Vinotemp International, a maker and distributor of wine racks, cabinets, cooling units and other products, has moved its headquarters from Rancho Dominguez to Irvine.
The move allows the company to expand its 70,000-square-foot factory in Los Angeles County with administrative offices here for marketing, accounting, finance and sales.
The company bought an 8,400-square-foot space at 16782 Von Karman Ave., which houses about a dozen employees with room to expand to about 20.
The building also includes a showroom.
Vinotemp spent about $1 million for the property and upgrades.
The area’s workforce and proximity to the home of Vinotemp’s top executive in Newport Beach were driving factors for the headquarters move.
“I could really find some good talent in Irvine and Orange County,” Vinotemp President India Hynes said.
Expanding manufacturing and distribution in Rancho Dominguez also was needed, according to Hynes.
Products, Customers
Vinotemp makes custom wood wine cabinets, wine racks, cellars and cooling systems.
It also sells wine and beverage coolers, wine and beer dispensers, wine accessories, cigar humidors, ice makers and other products.
Customers include Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Wynn Resort, MGM Grand, Paris Las Vegas, Hard Rock Cafe International Inc., Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., House of Blues Entertainment Inc. and Houston’s, part of Beverly Hills-based Hillstone Restaurant Group.
The company’s appliances are sold at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Costco among others. Cork screws and other accessories are carried at Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohl’s and other retailers.
The company has annual sales of about $20 million. It employs about 85 people in California.
Vinotemp was started 25 years ago by Hynes’ father, Francis Ravel, who got into the industry by making and selling his own wine. In the 1990s, he created his first wine cooling unit.
Last year the company bought competitor Apex Saunas and Wine Cellars of Seattle for undisclosed terms.
