WTN Services and Community Service Napa Valley AIDS Walk

November 2nd, 2009

Congratulations to the Napa Valley AIDS Walk benefiting the Care Network at the Queen of the Valley Hospital for a successful Halloween event. The Napa Valley AIDS Walk doubled last years donations raising in excess of $20,000.00,! The event had many more walkers and a special thanks to Cheryls Cookies, the Popcorn Factory and Harry London Chocolates for supplying goodies for the walkers in Napa Valleys “costumes for a cause.”

 Congratulations to AIDS Walk Napa Valley and the WTN Services team along with our sister brands for making a difference in Napa County.

 A photo link to the Napa Register website featuring a few snapshots of the day is located at http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2009/11/02/news/photo/doc4aed254e9e39f652673857.txt

WTN Services and Wine 2.0 November 18 2009 New York City

October 27th, 2009

WTN Services has partnered with Wine 2.0 as a lead participant in New York city on November 18th for the second year in a row. WTN  Services will be highlighting wines from several of our winery partners including Porter Family Wines, Heritage Link Brands and our brand of Geerwade.com where we will be introducing our newest wine addition Clarim Vineyards Cabernet.

 We hope to see our friends in New York drop by our tables and witness the great offerings that our partner wineries bring to New York. Additional WTN partners that will be featured include Hahn Wine Estates, Tom Eddy and others. We hope to see you there and for more information on Wine 2.0 visit http://www.winetwo.com/

WTN Services thoughts… The Wine Marketers battleground for wine sales…

October 25th, 2009

The Wine Marketers battleground for wine sales…

The world’s wine markets are a battleground for three models of wine sales, each evolving in their own right.

  • The German model is based upon low cost (one euro per liter) and hard discount sellers like Aldi. Certain retailers in the US have begun to take note of this model due to the recession.
  • The American model historically has been all about corporate brands like Gallo and Constellation Brands but that model is in flux as the big boys aren’t moving wines like they were a year ago via the traditional method.
  • The British model is built upon upscale supermarkets and the house brands they sell.

Recent trends suggests that the British model is gaining ground, both in the UK and here in America, where it is the model that drives Costco sales (Trader Joe, on the other hand, uses a version of the German system).
It will be interesting to see if this trend persists once the recession eases up and which model prevails as a part of the post economic bounce back in the US. A thought to ponder…

WTN Services… What is next for the wine consumer?

October 18th, 2009

As American society becomes increasingly more fast-paced and hectic, fewer families are sitting down together for dinner. This may not a positive sign for American wine consumption as few people open up a bottle of wine to drink with their drive-thru or take-out dinners.

On a more positive note, the American population is aging, and older, more affluent people tend to enjoy wine more than other demographic groups. Hopefully they will pass their appreciation of wine to the next generation.

In many ways, the history of wine consumption in the U.S. is a microcosm of both the positives and negatives that have come with the innate American experience. Studying the history of wine consumption in the U.S. illuminates the political, cultural, religious, and racial diversity that has made the nation what it is today.

America has a relatively small but growing population of wine-lovers. Although the number of regular wine drinkers are far from being a majority, they will continue to grow as the population ages. Future trends will probably include an increase in consumption of quality varietals grown in specific, terroir-driven locations.

Wine enjoyment is symtomatic of relaxation, and these days American society is anything but relaxed. The history of wine is also synonymous with stable family relationships, and the divorce rate in the U.S. is currently about 50% and now we have an economy in flux with a holiday period that looks to be challenging at best given the political uncertain government response to health care, budget contraints, unemployement etc. What is next for wine in the US economy? For the savy marketers it is still a catagory that is growing.

WTN Services is seeing growth among those opportunistic in the wine space. Those viewing the challenge of market softness as an opportunity to review staffing, process improvement and use of new technologies are those that are growing or will in the long run. We see a consolidation of some businesses in the market. We see some competitors remaking themselves, filing bankruptcy and teetering. We see others consolidating their operations into others. We see many changes in the months ahead post harvest and post holiday. 

What will the holidays and new year present to your wine brands? The strong will get stronger, the innovators will prevail. Wise decisions on partnerships today will yield results tomorrow and the months immediately after. WTN Services is positioned for growth and solid partnerships for this holiday and the months and years to follow.

WTN Services travel and exploring the wines and new opportunities from East Germany and the Czech Republic

October 12th, 2009

It has been a while since I updated our blog but decided there is no better time then the present to begin anew.
I was privileged this month to get to travel extensively into the wine regions of eastern Europe and to South Africa.
Those travels were real eye openers. The eastern European region of wine making in eastern Germany near Dresden and
Meissen has been making wine for hundreds of years. I was fortunate to be introduced to some great wines by the local
wine critic of the Napa Register Pierce Carson. I met him three weeks ago in Prague. He challenged me to explore wines
of the Czech Republic and East Germany. 

One of the greatest  value priced wines that are not yet available in America were from the estate of http://www.schloss-proschwitz.de/
The estate was taken away from the family post World War 2 while east Germany was under the iron curtain. Post fall of the wall in Berlin
Prince Zur Lippe has been able to purchase the family estate and winery back into his ownership and is again making great wines under his
family crest on the family estate. The wines are great, value priced and we were treated to a day of great food and wines at the estate.
We are hoping to form a partnership and ultimately bring some of these great wines to the American market in the next few years. If you ever
have a change to visit Uber Meissen in eastern Germany I’d encourage you to do so. It is a 2 1/2 hour very fun train ride from Prague.
While visiting Meissen visit the porcelain factory and the historic castle as well as the wine region. You will never forget the experience.
Next post will be on my visit to South Africa and it’s many wonders…

WTN Services Episode #18 “Corked” the Comic… When it Rains, it Pours or …

October 1st, 2009

Our own Francis Sanders & David Griffin are at it again with episode 18 of CORKED

http://www.corkedthecomic.com/

WTN Services “Corked” the Comic Episode 16 When You Build A Better Mousetrap…

August 15th, 2009

Our own Francis Sanders & David Griffin present Episode 16

http://www.corkedthecomic.com/

WTN Services Compliance Update New York 6_19_09 A ShipCompliant Advisory

July 20th, 2009

Annual Filing Option Now Available for Direct Shippers in New York

July 16th, 2009
By Annie Bones, State Relations - Wine Institute
New York has recently amended its alcohol beverage tax regulations to allow certain wine distributors to file Form MT-40 (Wine Tax Return) on an annual basis rather than a monthly basis. Out-of-State wineries must be licensed by the New York State Liquor Authority as a direct shipper and submit the “Application for Annual Tax Return Filing Status for Certain Beer and Wine Manufacturers” (Form MT-38) in order to receive annual filing status. Form MT-40 should be submitted on a monthly basis until the Tax Department confirms that the request for annual filing status has been approved. Additional information can be found in the notice entitled, “Annual Filing Option Available for Certain Wine Distributors,” published by the Department of Taxation and Finance on June 24, 2009.

Form MT-38 Annual Filing Status Application
Form MT-40 (Monthly filing)

-Annie Bones, State Relations - Wine Institute

Posted from our friends at Ship Compliant

WTN Services Compliance Update Tennessee 6_19_08

July 15th, 2009

Tennessee Direct Shipping Applications Available - What You Need to Know

July 15th, 2009
By Jeff Carroll - VP of Compliance, ShipCompliant
Tennessee direct shipping license applications are now available. While Tennessee officially became a Limited state on July 1, wineries cannot legally ship to this state until their direct shipping license has been approved.

The application states that direct shippers may only ship to wet areas within the state; a condition that may make the state slightly less available than initially anticipated. This requirement is different than those of other states such as Florida, New Hampshire and New York, where clearly defined dry areas are prohibited from shipping. Major cities such as Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are all considered wet areas that are open for shipping.

Tennessee direct shipping license applications are available by directly contacting the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission at (615) 741-1602. The license requirements and application can also be viewed online. Wineries that prefer a full concierge service for obtaining their license can order online through easywinelicensing.com.

To obtain a direct shipping license, wineries must first register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Once this step is complete, wineries pursuing a direct shipping license must submit the following to the State of Tennessee ABC:

  • License application (available from state)
  • $450 fee ($300 one-time application fee + $150 licensee fee, payable upon approval of application)
  • Copy of Certificate of Registration for Sales & Use Tax
  • Copies of all contracts with common carriers that will ship wine to Tennessee residents
  • Copy of the applicant’s organizational document (e.g. corporate charter or articles of organization)
  • A copy of applicant’s Federal Basic Permit

Tennessee direct shipping licenses expire December 31 of every year, and renewal applications must be postmarked by January 9 of the following year to avoid a $250 citation.

Licensed wineries can ship a maximum of one case per month and up to three cases annually to Tennessee residents. Retailers are still prohibited from direct shipping to Tennessee.

Posted from our friends at ShipCompliant

WTN Services _Complaince Update Tennessee, Kansas Open For Winery Direct Shipping

July 6th, 2009
Tennessee, Kansas Open For Direct Shipping

The legislatures of both Kansas and Tennessee have opened the laws for winery direct shipping this is -the first two states to open in almost three years.

Kansas residents have direct access to up to twelve cases of wine per address from licensed wineries per year. Kansas special order direct shipping license applications are available online via Ship Compliant online licensing tools or direct from the state. After registering with the Secretary of State for $36, wineries must submit proof of business tax registration, a $50 license fee, a $50 application fee with their license application as well as post a $750 bond.

Tennessee is officially opened as of July 1st 2009 however the liscencing information and application process as of today is not yet posted on the Tennessee ABC website not available via Ship Compliant at this time.