Gone are the days when wine was red or white and always expensive. Consumers today have more choices than ever before. Natural or organic? Merlot from France, Italy, Chile, or Oregon?

“The standards, technology, and knowledge around wine-making mean that every part of the world can now make really good wine,” says Philip James ’05, whose Lot18 is giving consumers direct access to artisinal wines formerly crowded out of the market.

Wine has never been as affordable as it is today, when wine importers like Michel Abood ’02 (EMBA) are bringing tasty $20-and-under bottles from boutique family vineyards to shops across the country. As the Columbia Business School alumni featured here are proving, it’s a space ripe for innovation.

Anu Karwa ’04: Sip, Swirl, Enjoy

Michel Abood ’02 (EMBA): Hidden Values, Priced Right

Christy Frank ’00: Little Shop of Conversations

Eric Woods ’00: Bottles on the Block

Chris Riccobono ’07 (EMBA): Winetube

Philip James ’05: Insider Access

Thomas Flickinger ’87: Fine Wine, Anytime

Michael Preis ’01: A Vintage Career

Illustrations by Scotty Reifsnyder