Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
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CALIFORNIA WINE CENTRAL produced in quantities of 50 or 60 cases." David Jabour, co-owner and CEO of the 74-location, Austin, TX-based Twin Liquors chain carries a handful of Counties: Humboldt, Lake and Mendocino (and wines from these regions, priced from $9.99 to $55.99. parts of Marin and Solano). He confirms that while the big brand players are wellMajor AVAs: Mendocino (est. 1984), North known, "additional education and marketing is needed to Coast (est. 1983). bring awareness to the wine styles." Growing Conditions: Cool climate, high annual General manager Jared Chorney of the Toasted Oak, rainfall and ideal conditions for sustainable wine a farm-to-table restaurant and retail shop in Novi, MI, production. also agrees that many of the areas' wines are hand-sells. Popular Varietals: Pinot noir, riesling, sparkling He adds that, "when speaking with our guests about the wines. values they are getting, they are very receptive." Major Vineyards & Wineries: Parducci Wine His offerings from the region sell at super-accessible Estates, Roederer Estate, Bonterra Vineyards. price points such as $8 a glass—for on-premise consauvignon, followed by sauvignon blanc and the region's sumption—and $12 a bottle retail for the Bliss Family acreage is also expected to double in the next few years. Vineyards Blend. He also offers Paul Dolan Zinfandel at $15 a bottle retail and Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc for $28. Any wines purchased at retail at Toasted Oak can Flavor and Value Operators say that many of the North Coast's also be consumed at the restaurant for a $7 corkage fee. brands can be a hand-sell, as consumers aren't necessar- He adds that the flavors of many of the North Coast's wines also "complement ily familiar with anything our food extremely well." but the area's biggest At Café Adelaide & the names like Roederer Estate Swizzle Stick Bar in New and Bonterra Vineyards. Orleans, general manager Restaurant owners and Lauren Kaplan steers cusretailers say that merchantomers to North Coast dising their wines by variwines when they are seeketal — and price points from the region are cering specific flavors at certain tainly competitive with price points. She carries those of Napa and Sonoma seven wines from the — has also helped to get region, priced from $30 to more of their customers $110 a bottle, including acquainted with the area's the Dry Creek Vineyards Clarksburg Chenin Blanc wine styles and flavors. "The bulk of the and Viognier blend for wineries in Mendocino Malbec grapes from Yorkville Cellars in the $30. She adds that the County are extremely low- Yorkville Highlands AVA. area's appealing pricing production, boutique helps to move these botwineries, and as such are not significantly distributed tles, as does an attentive focus from her sales staff. "For [many sell direct only]. Some of the larger brands our guests, these wines are often a great value, providing I [Parducci, Fetzer] are nationally distributed, as are quality wines and more reasonable prices." smaller labels owned by larger brands [Lazy Creek, under Ferrari-Carano, Edmeades under KendallJackson]," according to Brendan McGuigan, director of For more information about interactive media at Visit Mendocino County, Inc. He North Coast wines, including a adds that the area is home to "an enormous proportion podcast featuring the sources of small-scale, family-owned wineries creating handfrom this story, please visit crafted, small-batch wines. When people from many www.CAWineCentral.com, or regions talk about small production, they mean less use your smart phone to activate than 5,000 cases. In Mendocino County, we generally this QR Code. mean less than 1,000 cases. In some cases a wine may be North Coast Fact Box Click for More Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • January/February 2013 • 13