Long-time denizens of El Bloggo Torcido will remember that around this time last year we were running a contest called "Write This 
", in which you (said denizens) were encouraged to write the back label of our next release of our white Rhone-style blend.
Well, what better way to end one contest than to start another one right away?
This probably violates every Marketing 101 rule, but at least this contest also has rubber chicken-related content, and the wine biz waits for no one - especially bottling day! Working backwards from bottling day in late April, we have like two weeks to finalize all of our label designs: that's final artwork, government approval, send to Bergin Glass Impressions for printing, and back in time to be bottled.
Just like last year we will (as usual) take the hard way out and let you (the denizen) write one of our back labels. So sharpen your word processors! Here are the rules (which will look uncannily similar to last year's rules):
1. Write up to about 100 words for the back label of the Twisted Oak 2007 Sierra Foothills "Rubens Blend". (It's our white Rhone-style blend that used to be called - more on that later.)
2. You can write about anything, but it should at least have something vaguely to do with Twisted Oak and Ruben the Rubber Chicken. It'll certainly help your chances - but feel free to surprise us!
3. Submit your words by email to tastingroom@twistedoak.com by March 18, 2008. (Yes, it's a short deadline - why should you have any more time than we do? Besides, deadlines build character!) Be sure to include your mailing address and a daytime phone number.
4. You may enter as many times as you can stand to. All entries become the property of Twisted Oak Winery. Twisted Oak also reserves the right to make edits to the winning entry for any reason, especially for that government compliance thing.
5. Decisions of the Twisted Judges will be final, and possibly be capricious. (Actually, it's pretty certain. This year, we're hardened pros.)
6. The winning entry will be announced on El Bloggo Torcido (that would be here) on March 20, 2008. Probably not in the morning. You know how it is.
7. If no entry is deemed rubbery enough, no Grand Prize will be given. Yes, that would suck.
8. We will ship El Prize-o Grande to any state we can legally ship to. We will make every effort to get it to you. However, if you live in a restricted state we may have to "get creative". (Put another way, having an Aunt Edna in the state next door could be very helpful.) If we are unable to deliver it due to state or local restrictions, we reserve the right to substitute another prize of similar value.
9. Everyone who enters at least once will receive one of those now-popular coupons for $5 off on your next
purchase from Twisted Oak Winery (by internet, phone, or fax.) Limit one coupon per person (if
you enter a hundred times, you won't get a hundred coupons - but you may earn our admiration or loathing...!) The coupons will be delivered after the contest completes.
10. Offer void where prohibited, immoral, or fattening.
Oh yeah - there's a GRAND PRIZE! If your back label is selected, you'll receive in compensation for
your efforts a case of the 2007 Sierra Foothills Ruben's Blend upon its release this summer. And every bottle will have your back label on it! How 
-ing cool is that?
Visit this post for the technical details you may choose to use (or not use) to help write your back label. Good luck!!
Soooooooooooooo? who won??? Will Rubens backside go un-named?
Posted by: Helen Reynolds | March 21, 2008 at 10:22 AM