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  • December 1997

    While on a family vacation in Anguilla, Shep & Ian begin to brainstorm a product to sell that would represent the finer things and places life has to offer. They decide to sell ties so they don't have to wear them anymore.

  • June 1998

    Miserable behind desks in Manhattan, the guys quit their jobs on the same day and everyone tells them they’re crazy.


  • July 3, 1998

    "The night Shep forgets the ties."
    With the first day of business only a few hours away, Ian preps the first batch of ties for local Vineyard stores. Meanwhile, Shep gathers all the products from Greenwich and heads up to join his brother. Later that day, as the guys begin assembling orders, they quickly realize they're missing the red Martha’s Vineyard Street Signs tie (Shep had left it in Greenwich). Calls are placed to the dog walker, neighbor, anyone and everyone that might be of some help in getting the ties up to the Vineyard in the next 24 hours. As luck would have it, Shep & Ian’s neighbor on Martha's Vineyard was a pilot and when he heard the predicament the guys were in, he volunteered to fly to and from Greenwich, that is, if Shep kicked in for gas. Shep gladly agrees and at sunrise the missing ties arrive and the last order is prepped for sale. They learn one of the most important rules in business-do whatever it takes to make the customer happy, no matter what.


  • July 4, 1998

    There's not a lot of people out there that can say their first day of work involved selling ties out of the back of a Jeep.

  • October 1998

    Shep, Ian and a few hundred ties move out of their parents' house and into their first apartment, which also doubles as their first office.

  • December 1998

    You've got mail: The first ever vineyard vines catalog goes out.


  • October 1999

    Shep gets married!

  • March 2000

    While Shep’s on his honeymoon, Mike Gaumer officially becomes employee #1. And to think, when he first started he didn’t know how to tie a tie.

  • March 16, 2000

    The Dow jumps up 499 points while CNBC features Shep & Ian. Coincidence?

  • June 2000

    Stocked the pond with the first class of summer interns.

  • September 2000

    "The Backgammon Story"
    Unable to break into stores outside the Vineyard, Shep challenges Zareh Thomajan, owner of Boston shop, Zareh, to a game of backgammon. If Shep wins, Zareh will buy the VV ties (and if they don't sell, Shep & Ian agree to walk away and never bother him again). Shep wins and all the ties sell. Hooray!

  • May 2001

    vineyard vines enters the handbag market. It’s a beach bag! It’s a book bag! It’s the original Classic Tote!

  • May 2002

    "The Aflac Order"
    Ian receives an order for 8,000 (yes, 8,000) custom Aflac ties, making it the largest order vineyard vines has ever received to date. All employees lend a hand in boxing and shipping them out.

  • November 2002

    Everything's bigger in Texas: The first official custom college tie is made for SMU.

  • Fall 2004

    While remaining strictly tie-partisan, it's worth noting that both Senator John Kerry and President George W. Bush were spotted on the campaign trail wearing vineyard vines ties.

  • February 2005

    Once again, seeking more space, the office moves to an even bigger location at 37 Brown House Road.


  • March 2005

    Road Trip! First College Tour visits campuses throughout the Southeast.

  • July 4, 2005

    Opened the first VV store on Shep & Ian's favorite island of them all, Martha's Vineyard.

  • June 2006

    "A new cast of characters."
    While on the vineyard another idea takes shape: share the stories of friends, family and customers through a series of catalog profiles, showing how these individuals live the dream and how they make vineyard vines a part of it.


  • August 2006

    "Whalestock"
    Inspired to raise money for a few island charities (The Martha's Vineyard Hospice and Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby Scholarship) Shep & Ian present Whalestock - an island music festival, featuring the Ian Murray Band and local favorite, Entrain.


  • September 2006

    vineyard vines Greenwich opens its doors.

  • December 2007

    Received DNR Accessories Brand of the Year Award

  • May 2008

    It's a whole new ballgame: MLB Collection takes to the field.

  • July 2008

    vineyard vines turns 10 years old, entering double-digit territory. Employees and their families gather at Tod’s Point Beach to celebrate (over 75 games of cornhole are played).

  • August 2008

    College Collection makes its online debut and Alumni everywhere relive their glory days.

  • December 2008

    Who says there are no ties in football? The NFL Collection hits the ground running.

  • May 2009

    Ian ties the knot!

  • March 2010

    Tied to a Cause Collection launches! In the spirit of giving back, each month vineyard vines partners with a different charity to create custom ties & totes and donates 100% of all the proceeds directly back to that organization. First up is Waterkeeper Alliance with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

  • August 2010


    Cheers! A Whale of a Chardonnay debuts thanks to a collaboration with St. Francis Winery & Vineyards.

  • September 2010

    Prep work: vineyard vines is featured in True Prep, Lisa Birnbach's follow up to The Official Preppy Handbook. A limited-edition True Prep Collection, featuring ties, totes and polos soon follows.

  • April 2011

    Named the Official Style of the Kentucky Derby! Talk about thoroughbred style.

  • October 2011

    California Dreamin’ becomes a reality - The first West Coast store opens at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA.

  • December 2011

    Puck yeah! The NHL Collection launches.