But I’m not. Funny, it was pointed out to me that domaine547.com appears as a successful example of social media in wine (juxtaposed against the Wine Spectator of all things) in this recent presentation (see slide #25). I guess they haven’t looked at the blog lately; it hasn’t been updated in weeks.

Really, in my internet-only days, I never understood why Brick and Mortar retailers didn’t take the time to blog. Now I know. They don’t have the time!

Seriously. Even in the downtime when there aren’t any customers — which, let’s face it, exists in decent quantity — there’s always something to be done at the store that takes priority…from the very lowly tasks, like sweeping, to the equally tedious but still mundane paying of bills, or putting price labels on bottles, to tasting wine with reps, it all has to get done. And I am here without support staff a fair amount of the time.

Suffice it to say, to all those out there giving speeches about social media and the importance of it to branding for wineries and wine stores, people, for the most part, get it. I know I get it! But finding the time is another story. And finding a voice? Even harder.

So at the moment, what I’m doing is tweeting (@domaineLA), because tweeting is very time un-intensive. A tweet takes a few seconds, and I think I get both my voice and my point (when I have one) across in these little quick spurts. I don’t know that it’s enough, but at least it’s something.

I really hope to get back to blogging soon. I swear, I do! But right now I have something very important to do, so you’ll have to excuse me while I go empty the trash can in the bathroom…

The “about us” section below (in blue) is wrong. I need to amend it, and that involves some code and stuff that I don’t know how to do without the expertise of others currently unavailable. So, in the meantime, if you’re looking for domaineLA in the real world, rather than online, here’s where you can find the shop!

6801 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038

View Larger Map

Between Melrose and La Brea, at Mansfield. Parking lot with 11 spaces as well as ample street parking on Mansfield as well as Melrose.

Hours are 11AM to 8PM daily, except for Sundays when we open from noon to 5PM. We will close early on New Year’s Eve, at 6PM.

Phone is (323) 932-0280 should you want to call.

Again, sorry for any confusion but we are both ONLINE and BRICK AND MORTAR now, so you can order online, pick-up in-store, or continue to have your wine shipped to you just as before.

Happy new year to all and I look forward to sharing lots of great wine with you in 2010. Cheers!

I soft-opened the store this weekend, and will be here for more regular hours leading into Labor Day weekend. The shop has gotten some early press from the LA Weekly food blog “Squid Ink,” and despite the lack of signage on the building, there has been a nice flow of traffic through the doors.  Come in and say hi, and do some wine shopping while you’re at it!

Or, you can shop online still, where I’ve put together a couple of special cases in honor of the grand opening: a collector’s case that includes, among others, the highly sought after Didier Dagueneau Silex (2006) as well as a bonus bottle of 2004 Two Hands Ares Shiraz for just a buck (The Ares is a $165 value), as well as a drinker’s dozen that includes the fantastic Trajarinho Vinho Verde, the Mas Malbec, an under $10 gem of a Bordeaux and others for $105 total, or 15% off the normal $124 case price.

I look forward to seeing you all soon, both in person and on the website, which I promise will be getting lots more attention in the near future.

Cheers!

Jill

Way back when I posted a conceptual drawing of the store showing some pendant lampshades, as well as a reflected ceiling plan. Finally, the concept has been turned into reality, with the 48 custom light fixtures having been installed. Here are a few photos capturing the installation process and the finished product, along with a shot of Fabien (and his very small crew!) who did an amazing job as the electrician on the project. Of course, major props also go to Della Valle & Bernheimer Design.

In case you’re wondering what the black stripe is in the background, it’s an 18 inch strip of blackboard paint that’s been painted above the wine racks, so that I can flexibly label (and relabel) items as they make their way onto the shelves. There’s also magnetic primer painted underneath so I can post papers and whatnot (shelftalkers? Unlikely…) up there.

Pretty soon I hope to have wine on the shelves, but the timing of that is resting in the hands of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. I’ll be sure to keep you posted.