Like many modern-day oenophiles looking to make the switch from conventional wines, Gaurav Tiwari found it hard to source natural wines—those made using traditional methods and with minimal intervention. “Demand for a return to wine’s original roots has never been higher,” says Tiwari ’03 MS Eng. Many wine drinkers today, he says, are conscious about the artificial additives and pesticides used in wine production. “They strive to combine convenience and price with a lifestyle that values personal health, environmental responsibility, and authentic experiences, yet most consumers don’t know where to buy natural wines, how they align with their values—or if they even exist.” 

Tiwari, who spent a decade working for Amazon as a tech and innovation expert, decided to take on the challenge of making it easier for consumers like him to both learn about and find natural wines. In 2023, he and friend Andy Comer co-founded The Waves, a digital wine club and subscription service that offers natural wines. The idea, he says, is to bring the world’s most sought-after natural wines—organically farmed small-production bottles selected by an award-winning team of experts—right to people’s doorsteps.

In developing the algorithm for The Waves’ e-commerce platform, Tiwari worked closely with fellow alum Nazrul Shaikh ’02 MS Sci, ’06 PhD Eng.  Last year, The Waves teamed up with online wine store MYSA Natural Wine.

“With MYSA, we are able to offer an even larger selection of natural wines in a simpler shopping experience,” says Tiwari, “with better pricing and shorter delivery times.” —Parizaad Khan Sethi