Vine to Bar lands in 48 Fresh Market stores

Vine to Bar is expanding into The Fresh Market with its dark chocolate tasting squares now on shelves in 48 stores across the Southeast. The move gives the upcycled Chardonnay grape chocolate brand a wider retail footprint as it pitches gut-friendly indulgence to new shoppers.

Why it matters: - Vine to Bar is moving its gut-health-focused chocolate beyond specialty channels and into a larger grocery audience. - The Fresh Market placement gives the brand access to shoppers who already buy premium and curated foods. - The expansion could help normalize chocolate products marketed for both taste and digestive benefits.

What happened: - Vine to Bar launched in The Fresh Market and is now available in 48 stores. - The rollout covers locations across the Southeastern United States. - The brand's premium 67% dark chocolate tasting squares are part of The Fresh Market's Innovation Set. - The launch adds another retail step in Vine to Bar's national expansion.

The details: - Vine to Bar's chocolate is made with WellVine™, a patented ingredient made from pressed, dried and milled Chardonnay grapes upcycled from winemaking. - The brand says the ingredient delivers real-food prebiotics that support gut health and reduce the bitterness often linked with dark chocolate. - Products now at The Fresh Market include True Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate with Tart Cherry + Cacao Nibs, Dark Chocolate Almonds & Himalayan Salt, and Dark Chocolate with Smoked Salt & Cocoa Nibs. - Each product uses WellVine™ sourced from coastal Chardonnay vineyards. - Vine to Bar says years of collaboration with UC Davis and the USDA Agricultural Research Service showed WellVine™ prebiotic fiber supports gut health, improves flavor and reduces bitterness. - The company was founded by wine industry veterans Barbara Banke and Peggy Furth. - Vine to Bar uses 15% upcycled Chardonnay grapes from Jackson Family Wines, the maker of Kendall-Jackson and La Crema. - The company has more information on its website.

Between the lines: - The Fresh Market listing shows grocery retailers are still testing products that sit at the intersection of wellness and indulgence. - Vine to Bar is positioning itself less like a novelty chocolate and more like a functional snack with premium ingredients. - The brand's message pairs sustainability with digestive health, which may appeal to shoppers looking for products that feel both better-for-you and better-for-the-planet.

What's next: - Vine to Bar will likely use The Fresh Market exposure to build awareness with new consumers. - The brand may seek additional retail doors as it expands nationally. - The Fresh Market launch gives Vine to Bar a platform to prove whether gut-friendly chocolate can win repeat grocery purchases.