How to Sell Shiners?

Cellar Rats (ITB)
1

This is something new for me in my 14 year history as a winemaker. I’ve got 150 cases of a Zin, Syrah, Petite blend that I’m looking to move. Yes, it has my corks in it. Who, how does a fella go about this? Ideas, names?

2

English for those of us not ITB.

3

Oh sorry. Shiners are cased goods bottled but not labeled.

4

I think Turrentine moves bottled wine. Have you contacted them?

Or perhaps contact a few zin/syrah producers directly … with the short 2008 vintage, some of them may be looking for extra releases from older vintages if they can turn a small profit …

5

it’s gonna be awfully tough with branded corks.

ultimately, a lot of this stuff goes to places like Grocery Outlet. A brokerage would be able to help you, as I’d imagine you’ll get very little play from a posted ad of your own.

Chateau Diana also buys a lot of shiners Don’t expect an offer that will make you jump for joy, though.

6

How about a deal of the century for Wine Berserker members?? [gen_fro.gif]

7

Sounds like a plan.

8

Hehe, sounds like you’ll make your best profit on Commerce Corner! [highfive.gif]

9

Put a cute animal on the label with a clever name and sell it for a song. [tease.gif]
Seriously, why not just a EP red table wine. Restaurants are always looking for an affordable BTG pour. If you don’t want to taint your EP label image, you can always sell it up in Humboldt. No one will ever know. [whistle2.gif]

10

Good call. A killer case price - equal or slightly more than what you’d get to sell to some wholesaler like ‘Grocery Outlet’ - then you get tons of TN’s posted on a public forum, and you essentially get free advertising while improving cash flow and getting rid of dead inventory.

11

Look at Frenchie talking all bidnezz and shit. Seriously, this sounds like a pretty good win-win…at least for a few cases.

12

It just looks an awful lot like what I had to do recently with my own company. That, plus a couple hundred thousand dollars of writeoffs to take advantage of the fact that most companies this year are doing it, and with the new 5-year writedown law, I’m going back to get me some tax refunds so I can pay all my property tax bills! Makes sense…

Now, on the ‘few cases’ - good point, particularly since only Zach and Bill seem to still be buying wine.

13

Yup…still buying.

14

If I ever get my taxes done, get my refunds, pay my existing property tax bills, put a little away in some 75% off stocks, I’ll go long on some wine purchases…

15

Have you taken a look at any places that buy private label stuff like Trader Joes or Whole foods?

16

Turrentine
Mancuso
Chiatti

I think Shawnda Hansen deals in things like this, does she not?

17

I bought 10 cases of shiners for my wedding from a guy off Craigslist.

18

Indeed Linda. My niche has been buying side projects from great winemakers who would either violate their non-compete’s or don’t have a large enough quantity to establish a brand (or the desire). Provided they’re bonded, I can move shiners into my bond and re-sell. I have not found the bulk market including Mancuso and Turrentine to have much by-way-of shiners and I don’t know their interest. To re-cork over two pallets of wine, it would be a hard sell in the private label market although not impossible.

I do however have a current project that may be interested if you feel the retail price point would be ~$18/bottle and if we can vineyard designate. PM me and we can discuss further.

Otherwise, see what these crazy WB’s will give you and I’ll create a label, we’ll work the price into the deal :wink: . We can have an off-line for people to come out and hand label/drink.

19

That is illegal - but good for you and whoever you bought them from. [cheers.gif]

20

With only 150 cases to sell he’s not going to be able to supply either of those places unless they make a regional buy, but it’s a good idea.

Casey, I say “second label” the stuff and sell it to your mailing list and on your website. You’ll get more than if you dump it on the wholesale market and they get a good deal.