Is this an apropos example of what has happened?

Retailer has Caymus 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2005 Caymus Special Selection has not even been released yet, but he lists it on his website for $50, knowing full well it will be $150 upon release. He allows people to order it now at $50?

Please clarify this for me.

I guess I don't get it, but it doesn't seem that big a deal to me. Just don't ship him any more wine. Post a memo on your website and name names. No one can make you buy something you don't want or at a price you don't want to pay. The market works these things things out pretty well.

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I guess I don't get it, but it doesn't seem that big a deal to me. Just don't ship him any more wine. Post a memo on your website and name names. No one can make you buy something you don't want or at a price you don't want to pay. The market works these things things out pretty well.

WE NEVER SHIPPED HIM WINE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!! HE NEVER HAD ANY OF OUR WINE!!! You are missing the big picture.

You're wasting your time yelling at cdr.

What I think he's saying though (God help me for trying to figure this out) is an adaptation of the old addage: "There's no such thing as bad publicity." If this website is touting your wine, that's consumer exposure which certainly cannot be a bad thing in the grand scheme of things.

As an attorney, though, I can envision several scenarios where this might make you nervous. If you're trying to build a luxury brand (based on price or exclusivity of distribution), this retailer is screwing with your business plan.

I'm not sure what your distribution plans are, but if I were a betting man (and I am), I'd wager that your wine's placement on his website is related in some way to a distributor's sales pitch.

I have a couple of follow-up questions:
1) Is the retailer disclosing that the wine is "pre-release?"
2) Is there anyway that the retailer is going to be able to get the wine through regular distribution channels?
3) Do you think the retailer might be confused about the differences between your wines "a" and "b" (or were they "x" and "y")?

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As an attorney, though, I can envision several scenarios where this might make you nervous. If you're trying to build a luxury brand (based on price or exclusivity of distribution), this retailer is screwing with your business plan.

1)Business 101; protect your price point

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I have a couple of follow-up questions:
1) Is the retailer disclosing that the wine is "pre-release?" NO
2) Is there anyway that the retailer is going to be able to get the wine through regular distribution channels? NO
3) Do you think the retailer might be confused about the differences between your wines "a" and "b" (or were they "x" and "y")?

no

In wine there is such a thing as bad publicity.
Examples (these are real examples but did not happen to us):
1)Your wine gets a 76 parker or WS score (you had a 90 the year before)
2)You get sued for your wine still fermenting in the bottle leading to corks exploding and damaging peoples homes.
3) A blogger says your wine is the "Worst of the year"
4) Your winemaker leaves because of the decline of fruit quality
5) Your entire facility is written up in a major publication as being riddled with TCA
6) A worker dies in a fermantation tank at your winery
Perhaps we should all come up with examples of bad publicity...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Healdsburg Gal,

Healdsburg Gal,

O.K., you never shipped him any wine and he says he carries your wine. Call him up and ask him to take the wine off the list and inform him he will never get your wine. It sounds as thought this has been done. Now you want to put him and other who do this out of business?

I'd kind of like to put wineries who price their first release at $60 per bottle of out business.


Healdsburg Gal - that was a joke, so please don't sue me.

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6) A worker dies in a fermantation tank at your winery

What effect does this have on the characteristics of the wine?

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Originally posted by sydthesquid:

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6) A worker dies in a fermantation tank at your winery

What effect does this have on the characteristics of the wine?

Gives it a true sense of terroir

Healdburg Gal- To me the most important thing is intent. If you inform them, they say it was an honest mistake and correct, no harm no foul. If they did it maliciously then you have the right to be upset.

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Originally posted by jgreen:

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Originally posted by sydthesquid:

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6) A worker dies in a fermantation tank at your winery

What effect does this have on the characteristics of the wine?

Gives it a true sense of terroir

That's going to make me think next time I taste some funk in the glass.

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I'd kind of like to put wineries who price their first release at $60 per bottle of out business.

It is all about having a proven winemaker and good fruit. Cab by the ton is not cheap, at least not where I buy it.
PS: My lawyer will be contacting you

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Originally posted by jgreen:

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Originally posted by sydthesquid:

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6) A worker dies in a fermantation tank at your winery

What effect does this have on the characteristics of the wine?

Gives it a true sense of terroir

Healdburg Gal- To me the most important thing is intent. If you inform them, they say it was an honest mistake and correct, no harm no foul. If they did it maliciously then you have the right to be upset.

It gives it a sense of true terror.

The intent is clear as day to anyone who has used wine-searcher. Contacting them, and not the retainer, is the correct thing to do. They'll know if it's systemic abuse or not and deal with it. An abusive retailer would just eliminate that particular fraudulent listing, and then laugh at you for being an idiot.