Winery Lawyer

The discovery of highly toxic chemicals in an abandon quarry near bucolic Winery Peak, and the resulting government investigation, leads Wine House to terminate Winemaster Peter Dickson in order to control the damage this news will have on its family friendly image. With his orderly life wrenched apart Dickson turns to Richard Magnus, a young aggressive lawyer for advice. Without fully contemplating the risks involved and the difficulties that await them, at Richard’s suggestion they implement a vigorous offensive campaign against Wine House in order to clear Dickson’s reputation. But not everything is it seems, and Wine House has no intention of allowing Richard to shift the blame or the public’s perception of Dickson’s responsibility. A case like this needs to be built with care, and as events unfold Richard finds himself wondering whether he has taken on more than common sense or his friends would have advised.

Winery Peak

I have a small vineyard called Cooper Mountain Country located in the Cooper Mountains. It is in the Willamette Valley AVA. Our most prized asset is my wonderful pinot noir variety that sells around $30 per bottle retail. Main competition includes wineries and vineyards such as Penner Ash, Ponzi, Panther Creek, and Brick House. Each of these makers also sells their pinot noir for about $30 per bottle retail.

I want to sell market wines to my own peer group but I have to play by some rules do to certain labeling laws in Oregon. The main rule I have to abide by is the naming of the grape variety. The wine has to be at least 95% of that grape in order to call it something such as the famous Oregon pinot noir.

My first strategy is creating a very floral and fruity wine for the female drinkers who won’t drink very tannic and bitter wines. A way this may be achieved is to ad unfermented grape juice back into the wine if it is legal. That will soften the wine and create a more sugary, fruity taste. Then I would put the wine in that odd section at grocery stores. The odd section I am referring to is the small Oregon blackberry and raspberry wine section near the Boones. I’ve seen these bottles before and they are in the shape of a Bordeaux bottle. They look like that they would appeal to the young female clientele similar to malt beverages sold in the beer section. Females attending parties like to sip on these drinks.

The second idea I have is to promote my fine wine in music. About 6 years ago, a band known as Everclear was very popular worldwide. They originated Portland and in some of their songs they mention locations in Portland. An example is in one of their songs they mentioned the Portland West Hills. If I could have them mention my Oregon wine brand, it would become an instant success. My entire peer group who listens to that music would be enticed to buy my wine. I think convincing a band of that magnitude to mention my winery of vineyard in their lyrics would be a challenge.

Another idea I have is to sponsor a professional skateboarder from Portland. All He would have to do is wear apparel with my brand name on it. This is theoretically possible because there are several professional skateboarders from the Portland area. They hang out at the skate park beneath the Burnside Bridge. Once my peer group (mid 20’s) sees this and find out it’s a good wine they might be tempted to buy the wines. Also if the skateboarder goes to tournaments around the US, that could be beneficial on picking up more peer group customers.

A strategy that would promote my wine to any group above the age of 21 is to have a “Wine Steward’s Pick” in retail stores. A way to do this is to meet up with the wine steward when he or she is not working. Then give them several bottles of your wine and try to bribe or convince them to create that “Wine Stewards Pick” label at the store. Nobody is doing anything illegal or against policy on this idea. The phrase “Wine Steward’s Pick” is all based on opinion so he would be protected from losing his job. Also you can have him work undercover towards my peer group. Every time he notices a customer in their mid 20’s deciding what kind of pinot noir to buy he can direct them to my wine for added sales.

One last strategy to entice my peer group is to hold a party or small concert at the winery or vineyard. There definitely would be security present to deter anyone from getting too intoxicated and destroying equipment or vines. Security would also prevent any underage attendants at these parties. There would be free samples of the wine and there would also be bottles and T-shirts for sale. The peer group (mid 20’s) would then spread the information to their friends that they partied at the Cooper Mountain Country. I think that local sales would increase because they became familiar with the wine and the name. At restaurants they might ask the waiter if they serve my specific wine.

These are all my ideas on promoting my fictitious wine and brand name to my own peer group. I think the most successful and practical idea is the party or small concert idea. I wonder if any winery or vineyard has ever attempted this. Ultimately I think that it would be a risky idea if plenty of expensive equipment is lying around. But it would be possible.

Originally published here.