Q: Who and what is Ampelography?
A: Ampelography is a Fine Wine Sales and Marketing Company, sometimes commonly referred to as a Broker, although we don’t really like this term. We will represent a portfolio of Producers in the Great Lakes Region. We are Wine Professionals with backgrounds as a Buyer for a Top Retailer, Sommelier, Distributor Sales, Marketing and Management.
Q: Which markets will Ampelography service?
A: in 2009, we will be launch in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. In 2010, we will expand to Pennsylvania and Kentucky. In 2011, we will add Minnesota, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Missouri. We will work any of these markets prior to the scheduled launch dates as needed.
Q: When will you get started?
A: April 1, 2009. We will begin scheduling appointments with existing distributors and scheduling market time in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. Ampelgraphy is scheduled to launch in Ohio on July 1, 2009.
Q: What does your portfolio look like?
A: It looks like you. We selected producers that we love. All are family owned, small production, site specific, high quality. In addition to our domestic producers, we will have a solid import portfolio as well. We anticipate 20 domestic producers, and 2-3 Import Portfolios.
Q: Do we need to be with Ampelography in every state?
A: No and Yes. Unless you are already represented by brokers, we will ask for rights to your brand in each of our markets. However, if you don’t feel that you need help in a given market, we will scale back our commission rate. The purpose of this is so that we have a cohesive book in each market, and have the ability to work through each supplier’s existing relationships. We will continue to plug your wines into wine lists and show them. We will also be happy to attend trade shows on your behalf and lend any additional support you may need.
Q: What relationships does Ampelography have in place?
A: We are well known in Ohio by both Distributors and Accounts. Collectively, we have worked markets in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Missouri and have contacts in all of these markets. We will take time to re-evaluate each distributor’s current status, and will not assume anything.
Q: Do we need to change Distributors to be with Ampelography?
A: No, we plan to work with several Distributors in each market. If the Distributor you are with is working out, no need to change. Our goal is to take the existing distributors and support their efforts.
Q: How will Ampelography help us find the right distributor?
A: By using existing relationships of our Supplier Partners we will begin with a core of 25 Distributors through 4 states. We will get to know each person and company well enough to help Suppliers find homes, or change distributors if necessary with an informed choice.
Q: How will Ampelography work with each Distributor?
A: In the beginning, we will work with the Distributor very much in a traditional sense through workwiths and meetings. After enough time in each market, we will have cultivated the relationships enough to freelance to see accounts. At this point, we will spend our workwith time developing younger or more experienced salespeople. We will touch base at least monthly with each sales manager.
Q: Will I need to sign a contract?
A: No. The only paperwork exchanged is a pay structure agreement. We believe a handshake deal is the best guarantor of satisfaction on both sides. If at any time you are dissatisfied, we will take the time to resolve any issue but you have the right to walk away, no questions asked.
Q: How will Ampelography get paid?
A: Each Winery tends to have a slightly different policy in this regard. We are open to your individual policy. Our Commission rates are pretty typical to the Industry Standards.
Q: How is Ampelography held accountable?
A: Because of our strong accounting and sales analysis backgrounds, we will track numbers closely. We will have real numbers available at all times, but our primary reporting will be a quarterly market analysis. This will include minutiae as small as specific key placements, and how events and visits impact real depletions, while recognizing seasonality is a little different in each market
Q: We have our own Marketing Manager, how can Ampelography contribute to what we do and avoid overlap of efforts?
A: Most marketing plans are for National or International Sales. Ampelography is regional. We will work with your managers to understand your Brand Equity and translate that for Regional Marketing. Among other things, we will align ourselves with Local Cause Marketing. We write wine articles for several local publications, and we will highlight your winery in these pieces. We will utilize Social Networking to build a younger fan base. Because of our strong marketing skills, you will always have a marketing consultant on hand for input, brainstorming or just a fresh perspective while developing the wineries.
Q: What makes Ampelography different from other Brokers or Sales and Marketing Companies?
A: We get it. If you are reading this, you already know about our passion for wine. We are committed to quality producers with a vision. We have marketing skills beyond our competitive set. Our creativity, original thoughts and ideas really help to elevate the whole package. Sales and Marketing are commonly thought of as separate aspects to this industry. Ampelography believes that these terms are inseparable. Each contributes to each other’s success. It is from this understanding that Ampelography will generate exposure and quality sales that will ensure your success for years to come.
learn more.
Ampelography is the field of botany concerned with the identification and classification of grapevines, Traditionally this has been done by comparing the shape and color of the vine leaves and grape berries; more recently the study of vines has been revolutionized by DNA fingerprinting.
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