news

June 20, 2009

A New Web Site, Twisted Awards, and Customer (Dis)Service

(Opting for the 1WineDude style of headline writing this time.)

Webshot1-300 We have a new web site! - for which I plan to blog more about presently, but you can of course visit it at www.twistedoak.com. We've got some new features, like customer reviews, and some new wines!

And we just got word that our newly released 2006 Calaveras Petite Sirah got another Double Gold, this time from the California State Fair. (Let's all have one big Woo Hoo!)

But what I really wanted to talk about today is customer service. This blog post was prompted by a post in another blog and a letter I received recently. First, the blog post...

You won't often see me calling out another winery, but this one appalled me and quite a few other people I've showed it to. In fact, I'm amazed that the winery (Chateau Julien) hasn't pulled the post. You can read the post titled "This is funny! I suggest he call his insurance company!" here.

I hope anyone reading this blog realizes what a horrible example of customer service this represents. We can certainly argue over whether saying "no" was appropriate - the winery could have a reasonable policy to not replace bottles of a certain age - however, you could still offer to send the current vintage. But then to go on and mock the writer... you had the chance to make a friend (for so few dollars), and you blew it!

Now that I've ripped another winery, you have your shot at me. I recently received a letter from a long-time Twisted Few wine club member, which said in part:

"I find it appalling that The Spaniard was recently offered on winewoot at a deeply discounted price. Makes me think that River of Skulls might not be far behind. If you are going to slash the price why not offer it to the wine club who already appreciates your wine? Yeah, I know, might be a good introduction to get some new customers... You guys have to call it."

And here is what I wrote back:

"I can see you had been a member quite a long time, maybe three years? Software changes have made it difficult to keep track, but your low customer number doesn't lie. Please accept my appreciation for sticking with us for so long as we've tried to grow this into a viable business.

"As you rightly point out [later in his letter], the wine business right now is more insanely competitive than it ever has been. You might be shocked to know how much wine we give away for free in our tasting rooms and at tasting events around the area. It's over 10% of production. But it's something you have to do to entice new customers to take home some of your wine.

"Getting our name out beyond this area is even more difficult. Even though we don't make very much money from a wine.woot it has proven to be a great way to introduce ourselves to an open-mined wine loving community. Since we can't give free tasting samples to this far-flung community the next best thing is to give the opportunity to try our wines - an introductory offer. The wine.woot offers have paid off with wine club signups and repeat purchases, not to mention some great word of mouth from the wine.woot community."

So, let me have it. How did I do?

March 18, 2009

Las Vegas Change of Plans

Today we are at Lee's on Sunset in Henderson. Tomorrow Lee's on East Flamingo in Vegas. Both 4-6. Hope to see you!

March 17, 2009

Las Vegas Itinerary THIS WEEK

Sorry for the short notice - today (Tuesday) I will be pouring at Lee's Liquor from about 4-6pm at their location at 10935 S. Eastern Ave in Henderson (map).

Wednesday I will be pouring at the East Flamingo Lee's Liquor at 3480 E. Flamingo Rd Las Vegas, also 4-6pm (map).

Thursday I will be jumping over to Valley Cheese & Wine 1770 West Horizon Ridge Pkwy Suite #110 in Henderson (map) (website). (I believe this will be 5-7pm.)

Please let your friends in the Las Vegas area know! Or come by yourself!

November 10, 2008

A Library Extravaganza!

DSC_7451a300 We've got another library event under our belts, and it was a great one! Those who were not absent enjoyed 2004 Viognier, 2003 Tempranillo, 2002 Murgatroyd, 2002 Ferriere and Tanners Syrahs, and 2002 Petite Sirah.

I do want to especially mention the fine work done by Wren Creative Food on the killer pairings with the wines! (pictured: mmmmmmanchego!) Jennifer also came up with great pizza, lamb meatballs, and brownies!

Other than that, enjoy the pictures!!

DSC_7462a450
DSC_7505a450
DSC_7509a450
DSC_7475a450
DSC_7535a450

October 20, 2008

Shhhh! A Twisted Library Extravaganza!

Library_logo_2008blog300 On November 8th we will be having our annual Shhhh! A Twisted Library Extravaganza! which is an open house at Twisted Oak Winery where we feature our old %@#$!, not to mention our old *%#&@!, Tempranillo, Syrah -  you name it!

This Extravaganza is free for the Twisted Few and their guests, and $10 for the Many (that would be the rest of you.)

We have quite a few wines we could pull out of storage to pour for you; but rather than make an arbitrary decision based on greed, envy - and several other Deadly Sins - why not a vote? Do you have a favorite wine you have enjoyed before and want to again, or perhaps you have always wondered what an old *%#&@! would be like....? Whatever the motivation, here are the wines and vintages we have available to pour - let us know (in the comments or to tastingroom@twistedoak.com) what you think!

Tanner Syrah: 2002, 2003, 2004
Ferriere Syrah: 2002
Calaveras Syrah: 2003

Murgatroyd: 2002, 2003, 2004
Tempranillo: 2003, 2004

Petite Sirah: 2003, 2004
Red Rhone, aka *%#&@!: 2003
Grenache: 2003

White Rhone, aka %@#$!: 2004
Viognier: 2004
Pig Stai: 2004

October 16, 2008

Getting cozy on the coast.



It's hard being a Harlot. (was that a third person referance? Eeew!)
I'm down here in the San Diego area on a mission to infiltrate the local market with Twisted juice. While I've already got two garaunteed placements ( Iowa Meats & Kensington Vine ) I need your help! Help!!! If you love Twisted Oak wines and happen to live south of L.A., preferably closer to Mexico, don't you want to see them locally? Just request from your local merchant to carry the Twisted Oak brand! Yes, it's that easy! Of course it requires some work on our part as well as our partners at Maddalena Distributing. But if we all pull together, we can do anything!
Have your merchant email us at tastingroom@twistedoak.com and we'll get the proverbial ball rolling! Cheers for now, Harlot ~ out

October 04, 2008

The Grapes Are Here!



Squish 'em!

Calaveras Grape Stomp!



Get up here!

October 01, 2008

Grape Stomp This Weekend!

Come join us at the annual Calaveras Grape Stomp this Saturday October 4th in Murphys! (I'd tell you where in Murphys but it's pretty much the whole town!)

Here's a promo that appeared today on KCRA channel 3 in Sacramento, featuring our own Fermento and Wine Harlot - enjoy, and happy squishing! (Just click the image.)

Grapestompstill

September 25, 2008

Diamondback on Monday night!

Heather_iphone_098

 

Hope to see you all there on Monday night at the fabulous Diamondback Wine Bar in downtown Sonora. I will bring both Rhone Blends, Petite Sirah and a smile! (cheesy!)
Eric and the gang already pour the Tempranillo, Viognier and Syrah with gusto. Be there at 5:30 for some yummy wines and appetizers.
Harlot~out