Learn & Explore

I. Introduction: The Intersection of Science and Passion

In the vast and often traditional world of wine, innovation frequently stems from unexpected places. Sometimes, it's born not from a corporate boardroom, but from a deeply personal desire to bridge a gap, to solve a problem that resonates on a human level. This is the compelling narrative behind ADVANTAGE®, a revolutionary wine enhancer, and its co-founder and CEO, Heather Chang. With a distinguished background in sensory science, Heather brings a unique lens to the art and enjoyment of wine. Her journey, intertwined with a shared passion and a scientific curiosity, illustrates how a personal quest for connection can blossom into a groundbreaking solution poised to transform how we experience wine globally. This article delves into Heather's fascinating professional path and the intimate story that ignited the creation of ADVANTAGE®, revealing how a desire for shared enjoyment led to an innovation that is now set to redefine the wine industry.

II. The Sensory Scientist: Heather Chang's Journey

At the heart of ADVANTAGE® lies the profound expertise of its co-founder and CEO, Heather Chang. Heather's academic journey began in South Korea, where she studied Food and Nutrition. However, she candidly admits, she "never liked it and never imagined that she could be a scientist." This early disinterest took a surprising turn when her first job assigned her as a sensory analyst in a big food company. It was here that her perspective shifted dramatically. "I tried it out and changed my mind because this science uses humans as tools," she explains, finding a unique fascination in the direct application of human perception to product development. This newfound passion propelled her to pursue further studies in the United States, where she attended two of the best schools for sensory science, solidifying her expertise in the field.

Heather is a sensory scientist, a professional dedicated to understanding human perception through the intricate pathways of our senses, with a particular specialization in smell and taste. This field is far more than academic; it is a critical discipline utilized by leading companies, especially within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, for precise product quality analysis during the development process. By meticulously studying how consumers perceive and react to sensory attributes, sensory scientists ensure that products truly resonate with consumer needs, thereby paving the way for successful new product launches.

Heather's career trajectory is a testament to the practical power of sensory science. She has had the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with industry giants such as PepsiCo and GSK, as well as a diverse array of flavor and biotech companies. In these roles, she applied her specialized knowledge to refine existing products, develop innovative new ones, and ensure that the sensory experience delivered by these products was nothing short of exceptional. Her work involved rigorous testing, data analysis, and an acute understanding of the subtle nuances that differentiate a good product from a truly great one in the eyes—and on the palates—of consumers.

During her time at GSK, Heather also ran a highly successful wine club, using wines as a vehicle to educate employees about sensory evaluation. This initiative was received exceptionally well, attracting more than 200 people and eventually gaining company sponsorship. This experience not only allowed Heather to expand her own wine knowledge but also provided her with invaluable insights into the quality of vintage fine aged wines, further deepening her understanding of complex sensory profiles.

Now, Heather is channeling this wealth of experience and her deep understanding of human perception into the wine industry. This transition is not merely a career shift but a strategic application of her unique skill set to an area ripe for innovation. Her background provides the scientific rigor and consumer-centric approach necessary to tackle long-standing challenges in wine enjoyment, promising to bring a new level of precision and understanding to how we interact with and appreciate wine.

III. A Shared Sip: The Personal Genesis of ADVANTAGE®

Every great innovation often has a compelling origin story, and for ADVANTAGE®, it began not in a lab with a commercial objective, but in the quiet moments of a shared home, born from a desire for connection. Heather Chang, the co-founder and CEO, recounts this deeply personal journey that laid the foundation for their groundbreaking product.

"We initially came up with this product for our personal use," Heather explains. "We have a story behind it." Her husband, Anthony, is Scottish and, as Heather playfully notes, "loves to drink; I think they are genetically made for drinks." Heather, on the other hand, is Korean and describes herself as "not a big drinker." This difference in drinking habits created a small, yet significant, divide in their evening routines. "Every night, Anthony was left alone to drink wine, and I couldn't join him because I found that most wines tasted bad, especially the affordable wines Anthony usually drank, because we couldn't open expensive wines every day."

This seemingly simple predicament sparked a profound scientific curiosity. Heather, with her sensory science background, and Anthony, a fermentation scientist, saw an opportunity to bridge this gap. "However, I wanted to enjoy the wines with him," she emphasizes, highlighting the personal motivation behind their endeavor. "So, we had numerous discussions and experiments to fill the gap between good and bad wines." This wasn't just a casual hobby; it was a focused, collaborative effort between two scientific minds, driven by a shared desire to enhance their personal enjoyment and connection. Their combined expertise, one in sensory perception and the other in fermentation science, proved to be a powerful combination. Through diligent experimentation and iterative refinement, they embarked on a quest to transform the everyday wine experience, not for the masses initially, but for themselves. This intimate, problem-solving approach, rooted in their shared scientific acumen and personal relationship, ultimately led to the unexpected discovery of a solution that would soon transcend their living room.

IV. From Home Experiment to Global Vision: The Birth of ADVANTAGE®

The product that emerged from Heather and Anthony’s home laboratory was, in Heather’s words, one that "worked exceptionally well." For about seven to eight years, this remarkable concoction remained their personal secret, a tool they used to elevate their daily wine experience. The name they chose for their creation, ADVANTAGE®, is a clever portmanteau of "add" and "vintage," perfectly encapsulating its core function: to add vintage-quality characteristics to any wine with just a few drops, thereby bringing its taste and texture experience to the next level.

The true turning point, however, came when their personal enjoyment spilled over into their social life. "We usually enjoy having parties at home," Heather shares, "and our friends who have tried it were amazed. In fact, they were in shock." This overwhelming, unsolicited positive feedback from their inner circle was the catalyst for a much larger vision. The realization dawned that what they had created for their own enjoyment was "too good to keep to ourselves." This moment of revelation, fueled by the genuine astonishment of their friends, transformed a personal project into a potential business venture.

It was a pivotal decision, one that required immense courage and conviction. "So, I decided to take a risk and quit my job to focus on building our business," Heather states. This was not a casual leap but a calculated risk, underpinned by years of scientific expertise and the undeniable efficacy of their product. The transition from a personal solution to a commercial enterprise was driven by the clear evidence of ADVANTAGE®’s transformative power and the enthusiastic validation from those who experienced it firsthand. This marked the true initiation of Advintage as a company, a testament to how a shared personal challenge, tackled with scientific rigor and a touch of serendipity, could lead to an innovation with the potential to impact wine lovers worldwide.

V. The Impact: Redefining Wine Enjoyment

The journey from a personal quest for shared wine enjoyment to the founding of ADVANTAGE® culminates in a product that promises to redefine how we experience wine. With Heather and Anthony’s scientific acumen and personal dedication, ADVANTAGE® has emerged as a solution that can instantly bring vintage-quality characteristics to any wine. This means that a modest, everyday bottle can be transformed, with just a few drops, into an experience typically reserved for much older, more expensive vintages.

The impact of this innovation is profound. It democratizes the enjoyment of premium wine, making it accessible to a wider audience. No longer do wine lovers need to invest in expensive cellaring equipment, wait for years for a wine to mature, or spend a fortune on aged bottles. ADVANTAGE® provides an immediate upgrade to the taste and texture experience, softening tannins, enhancing flavors, and enriching the overall complexity of the wine. This transformation is not merely about making a wine palatable; it's about unlocking its full potential, allowing its inherent qualities to shine through with newfound elegance and depth.

Heather's initial desire to simply enjoy wine with her husband has evolved into a mission to enable countless others to share in that elevated experience. ADVANTAGE® offers a practical, effective, and convenient way to bridge the gap between expectation and reality in wine tasting, ensuring that every sip can be a moment of genuine pleasure and discovery. It’s a testament to the power of personal motivation, scientific collaboration, and a willingness to take a risk to bring a truly transformative product to the world.

VI. Conclusion: A Toast to Innovation and Connection

The story of ADVANTAGE® is a compelling blend of scientific expertise, personal passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. From Heather Chang’s distinguished career in sensory science to the intimate, shared moments of wine enjoyment with her husband, Anthony, every step has contributed to the creation of a truly innovative product.

What began as a solution to a personal dilemma—how to enjoy affordable wines together—has blossomed into a global vision. ADVANTAGE® stands as a testament to the power of applying scientific principles to everyday challenges, transforming a simple desire for shared pleasure into a groundbreaking advancement in the wine industry. It’s a story that reminds us that the most impactful innovations often arise from genuine needs and a deep-seated commitment to finding a better way. So, raise a glass—perhaps one enhanced by ADVANTAGE®—to Heather and Anthony, and to the future of wine enjoyment, made richer and more connected through their pioneering spirit.