This is a great blog post from A Donkey and Goat Winery. It talks very specifically about why they make their wines the way they do. Here's the opening bit:
We make our wines for the table, not the cocktail glass. We make Rhóne varietals in both colors plus an unusual Chardonnay. We (my husband and winemaking partner Jared and I) strive to make wine as naturally as possible. We've done so since day one. Of late, natural is fashionable, which we do of course appreciate, but the reality is we've done this from the start because we feel it makes a superior wine while aligning with our environmental objectives.
Their "manifesto" goes on at length and in detail. I recommend you read it. You may or may not agree with how Donkey and Goat wines are made, but I think you'll have to agree that Tracey and Jared are very clear about what they're doing.
You should have a page like this on your winery Web site or blog. It's a very powerful, personal statement that will help sell your wines to the people who care about the way wine is made. As a wine purchaser, it makes me want to buy a Donkey and Goat wine, to see how it stacks up against wines which I like, but don't really know much about how they are made.
Of course, it requires that you have thought carefully about why you make your wines the way you do, and that you're willing to be honest about it. A manifesto like this gets right down to the nitty-gritty: are you proud of the wines you make and sell?
Love Donkey & a Goat wines! And whole heartedly agree with having a Manifesto as a way to distinguish your brand. Here's ours - http://www.vergewine.com/manifesto/index.php
Posted by: Jay | November 10, 2009 at 10:34 AM