Winemaking Made Easy
2010 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition
May 26th, 2010 by jolan in news, wine making
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Congratulations to the winners of the 2010 WineMaker International Amateur Wine Competition!
This year, there were more than 4,500 entries to the competition, from all fifty US states, eight Canadian provinces, and eight other countries (including submissions from Spain and Turkey!). All of us at Vintner’s Circle would like to pass along a special kudos to our customers who received awards:
Dave Becker won five medals! He received two gold medals: one for his 2008 Niagara Mist Peach Chardonnay, and another for his 2008 White Chocolate Port. He won three bronze medals for his 2007 Vidal Ice Wine, his 2008 Okanagan Peach Ice Wine, and his 2009 Banana Pineapple Viognier.
Doug Lemon won a bronze medal for his 2008 homemade fruit mead, a blend of blueberry honey and blueberries.
Deb Mills won two gold medals: one for her 2007 Chocolate Raspberry Port, and one for her 2008 Vieux Chateau Du Roi.
David Ugi won two medals; he received a silver medal for his 2009 Okanagan Red Meritage and a bronze medal for his 2009 Exotic Fruit White Zinfandel.
We’re proud of our award-winning wine makers, and we’re already excited for next year’s competition!
Vintner’s Circle Middletown To Celebrate Ribbon Cutting May 14th
May 10th, 2010 by jolan in news
Monday, May 10th, 2010
Vintner’s Circle Middletown will celebrate its new winemaking enterprise this Friday, May 14th, with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony. MIDDLETOWN, NJ, May 10 – Don and Mary Gordon, franchise owners of the first Vintner’s Circle in Monmouth County, along with the Mayor of Middletown and representatives from the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, will cut the ceremonious red ribbon this week. An Open House, featuring complimentary wine tastings, will round out the welcome to the local community.
The new Vintner’s Circle in Middletown provides space for wine lovers in central New Jersey to make personalized wine, throughout all months of the year. The shop provides the professional guidance and tools to help eager vintners create their own, personalized bottles of wine. People can reserve individual or group winemaking sessions, join group winemaking classes, and enroll in wine tasting educational courses. Vintner’s Circle also has daily, complimentary tastings of wines made in the shop, deliciously introducing potential winemakers to styles made on site.
Don and Mary Gordon opened the doors to Vintner’s Circle Middletown this past January. The couple was introduced to Vintner’s Circle the previous year, when given a winemaking gift certificate by their children. Along with learning how to handcraft their own wine at the Hackettstown location, Don and Mary learned about the possibilities of opening their own winemaking shop franchise. The two were excited to turn their love of wine into a business venture. Said Mary: “Vintner’s Circle was a golden opportunity . . . the very basic reason for this venture was that we genuinely enjoy drinking wine and learning about it.” For the Gordons, Vintner’s Circle is also a way to spend time with family: their daughter Amy is the shop’s general manager.
Vintner’s Circle Middletown’s Ribbon Cutting is yet another example of the growing wine community in the Northeastern United States. Vintner’s Circle opened its first shop in Hackettstown, New Jersey in May 2006; there are now six locations across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the company is looking to expand. Vintners Circle Franchising recently exhibited at the International Franchise Expo, the largest franchise trade show in the United States. VCF welcomed hundreds of visitors interested in opening their own winemaking franchise. David Schmeltzle, President of Vintners Circle Franchising, says, “Making wine is a wonderful way for people to spend time with friends and family, and opening a winemaking shop can be a great business opportunity for people who love wine and enjoy working with people. We want Vintner’s Circle to be the place where people go to enjoy making great tasting wine, while spending time with each other, in a warm, friendly environment.”
The Ribbon Cutting event provides a special opportunity for those interested in personalized winemaking, and visiting the new Middletown location. The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. The Gordon family will be there to meet with members of the community, including the Mayor of Middletown. In addition to the Ribbon Cutting, the Open House will provide guests with complimentary wine tastings, for those interested in taking a few sips of possibility at Vintner’s Circle.
About Vintner’s Circle
Vintner’s Circle is a place for friends and family to gather, spend time with one another, and enrich their lives through making, tasting, and enjoying wine.
Corporate phone number: 908-979-9463
Vintner’s Circle Middletown phone number: 732-671-5200
Vintner’s Circle Dickson City Hosts Wine and Cheese Charity Event
April 14th, 2010 by jolan in news
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
Vintner’s Circle Dickson City, Lackawanna County’s first on-site, personalized winemaking shop, recently hosted a wine and cheese event for members of St. Bernadette’s Church of Canadensis. DICKSON CITY, PA, April 14, 2010 – Stan and Joanne Triplett, franchise owners of the Dickson City shop, donated a wine and cheese event gift basket for the Monroe County-based parish’s fundraiser held this past February. During the fundraiser, various prizes were auctioned off; the winner of the Vintner’s Circle gift basket was invited to the winemaking shop, along with eleven others, to enjoy an afternoon of delicious wine and cheese.
The wine and cheese party took place at Vintner’s Circle Dickson City on Commerce Boulevard this past Sunday, April 11th. Twelve people in total attended the function, which served as a warm, intimate gathering of Northeastern Pennsylvania residents. Attendees enjoyed eight styles of wine all handcrafted at the winemaking shop, complimented by five different artisan cheeses. Over the course of the afternoon, the guests learned about grape varieties, the winemaking process, and the unique space Vintner’s Circle provides for budding vintners to create their own, personalized bottles of wine.
The wine and cheese event was a delight not only for the attendees, but for those of Vintner’s Circle, as well. Stan and Joanne Triplett are the franchise owners of the Dickson City shop, which recently celebrated its Ribbon Cutting ceremony with the Scranton Chamber of Commerce. The charity event provided a special way for Stan and Joanne to participate in the greater community of which they are now a part. Joanne said, “As small business owners in the Dickson City community, we believe it is important to reflect, through our actions, that we care and that Vintner’s Circle is a good neighbor. One way we can demonstrate this is by being involved with charity events.”
Vintner’s Circle is a place for friends and family to gather, spend time with one another, and enrich their lives through tasting, making, and enjoying wine. The shop provides space, year-round, for customers to make personalized wine in four simple steps, with professional guidance and tools. People may reserve individual or group winemaking sessions, join group winemaking classes, and enroll in wine tasting educations courses. Vintner’s Circle also has daily, complimentary tastings of wines make in the shop, which deliciously introduce potential winemakers to styles made on-site. Charity functions, like the Dickson City wine and cheese event, further serve to help bring the local community together in a warm, friendly environment.
About Vintner’s Circle
Vintner’s Circle is a place for friends and family to gather, spend time with one another, and enrich their lives through making, tasting, and enjoying wine.
Corporate phone number: 908-979-9463
Vintner’s Circle Dickson City phone number: 570-383-0224
Contact:
Jolan Turkington, Director of Communications
jolan@vintnerscircle.com
Vintner’s Circle Andover To Celebrate Ribbon Cutting April 16th
April 13th, 2010 by jolan in news
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
Vintner’s Circle Andover will be celebrating its new winemaking enterprise this Friday, April 16th, with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony. ANDOVER, NJ, April 13 – Todd and Janine Billingsley, franchise owners of the first Vintner’s Circle in Sussex County, along with the Chamber of Commerce, will cut the ceremonious red ribbon this week. An Open House, featuring complimentary wine tastings, is scheduled to follow.
The new Vintner’s Circle in Andover provides space for wine lovers in Northwestern New Jersey to make personalized wine, in all months of the year. The shop provides the professional guidance and tools to help eager vintners create their own, handcrafted bottles of wine. People can reserve individual or group winemaking sessions, join group winemaking classes, and enroll in wine tasting educational courses. Vintner’s Circle also has daily, complimentary tastings of wines made in the shop, deliciously introducing potential winemakers to styles made in the shop.
Todd and Janine Billingsley opened the doors to Vintner’s Circle Andover this past January, after venturing inside Vintner’s Circle Hackettstown the year before. Todd had been making beer and wine at home for years, and was intrigued by the Winemaking Shop sign outside the Hackettstown location. He purchased a Limited Edition New Zealand Merlot winemaking kit, and was extremely pleased with the quality of wine it produced. When an accident put Todd out of work for a long time, his wife Janine suggested he consider going into the winemaking franchise business. Together, the two decided that opening a Vintner’s Circle would be a wonderful way to turn their love of wine into a profitable venture. Todd says of his wife, “Janine said that this was a calling to me, not only as a new beginning on life, but also a new career.”
Vintner’s Circle Andover’s Ribbon Cutting is yet another example of the growing wine community in the Northeastern United States. Vintner’s Circle opened its first shop in Hackettstown, New Jersey in May 2006; there are now six locations across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the company is looking to expand. Vintners Circle Franchising recently exhibited at the International Franchise Expo, the largest franchise trade show in the United States. VCF welcomed hundreds of visitors interested in opening their own wine making franchise. David Schmeltzle, President of Vintners Circle Franchising, says, “Making wine is a wonderful way for people to spend time with friends and family, and opening a winemaking shop can be a great business opportunity for people who love wine and enjoy working with people. We want Vintner’s Circle to be the place where people go to enjoy making great tasting wine, while spending time with each other, in a warm, friendly environment.”
The Ribbon Cutting event provides a special opportunity for those interested in personalized winemaking, and visiting the new Andover shop. The ceremony begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 16th. Todd and Janine will be there to meet with members of the community, and speak about the wines made at their shop. Following the Ribbon Cutting, there will be an Open House with complimentary tastings, for those who would like to get a few sips of possibility at Vintner’s Circle.
About Vintner’s Circle
Vintner’s Circle is a place for friends and family to gather, spend time with one another, and enrich their lives through making, tasting, and enjoying wine.
Corporate phone number: 908-979-9463
Vintner’s Circle Andover phone number: 973-940-7348
Contact:
Jolan Turkington, Director of Communications
jolan@vintnerscircle.com
A Glass of Wine In the Morning
April 13th, 2010 by jolan in news
Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
Recently returned from the IFE (that is, the International Franchise Expo), we of the Vintners Circle Franchising corporate team are tired, but thrilled. We are extremely happy with the trade show turnout, and spoke with hundreds of people interested in our wine making franchise. We would like to send our sincere gratitude to all of those who stopped by our booth and spoke with us about Vintner’s Circle, as well as to those who helped us run our show. After three days of discussing the wine making franchise business, four rolls of scanner printer paper, and dozens of bottles of wine, it’s good to be home.
Check out the video below, which is a Fox interview with David. David was interviewed the first morning of the IFE, and briefly discussed what makes VCF unique in the world of franchising. He also shared a taste of wine with the journalist — one of Vintner’s Circle more popular wines, an Argentine Malbec. I, personally, love the idea of Malbec in the morning (though to be honest, it’s coffee in my cup at the moment).
Vintner’s Circle To Showcase Exciting Franchise Opportunities at IFE
April 6th, 2010 by jolan in news
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
Vintner’s Circle will be exhibiting at the International Franchise Expo this April 9th through 11th, offering potential franchisees a taste of the good (wine-driven) life. HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, April 6, 2010 – Thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners are congregating in Washington, DC this weekend at the largest franchise exposition in the United States. Vintner’s Circle will be showcasing its unique wine making franchise at Booth 202.
The International Franchise Expo (IFE) is the place for franchisers, suppliers and vendors, from all investment levels, to meet and exchange ideas and opportunities. The magnitude of the IFE represents the increasing popularity of franchising in the United States. Franchising has been an attractive option for many small business owners, for several reasons. The American economy, after years of recession, is now on the brink of strong recovery. There is a wealth of opportunity in the real estate market; good property is both affordable and accessible. Potential franchisees have a variety of options from which to choose: from moving companies to software enterprises to pizza joints, entrepreneurs can select a business sector with which they feel most comfortable. For those just starting out, franchisors provide the brand name, proven systems, and years of market experience.
Vintners Circle Franchising (VCF) offers unique business opportunities in a growing market. Wine consumption is continually growing the in the United States: trends show that wine consumption has been on the rise for the past fifteen years, and continues to increase annually. In 2008, Wine Spectator magazine reported that the US became the second-largest wine market, second only to France in terms of total wine consumed. Wikinvest states that American wine consumption grew thirty percent in the past decade, with new consumers not only in their 40s and older, but in their 20s and 30s. The wine market, then, is vast, with potential for significant, long-term profit.
The concept of professionally guided, year-round, personalized wine making means Vintner’s Circle wine making shops fill a unique niche. Franchising with VCF provides entrepreneurs access to an increasing, dedicated demographic in a market that, despite a weakened economic climate, has continued to reflect growth. Those who have a passion for wine, and enjoy working with people, are encouraged to visit Vintner’s Circle’s Booth 202 at the IFE. David Schmeltzle, President of Vintners Circle Franchsing, as well as other key members of the VCF team, will be available throughout the weekend to speak with potential franchisees. Those interested may stop by for more information, schedule an interview, and even attend a Vintner’s Circle wine tasting event! Free passes to the IFE are still available – contact Vintner’s Circle to have yours mailed today.
About Vintner’s Circle
Vintner’s Circle is a place for friends and family to gather, spend time with one another, and enrich their lives through making, tasting, and enjoying wine.
Phone number: 908-979-9463
Contact:
Jolan Turkington, Director of Communications
jolan@vintnerscircle.com
www.vintnerscircle.com
Vintner’s Circle Dickson City To Celebrate Ribbon Cutting April 8th
April 1st, 2010 by jolan in news
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Vintner’s Circle Dickson City will be celebrating its new venture this Thursday, April 8th, with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony. DICKSON CITY, PA, April 1 – Stan and Joanne Triplett, franchise owners of Lackawanna County’s first Vintner’s Circle, will cut the big red ribbon along with Dickson City’s Chamber of Commerce.
The new Vintner’s Circle in Dickson City provides a unique space for wine lovers in Northeastern Pennsylvania to make personalized wine, year-round. The shop provides the professional guidance and tools to help eager vintners create their own, personalized bottles of wine. People can reserve individual or group winemaking sessions, join group winemaking classes, and enroll in wine tasting educational courses. Vintner’s Circle also has daily, complimentary tastings of wines made in the shop, deliciously introducing potential winemakers to styles made on site.
Stan and Joanne Triplett opened the doors to their Vintner’s Circle last November, inspired to open the franchise after making wine at the Vintner’s Circle in Easton. The couple has a family history of winemaking, and the opportunity to combine their passion for wine with running their own business was exciting. “The Vintner’s Circle Franchise is a dream come true for Joanne and me,” says Stan. He and Joanne, married for thirty-two years, are able to work and spend time with one another, greeting and speaking with fellow wine lovers on a daily basis.
Vintner’s Circle Dickson City’s Ribbon Cutting is yet another testament to the growing wine community in the Northeastern United States. Vintner’s Circle opened its first shop in Hackettstown, New Jersey in May 2006; there are now six locations across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and the company is looking to expand. David Schmeltzle, President of Vintner’s Circle, says, “Winemaking is a great way for people to connect with family history, as well as with friends and family today. We want Vintner’s Circle to be the place where people go to enjoy making great tasting wine, while spending time with each other, in a warm, friendly environment.”
The Ribbon Cutting event provides a special opportunity for those interested in personalized winemaking, and visiting the Dickson City shop. The ceremony begins at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 8th. Stan and Joanne will be there to meet with members of the community, and speak about the wines made at their shop. As always, there will be complimentary wine tastings, for those too who want to get a few sips of possibility at Vintner’s Circle.
Vintner’s Circle is a place for friends and family to gather, spend time with one another, and enrich their lives through making, tasting, and enjoying wine.
Corporate phone number: 908-979-9463
Vintner’s Circle Dickson City phone number: 570-383-0224
Contact:
Jolan Turkington, Director of Communications
jolan@vintnerscircle.com
Vintners Circle Franchising recevies approval for SBA Franchise Registry
November 13th, 2009 by David in news
Friday, November 13th, 2009
Vintners Circle Franchising LLC receives approval for SBA Franchise Registry
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: David Schmeltzle
908-979-9463
Vintner’s Circle, a franchised winemaking shop operating five franchised stores and one corporate store throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, announces today it has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for listing on the SBA Franchise Registry, which will expedite the process for franchisees to get loans to start or expand their businesses with Vintner’s Circle.
Fewer than 30 percent of all franchise systems qualify for listing on the registry, which is an online national registry of franchise systems. Applicants must submit their franchise contracts to ensure compliance with strict SBA criteria.
“We wanted to give our prospective franchisees every advantage to secure financing for their new winemaking shops in this challenging credit environment,” said Vintners Circle Franchising president David Schmeltzle. “We believe getting on the SBA Registry is a major step in our franchise development plans.”
Vintner’s Circle has targeted a number of markets for growth, including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
About Vintners Circle Franchising:
Vintner’s Circle winemaking shops enable friends and family to spend time together while making great tasting wine during four easy steps. With more than 80 varieties to choose from, you will be able to handcraft that perfect wine. Guaranteed.
Vintners Circle selected as Best Practice Finalist
September 17th, 2009 by David in news
Thursday, September 17th, 2009
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
David Schmeltzle
908-979-9463
With more than 500,000 small businesses in the tri-state area, The New York Enterprise Report is once again honoring those who are among the most innovative. The New York Enterprise Report is proud to announce Vintners Circle Franchising LLC from Hackettstown, NJ as a finalist in the Technology category. Vintners Circle Franchising developed best practices and technology that provides operational management for their franchised winemaking shops.
Companies were chosen based on their ability to demonstrate the use of a best practice to generate competitive advantages, revenue profits and/or long-term value. Twenty-seven companies, based in the NY metro area, were selected as finalists out of dozens of qualified applicants for each category.
“We are proud to recognize the achievements and accomplishments of Vintners Circle Franchising,” said Robert Levin, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of The New York Enterprise Report. “The use of their technology best practice has given them a distinct competitive advantage and we congratulate them for their initiatives and innovative thinking.”
The New York Enterprise Report Small Business Awards Gala is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2009 from 6 p.m.- 10 p.m. at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, NY. The Best Practices winners in the areas of Customer Service, Green Business, Human Resources & Leadership, Sales & Marketing and Technology will be announced at the Gala.
Vintner’s Circle (www.VintnersCircle.com) is a franchised winemaking business that enables friends and family to spend time together while making great tasting wine. Using four easy and fun winemaking steps, Vintner’s Circle guarantees the quality of handcrafted wine you can make. With more than 80 varieties to choose from, you will be able to handcraft that perfect wine and personalize your wine bottle labels for life’s special occasions. Or simply make wine for your own enjoyment and tastes.
“The decision to build Vintner’s Circle as a franchise system paralleled our commitment to the development of technology and operational systems”, said David Schmeltzle, President of Vintners Circle Franchising. “We wanted our franchisees to be able to focus on winemaking and excel at customer service. Too many small businesses don’t have the technology infrastructure and best practices in place to effectively manage sales, inventory and operations. As a result, day-to-day operations consume business owners’ time and often negatively affects customer service.”
The New York Enterprise Report, in print and online (www.nyreport.com) features “how-to” articles written by experts for small and midsize businesses in the tri-state area. Each issue of The Report, which is the only media in the New York area exclusively for the leaders of smaller businesses, provides thousands of dollars of much needed expertise making it a must read for those wanting to grow their businesses.
For more information about the New York Enterprise Report, visit www.nyreport.com/awards or call 516/997-1950 or email info@hjmt.com.
For more information about franchises and Vintners Circle Winemaking Shops, visit www.VintnersCircle.com/franchise or call 908-979-9463 or email info@VintnersCircle.com.