<P> Established under Richard Branson's Virgin banner in 2000, Virgin Wines became a subsidiary of Direct Wines in 2005 . However Virgin Wines kept the Virgin name . They continue to work closely with the Virgin Group . </P> <P> Jay Wright, founder of Warehouse Wines, became Managing Director of Virgin Wines in June 2008 . His arrival began a significant period of restructuring, which included merging the Warehouse Wines brand with that of Virgin Wines . The merged company combined both businesses by capitalising upon Virgin's presence in the online sector and Warehouse Wines' mail order experience . </P> <P> In July 2013, Virgin Wines won the award for innovator of the year at the International Wine Challenge Merchant of the Year Awards . </P> <P> In November 2013, Mobeus Equity Partners and Connection Capital provided a combined debt and equity package to support the £ 15.9 million management buy - out of Virgin Wines from Direct Wines to make the company fully independent, owned by its management team . The Virgin name was maintained and Virgin Wines continues to work with the Virgin group . </P>

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