Ghurka buys VinGardeValise and FlyWithWine to enter wine travel

By AI, Created 4:28 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Ghurka said May 12, 2026, that it acquired the assets of VinGardeValise and FlyWithWine through an affiliate, adding premium wine and spirits travel cases to its luxury goods lineup. The deal expands Ghurka’s reach in travel and gives the company a larger platform to push the brands into more retail channels.

Why it matters: - The acquisition gives Ghurka a direct entry into premium wine travel, a niche tied to affluent travelers and wine collectors. - The move broadens Ghurka’s luxury travel portfolio beyond leather bags and accessories. - The deal positions VinGardeValise and FlyWithWine for wider retail distribution under Ghurka ownership.

What happened: - Ghurka announced on May 12, 2026, that it acquired the assets of VinGardeValise and FlyWithWine. - The purchase was completed through LBH Wine, Inc., a Ghurka affiliate. - VinGardeValise is the category leader in hard-shell wine travel cases. - FlyWithWine serves the value segment of the wine and spirits travel market.

The details: - VinGardeValise offers patented hard-shell cases in 5-bottle, 8-bottle, and 12-bottle sizes. - The cases are designed to protect wine during air travel. - The two brands are sold through Amazon, Shopify, winery tasting rooms and retail partners including Sam’s Club, Bloomingdale’s and Costco. - Ghurka already gets more than half of its product mix from luxury travel. - The company says VinGardeValise cases complement Ghurka’s leather travel bags and accessories for an affluent, design-conscious customer. - Glenn Pollack, Ghurka’s chairman, said VinGardeValise defined an entire product category and built a brand trusted by wine collectors and travelers. - Pollack said the addition of VinGardeValise and FlyWithWine is a natural fit. - Brooke Kochman, chief revenue officer at Knot Standard, will continue to lead the VinGardeValise and FlyWithWine businesses. - Kochman said VGV grew more than 60% over the last year, launched on Amazon and Shopify and added new retail partnerships. - Day-to-day management will be supported by systems from Custom Luxury Brands. - Existing retail and wholesale accounts, Amazon and Shopify storefronts and winery distribution partnerships will continue without interruption. - Under Ghurka ownership, the companies plan to expand distribution into tier-1 retail. - Ghurka also plans to use Knot Standard’s 160-plus retail locations for product placement. - Ghurka said it will invest in brand development and marketing. - FlyWithWine was acquired out of bankruptcy in late 2024 and relaunched in 2025. - FlyWithWine will remain the value-tier entry point for the category.

Between the lines: - The acquisition ties together luxury travel and premium wine accessories under one brand umbrella. - Ghurka appears to be using existing retail infrastructure to accelerate growth without disrupting current sales channels. - Keeping FlyWithWine in the portfolio preserves a lower-priced on-ramp while VinGardeValise stays positioned as the premium option.

What’s next: - Ghurka plans to push VinGardeValise and FlyWithWine into more tier-1 retail locations. - The company expects to lean on Knot Standard’s store network to broaden visibility. - Brand and marketing investment is next as Ghurka works to scale the businesses inside its broader platform.

The bottom line: - Ghurka is betting that wine travel can be the next extension of its luxury travel brand, with distribution reach as the main growth lever.