Frequently Asked Questions - Bordeaux
I don't have any winemaking experience. How can I make great wine? Over 90% of our clients have never made wine previously, so education is a key part of what we do. Our wine making team is here to make sure that things don't go astray and that your wine is the best it can be, regardless of whether you come once a year or once a week.
How much of my time is this going to take? As much or as little as you want. For instance, in our Sonoma location we have clients who are physically involved in every step of the wine making process. But most clients direct much of the process online and visit infrequently, if at all. So it's up to you - we'd love to see you in Bordeaux but we're also committed to giving you a great experience wherever you live.
Can I visit the facilities in Bordeaux? Definitely. You will be able to schedule visits to participate in crush, visit vineyards and taste your wine. In addition, we will have various client events throughout the year to which you will receive exclusive invitations.
I don't live near Bordeaux. Can I still make my own wine there? Of course! Crushpad has developed an online tool called Crushnet that allows you to stay connected to your wine wherever you live. With Crushnet you're able to make key decisions regarding your wine and follow its evolution. In addition, Crushpad can send you samples of your wine at various times. If you can't make it to Bordeaux to assemble your final blend we'll send you a Fusebox blending kit so you can do it at home. In addition, we'll organize blending sessions that you can attend with our winemakers and consultants to comfort you in your choices. And you'll also have access to the Crushpad team via phone or email.
How do you get access to such great vineyard sources? Crushpad is working with two of the best consultants in Bordeaux to both evaluate vineyard sources and manage the viticulture on the parcels we have selected. With their help as well as that of Bordeaux's best brokers (courtiers), we've been able to secure prestigious plots in both famous appellations like Margaux and St. Emilion as well as under the radar vineyards with old vines, great terroir and unlimited potential. Check out our vineyard list and team bios for more info.
Where will the wine be made? Crushpad Bordeaux will be located inside Chateau Teyssier, home to highly acclaimed micro-cuvée wines produced by Jonathan Maltus, including Le Dôme, Astéries, Le Carré and Vieux Chateau Mazerat. Winemaking will be overseen in cooperation with Jonathan and his winemaking team. As with current wines produced there, the goal is to extract maximum potential from each wine produced.
How do I select my Bordeaux blend? The first decision you must make is the style of wine you want to create. A single vineyard and grape varietal? A Cabernet-dominant Médoc-style blend? A St. Emilion style of wine where Merlot and Cabernet Franc predominate? Based on your decision, you can either select your single vineyard source for a terroir-based wine or you'll be able to produce your own Cru Libre. A Cru Libre blend involves selecting the best fruit from multiple appellations, a radical and exciting approach to winemaking in Bordeaux! Either way, you'll also be able to make final winemaking adjustments with the help of our team using extra blend components that we've produced.
Can I design my own label? How? Yes, designing your own label using Crushpad's professional design team is included in the cost of your barrel of wine. They will work with you to develop a label concept and produce final packaging befitting the fine, luxury-class Bordeaux that you will create. Our team has created thousands of customized labels with our clients in the past five years, including labels for over 100 commercial wine brands.
How many bottles of wine will I get when everything is finished? Each barrel of custom wine produces 300 bottles (25 cases). In France, bottle samples are sometimes required by the 'powers that be' to ensure that the quality is up to the standard of the AOC in question. For that reason, a few bottles may be taken. For some clients, 300 bottles goes in a blink of the eye. But most of our clients form or join a group to get smaller amounts of wine but still share in the experience. Sharing a barrel is easy. You can create your own group yourself or contact Crushpad to see if we can put you together with like-minded wine enthusiasts.
How much is my wine going to cost? Our simple barrel pricing covers everything including: grapes, barrel, wine making, label design and packaging. Cost to create your very own custom barrel of wine — 25 cases — varies depending upon the vineyards and blend you select. Most wines range from 6,600 € to 8,400 € per barrel plus tax (22 € to 28 € per bottle). US dollar costs are between $9600 and $10,900, inclusive of shipping to the US. You can pay everything upfront (we offer a 5% early payment discount) or in installments: 1/3 at reservation to start your wine making plan, 1/3 in October when you begin making wine and 1/3 next January.
What about shipping costs? This depends on where you live. Within Europe, count on an average between €1.50 and €5 euros a bottle including duties. If you live in North America, we're making things easy and inexpensive: Crushpad will group together all of our client wines and ship them to our San Francisco logistics center. This freight and handling, amounting to $600 per barrel ($2 a bottle), will be included in the price of your wine. All you then need to pay for is transport from San Francisco to your home. We are working on similar plans in the UK and elsewhere. We also have estimated rates various Asian destinations. Simply contact us and we’ll get you more details.
How do I get started? The best way to get started is call or email either Rodney or Steve in the US (1.877.946.3404 x 7400, makewine@crushpadwine.com) or Stephen Bolger in France ( +33(0)9.60.51.86.83, stephen@crushpadwine.com). They'll be able to assist you with vineyard selection and answer any questions you might have.
