Privacy Policy

Wine Brothers LLC
wine-brothers.com | vinyette.ai

A Virginia Limited Liability Company

Effective Date: April 5, 2026
Last Updated: April 5, 2026

1. Introduction

Wine Brothers LLC (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is a Virginia limited liability company. We operate the following properties (collectively, the “Services”):

• wine-brothers.com — our company website
• Vinyette (vinyette.ai) — our AI-powered wine intelligence application, including the Vinyette website and mobile application

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and safeguard your information when you access or use any of the Services. It applies to all users regardless of which property you interact with.

By using the Services, you consent to the data practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must discontinue use of the Services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide Directly

• Account Information: Name, email address, and password when creating a Vinyette account
• Taste Profile Data: Wine preferences, ratings, tasting notes, flavor preferences
• User-Generated Content: Reviews, comments, wine lists, content you submit
• Contact Forms and Communications: Support requests, feedback, messages
• Contributor Information: Certification credentials, payment info (via third-party processors), tasting notes
• Newsletter and Marketing: Email address and preferences

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

• Device and Usage Data: IP address, browser, device type, pages visited, session data
• Location Data: With consent, geolocation for “Explore Near Me”; IP-based approximate location
• Camera and Image Data: Wine label scanning (not stored unless saved by user)
• Cookies and Tracking: Cookies, pixels, local storage
• Push Notification Tokens: Device token for notifications

2.3 Information from Third Parties

• Wine Data Partners (e.g., Wine-Searcher): wine metadata, pricing, availability
• Analytics Providers (e.g., Google Analytics): aggregated usage data
• Social Features: contact info for sharing recommendations

3. How We Use Your Information

We use information to:

• Operate and improve Services
• Provide AI wine recommendations (Somm AI)
• Manage accounts and authentication
• Personalize user experience
• Process wine scans
• Enable location features
• Support social sharing
• Generate usage summaries (e.g., Year in Wine)
• Process contributor payments
• Handle affiliate/referral tracking
• Send transactional communications
• Send marketing communications (if opted in)
• Send push notifications
• Respond to support requests
• Analyze usage and improve Services
• Prevent fraud and abuse
• Comply with legal obligations

4. AI and Automated Processing

• AI recommendations are powered by Somm AI
• Processing is done via Gemini API
• Data is not used to train third-party models
• AI is required for core functionality
• No solely automated legal or similarly significant decisions are made without human involvement

5. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell personal data.

We share data only with:

• Service providers (hosting, analytics, email, payments)
• Retail/affiliate partners (limited referral data only)
• Social sharing recipients (name + recommendation only)
• Contributors (public profile info only)
• Legal authorities (when required)
• Business transfers (mergers/acquisitions)

5.1 Sub-Processors

6. Cookie Policy

6.1 Types of Cookies

• Strictly necessary cookies
• Functional cookies
• Analytics cookies
• Marketing cookies (not currently used)

6.2 Managing Cookies

You can disable cookies in your browser, but some features may break.

6.3 Do Not Track

We do not currently respond to DNT signals.

7. Data Retention

• Account data: retained while active, deleted within 30 days of deletion
• Taste profiles: deleted upon account deletion
• Contact forms: retained 24 months
• Contributor notes: retained indefinitely unless deleted
• Logs/analytics: retained 12 months
• Aggregated data: may be retained indefinitely

8. Data Security

We use:

• TLS encryption in transit
• Encryption at rest
• Role-based access control
• Security monitoring and testing

No system is fully secure.

9. Data Breach Notification

We will notify:

• Authorities within 72 hours (GDPR)
• Users as required under VCDPA/CCPA
• Affected users via email or in-app notice

10. Your Rights and Choices

10.1 All Users

• Access and update account
• Control location and notifications
• Opt out of marketing emails
• Manage cookies
• Request account deletion

10.2 GDPR Rights

• Access
• Correction
• Deletion
• Restriction
• Portability
• Objection
• Withdraw consent
• Complaint filing

10.3 California Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

• Right to know
• Right to delete
• Right to correct
• Right to opt out (we do not sell data)
• Non-discrimination

10.4 Virginia Rights (VCDPA)

• Access, correction, deletion
• Data portability
• Opt out of targeted ads/profiling

11. International Data Transfers

Data is processed in the United States.

We rely on:

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)
• Adequacy decisions
• Consent where required

12. Children’s Privacy

Services are intended for users:

• 21+ in the United States
• Or legal drinking age in their jurisdiction
• Not under 13 (COPPA compliance)

We delete data from underage users if discovered.

13. Third-Party Links

We are not responsible for third-party privacy practices.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy. Changes will be posted and/or emailed if material.

Continued use means acceptance.

15. Contact Us

Wine Brothers LLC
Email: legal@wine-brothers.com
Support: support@wine-brothers.com
Website: https://wine-brothers.com