Monday, January 3, 2022
Exciting news for our family winery today, Wine Industry Network announced Ali Story as “Wine’s Most Inspiring People”. "Each year, Wine Industry Advisor chooses 10 individuals within the wine industry who showcase leadership, innovation, and inspiration. For the first time in 2021, WIA opened up the submission process to the industry at large. With over 100 nominees, the editorial team selected the top 10 individuals who they felt has truly, positively impacted the US wine culture over the past year.” Stacy Briscoe, Managing Editor of Wine Industry Network.
“My head is spinning with so many thoughts today after these last two unbelievably hard years for our new winery. The lessons along the way, the numerous others who’ve inspired me both in and out of the the wine industry. It’s my greatest hope that Smith Story Wine Cellars will continue to be a leader in offering exceptional wines that are accessible to everyone.
Social media, our email communication, our in-person hospitality all continue to allow us to tell our story with tremendous transparency and heart. I’m nearing 20+ years in this crazy business of wine and of all the wineries I’ve fallen hard for, Smith Story has grown due to the support of wine lovers who care about seeing our family winery succeed in this giant world of wine. Your loyalty is beyond mind-blowing, what an honor to have been nominated by my peers and receive this award!”, Ali.
How can you continue to be a part of Our Story? Share this news, good news is THE perfect pairing with Smith Story Wines. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in 2022. The next few days are filled with planning the 2022+ road ahead here in Healdsburg, meeting with our wholesale teams and hiring the right people who’ll enable us to keep spreading our wings. Tasting room reservations are now open through April and most preferred. However, shopping and just stopping in to relax is welcome too. Details on our VISIT page.
Cheers to so much peace, love and delicious wine in 2022!
Thank you,
Eric and Ali Story
PS. Big Congrats to Storyteller Cathy Huyghe—Writer, Entrepreneur, Meditator too! We are among great company.
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April 12, 2024 Update
Single Vineyard Series // Pinot Noir
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A new tasting offering!
Smith Story Wine Cellars, Single Vineyard
Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir
From the Deep-End to Boonville, a chance to taste these
life-changing wines together.
Reserve your time with us in Healdsburg
NEXT WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA
Wednesday April 17 // Charlotte:
Ali's leading a tasting at Petit Philippe (a long time supporter of Smith Story!) for Charlotte Food and Wine (purchase tickets)
Thursday April 18 // Raleigh:
Ali's pouring at Hope Valley Country Club, who is a member? Spread the word to others!
Friday April 19 // Atlantic Beach:
Join Ali from 5-7pm for a Smith Story Wine Tasting at Bahia Beach House.
It's been since 2019 that Ali's been able to work with our fabulous wholesale partner, Cellar Distributing. She's with the sales team in Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham and then a little something special in Atlantic Beach by the weekend! Please contact Cellar Distributing if you can open a door for us in this wonderful state, both Eric and Ali have lifelong memories of North Carolina and now numerous fans of Smith Story also live in NC.
END OF VINTAGE WARNING!
These beauties are nearly sold-out, please build your summer case of wines and place an order today for pick-up in Healdsburg or choose to have your order shipped while the weather is still cool across the country. This support also helps our small winery so much! Current inventory is very small in wholesale markets this year due to limited production these past few years here.
![Smith Story Olivet Lane Chardonnay](https://mcusercontent.com/06b73fa722d8a0ed55b088391/images/908d20d0-7f00-72bc-4c3f-fd7c68fda0d4.jpeg)
2021 Smith Story Olivet Lane, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $64 // A California Chardonnay for White Burgundy Lovers.
2023 Smith Story Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County. $40 // Our first SauvyB fermented and aged in concrete eggs.
2022 Smith Story "Lakota's View", Sémillon, Sonoma Mountain. $40 // The last drop from this vineyard until we win the lotto and buy the place.
2019 Smith Story Pickberry VIneyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Mountain $96 // 2023 is the next release from this legendary vineyard, so Cab fans, please load up now.
Cheers from Healdsburg this morning!
Dusty Ann Rhodes
Hospitality Director, Smith Story Wine Cellars
PS. If you are planning flights to visit, STS is the Sonoma County Airport code, minutes away from us!
Visiting Smith Story in April
Hey there! It's Dusty, your Hospitality Director at Smith Story Wine Cellars, and I'm absolutely thrilled to catch up with you and offer you the warmest of welcomes.
Spring has finally arrived in Healdsburg, and we couldn't be more excited to swing open our doors and invite you back to our beautiful tasting patio and wine garden. By the way, if you haven't had the chance to check out the stunning mural adorning our patio wall, you're in for a treat. Ask us about the fantastic story behind its creation – it's a real gem!
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There's no better time than now to visit our joy-filled tasting room and wine garden nestled right in the heart of Healdsburg. California
California Poppies are popping, and the sunshine feels so good. Our beloved Sauvignon Blanc is back in stock, and let me tell you, the good-times and laughter filling our space are positively infectious!
Oh and only a few cases remain of the 2023 SauvyB!
See you soon,
Dusty
Smith Story Wine ...
Join Us // Invite Us
Wine of the Week: 2019 Smith Story Cabernet Franc, Sonoma County
Last week here in Sonoma County began with loads of new spring sunshine. By Friday we had dark skies cut with rays of sunlight peeking through big white cartoon-like clouds with bright rainbows that filled the gaps.
A glass of our 2019 Smith Story Cabernet Franc was in hand when a rainbow hit our kitchen windows and stopped Ali in her tracks. A magical wine and magical moment. A handful of cases available.
Spring Wine Release Shipping
If picking up in Healdsburg, please let us know in advance by emailing tastings at smithstorywines.com so we can properly host you.
Keep an eye out for your tracking number email if your orders are being shipped. Reminder: once you receive your tracking number any and all shipping changes must be handled by you through the carrier. Smith Story can not make changes for you once the shipment has left our hands.
April 2 // The All American Wine Story
Join us at the Glen Ellen Star for an evening of celebration. A 5-course dinner pairing with our new Spring Wine Releases and a few "First Borns". To reserve a seat at this very special dinner with us. A Celebration of 10 Years of Smith Story Wine Cellars... you won't want to miss!
Visit the Smith Story tasting room.
Oh guests are enjoying our new plant-based cheese pairings. Please reserve in advance as we coordinate with husband wife team at Nova Terra Creamery in Calistoga on the freshest deliveries of their handmade cheeses.
You may also select from other offerings listed on TOCK. No reservations required for wine and vintage sundries shopping of course. Open Hours: Thursday - reservation only. Friday-Monday reservations and walk-ins welcome. Bring your wine-loving friends to Smith Story!
Last Call!
Less than 12 Storyteller memberships available for the Spring Release. For those of you new to the Smith Story Mailing List... this is the last call for our 2024 Spring release Wines. A very limited amount is available for purchase on smithstoryswines.com this week only. Storytellers receive savings on wine, shipping and a growing list of benefits too. To join.
Smith Story Socials // Invite us over
The 2024 calendar is filling up, dates available for West Coast & Bay Area socials are the most flexible. Reach out to Dusty to coordinate an up-close and personal fabulous Smith Story Wine tasting with us in your home. Details
See you soon, thank you for your loyal support and Sharing The Smith Story!
- Ali & Eric
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5995 Bottles!
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March 16, 2024
I woke up this morning to check the numbers. First thing that flashed in my head was standing in line as a young girl wearing my grass-stained soccer uniform with sweat dripping down my face saying "good game" while high-fiving the winning team.
But in this case, there was no real opponent, only a big challenge for our winery.
The angst of a small winery was stacked against us from the start. For example, no budget to hire cool celebrities like George Clooney or Taylor Swift to endorse Smith Story or buy ads in wine magazines (do you even read these nowadays?). These days personal email communication is the best way our three-person staff can reach you. We did and do what we can also using social media to spread the word.
A close friend called to tell us he was going to look for our wines at a retail chain Total Wine. Which he of course didn't find Smith Story Wines. Since the debaucles of 2020, we don't make that much wine these days to afford massive 3-tier distribution. Those of you who know the history of William Selyem for example, those guys started making wine in their garage buying grapes from family owned vineyards, it wasn't until very recent years that you could find their wines in retail establishments.
Oh a stealth (and beautiful) wine foundation is set however! Between our single vineyard Smith Story Wines, Lord Sandwich wines, BRAVE and Eric Story Selections from Europe, we have created a very scalable wine company! The time has come for us to partner with a winery who can help us grow to the levels of success we began working so hard at for a decade now. The future is a bright one!
Hat's Off to You!
We'll take this campaign and 5995 number as a big win! Many new Smith Story fans placed orders, local fine wine accounts stepped up to support, dozens of new Storytellers joined and best of all, our most loyal supporters of Smith Story Wine Cellars gobbled up "first borns" and are saving a chunk of change on shipping and on wine prices. THANK YOU!
Our sincerest gratitude goes out to each of you reading this today, thank you for sharing our story and enjoying The Spirit of Smith Story Wine! Ten years of your incredible encouragement and support, we are so very lucky to have you with us. What is next? A special tiny lot release is coming in May. And also, you'll see and hear from us on what to cook with Smith Story Wines this summer. We are working on a new series in the kitchen for you to have some fun with!
Cheers to the first ten years of Smith Story Wines and to the strength and delight of ten more to come!
In love and gratitude,
Ali & Eric
AS OF TODAY
Update as of February 28 at 2pm.
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3101 BOTTLES SOLD, THANK YOU!
The Storyteller Spring Wine Release allocations are now secured. But hold on, we can do this! The 10,000 bottle campaign is now extended through March 15. Shop online or visit us in Healdsburg Fridays through Mondays.
The weather here was not kind to us the first few weeks of February with heavy rain storms and power-outages. Unfortunately visitation was very quiet here in wine country.
10 years of betting the farm for us; making fine wines, pulling corks, sleepless nights, shaking hands, giving hugs, sending thank yous, petting dogs, kissing babies and running our small but mighty winery through some very tough years.
TODAY: We only need 700 fans to take advantage of our $10 shipping on 10 Bottles or more special savings to make our goal happen. Bottle prices range from $14 for our rosé to $125 for a library edition cabernet sauvignon.
Help us meet our 10,000 bottle goal and help you save on small hand-crafted Smith Story Wines. Our 2024 Spring Wine Release wines will begin shipping on April 1 and also available for pick-up in Healdsburg then.
Remember we're drawing names of 10 lucky people once we hit 10,000 bottles for a private tasting in your home town or ours. So keep sharing this opportunity with your friends and help spread the word.
LET'S DO THIS!
NEED HELP DECIDING?
A FEW HIGHLIGHTS AVAILABLE...
2021 Lord Sandwich Blanc: 69 bottles
2021 Smith Story Rosé: 636 bottles
2022 BRAVE Carbonic Zin: 106 bottles
2022 Smith Story Filigreen Farm Pinot Noir: 1336 bottles
2016 Smith Story Pickberry Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon: 72 bottles
SMITH STORY WINE SHOP
A Story From Eric
Sunday February 18, 2024
Hello from Healdsburg. Join me this weekend in Healdsburg here if you can. I'm leading a tasting of our "first borns", offering one session per day next Saturday and Sunday only. It's going to be so special to have you here and to pull corks and let you in on our journey along the way. Seating is limited to 20 people each day. I'm only opening one bottle of each wine, a few bottles will be available for purchase afterwards too. We don't have ample inventory. Details and to secure a seat are on TOCK
I'm writing to you today for more reasons than you probably care to hear about. But a few things on my mind I think I should share, so here's a story.
I've been in the wine business pretty much my entire adult life. This business has taken me around the world, taught me lessons no class nor school could come close to, connected me with the dearest humans beings on the planet, heck, it's how I met my wife! Now here I am in 2024, sitting behind a laptop waiting to host guests with a new Smith Story ballcap on and a wearing a decade old flannel shirt spilling my guts to you.
Celebrating Ten Years of Smith Story Wine Cellars is a big deal in my world. Ten years ago is more like 14 years ago to me. 14 years ago I began falling pretty hard for a gal from Texas with big hair and an even bigger sense of humor. A woman who was nearly possessed about creating success for family owned wineries and also made me laugh. Ali had become a leader among leaders in the wine biz and a real protagonist for family owned wineries across the world since the day we met in 2003.
It was then 14 years go that we both began saying to each other "What if, what if one day we started a winery ourselves? What wines would we make, how would and could we afford to do such a thing". We both knew Anderson Valley Pinot Noir and a bright, fresh and tasty Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County were first on our list of wines to make.
So we went deep into planning together and began detailing our future of starting a small winery mostly at night after work and over dinner and bottles we found inspiration from. Ali and I both loved our current jobs, mine as a head wine buyer for K&L Wine Merchants and Ali's sales and marketing role consulting for family owned wineries. As soon as we began asking vintner friends and wine biz pros what they thought of our new winery plan, they unanimously said YES! DO IT! YOU GOT THIS!
Fast forward to today, February 18, 2024. The wine business for boutique family owned wineries has changed. Mostly due to modest financial means of a boutique winery now having to compete with the well-funded and huge wineries from here and all over the world more than ever before.
So today, I only look back on the struggles of recent years to lean into boundless strength and continue to move forward. Two very special wines in our 2024 Smith Story Spring Wine Release are from the 2022 vintage. Ali and I were waiting on results during this harvest season from her scans after 18 months of breast cancer treatment. God knows we were trying our best to "never let them see you sweat'. Well, it was in the middle of harvest that we did receive news of "no evidence of disease". GOOD NEWS! These 2022 wines are full of emotion for us. A vintage full of celebration and also a vintage that we began rebuilding, we could finally take a breath. The past few years were almost to much to bear. But oh how the business has changed since fires and the pandemic years, yet again we got to work pushing ourselves harder than we could have ever imagined.
So wearing my heart on my old flannel shirt today with you. Thanks for listening. Thanks for loving our wines, thanks for the endless support and understanding of what our small family has endured these last handful of years to just keep making wine with integrity, create a livelihood for our family and our future.
Please don't hesitate, jump on these new release wines now. They will not be available on your favorite discount websites or even in our own personal favorite wine shops, we could only make tiny amounts due to limited budgets. If you are reading now this far along, you probably enjoy our single vineyard Pinot Noirs from the Anderson Valley. The Filigreen Farm linked below is a stunner, take my word for it, it's one for the ages. Once you've enjoyed good, real fine wine, there's no going back!
- Eric
2022 SMITH STORY FILIGREEN FARM PINOT NOIR, ANDERSON VALLEY
Our Storytellers have secured their allocations and remaining inventory is now available for purchase.
Our single vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs have been nothing less than a huge success since we began producing wine in 2014. You loved our 2017 Pinot Gris from Filigreen Farm. 2022 is our first Pinot Noir from this biodynamic and organically farmed beloved Anderson Valley vineyard. Our first time using 50% whole cluster too.
Quintessential Anderson Valley spice on the nose, 100% pommard clone clusters that produced juicy wild berries with vivid aromas. The mouthfeel is layered and full of fruit packed with blue and black berries intermingled with glamorous intensity but remains very fresh. A true Smith Story Star.
Biodynamic farming, hand harvested on 9/24/22, hand sorted 50% destemmed, 50% whole cluster, fermented in stainless steel tank, Rested in French Burgundy barrels 65% neutral & 35% new. 100% Pommard clone. Alc. 13.3%, 250 case production (this wine will begin shipping and be available for pickup April 2024).
$10 on 10 Bottles or More // 10,000 Bottles of Smith Story
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Halftime Report from Wine Country
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This is the adorable face of loyalty! Redwood City native, Eric Story has been a San Francisco 49ers fan his entire life. I've been a fan of clever Super Bowl commercials my entire life, so Super Bowl LVIII is a dream!
Loyal fans of Smith Story Wines are the reason we've achieved 10 years. Well over half of our active customers have been with us for over five years now, many since our Kickstarter campaign in 2014. THANK YOU! Yesterday's 3rd Annual Dungeness Crab Cake and White Wine tasting was full of new fans and dedicated Smith Story friends for life. Eric and I feel so very honored, loyalty to our wines means the world to us. Oh and here's my Crab Cake Recipe.
OFFER ENDS TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT:
For our Sparkling Wine and Cabernet Sauvignon Fans!
A gift for you, take $13 off a bottle of each (Smith Story Sparkling and/or 2019 Smith Story Pickberry Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon) when 4 or more bottles are purchased.
Use this special promo code: lucky13
AND ... 10,000 Bottles of Smith Story
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Take advantage of this tremendous savings and opportunity to help us grow while helping you save. $10 shipping on a 10 bottle purchase or more.
- Ali ...so far I loved the opening NFL spot, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups made me laugh and poppi soda was so clever, wish I had one right now.
Dungeness Crab Cakes
An annual tradition for Smith Story Wine Cellars during Dungeness Crab Season. This is Ali's go-to recipe, now these are baked but can easily be fried in olive oil and butter if you prefer. Depending on the type of crab you are using, the salt content of cooked and canned crab can vary significantly. If your crab is very salty to begin with, use the seasoning sparingly. Also, crab in tin cans taste fishy, too fishy for this recipe. Find bulk at your local seafood counter.
Served with: ANY Smith Story White Wine! But particularly delicious with the 2021 Smith Story Olive Lane Vineyard Chardonnay and Smith Story Sparkling Brut!
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Servings: 15 crab cakes
Prep Time: 30minutes mins
Cook Time: 30minutes mins
Total Time: 1hour
Ingredients
Crab Cake Ingredients:
• 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 large shallot, finely diced
• 3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
• 2 large eggs
• 3 Tbsp mayo
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp old bay seasoning
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 lb lump crab meat, from 2 Dungeness crabs
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cups parsley, finely chopped
Lemon Aioli Dip:
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 Tbsp Meyer lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
How to Make Crab Cakes:
• In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp oil and saute diced bell pepper, shallot (add minced garlic during the last minute) until golden and soft (7-9 min) then remove from heat and let cool.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 3 Tbsp mayo, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, old bay seasoning and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
• Drain and pick over the crab meat to make sure there aren’t any shells, lightly breaking up big pieces of meat. Transfer to the large bowl with egg mixture.
• Add cooled bell pepper and onion, panko crumbs and parsley and stir until combined and moistened. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. THIS IS IMPORTANT!
• Divide mixture into about 15 cakes. With wet hands, lightly shape into 1/2” thick patties. Bake on on cookie sheet at 400 degrees until golden brown.
Aioli
• In a small bowl, stir together the lemon aioli dip ingredients until well blended. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve with the warm crab cakes.
Serve cakes over a bed of baby Arugula and a Meyer lemon wedge. Micro-greens are also delicious to add.
An update on 10,000 Bottles of Smith Story
Hello from a very wet week in Sonoma County. Mother Nature yet again is in charge. Thankfully, we only incurred the inconvenience of a power outage from the winter storm. Sunshine and blue skies are soon to make an appearance. A busy weekend ahead with our 3rd Annual Dungeness Crab Cake Tasting, reservation deadline is end of day today.
10,000 Bottles of Smith Story
UPDATE// We're still hanging right under 3,000 bottles. The state of California is in the lead, with Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Oregon and Washington making rapid advances. Have you participated yet? Bring your favorite wine friends and co-workers in for a case or two. A tremendous opportunity to help us grow while helping you save. $10 shipping on a 10 bottle purchase or more!
This week: Thanks to "A Fifty Swifty" as Eric says.
For Our Sparkling Wine and Cabernet Sauvignon Fans!
A little gift for you, take $13 off a bottle of each (Smith Story Sparkling and/or 2019 Smith Story Pickberry Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon) when 4 or more bottles are purchased. We mentioned that this month is going to be full of specials to help meet the 10,000 Bottles of Smith Story! Pickup in Healdsburg or take advantage of the 10,000 Bottles of Smith Story exclusive shipping deal! Inventory is limited.
Special Promo Code: lucky13
2024 Smith Story Spring Wine Release
There is no better time to take advantage of savings benefits. Never joined a wine club? We are members of a very select few and know our dollars matter to the small family owned wineries whose wines we enjoy. Also a great way to discover and explore wines from places we may not normally dive into.
Storyteller members also have exclusive library releases in this shipment to also select from. We opened a bottle of the 2015 Smith Story Nash Mill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley this week, and yes, it just may be the best, the very best bottle of pinot noir that we have ever sipped. A big statement considering the large number of Pinot Noirs we've had in our lifetime. Opened Saturday night with friends at Flambeaux Wine and saved a little to try again a few days later, this 2015 was PHENOMENAL with bright red fruits wrapped up in a elegant finish.
This spring release is small but absolutely incredible. You may easily join online for access, our club is simply delicious, customizable, savings on wines, shipping and local hospitality and always delivers the very best of Smith Story Wine Cellars. The spring release includes three single vineyards...
2023 Smith Story Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County // 100 case.
2022 Smith Story "Lakota's View", Sémillon, Sonoma Mountain // 100 cases.
2022 Smith Story Filigreen Farm, Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley // 250 cases.
View 2024 Smith Story Spring Release Details.
Peace and love...and drink the good stuff!
- Ali & Eric
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And so it begins...Start-up Mode.
In all honesty, we are scared to death during these beginning months of building the foundation for Smith Story Wine Cellars. Besides our years in the wine business, both Eric and I have been working full-time before we were old enough to legally drive - so we know our work ethic and drive at the very least will make this happen. What we are scared to death about the most is:
- Keeping our first years of marriage stress-free
- Fees and business areas that are foreign to us while in start-up mode
- Taking on investors
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One: Smith Story Wine Cellars is sorta like our newborn, this little bundle comes complete with feelings of joy and sleep deprivation from worry. Well, thank goodness we have plenty of wine to help relax us and a million-dollar view from our rental home in San Rafael as we will be taking staycations for a long while. So #1 we aren't too worried about. Plus Lord Sandwich (our giant Goldendoodle provides us with hourly laughs). And we love each other so much it may sicken others.
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Two: As for getting into the real art of understanding new business licenses, to LLC or to INC, setting up bank accounts, reporting taxes (um yeah, we won't be selling anything for awhile), paying experts to help us swim through all this with either wine trade, dog sitting, baked goods /BBQ ribs, wine sales or hard cash is also part of the plan. Holy %#!@ this is hard, confusing, and crazy stressful part of starting a new business. We just want to do it right from the beginning. Breath, just breath. I also find my self praying a little more each week, God give us strength and the insight to make right decisions each day. Seriously. Don't sweat the small stuff. I repeat.
It's truly when Eric and I are in the vineyards, talking to our winemaking team, tasting wines that excite us is what exactly keeps us filled with courage and pressing on to make this happen and become sustainable. We are determined.
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Three: We are not starting with a small fortune, we are starting with our sleeves rolled up ready to rock this business plan. Neither one of us come from money or cashed out from Silicon Valley lucky-cards and we've hardly borrowed a dime before. We've worked for everything we have, memories and material things alike. A handful of folks have reached out in asking how they can invest (seems that Eric & I are a live-and-in-person solid business plan together).
All that we know is that investors are crucial for us in the first few years of building. We are listening with great intent and are overwhelmed by the amount of support and generosity that MAY happen. Making an investment in Smith Story Wine Cellars is long-term and according to our massive forecasts will be a safe place (unless Acts of God happen) for our investors - plus they'll have plenty of great wine along the way.
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This scary new frontier will soon pass, the vines are already singing for an incredible 2014 Harvest ahead and by this time next year with all our might & hope - our first wine offerings will be released and sold-out. There's a reason the words "Start-up Mode" is a part of the new business process and I can not wait to look back and smile at all that we've accomplished on day... sooner than later!
This is Our Story.
- Ali
The Introduction
Oh here we go, onto a new chapter for Eric & I as we've reached our 1 year wedding anniversary. Today marks the official debut of Smith Story Wine Cellars - giving birth of sorts to our newest little bundle of joy!
Best to answer the top questions of the day:
Yes - we are still 100% working our regular jobs (K&L Wine Merchants & TexaCali Wine Co.) and are grateful for your continued enthusiasm of our wine regions and winery clients we support so diligently. To quote the pioneering Philip Togni we are not starting "with a small fortune". We are working like mad to make this next Chapter in our lives come together and prosper.
NO - we are not producing Riesling from California, we feel it's best to leave that up to our pals over in Germany.
Many elements of our beginnings are written on the website, but I must be honest here and tell the world that for over a decade, the vision of walking through a vineyard in the Anderson Valley hand-in-hand with Eric Story along with our loyal dogs has stuck with me each and every day.
The winery name was spontaneously created while sitting & sipping rum on the stunning Mauna Kea beach on the Big Island of Hawaii ... where we tied-the-knot 12 months ago in the hills of Holualoa. Eric and I both paused after hearing Smith Story Wine Cellars. Though not sure who blurted it out first, we thought the name had a nice ring, and man could our stories go far and wide with all that we've worked so hard to accomplish in the wine business over the past decade.
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So I ask you to follow Our Chapters, become involved with Our Story and please support our new small family business. The best way to do so now is to sign up for our mailing list.
Yeah yeah, we are following our dreams and all that, but it's our biggest wish to create a sustainable winery that can support not only the 2 of us, but all the vineyard growers we partner with, our wonderful winemaking team and everyone else involved with the entire supply chain of making and selling fine wines from California.
A number can't possibly be guessed on the many wine producers that have inspired us in our lifetime. Eric and I are so very humbled and honored to start this new chapter in our lives.
This is Our Story,
Ali