New Week

Well, we didn’t have quite such a good week this week, but we did have customers everyday except Friday, mostly new customers but a few repeats.  It gave me a chance to get more Easter/Spring product as well as a couple of boxes inventoried and put out.  I have a new line of scriptural things, including saying stickers (great for cards), tea bag rests and magnet note pads.  Very cute stuff at good prices.  RJ has his share of “management” things this week.  The big barn is being reskinned, the cover over the patio has been started and we have some electrical work being done in the big barn.  Very exciting!  Some pictures attached.  Reminder about the North Willamette Wine Trail event April 4-5.  This is going to be a great event; something you don’t want to miss. 

Oh yeah, I also forgot, I had to do sleep studies (2) this week in the interst of saving our marriage.  RJ made me because “I’m tired all the time.”  I wonder why….um?  Anyway, I might have to use one of those PAP (CPAP or BiPap) machines.  Great, we can have dualling CPAP machines in the bedroom.  How romantic. 

AND I almost forgot the contest:  a free bottle of wine (your choice) to anyone who can determine with a reasonable amount of certainly why people drive up the driveway, all the way to the tasting room and turn around (not coming in).  It happened twice on Sunday.  Both open signs were on/out.  Both “wine tasting” sandwich boards were our.  This is killing me.  Good luck!!!!!

We’re Hitting Our Goals

I’m excited because we are hitting our sales goals.  Even though we had a slow week, we had a good Saturday.  That and Henry and RJ’s outside sales helped us meet our sales’ goals for the week.  I’m not telling you what they are, because you will laugh at how low they are compared to bigger wineries.  But we have to start somewhere.  Henry is trying to get us in the Horseradish and the Italian restaurant in Carlton.  If you frequent either of those places, please ask for us.  Our wines are in One Horse Tavern in Gaston and are the house wines in Cuvee.  We’ll be there for dinner on the 26th.  Please stop by.  I also want to give you an update on winery work.  The South field has been sprayed and tilled getting ready for planting.  It looks terrific.  And the storm damage in our BIG BARN (See pictures) is in the process of being repaired.  As for the gift shop; I have added lots of Spring and Easter items, including an Easter tree.  The wine accessory “bargains” I got from two of my favorite vendors have been huge cellars.  The wine bags in particular are flying out the door.   Stay tuned for a Contest I am offering in my next blog and don’t forget about North Willamette Wine Tour coming up on April 4-5.

Spring on 47 Event

We’ve made it through another event.  I wished I could say that we have a routine, but it seems every event is different.  While we didn’t have as many people as we would have liked, we were certainly busier than a typical weekend.  I have pictures of the event including our “dueling” guitars.  Yes, we had music again; Ron Sabin, LG Burger and Ron Hughes, all great musicians.  I have a picture of “Dancing with [our] stars.  Thanks to Henry and Joyce and Rita who helped out both days.  As for the giftshop.   It is still holding up it’s part of the bargain for sales.  I got a large shipment (previous blog) of wine merchandise and have some great buys on things, like picnic sets and wine stoppers.  Our next official event in North Willamette Vintners Wine Trail, April 3-4.  See the link for the website.

Catching Up

Since I was so lax in updating my blog, I am going to bring back some history of some things you might have missed.  In January and February, RJ worked on my desk for the office.  It looks great, but between you and me, I am a better stainer than he is.  But who sees the top of a desk anyway?  I love the layout with all the cubbies and filing space.  We have learned something though; two people can’t share a desk.  We organize everything differently.  He puts things in drawers; I put them in cubbies on the desk.  It’s not a different at the bar or with my POS cart.  Everytime he works the tasting room, things are moved; even my flowers!  Small challenges in the grand scheme of things.

I’m in Trouble Again

First it was the cuppola I won in a silent auction (long story, but funny).  This morning I found out I have been stepping out of my bounds and into RJ’s territory with regard to winery management and growth.  Then the UPS guy showed up with 4 huge boxes of gift shop items.  I can’t wait to see the new merchandise which includes lots of different wine stoppers, wine bags, decanters, etc.  I get the day off to “do laundry” and get a replacement filling.  What a day off.

It’s Been Ages

I can’t believe how long it has been since I’ve done a blog update.  And alot has happened.  Of course, we had our Grand Opening weekend which was a resounding success.  We had around 400 people over the 3+ days and great sales, great feedback.  We even got to see some friends we hadn’t seen in ages.  I got rid of the Valentine’s gift items and now have a “green” corner for St. Patrick’s Day as well as a Spring into Easter section.  Pictures will be forthcoming.  We have a couple of events coming up in the next month or so.  Next weekend is Spring on 47 where all the wineries on the 47 route and many of the businesses are offering special treats, activities, entertainment, etc.  Check out the website http://www.sip47.com/.  Then the first weekend of April, April 4-5 is North Willamette Wine Trail where you buy one “ticket” for $35 and get into 15 wineries in North Willamette Valley.  The wineries will have special activities and tastings.  Here’s a website for more information, http://www.willamettewines.com/oregon150/events/3-april/april4_northwill01.shtm.