DTC Winery Tasting Rooms Are Empty…

Gary and I purchase a significant amount of wine from direct to consumer (DTC) wineries that we have visited, been referred to, or worked with doing local tasting parties.  Wine region economies are built on the backs of the DTC winery, and this pandemic is suffocating entire swaths of California, Oregon, etc.. Some of these wineries make less than 2,000 cases a year. For those, 100% of their business usually comes from sales in their tasting room and from consumers who join their wine club. (Winery wine clubs are super cool. But that is another post for another time.)

Tasting rooms all over the country are shut down. This is especially hurting the states of California, Washington, New York, and Oregon (the four most significant wine producers in the US). Revenue for DTC only wineries are almost non-existent. That said, any winery of any size that depends on the direct to consumer sales model is being walloped.

…What can you do?

Because of my work as a wine writer, I am on many winery email lists. I am hearing from many right now, and they are creating buying opportunities that are unprecedented, which means that now may be a great time to help them move inventory, and you stock up on fantastic wine.

BUT WAIT – Just Last Week You Said Buy Local

Yes, I did, and I meant every word. Our local wineshops need us too. The pandemic is hurting everyone, so for those of us who can, I encourage you to support any businesses that you can.  Today, I stopped by Edmund’s Oast Exchange to pick up my order, and I was amazed watching Sarah and Colin dart about the store filling orders for customers to pick up curbside.

But with empty tasting rooms, DTC wineries need us too.

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Awesome & Affordable Even Before The Sale

DTC Winery in Sonoma County

Bannister Wines

Brook Bannister is having a heckuvah sale. I got the email last week and made an order to stock up on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.  Yes, I communicated with Brook before I shared this with you all. I wanted to make sure that he was cool with me sharing it with you all.  He said, “Go for it!”  He said that his local wholesale business has dried up since restaurants are closed in California (except for take-out and delivery).

33% off selected wines (listed below) and $15 flat rate ground shipping
Minimum order six or more bottles (plus local sales tax)

Available Wines:

Green Valley of the Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017 – Reg. $44.00 Sale $29.30
Alexander Valley Chardonnay, Stuhlmuller Vineyards 2017 – Reg. $32.00 Sale $21.12
Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, Saini Farms 2017 – Reg. $36.00 Sale $23.97
Skin Fermented (orange wine) Riesling, Old Vines from Cole Ranch 2018 – Reg. $28.00 Sale $18.65
Campbell Ranch Pinot Noir 2015 – Reg. $55.00 Sale $36.63

To place an order at Bannister, you need to do it over the phone to get these prices.  Call Call: (707) 387-0124

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A Superb DTC Winery in Portland Oregon

Helioterra Wines

Helioterra Wines is a small batch winery producing elegant and graceful wines made from exceptional vineyards throughout the Pacific Northwest.

I have tasted her Arneis (reg. $20 / now $15) and her Melon de Bourgogne (reg. $19 / now $14.25). They are absolutely BEAUTIFUL, affordable wines. With this 25% discount, she is practically giving the wine away.  Please go to her website, decide what you want, and email her your order. She will get back to you with a total and get your credit card information. Shipping and sales tax, of course, is additional.

2017 WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT BLANC – Reg. $19.00 Sale $14.25

2016 WILLAMETTE VALLEY MELON DE BOURGOGNE – Reg. $19.00 Sale $14.25

2017 RIBBON RIDGE REDMAN VINEYARD ARNEIS – Reg. $20.00 Sale $15.00

2017 STARTHISTLE CUVÉE (A blend of Riesling and Huxelrebe grapes) – Reg. $19.00 Sale $14.25

2018 WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR ROSÉ – Reg. $20.00 Sale $15.00

2015 VINTNER’S SELECT PINOT NOIR – Reg. $38.00 Sale $28.50

2015 WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR – Reg. $30.00 Sale $22.50

2015 BJÖRNSON VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – Reg. $48.00 Sale $36.00

2015 RED MOUNTAIN MOURVÉDRE – Reg. $34.00 Sale $25.50

2015 COLUMBIA VALLEY OASIS SYRAH – Reg. $28.00 Sale $21.00

2015 WILLAMETTE VALLEY DION VINEYARD SYRAH – Reg. $36.00 Sale $27.00

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Classic Napa DTC Winery

Ehlers Estate

Gary and I visited Ehlers Estate two years ago. We thoroughly enjoyed that experience as a highlight of our entire trip. And the wines were incredible also.

Club Member Pricing + $1 Shipping Through April

As our way of saying thank you for your continued support and congratulations on two weeks of social distancing, we want to extend club member pricing through April. In addition to 20% off of wine purchases, we’ll also continue to apply $1 ground shipping to all orders of six bottles or more. You may submit an order online or by calling the winery at 707.963.5972.

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DTC Wineries

in Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley Winery Association has put together a comprehensive list of their member wineries who are offering a variety of incentives to encourage online sales.  Free shipping is the primary incentive. Shipping a case of wine from Oregon can be upwards of $65. So it is quite a savings all on its own.

All contact information is available on the Willamette Valley Winery Association website.

Most of the free shipping incentives are for six or more bottles. Please verify the details as each winery has its own incentives.

Wineries with whom I have sampled at least one of their wines:

ADELSHEIM VINEYARD
ALLORO VINEYARD
ANNE AMIE VINEYARDS
ARGYLE WINERY
BERGSTRÖM WINES
BETHEL HEIGHTS VINEYARD
BIG TABLE FARM
BROOKS
COEUR DE TERRE VINEYARD
COLENE CLEMENS VINEYARDS
DOMAINE DROUHIN OREGON
ELK COVE VINEYARDS
THE FOUR GRACES
GRAN MORAINE
HYLAND ESTATES / SOLÉNA ESTATE
HELIOTERRA WINES
LANGE ESTATE WINERY
LEFT COAST ESTATE
MAYSARA WINERY
MONTINORE ESTATE
PENNER-ASH WINE CELLARS
PONZI VINEYARDS
RIBBON RIDGE WINERY
SOKOL BLOSSER WINERY
TORII MOR
VAN DUZER VINEYARDS
WILLAKENZIE ESTATE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY VINEYARDS