fast-growing European marketplace dedicated to wine and spirits tourism, has announced the successful closure of a €1 million investment round. The new capital will power the company’s expansion into Portugal, where it plans to open a branch office in Porto and deepen its commitment to local wine producers. The funding will also help elevate international awareness of Portugal’s wine tourism offerings.

This strategic move underscores Winalist’s mission to democratize and digitize wine tourism experiences by connecting global travelers with authentic, bookable adventures at wineries and distilleries across Europe.

Driving Innovation in Wine Tourism from France to Portugal

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Aÿ-Champagne, France, Winalist has emerged as a transformative force in the wine travel industry. The platform allows wine enthusiasts to easily discover, compare, and book immersive winery experiences online. Ranging from intimate cellar tastings to full-day vineyard tours and gourmet wine-pairing meals, Winalist now partners with over 1,700 wineries and distilleries across ten European countries.

With this latest investment, Winalist is directing its focus on enhancing its presence in Portugal, a country whose wine heritage, diversity, and landscapes offer significant tourism potential.

Portugal: A Prime Focus for Wine Tourism Growth

Portugal’s global profile as a wine tourism destination has steadily climbed in recent years. From the sun-drenched vineyards of Alentejo and the terraced slopes of the Douro Valley to the renowned Port lodges of Porto, the country offers a rich tapestry of wine experiences for both seasoned connoisseurs and curious travelers.

Winalist’s decision to establish a branch in Porto reflects the company’s recognition of Portugal’s strategic importance in the global wine tourism market. This expansion will allow the platform to offer more localized support for partner wineries and ensure smoother operations for travelers looking to explore Portuguese vineyards.

With over 200 Portuguese wine partners already on board, Winalist has built strong relationships with leading producers and emerging family-run estates alike. Its existing network includes prominent names associated with excellence in Portuguese winemaking, located in key regions such as the Douro, Vinho Verde, Dão, and Alentejo.

Boosting Portuguese Wine Visibility on the World Stage

One of the primary goals of this funding is to drive increased international visibility for Portugal’s wine destinations. By leveraging its digital infrastructure and global user base, Winalist aims to position Portugal as a must-visit locale for wine-focused travel.

Through curated packages, multilingual platform access, and targeted marketing campaigns, Winalist will showcase the depth and breadth of Portugal’s wine culture. From learning the intricacies of Port production to exploring boutique vineyards producing biodynamic wines, global audiences will have new, easier access to the full spectrum of experiences across Portugal’s diverse wine regions.

Strengthening Local Winery Support and Infrastructure

Beyond its consumer-facing features, Winalist is also investing in tools and services for wineries to enhance their digital engagement and customer relationship management. The platform offers wineries data-driven insights into visitor behavior, booking trends, and feedback metrics. This helps producers refine their offerings and tailor experiences to traveler preferences.

With the expansion into Portugal, Winalist plans to offer in-country operational support that includes onboarding assistance, bilingual customer service, and digital training. These services are especially valuable for small and medium-sized producers seeking to attract a global clientele without significant upfront investment in technology or marketing.

The additional funding will support the hiring and training of new staff across Winalist’s sales, tech, and partner-support teams, further reinforcing its commitment to local empowerment and business development.

Strategic Backing from Global Investors

This latest €1 million round was supported by a combination of returning shareholders and new strategic investors. Plug and Play Ventures and Portugal Ventures stepped in as new investors, backing Winalist’s mission to elevate Portuguese wine tourism while advancing innovative growth in the global wine travel sector.

Their investment reflects confidence in Winalist’s business model, technological infrastructure, and future growth trajectory in wine tourism—a sector that is bouncing back strongly post-pandemic, driven by renewed demand for experiential travel.

Private equity firm Vessoa also reaffirmed its support in this round, demonstrating ongoing belief in Winalist’s value proposition and its ability to drive meaningful growth across Europe’s wine economies.

Enhancing Luxury and High-End Wine Experiences

In addition to broadening its base of casual wine travelers, Winalist is focusing on attracting high-end tourists seeking personalized, luxury-level wine experiences. These include private vineyard tours with sommeliers, vertical tastings of rare vintages, helicopter wine safaris, and immersive culinary pairings with Michelin-caliber chefs.

Portugal’s wine estates are increasingly catering to this affluent market segment, and Winalist’s platform enables these premium experiences to be discovered and booked seamlessly. The funding will help Winalist refine its luxury product offerings and develop exclusive partnerships tailored to the tastes of high-value travelers.

Digital Transformation of a Traditional Industry

Winalist is part of a broader movement transforming traditional wine tourism through digital accessibility. By consolidating fragmented offerings into a single, user-friendly interface, the company has created a streamlined environment where consumers can find, book, and review experiences with ease.

This is especially critical in a post-COVID world where digital-first behavior dominates. With travelers increasingly expecting real-time availability, seamless payment systems, and instant booking confirmations, Winalist delivers a modern solution to meet evolving customer expectations.

The Porto branch will serve as a digital-physical hub, offering both backend technology support to wineries and a stronger presence to interact with local stakeholders, tourism boards, and hospitality partners.

Portugal as a Gateway to Global Wine Exploration

Winalist’s strategic expansion into Portugal comes at a pivotal time, as the global wine tourism market prepares for robust growth in the coming years. According to recent travel industry forecasts, wine-related travel is expected to increase significantly due to rising interest in sustainable tourism, culinary culture, and immersive experiences.

By anchoring itself in Portugal—one of Europe’s most dynamic wine regions—Winalist is positioning itself as a gateway for global travelers looking to explore the rich mosaic of European wine countries.

This expansion not only enhances Portugal’s profile on the international stage but also contributes to the resilience and sustainability of its wine tourism sector by helping small producers access a broader market.

With its newly raised €1 million in funding, Winalist is entering a new phase of growth that places Portugal at the center of its strategic roadmap. By opening a branch in Porto, expanding its partnerships with local wineries, and investing in operational infrastructure, the company is poised to transform how travelers discover and book wine experiences in Portugal.

Through this expansion, Winalist not only strengthens its position as a leading digital wine tourism platform but also supports the broader goal of making Portuguese wine culture more accessible, visible, and valued on the global stage.

Winalist was able to secure a one million-euro investment to further accelerate development within Portugal with the vision to further grow luxury wine tourism, further establish premium winery relationships, and achieve worldwide exposure for wine experiences within Portugal. The strategic development makes Winalist, with its base in France, a leading firm in reshaping high-end wine experiences throughout Europe.

As the appetite for immersive, culturally rich travel continues to rise, Winalist’s commitment to Portugal represents a timely and strategic investment in the future of wine tourism in Europe and beyond.