Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/658375
April 2016 WINES&VINES 33 WINEMAKING case volumes and getting COLAs approved early. She also recommends comparing paper and ink colors year-to-year, as there can be variations (e.g., the many shades of "off-white"). She says her suppliers frequently compli- ment her organization and planning. Do yours? Jim Close has been the winemaker at Gam- ble Family Vineyards in Oakville, Calif., since 2004. The winery produces 8,000 cases. Close has been using Top Shelf of Napa, Calif., for bottling for eight years, "The bottling line truck is not a commodity; they are not all the same," he says. I will put a little extra money into that." He finds the owner/operators at Top Shelf caring and knowledgeable. Close has this advice for those who may undervalue bottling planning: "The worst case is you don't have the packaging needed on the bottling date. If it's a July date, you don't get a second chance. The bottlers are booked until well into harvest." Now you have wine taking up your tanks, a sudden need for off-site storage, quality-degradation issues due to shipping and extended storage. That will be an expensive, unbudgeted item. If you bottle shiners, they may have to stay in your facility, as they can't be moved without a valid label approval. Next worst case, capsule/bottle incompatibility: "A reputable mobile bottler will do the best they can with an incorrect foil, but your $80 bottle of wine can look like crap. That's not the brand image you want." Finally, he sug- gests wineries avoid choosing "rock-bottom pricing" among vendors, as they provide far less support when problems arise. For small wineries, Close advises: "Whatever lead time you think you need, double it. Take nothing for granted. Just because a vendor says it will fit doesn't mean it will. Check it yourself." Sanitary Stainless Welding Inc. is the exclusive North American distributor for the Marzola product line Start planning for bottling day six months in advance if you have used your suppliers before and 12 months ahead for new products or items that are going to require design work.