Judd and Holly FinkelsteinMedia Hot off the press
The most exclusive vintage: Yours
Personal winemaking’s not just a fantasy
“When Judd Finkelstein launched MicroCrush in 1992, most clients were vineyard owners. Today, 50% are individuals whose only grape-picking experience is in the grocery store.
“’The enthusiasts are overtaking (MicroCrush),” he says. “We have groups fromNorth Carolina and Louisiana coming in to see their barrels.’”
“What you do: As much or as little as you like, but Finkelstein says most customers select grapes (from several dozen vineyards) and barrels and let them take care ofthe rest.
“What they do: All the wine work, including many style decisions. While they’re happy to adjust, ‘a great deal of customers want us to do it according to our style,’ says Finkelstein. ‘They know we’re pretty good at it.’
“Bells and whistles: MicroCrushers can treat Judd’s Hill as their private winery, inviting guests for barrel tastings and private events.”
Read more at http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117945768.html?categoryid=2031&cs=1&query=MicroCrush
Picks for player-pleasing gifts
Sky’s the limit
“Everyone dreams about owning a vineyard, but with temperamental vines, meteorological disasters and soaring land prices, the reality can be a pain. Enter the family-owned Judd’s Hill Winery and its Custom MicroCrush program, which lets oenoephiles handcraft their own wines (almost) from scratch…”
Read more at http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117929556.html?categoryid=2031&cs=1&query=MicroCrush
Microcrush Companies Cater to Niche Brands
“The custom crushing began for growers who wanted wines from their vineyards to use as marketing tools, but other people without vineyards quickly came to the Finkelsteins for help. Because of the family’s wide connections in the valley, the company is able to find fruit for the clients without vineyards, some from other Custom MicroCrush customers…
“Customers can get involved in the winemaking process to whatever degree they want, and some even like to help with picking. One customer flies in from North Carolina to help out, with only a couple days’ notice. Others help sort, but Art says their favorite involvement seems to be punching down the caps…
“The wine made for clients is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon as would be expected in Napa Valley. Each barrel is clearly identified with the customer’s name, and they can come and taste samples to monitor the lot’s progress…
“One of the appeals of the business is that the whole family is outgoing and they enjoy working with people. ‘We’re serious about winemaking,’ said Art, ‘but we want to make it interesting and fun.’”
Read more at http://www.winebusiness.com/wbm/?go=getArticle&dataId=44327
Judd’s Hill Winery and MicroCrush
A Personal Approach to Winemaking
“For their MicroCrush clients the Finkelsteins (Art and his wife Bunnie, Judd and wife Holly) do all of the bookkeeping, the complex government compliance work, and they make the wine from start to finish, bottle the final product and will even source the grapes for you.
“’Cabernet is far and away the most popular varietal we deal with, after all, this is Napa,’ said Art with a laugh. ‘But we have done Zinfandel, some Pinot Noir, Merlot, even Nebbiolo and Dolcetto.’
“‘We have people from New York, Massachusetts, Louisiana, from all over making their wine here at Judd’s Hill,’ Bunnie said. ‘Many people make special trips to visit their wine at ‘their’ winery, and often they bring friends with them.’”
Read more at http://www.winecountrythisweek.com/site/article/73/8/