Oh man, where do we start? We have entered into a critical growth stage for our family winery...and we are so tired. Our 2 weeks off in May 2013 when we eloped is a distant memory. Honestly, we thought by now things would be easier for us to take time off... WRONG. ha. Thankfully, we've had a few days of work and play intertwined and we're about to do so again in the great state of Colorado. Leading private Smith Story dinners in the homes of our Storyteller Wine Club members brings us hours of laughter and long lasting new friendships. It also significantly helps our growth each time an order is placed and a new member joins the wine club at these intimate events with us.
Please take a look at our HAPPENINGS page to see what's ahead for Smith Story. If we're in your local area, reach out to us! We would love to grab a glass, meet your family (dog) and/or set up a private tasting in your home/club/office.
We're in the thick of bottling season this month. Super excited about a new label "The Boonies" and announcing our Fall 2019 offerings soon too. Ali's also on the move to Colorado, Texas, Chicago and hopefully a few other states that are partnering with us on the wholesale level this year.
Press and media keeps on giving us so much praise... today this Forbes article "5 Reasons to Love the Wine Industry Right Now" where Cathy Huyghe featured our 2017 Lord Sandwich Blanc! Time to update our own press page. Please click on the link to read up.
Blessing of the Grapes event has been postponed until we can figure out a weekend in the Anderson Valley when lodging is available. The secret is out...the Anderson Valley has become THE place to visit in wine country this year and to tie-the-knot in as well. We hear there's only 80 rooms in the entire valley that are available to book. The good and the frustrating it seems.
Big wins! Super excited to have our wines in all the Uchi and Uchiko restaurants in Texas and Colorado. Our Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé are on the lists! This is huge especially for Ali, Uchi is not only a long time favorite of hers, but also a long time client prior to Smith Story, wonderful to have earned their business again. Ali also spent a few days with our California sales team. We sold more wine in 3 days that we have all year through this channel. Looking forward to seeing a few dozen new accounts working with us and now our Springboard sales reps are working hard to share the Smith Story. We're hot off the United flight from Denver to Santa Rosa, a quick 2.5 hours to wine country. Colorado continues to be our home away from home and are loving the balance of work and play while visiting.
Speaking of Colorado... we are honored to have our 2018 Smith Story Sauvignon Blanc featured at A Grateful Harvest on Saturday August 10, benefitting Roundup River Ranch which enriches the lives of children with serious illnesses and their families by offering free, medically-supported camp programs. We'll be attending in person and can't wait for this incredible fundraising event! Roundup River Ranch is a part of the SeriousFun Children's Network, a global community of medical specialty camps founded by Paul Newman. He believed that kids with serious illnesses needed a place to "kick back and raise a little hell". YES! Our wholesale partner is Harvest Wine Co., please continue to ask your favorite wine places for Smith Story Wines.
Harvest is near but the season is late due to a cold spring and we are loving the healthy vines so far. On that note, please reach out to us if you are traveling to see us over the next few months, if you are lucky, we'll ask for your help on the sorting table when the grapes arrive. Harvest is always such a rush and exiting time! You'll see Ali and Will in the tasting rooms more often than Eric in the coming weeks/months, Mr. Story is going to be busy managing Harvest 2019.
A special shout-out to our Director of Hospitality Will Kinney. Will's coming up on a year with Smith Story and we couldn't be more grateful to have him on our team. Will continues to lead us on the front lines in both California tastings rooms, local outreach and drives our e-commerce management. As a new winery, his position is so important to have the right person... THANK YOU WILL!
Today we sent an email about our end-of-vintage on our 2016 Smith Story Cabernet Sauvignon. It's been well received... oh lord this wine is so good! A few cases left until we bottle the 2017 end of the year, most likely for a Spring release in 2020.
See you soon - Eric and Ali
Family Owned. Farmed Wines. Forever Our Story!