Esson Estates Winery Co-op

How the Cooperative Works for General Members

Choose your Method
Decide your Involvement
Pick up Supplies
Gather Bottles
Wine Production
Storage and Coop Exchange
Personal Storage

Step 1:	Choose which method you would like to follow to produce your wine. We offer three main methods of doing this: Pre-packaged Wine (kit wine) From the Vine (made from 100% juice from grapes) Specialty Wine (made from fruit, herbs, etc., and are based on seasonal availability) Refer to the wine listings and descriptions for a better understanding of your options. Top
Step 2:	Decide on your level of involvement in the production of your wine. What you decide here will determine the required time you will need to put into your wine making hobby, and also the amount of product you choose to donate to the cellar operator. Refer to the how to manual to learn about the process of how to make wine and the required time you will need to put into it. You can use this to calculate your estimated time of involvement. In terms of level of involvement you have two options: No Involvement - Partial Involvement Full Involvement No Involvement If you choose to have no involvement in the process of making your wine, you will have to put in almost zero effort and time. With the no involvement option, you are still required to drop off the supplies to make the wine as well as clean wine bottles for the cellar operator to use to bottle your wine (32 bottles min). Outside of that you just have to pick up your finished wine once it has been bottled. To compensate the cellar operator for their time by choosing this option, you also choose to donate 5 of the bottles from that batch to them. (This covers things such as their time, the use of the cellar, facilities and equipment). If you are a volunteer for the coop, you are exempt of the donation. Note: this does not include the co-op bottle exchange of 6 bottles. See “Co-op Post” definition in Step 6 for more details. Full Involvement* Full involvement will take up more of your time however, you will get more out of it in terms of personal satisfaction, and knowledge regarding wine making. With the full involvement option, you will be expected to be there for every step of the wine making process. You are also required to bring your own bottles and supplies (not equipment) for making your wine. (Supply cabinets will be provided within the facilities). With this option you are still required to donate 2 of the bottles from your batch to the cellar operator. (This will cover the use of the cellar, facilities and equipment). If you are a volunteer for the coop, you are exempt of the donation. *Note: this does not include the co-op bottle exchange of 6 bottles. See “Co-op Post” definition in Step 6 for more details. Top
Step 3:	Pick up supplies required to make you wine. Call ahead and order the pre-packaged wine, or juice and pick them up and bring them to the facilities. Please call the cellar operator ahead of time to ensure there is space available. Top
Step 4:	Collect and clean wine bottles and drop them off to the cellar operator prior to fermentation. Please ensure that the bottles are free of mold, labels have been removed and the bottle is washed thoroughly. Top
Step 5:	Wine production. Discuss scheduling with the cellar operator. Top
Step 6:	Storage and Co-op exchange: Place your donation bottles into the cellar operator’s storage cellar, and then put 6 of your bottles into the Co-op Post. Co-op Post After every batch of wine you make you then put six of those bottles into the co-op post and you can then take 5 other bottles out. (The extra 1 bottle goes towards filling the coop post to its maximum capacity. Once the maximum capacity is reached, only 5 bottles will be required for the exchange). The other 5 bottles taken out of the coop post are bottles that other winemakers have placed into storage and must be aged at least 1 month prior to removal. The 5 bottles you chose can be of any variety (maximum 2 of one variety) as long as they are in the same price range (cost to manufacture) as the wine you produced. For instance, if you made a pre-packaged wine and it cost you $100 for the kit, you should find another bottle in the post that is within that price range for the exchange. This keeps the exchange fair and ensures that everyone is getting out what they are putting in. Price Ranges for Exchange: <$99.99, $100-$149.99, $150-$199.99, >$200 Specialty Wine is considered in the range of $150-$200 due to the labor involved in making them. Prices include taxes. Pre-arranged exchanges among members are welcomed as well. These pre-arranged bottles must be marked when placed into the co-op post. Top
Step 7:	Personal Storage You should allow your wine to be stored and aged for at the very least 3 months. This will bring out the true character, flavor and tones in the wine. Top

If you have any questions regarding the steps or of procedures, please contact the cellar operator.

If you are interested in becoming more involved in the Esson Estates Winery Coop and would like to further your experience in the world of Co-ops please see the Membership options.