Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/63937
D A T A CENTER the most offers of the nine major online retailers tracked by WinesVinesDATA. The site will occasionally host "cheap- skate" sales, during which a new wine will be up for sale every 15 minutes. During the most recent such event, WTSO sold 87,000 bottles of wine. About 60% of the wine sold on the site is domestic and 40% imported, but that breakdown fluctuates. Elliot Arking said he had just returned from a trip through Italy, France, Spain and Portugal, and he visits California about every other month. Wines Till Sold Out offers just one wine per sale that is announced through email and social media. National Conference American Society for Enology and Viticulture 63rd ASEV n a tion al conference Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel Portland, Oregon June 18 – 22, 2012 special events Willamette Valley Technical Tour Alternative Varieties Symposium University of California, Davis Industry Seminars Research Reports with Themed Sessions program information. www.asev.org 530-753-3142 Visit our website for registration and Merit Award Presentation – Dr. Roger Boulton, sixtythird 63 sci en ce a platform for progress Full guarantee for every wine Domestic producers are mainly high-end wines from California's premium regions, although there are some Washington and Oregon brands. Elliot Arking said there just isn't enough demand for U.S. wines from other regions or Canadian wine. "It's difficult to bring another region on board and develop some enthusiasm for the con- sumer. We don't create the demand, we only react to it." Once the Arkings make a purchase, they take complete control of the product. Wine is shipped in refrigerated rail cars or trucks to the main warehouse in Pennsauken, N.J., located just east of Philadelphia. WTSO employs 30 people, half of whom work in the warehouse and logistics. The Arkings say they stand by the prod- Scan the QR code with your smartphone for confer- ence details. JOIN NOW AND SAVE! Member pre-registration fees are up to 50% lower than non-member fees. 16 Wines & Vines MAY 2012 ucts. If any customer complains about a wine being corked, out of condition or just not good, they pledge to take the wine back and credit the customer's account. "Since we own the product, it allows us to have the best customer service out there," Elliot Arking said. He hopes that the guarantee inspires people to try something new. "I would rather make them feel comfortable to take the risk and try that wine and keep them satisfied." —Andrew Adams