NEWSLETTER

We Can See The Light

October 31, 2007

OK, well harvest isn't quite done... but it's darn close.  We've processed well over 500 tons of fruit and the remaining 15 tons will come in next week.   Having said that, we still have more than half of the wine fermenting and we'll easily be pressing through Thanksgiving.  I'm spending about half of my time doing nothing but tasting through fermentations and even though I've said it before, I feel compelled to say it again - we have something really special on our hands this year.  It's hard not to be giddy when tasting so many inky black Cabs and Syrahs - I really feel like the investments we've made in our facility, team and fruit have paid off in what will undoubtedly be our best harvest yet.  OK, here's what else is happening...

Crushpad to Appear on Today Show
When Allison and David Evans and Lindsey and Dave Pollack decided to make a barrel of wine together at Crushpad, I'm guessing they never thought it would land them on a segment of The Today Show.  But it did.  Set your TiVo to record them on Tuesday, November 6th and hear how a barrel of wine kept their cross-country friendship tight.  (Note: there's a chance this may air Tuesday, November 13.)  Oh, the New York Times also stopped by the winery recently and plans to publish an article in a few weeks.  It's sort of our own little Sweeps Week.

Upcoming Crushpad Financing
Many of you have asked about when we are going to do another financing.  One of the challenges we face from doubling our business every year is that werequire more cash than if we had slower growth.  So we are currently evaluating a few different financing options, including doing another individual investor round.  We should know in November, so if you are interested in looking at the investment opportunity, please send an email to me (michael@crushpadwine.com).

Chicago, Here We Come!
Does Pinot pair well with deep dish pizza?  We'll find out soon enough when we travel to Chicago for Pinot Days on Saturday, November 10th (the weekend after next).  If you go, make sure to visit the tables of David Dain Smith of Dain Wines and Chris Winslow of Joelle Wines while you're there.  Also that weekend  we are holding a small event for customers, their friends and our friends.  Contact hayden@crushpadwine.com for more details.

2007 Adopt a Barrel - While They're Still Babies
After our first few picks of the harvest that came in really short, we scrambled and called in every favor to see if there were small parcels of great fruit we could pick up.  Indeed, the yields everywhere were low, so this move ensured that we have a modest supply of adoption barrels.  But with such a phenomenal vintage and some big media coverage coming in November, these barrels will be snapped up quickly.  Especially if you are a Commerce member and you are thinking of upping 2007 production, please contact Dave Gifford (dave@crushpadwine.com) as this stuff will not be here for long and once it's gone, it's gone.

Need Wine for Thanksgiving?
Just about the time you polish off your kid's Halloween candy, it dawns on you: Thanksgiving is only a few weeks off.  Which gets you thinking about ordering some of the wine you've got stored at Crushpad.  Just don't think about it too long. Ground shipped orders must be received by Monday, November 12 and 2-Day Express orders by Friday, November 16th to ensure delivery by Thanksgiving.  Send an email to shipping@crushpadwine.com for more info.



...Michael