Dear Friends,
It sure was good to see those of you who made it out to the release party last weekend! We had about 500 attendees and since the flow was very steady, we actually got to spend some time with most of you. That still leaves about 800 of you to pick up your wine, so I wanted to remind you early today so you can get in and get your wines before the holiday if you're planning on serving them at Thanksgiving. We'll have the tasting room open today from 1-5pm and again next weekend (Thanksgiving weekend) during the same hours on Saturday. Either of these days would be a great day to come pick up your wines, and we're happy to give you a complimentary tasting while you're here.
WHOSE VOLUNTEERS ARE BETTER THAN OURS? NOBODYS!!!
We want to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who volunteered at Covington Cellars this year! You guys make every event successful, whether it's bottling, a release party or a huge event like Passport or St. Nick's. We absolutely could NOT do it without you and we know Covington Cellars has the BEST volunteers around! THANK YOU THANK YOU!
ARTISAN SERIES KLIPSUN CABERNET SAUVIGNON A HUGE HIT
Those of you who actually read my emails likely recall that we poured barrel samples of the first wine in our brand new Artisan series at the release party. It was such a huge hit we are nearly half sold out! We will continue to sample it in the tasting room and at St. Nick's, so we definitely expect it to be sold out by the end of the year. This wine will be released next November and since it's higher in price, I don't think I'm going to put it in the wine club. I don't want to force anyone to take a $53 bottle of wine, so if you'd like to reserve some (1 case max please) please get your orders in soon. Futures price is $45.00 bottle.
2004 ROUGH HOUSE RED AND 2004 CABERNET FRANC SOLD OUT
Sadly, I must report that the '04 RHR and CF are all gone. The good news is I'll be blending up the 2005 wines in early 2008! We've also only got about 50 cases of the 2005 Sangiovese left as well.
THE MINIS ARE HERE!
I never imagined when I got the idea of doing Covington Cellars Minis that it would take me a year from inception to packaging, but it has. Last night I finally got the first bottles produced of the 50ML samples that we will be offering for the holiday season. These minis are ideal for many occasions. Have a wine loving friend who you've told about Covington Cellars wines? Minis are a great way to give them a gift of taste without costing a bundle. They are allowed on airplanes since they are less than 3 oz and they also make EXCELLENT stocking stuffers!
I'm sending some to my elderly aunt who loves wine, but could never get through a whole bottle by herself before it oxidized. These minis will give her the ability to have some wine whenever she wants without having to worry about waste.
My goal is to have them ready by Thanksgiving weekend but I'll be showing them at St. Nick's for sure, so do stop by and see them! Reminder, Wine Club members can come to all events we have free of charge - even Passport and St. Nick's.
And did I mention how adorable they are!??!
NO FUTURES OR WINE CLUB PICKUP DEC 1ST AND 2ND
Please note: St.Nick's weekend is Dec 1st and 2nd, and as I've explained in my previous email, it's organized just like Passport beginning this year. We've already sold 2600 of the 3000 tickets we've made available, which means it's going to be a very busy weekend. For this reason, WE WILL NOT BE FILLING FUTURES OR WINE CLUB ORDERS AT ST.NICK'S. REPEAT, NO FUTURES OR WINE CLUB ORDERS MAY BE PICKED UP THE WEEKEND OF DEC 1ST AND 2ND.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Speaking of St. Nick's, I am still in need of some volunteers both days. Hours are from 10:30-4:00 and we'll have our usual "cast party" afterwards. Also, I called the LCB this week to clarify the confusion about pourer's permits. Straight from the horse's mouth, you do not need a pourer's permit to pour wine as a volunteer at a winery. So if you happen to have the ability to sell ice to Eskimos, don't let the lack of a silly pourer's permit stop you from coming out and helping Covington Cellars reach our immediate goal of paying the grape bill. ;)
TASTING ROOM CLOSED DEC 23RD- JAN 18TH
The tasting room will be dark Dec 23-Jan 18th and we will reopen on Jan 19th. We are hoping to get some bottling done in early Jan so look for emails begging for volunteers.
THANK YOU OUR WEBMASTER
Most of you don't know what goes on behind the scenes (and actually neither do we, really) but I do want to take a moment to give some much deserved recognition to Chad Baker, our webmaster. Chad has worked tirelessly building our website and he's given us more than we'd ever imagined we'd have. Kudos on a fabulous job Chad!!
Keep checking the website at www.covingtoncellars.com because in 2008 we expect to have a real shopping cart. You'll have the ability to order and securely pay for wine, the wandering tasting room and cellar sauce on line! Thanks for doing such a GREAT JOB Chad!
COVINGTON CELLARS HIRES NEW EMPLOYEE
Many of you met Jessica at the release party or Passport back in April. I'm very proud to announce that Jessica Maldonado has joined the Covington Cellars team on a part time basis to handle our Wine Club, Wandering Tasting Room and Guest Relations needs. She'll likely be seen from time to time working in the tasting room, and you might even find her coordinating some of our future events as well. We know that Jessica will make a perfect addition to the Covington Cellars family. Please join us in welcoming her to our little team!
I think that's about all the business I need to cover for now, but I do have one more thing to add.
David and I want to sincerely thank you all for the support and friendship you've shown us through the years. We realize that you have endless choices when it comes to wine, and we are deeply honored and humbled that you guys have shown such loyalty to Covington Cellars. We certainly love it when new guests come to the winery, but nothing can beat visits from old friends.
On behalf of the entire Covington Cellars family, we'd like to wish you and yours a Holiday Season that's filled with the love of family, friends and delicious wine!
SALUTE!!
David, Morgan, Carol, Chad, Jessica and Cindy
