From Personal Passion to Global Innovation: The Story Behind ADVANTAGE® and Heather Chang
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. 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.
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 early disinterest in Food and Nutrition took a surprising turn when she was assigned as a sensory analyst in a big food company. "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 passion propelled her to pursue further studies in the United States, solidifying her expertise in sensory science—a field dedicated to understanding human perception through the intricate pathways of smell and taste.
Heather's career is a testament to the practical power of sensory science. She has collaborated with industry giants such as PepsiCo and GSK, applying her specialized knowledge to refine and develop products. 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 experience 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. Her background provides the scientific rigor and consumer-centric approach necessary to tackle long-standing challenges in wine enjoyment.
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. "We initially came up with this product for our personal use," Heather explains. Her husband, Anthony, is Scottish and "loves to drink," while Heather is Korean and "not a big drinker." This difference 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," she emphasizes, highlighting the personal motivation. 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." Their combined expertise, driven by a shared desire to transform their personal enjoyment and connection, led to years of focused, collaborative experiments to fill the gap between good and bad wines.
From Home Experiment to Global Vision: The Birth of ADVANTAGE®
The product that emerged from their home laboratory "worked exceptionally well." For seven to eight years, this remarkable concoction remained their **personal secret**. The name they chose, 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. If you want to experience the instant aging effect on your favorite red, try the ADVANTAGE® Red 10ml today.
The true turning point came when their personal enjoyment spilled over into their social life. "Our friends who have tried it were amazed. In fact, they were in shock." This overwhelming positive feedback 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 marked a pivotal decision: "So, I decided to take a risk and quit my job to focus on building our business," Heather states. The enthusiastic validation from those who experienced it firsthand transformed a personal project into a potential business venture.
The Impact: Redefining Wine Enjoyment
The journey from a personal quest to the founding of ADVANTAGE® culminates in a product that promises to redefine how we experience wine. The scientific acumen of Heather and Anthony has resulted in a solution that can instantly bring vintage-quality characteristics to any wine, whether it's the smooth texture offered by ADVANTAGE® White or the nuanced complexity provided by ADVANTAGE® Light.
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, ensuring that every sip can be a moment of genuine pleasure and discovery.
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. Ready to experience the science of better wine? Explore the full collection today: