WTN Blog

WTN Services is proud of it’s affiliation and servicing of clients that offer unique and innovative uses of media and technology to expand awareness of the wine industry. One of our valued clients is Geerlings & Wade/The Traveling Vineyards. One of their employees is a unique and interesting individual that selects their wine purchases, blends wines for their custom program and more. His name is Francis Sanders. His passion in addition to making great wines is comics. He has created a recent online commic book series entitled- Corked the Comic that is certainly is meant to be entertaining with a curious educational component. I’d love to hear your reaction to this series of commic strips located at Corked the Comic

At 9 am Friday a true pioneer and legend of Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi died. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity get to know the Mondavi family through the years. Margit, Robert and I became acquainted through a group of mutual friends including Pierce Carson, Jerry and Bruce Butler and others. The first time I met Robert was at a Robert Mondavi summer concert hosted at his winery about 7 years ago. We sat front row center as guests of Pierce Carson. The concert was part of the Mondavi concert series to raise funds for the Napa Valley Symphony.I encountered the Mondavi’s many times over the years both in the wine industry as Mondavi has partnered with companies I’ve been associated with, but more often in the private sector supporting local non-profits. Though they Margit and Robert became famous and made their name in the wine industry, as wine industry icon’s, for me they are near and dear to my heart for their caring demeanor, none intimidating style and support for non-profits that were near and dear to our mutual hearts- The Lincoln Theater, the Napa Valley Opera House, AIDS & Cancer prevention support, Copia and more.

“I’m like old wine. They don’t bring me out very often, but I’m well preserved. ”
Rose Kennedy  , (1890-1995) family matriarch, on her 100th birthday

“The world is so fast that there are days when the person who says it can’t be done is interrupted by the person who is doing it.” –Anonymous    

Every day our business and that of our winery clients are faced with choices to explore new ventures, keep the status quo or move forward  in a new or unproven way. For wineries it may be launching a new wine club, hosting a special event, releasing a new email campaign, developing a new brand or brand identity, testing a new marketing model, direct to trade or something else.

Hank Aaron hit more home runs in his day than anyone else he also struck out more. He will always be remembered for attempting to make the hit and finally succeeding more than anyone else.

Today take the leap, present an idea, take a chance at something new, take a chance toward success. Those that don’t may be left behind by those brands and leaders taking a chance at greater success and doing what you are doubting can be done.

“The question is not ‘can you make a difference?’ You already do make a difference. It’s just a matter of what kind of difference you want to make, during your life on this planet. ” – Julia Butterfly Hill

Very few in the wine industry are aware of STORES Magazine but recently they published and article by By Peter Johnston that represented it list of  the Favorite 50 Online Retailers.

 What was more striking was that the list of favorite online retailers included such names a google, yahoo, MSN and AOL as most visited for online purchases…

http://www.stores.org/pdf/07FAV50chart.pdf

Another interesting artilce from the same source is who is shopping where- a breakdown by demographics. All are interesting and thought provoking sources that should be considered when online marketing wine products…

http://www.stores.org/Current_Issue/2007/10/EditSidebar2.asp

“He profits most who serves best.”-Arthur Frederick Sheldon    

The economy is questionable. There is political uncertainty given an election year. Fuel prices are at an all time high. Discretionary spending this Christmas is questionable. Is the purchase of wine a luxury or something onemay find as an optional purchase? What does all of this uncertainty mean to your sales plan and your fulfillment plan for the New Year?    

Two things to consider this year…  What opportunities do you have to improve your margin if you are a winery or wine retail company? One option is to consider WTN Services as your fulfillment option to lower your fulfillment spend due to our bi-coastal shipping from two distribution centers -one on the east coast -one on the west. Utilizing the two ship from locations lowers cost, lowers your environmental footprint and makes margin sense.  Option Two- Provide impeccable and memorable customer service.