On allocation, and why I will not sell to your wine club.
I receive this question once a week: can you sell to my wine club? The answer is no. Here is why.
Every bottle I import is allocated by hand. When Christophe Roumier sends me eighteen bottles of the Bonnes-Mares, I cannot split that allocation across a restaurant program and a subscription box. The restaurant will pour it by the glass to people who will taste it properly. The subscription box will ship it to someone who may or may not open it.
What I honour
I honour buying records. If you have been purchasing from me for three or more vintages, you receive priority on new allocations. This is not a loyalty program. It is a practical system that ensures the wines go to the people who understand them.
I honour glass programs. If you are pouring the village wines by the glass, I will consider you for the premier cru allocations. This is because the people who taste the village wines at your bar are the people who will eventually buy the premier cru from their own cellars.
I honour intent. If you write to me and tell me what you want and why, I will read the email. I answer every one.
What I do not honour
Speculation. If you are buying to resell, I will find out, and you will not buy from me again.
Volume for its own sake. Ordering forty cases of Dolcetto so you can ask for three bottles of Barolo Riserva is transparent and does not work.
Third-party requests. If someone else is writing on your behalf, I want to hear from you directly.
This is a small portfolio. I import eighty-one producers. I do not need more clients. I need the right clients.