Winery Price versus Retail (Napa)

[joeduncan]

We had a really interesting off the record conversation with a Napa winery owner who I won’t name earlier this year about some of those $300+ bottles of wine. I would say most wineries aren’t selling out of those expensive bottles and are offloading them at Costco and other retailers to clear inventory at lower prices.

Maybe so. We didn’t renew our Costco membership so won’t be able to shop for Bryant there, but keep in mind that it’s a little bit like getting 90 points. If you can’t find some competitor to talk trash about a winery, you probably haven’t looked hard enough.

What state do you live in? A lot let you buy alcohol at Costco without a membership (including CA).

[John_Davis]

What state do you live in? A lot let you buy alcohol at Costco without a membership (including CA).
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Indiana, too.

[Mike_Kuller]

Wineries have to sell the wine to you at retail unless you join their wine club.

I know if no such requirement anywhere.

If they discount bottles, how will they get you to join their club with discounted regular shippings?

[Howard_Cooper]

And this does not just happen in Napa - it happens with every wine region as far as I’ve seen.

Cheers.

In Burgundy, it is pretty common that I can buy wines at a winery at prices much less than the wines are available at retail here or even there.