Located in the heart of Sonoma, Wine Country Connect, founded by David and George Studdert, pioneered the producer-direct sales model, as a result of the Granholm Supreme Court ruling favoring producer direct. Wine Country Connect connects wineries to nationwide buyers through a select group of preeminent websites, each with a unique and highly sought after demographic. Wine Country Connect launched Wine.Woot in 2006, and formed a partnership with Rue La La in 2009, to create a wide range of demographics for wineries to target.