Why are pre-order kits important?

It takes a full year for grapes to grow.  During this time, growers, vineyard managers and producers are estimating their production for the years ahead and hoping for the best growing season they can get.  It's farming! And we know how unpredictable that can be....

Juice for kit wines are bought from multiple vineyards in multiple countries.  Trends and customer demands play a roll into deciding what comes out for the home winemaker and ferment-on-premise customers.  Grape supply and demand, cost and marketing are also factors.  Behind the scenes, juice is selected and purchased, kits are formulated and designed, and planning is done to roll this out to the shops like Harvest Wine Outfitters (click HERE to see what's coming up).  

Some of these kits are special flavors that are not available all year around.  Sometimes this is because it's a flavor that would only sell well during a certain time of year.  Examples are Orchard Breezin's Cranberry Apple and Niagara Mist's Spiced Lime.  Cranberry Apple reminds us of fall colors, flavors and scents - Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas dinner with the family.  Spiced Lime is refreshing, fun, beachy and great served cold on a hot day.  

Some of these kits like RJS Craft Winemaking RQ series and Vineco's Passport Series are high quality juice kits with a limited quantity going out for sale.  Wine makers wait all year just for the opportunity to purchase these kits!  

Anticipation and the idea of "gotta get it now because I can't later" is the main reason these kits do so well.  And it's true.... my best example is the Niagara Mist Chocolate Cherry.  The last two times we've had them for sale, they've sold out.  We had people coming in looking for the wine their friend had, that wine they tried at a party, the wine they drank quicker than they thought and now they need more.  Sorry, sold out.

As a shop owner, I need to decide, in advance, how many kits we think we can sell?  Due to the fact that they have a shelf life, we can't order too many.  Order too few and we have unhappy customers.  Usually we can order more than once, but there have been many times where I've had to tell a disappointed customer that the kit they are looking for, cannot be found again.  Sorry, sold out.

Best way to avoid disappointment.... watch for the "Limited Editions" "Restricted Quantities" and the "Limited Releases".  Call and let us know that you want us to order that kit in for you.  We don't require payment for any pre-orders until they are made.  We will call you when the kit arrives and can schedule a time to make the kit, when it's convenient for you.  

Pre-ordering might seem like a waste of time, but believe me, if you want something you've seen advertised, call the shop ASAP.  "Limited Releases", "Restricted Quantities" and "Limited Editions" are only around for a short amount of time.  And if I don't know you are interested in it, I might have to say:  Sorry, sold out.