Cyber Monday @ Walter Dacon Wines

November 29, 2001
Cyber Monday at Walter Dacon Wines - we're offering a 15% discount on a case of wine (your choice) and a 25% discount on two cases of wine - today (cyber Monday only)!

To place your order go to our secure website @ walterdaconwines.com and click on the Order tab at the top of the screen.

Have a great day!

Cheers!

Lloyd & Ann Anderson
Walter Dacon Wines
360 426-5913

Who's making your wine?

With the recent influx of "virtual" wineries in Washington State, can you be sure your favorite winery is a bricks and mortor operation?

The Making of Port - Vin a' Dessert

Ann made a speed trip to downtown Portland, Oregon today to purchase grape neutral spirits at the Clear Creek Distillery.  What a wonderful place. She backed her little car into the warehouse, opened the back hatch, and they filled a 15 gallon stainless container for the trip back to Washington.  Oh, yes, she had to pay for it.  So, the port (we can't call it port) will have the brandy introduced tomorrow, and then it will be aged in French and American oak barrels for a year or more!  Yummy!

WA State Initiatives 1100 and 1105: Privatization

Washington State Initiatives 1100 and 1105: Privatization

On the surface, the passage of I-1100 and I-1105 look very simple – getting the state out of the retail liquor business. But, as with most everything involving politics, there are a lot of hidden and often not discussed issues that have far reaching affects.

We at Walter Dacon Wines are worried about the effect these initiatives will have on our small business. There are three issues in I-1100 that bother us:
It allows wine, beer and spirits to be sold on credit e.g. 30, 60, 90 days. Currently, alcohol sales are paid for on delivery. For a small business like ours, cash flow is paramount. Further, if a retailer goes out of business without paying, it would be devastating.

It allows retailers to charge for shelf space (currently not allowed) and sets up a "pay to play" scenario. For example, restaurants would be allowed to charge a winery the cost to reprint their wine list in exchange for listing that winery's wines. It also allows gifts of substance e.g. "I'll buy X cases of your wine if you will give me Y cases as a gift. Currently, only small gifts of little value like coasters and t-shirts are allowed.

It allows volume discounts which will give the largest in-state, out of state and out of country wineries with millions of cases to sell, an advantage over small local producers.

I-1105 is the wholesale distributor's counter to I-1100 and requires all spirits sales go through a wholesale liquor distributor. Unlike Washington retailer's ability to deal directly with wine producers, spirits producers would be required to work within a three-tier system which would separate manufacturing, distributing and retailing and not allow any reciprocal interests. I-1105 is less onerous in that, while also privatizing the sale of liquor, it keeps most of the existing alcohol regulations in place. I-1105 repeals all liquor taxes and directs the legislature to make up the difference with new taxes. The state Office of Financial Management estimates the total revenue loss to the state general fund to be between $128 and $136 million per year.

Think it through, but please ask yourself whether lower prices and easier access to alcohol is worth the guaranteed financial loss to the state, cities and counties not to mention the potential harm to small wineries.

We're voting NO on both I-1100 and I-1105!

If the goal is to close state liquor stores and allow for privatization, then let's work with our elected officials to reach this end goal.

Cheers!

Lloyd & Ann Anderson
50 SE Skookum Inlet Rd
Shelton WA 98584
360 426-5913

Walter Dacon pouring for Washington Trust for Historic Preservation @ Stimson-Green Mansion, Seattle

Walter Dacon Wines has the privilege to pour wines for the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation at the historic Stimson-Green Mansion on Minor Avenue, Seattle this afternoon.  We will be pouring the 2009 Viognier, 2007 C'est Syrah Belle, 2007 C'est Syrah Beaux and the 2007 Sangiovese.

Barrel Tasting @ Walter Dacon Wines & OysterFest, Shelton, WA

October is shaping up to be a busy month for Walter Dacon Wines. 

Our first event is OysterFest at the Mason County Fairgrounds, October 2 and 3, Saturday 10 am - 6 pm and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm.  Walter Dacon Wines, with a host of other Washington State Wineries, will be there pouring for all the wine enthusiasts.  For the friendliest people and freshest seasfood in the region, attend one or both days.  Go to their website to check out the entertainment schedule, oyster shucking contest and other activities at OysterFest.

October 9th and 10th, we'll roll out several of our 2009 wine varietals and with thieves in hand we'll dip samples straight from the barrels.  The two day food menu will be clam chowder, wild mushroom soup and rustic french bread, all provided by Chef Treacy Kreger of Vern's.  The cost:  $10 (Le Grand Crew - wine club $4). 

So, dress for the weather, join us at OysterFest and our annual barrel tasting at Walter Dacon.

Labor Day Weekend at Walter Dacon Wines, Shelton, WA

The sun is shining here in Shelton, live music is playing, award winning wine is flowing - come out and join us at 50 SE Skookum Inlet Road!