Healdsburg, Calif., September 30, 2010 – Draxton Wines continues to gain momentum as their bulk wine program provides a legitimate and potentially more profitable alternative for grape growers throughout Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino counties. Founded by veteran winemaker Mike Draxton, the Draxton Program employs a model designed to address the volatile grape market and offer growers an alternative to selling  their grapes below cost or not at all.

The Draxton program provides growers with a contract for their grapes and growers are paid when the wine sells on the bulk market, as compared to a standard grape contract. The grower and M. Draxton Inc. agree on a target price for the wine, along with production fees, in advance of the harvest. Anything sold above the target price is shared 80/20, with the 80% going to the grower.  To ensure sales and constant attention on available wines, Draxton developed an exclusive relationship with the Ciatti Company, one of the most respected wine brokerage companies worldwide.

“Our program allows growers to extend the vintage beyond the actual growing season” Draxton said .  “With the changing buying habits we’re seeing with wineries, coupled with the increase in private label and negociant business, the bulk market provides a level of stability that we’re not seeing with grapes at this time.”

“What we like about the Draxton model is that it’s more of a partnership than a contractor relationship” said Ciatti Partner, Glenn Proctor. “The net result is more attention to winemaking and a better quality product. That’s what sells.”

The program was officially launched in 2009 and the Draxton program crushed approximately 1,200 tons that year. “It actually started earlier than that, except I was my only customer” said Draxton. “I was in exactly the same situation growers are in today. I had good grapes and no buyers, so I turned to the bulk market and it worked out.”  This year Draxton is on pace to take in more than 4,000 tons and demand is growing. “We’re receiving calls every day, it’s going to be an exciting harvest.”

Here's a great article on the bulk wine program and how the Draxton program is offering a great solution to growers struggling to sell grapes in the current economy. Click here to read article: LINK

Growers struggling with declining grape prices and canceled contracts are intrigued with Draxton Wines bulk wine program. Mike Draxton, in alliance with the Ciatti Company, launched the program last year to address the needs of growers who were unable to sell their grapes at a profitable price point.

After studying and comparing bulk wine and grape prices over the last decade, results have shown that quality bulk wine pricing is much more stable and consistent than the grape market. It was this research that led to developing and launching the Draxton program. The unique approach, which guarantees growers a minimum price per ton, is structured so the more the wine sells for, the greater the amount paid for the grapes. This "partnership" oriented program, which was designed in conjunction with other veteran grape growers, is meant to offer the opportunity for vineyard owners to diversify their portfolio and take advantage of upticks in the bulk market. By alligning with Ciatti, Draxton clients are asssured  the best information, service and attention.

Draxton Wines plans to limit participation to only 4,500 tons this year and currently has more than 3,000 tons committed. For more information about the program, please contact George Christie at george@draxtonwines.com or 707-799-0272.