Kutch has been running for sometimes while this is Westborn’s first release. I don’t mind picking a ‘17 Kutch on display if I’m a long timer on their list, but imagine buying the inaugural vintage and then seeing them for way cheaper elsewhere feels like I got played.
Of all CA sparkler programs that I’m on, only Westborn “heavily” discount their wine. Saw UtW and BXT at MSRP today.
Put in an order for three bottles from Saratoga.
No sales tax and very reasonable shipping to California, just $22.17.
Looking forward to trying them.
Good points - but also realize that a winery cannot dictate with a retail shop sells their wine for. IF the winery provides really really good wholesale pricing in order to make a sale and the retailer decides to simply use their regular mark ups, you may end up seeing wines sold for much lower than the winery would hope it would be. This happens often when wineries or their brokers, sometimes without the winery knowing, sell their wines at on premise ‘by the glass’ case pricing to a retailer, who would normally pay much much more.
Has anyone reached to the winery itself to see if they are aware of this pricing? Are they active here? Would be curious to hear what they say . . .
Cheers!
Hi Everyone,
Weston here, owner and winemaker of Westborn. First off, thank you for sharing your thoughts and for your support of the wines. I truly appreciate it. And thank you Larry, your points are spot on.
Not to get too deep into the weeds, I actually just did a full breakdown about the economics of sparkling wine on the XChateau Podcast with Peter Yeung and Robert Vernick, you can listen here: Breaking Down the Cost of Sparkling Wine found here:
the short version is this:
The Westborn Perpetual Reserve is our largest-production wine and does make its way into distribution, so you may see different pricing from shop to shop. The Vintage Westborn wines (Vintage Brut, Rosé, and the upcoming Blanc de Blancs), on the other hand, are only available directly from the winery.
In distribution, I like to price Westborn so it can remain reasonably priced on restaurant lists given their higher margins, but in doing so, I take the risk that a retailer may choose to sell it for less than I do online. It’s not ideal, but it’s part of ensuring the wines are more accessible on wine lists for my customers. New York is a particularly challenging market, as it does not allow for channel pricing (on-premise vs. off-premise).
Bottom line — I’m a consumer too, and if you see a good deal on Westborn out there, I say go for it! I would.
Thanks again for your enthusiasm and support, it means a lot. The next release is coming soon, featuring the 2018 Vintage, which spent an incredible 74 months on the lees. I look forward to sharing it with you.
Cheers!
Great to see you on here - and that’s how you answer questions. Well done.
It still is a challenge for wine club members to see wines out there cheaper than what you offer to them - will you match those prices on your largest production wines? That would be good to hear 
Cheers!
Ditto on the thanks to Weston. I went to one of the promotional tastings and the wines were indeed tasty and promising. My favorite was the rose but the rest of the people I spoke to liked the perpetual reserve.
As to marketing, I guess I understand why…expensive to produce. But I would think it would also be good to price more attractively to take advantage of the exclusive buzz and sell out the first release at say $80 and whet the palate for the next release at $90 or $100. I did end up purchasing a three-pack after we were allowed to mix, but I would have purchased twice that at more competitive pricing.
I’m still in the market for these wines and am very much looking forward to the next release. Quality stuff.
Hi Everyone, I really appreciate the kind words and the thoughtful feedback. Fred - I’m glad you were able to attend one of the tastings and that the wines resonated with you.
You’re right, producing these wines is a long, hands-on, and costly process, but I also understand pricing for early traction makes sense. Then it becomes a challenge to raise prices later which, as a customer, frustrates me. In any case with what feels like a lot of strong interest here and in other places, I’ve decided that for the next release I’ll introduce Early Access pricing as a small thank you to the folks who support and are interested in Westborn in its early days.
The next offering will feature the Perpetual Reserve NV.02 and the 2018 Vintage Brut (which, incidentally, we are releasing after the 2019… it just wanted more time) both are drinking beautifully.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your perspective and for picking up some bottles, it really does mean a lot.
That’s a pretty nice discount coming up @WestonE (save the date email, Nov. 4) , thank you! I’ll be ordering!
Oof, same day release as BXT. My credit card is tireddddd 
In for 3 packs of 18 Brut. I’m still waiting for that BdB 
I really hate you people…ordered 3 bottles.
Early pricing is too sexy to pass up. It’s on par with Ultramarine and Haliotide pricing.
Not sure how that’s “good” given the pricing for some delicious champagne, but OK.
Different tastebuds command different purchases.
How much is the 18 Brut?
$95, better than $120
in for three of the perpetual and six of the brut (2018 - Grandson’s birth year )
I was able to try these with Weston a few weeks ago and absolutely loved both.
The Perpetual Reserve NV02 is, in my opinion, the most “champagne-like” wine he has made to date. It has all the hallmarks of NV01 (spiced fruits, great texture) but the layers seem to be even more dialed in. It is brighter than NV01 but still retains its reserve wine profile. Very grower champagne and very Bereche-y.
The 2018 Brut is powerful. With 74months on the lees (and released after the 2019), the texture and richness takes center stage. Toasty, honeyed, and sporting great fruit. Reminds me of some of Bollinger’s black label vintage offerings (PN VZ19). Whereas the 2019 needed a lot of air (and time) to get to where it is now, this is drinking insanely good out of the gate.
Curious if Weston only poured the latest release or also from the past offerings when you visited? I’m looking to pay them a visit but IDK where is the winery located to plan the trip. 
Reach out to Weston, he splits his time outside Napa. We managed to catch him in Napa and met for lunch at Brasswood.
Turns out oysters go very well with bubbles, who knew? 