Gary Vaynerchuk’s Crushpad Project

August 31st, 2007

We’ll admit we were both relieved and disappointed at Gary V’s announcement yesterday. We had all sorts of theories that he was going to be franchising his store to LA and converting the few but loyal Domainiacs to Vayniacs.

But what he announced doesn’t seem too revolutionary to us. More like a great business plan where he creates his own Cult Cab brand, and then makes a huge amount of money pre-selling the stuff (Screaming Eagle mailing-list-style) and then inviting free labor along for the ride, footing their own bill to boot! No distributors or wineries to pay. A small cut to Crushpad and the rest cuts out the middle-man.

Okay, so the concept of a community wine is fun, but groundbreaking? We were a little underwhelmed. Please weigh in!

{democracy}

12 Responses to “Gary Vaynerchuk’s Crushpad Project”

monkuwino
August 31st, 2007 at 6:36 am

I was surprised myself. While it is true that this is a great way to make money (the publicity, pre-sales, cheap labor, etc.), it is also keeping in line with his constantly promoted theme of everyone being in the Vayniac family. I think it’s going to promote a lot of loyalty and keep him in the forefront of things, but also promote goodwill among all the participants. I’m not sure if I would buy a bottle myself but it’s a brilliant idea. I’m also glad he’s staying on as host - he’s the whole show so it makes no sense for him to leave.
admin
August 31st, 2007 at 7:32 am

I’m sort of hoping that when the wine is finished, Gary will send it to all the major critics for scoring, then do a WLTV episode with them giving their video-tasting notes. THAT would be interesting.
Paul Mabray
August 31st, 2007 at 8:46 am

I’d like to see how the cork’d and snooth and winelog ratings of his new wine will compare to that of the critics. It would be nice to have him show that the public votes differently than the critics.

Inertia - Powering the Wine Revolution

—Paul Mabray - CEO
admin
August 31st, 2007 at 8:52 am

Thanks Paul. I agree, that would be interesting. However, at 500 cases, most of the people with access to the Vayniac wine will be those who pre-bought it. So they will have an investment in the wine, emotionally as well as financially. This makes that a sticky proposition. It’s all very intriguing, though!
Gary Vaynerchuk
August 31st, 2007 at 9:14 am

I will save 4 cases to sample out to reviewers and to peeps like u and other bloggers, that can be fun, Sorry to let u down D547..I will keep trying
monkuwino
August 31st, 2007 at 11:35 am

I’m wondering what sort of pricetag this wine is going to carry..
admin
August 31st, 2007 at 3:30 pm

$38 a bottle (”on sale from $49.99″)
admin
September 1st, 2007 at 10:41 am

Gary, you were spammed again! don’t know what it is??? We keep approving your comments and then they still wind up in our spam folder which we only check oh so often.

What can we say? If we weren’t skeptical nobody else would be. Everybody loves you so much (and we have a soft spot too), somebody out here has to keep everything in check.

Also –moment of honesty– your name drives traffic. So sometimes we’re provocative for selfish reasons (you understand business as well as you understand wine)! Though I doubt any of your fans will want to come shop with us any time soon

Let’s change the wine world together. We’re in for 6 bottles. d547 spreading the love.
el jefe
September 1st, 2007 at 10:26 pm

It IS intriguing but it isn’t revolutionary. I am part of a blogger project from last year. What is different is the size of the project - and Gary V. is the guy who can pull it off. I’m in for the koolaid, because even though I’m in the business, it will be a lot of fun!
Kathleen
September 4th, 2007 at 12:53 pm

I was inspired by Gary V.’s idea! I am currently looking at local wineries that offer wine lovers the same opportunity (hotel, rental car and plane fare to Napa is too high!). There are at least a couple on Long Island. I am visiting one this weekend.
Kathleen
Albany, NY
Lenn Thompson
September 6th, 2007 at 12:22 pm

Kathleen…there’s actually only one on Long Island…but I’m talking to them about doing something with them for the 2008 vintage.

I had a small group ready to do a cab franc at a local vineyard (that doesn’t normally do it) but too many people bailed!
Kathleen
September 13th, 2007 at 9:34 am

Lenn,
I love Waters Crest Cab Franc. I’m in for a piece of that barrel if you buy one. Should we do a New York wine blogger barrel?
Kathleen

get your wine on

2007 Scholium Project Naucratis Verdelho

Abe Schoener strikes again, this time with a great Verdelho at a slightly lower price-point than the Gemella. This is 100% tank-fermented and a very dry, mineral-laden wine. This is one of the reasons why Schoener is earning status as a winemaker as a cult winemaker. It delivers. $28 for Scholium goodness.

2007 Skylark Cellars Alondra Chardonnay

I admit, I really don’t dig Chardonnay, so you don’t see many around these parts. I do, however, love this one. Not surpisingly, it’s unoaked. $18 of un-oaked, un-malo’ed goodness!

2007 La Fenetre “A Coté” Red Blend, Santa Barbara County from Timeless Palate Wines

This is astoundingly good for the money. It’s 60% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, and 40% Merlot from the Bien Nacido Vineyard. The winemaker, Josh Klapper, is a mere 29 years old and one to watch. This is red, juicy and lush but not over the top. $18 and worth every penny.

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freshly pressed

Wine Store Design Continued: More Racks and Lights and Stuff:

Just a couple of images for the now…

Some of the single-depth racks, assembled (thanks again to Tim Krablin of Modern Cellar for the photo)…

And the interior of one of the lampshades, of which there will be 48, in three different shades of blue-ish purple. Keep in mind this is 36″ in diameter — as in three feet (the exterior is aluminum, non-powdercoated. I’ll let your imagination do the work).

Maybe one day I’ll post about the wines I’ve been tasting and stocking, and actually try to sell you something…which would possibly help me pay for all these neat things…ummmm, maybe next week…

Wine Store Design Continued: More Racks and Lights and Stuff

June 19th, 2009

Wine Store Design Part 4: Wine Rack Construction

June 5th, 2009

Wine Store Design Part 3: Urinal Defense Fund

June 3rd, 2009

wine jargon

Frizzante
From Wikipedia: Frizzante is an Italian wine term term for semi-sparkling wine (as opposed to Spumante, which is generally used for fully sparkling wines). Frizzante wines generally owe their bubbles to a partial secondary fermentation in tank. You might notice a light fizz or tingly sensation on the tongue with a Frizzante wine, compared to the more carbonated sensation that more fully sparkling wines yield.

Scorekage
Okay, so we made up this word yesterday after a great restaurant experience. We brought a bottle of wine with us, expecting to pay a corkage fee. But the restaurant either forgot to charge us the $15, or decided to be nice to us. We scored! Hence, “scorekage” has entered our lexicon. This can also refer to BYO friendly restaurants that don’t charge for corkage under any circumstances.

Frizzante

March 29th, 2008

Scorekage

March 23rd, 2008

Rioja

March 3rd, 2008

grapewise

I recently stopped by Venokado, a new-ish shop in LA. I bought a Lirac imported by Kermit Lynch, and it was yummers. Last night I had the pleasure of spending some time with one of its owners, Susan Brink.

domaine547