The top-level domain (TLD) .vin is a gTLD (generic top-level domain) used in the Domain Name System of the Internet. The Domain Name System (DNS) was designed to help users to find their way around the Internet. Every computer on the Internet has a unique address, which can either be its IP address or a more human-readable address ‘domain name,’ that comprises a series of text strings separated by dots. Top-level domain, i.e., the characters that come after the dot in a domain name, specifies the type of organization that hosts the domain.
“.vin” is an example of a type of TLD known as a gTLD, which stands for “generic Top Level Domain”. These are usually intended for use by a specific type or group of organizations or individuals. The “.VIN” domain extension was proposed as an Internet namespace that will revolutionize the vineyard/rink industry by becoming a digital hub for viticulturists, connoisseurs, merchants, as well as enthusiasts.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), an international organization that maintains the DNS, oversees the creation and management of TLDs. According to the ICANN website, the .vin TLD was delegated to the DNS root zone, which is the highest level of the domain name system structure, on June 3, 2015.
The .vin TLD is operated by Donuts Inc., a domain name registrar and internet domain service management company that manages hundreds of different TLDs. According to the registry webpage, it originally started as a domain for wineries, vineyards, and wine collectors, but because “vin” means “wine” in French, it’s also understood as an open registry, meaning that anyone can buy and use .vin domains for any purpose.
Restrictions around the .vin TLD are currently minimal. Anyone can register for a .vin domain, and there is no requirement to validate credentials or lack thereof. This makes it versatile for a wide variety of users, from wine companies and enthusiasts to anyone else who finds a meaningful connection to the term.
Examples of .vin domains could include a winery (like “domaine.vin”), a wine review site (like “bestbordeaux.vin”), a wine seller (like “french.vin”), or by anyone who finds a creative use (like “loversof.vin”).
For these details, I referenced ICANN’s website at (https://newgtlds.icann.org/en/program-status/dns-root-zone-delegations), Name.com website (https://www.name.com/domains/vin), and the website of Donuts Inc. (https://donuts.domains/what-we-do/top-level-domains).
