Meet the Merchants, a new weekly feature

The Chappaqua Wine & Spirit Company—Wine tasting tonight, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., see * in “Read more…”
December 9, 2011
by Rob Greenstein

In this edition, NCNOW begins a new weekly feature called “Meet the Merchants.”  Each week, I’ll talk to a shopkeeper, ask a few questions and run his or her profile in NewCastleNOW.

We need to work together to make our downtown hamlets better for everyone.

That is something I said during my campaign for New Castle Town Board.  I also said that whether I were elected or not, I would do my best to make that happen.  While I still believe we need a Downtown Development Committee, as well as a strong Chamber of Commerce, I believe an important first step is to open the lines of communication so residents can learn what our merchants offer and merchants can learn what residents want.

We need to support each other to develop thriving hamlets.  In that spirit, feel free to comment constructively.

An interview with Kirk Sprenger, owner of The Chappaqua Wine & Spirit Co., 65 King Street, Chappaqua, NY 10514 914-238-3114.

How long has your store been a member of our community?

“The Chappaqua Wine & Spirit Co. has been serving the New Castle community for 15 years since 1996.  I’m the owner and have over 25 years experience in the wine business.  My personal interest in fine wines directed me into the retail world in 1980 when I began my training as an apprentice at a fine wine shop in Pound Ridge, NY, When that business was sold, after a seven-year apprenticeship, I became general manager and wine buyer at a major wine shop in Mamaroneck, NY. After seven years I left to open the Chappaqua Wine & Spirit Co. with a business partner. In 2002, I bought out my partner and became the sole proprietor.”

You recently did a wine tasting/fundraiser with The League of Woman Voters of New Castle. How did that go, and are wine tastings something you do often for not-for-profit groups?

“The LWV fundraiser was certainly well received by all those that attended here in the store.  We had one of our fine wine reps that volunteered to pour for us which was immensely helpful. There were many people that were very interested to learn more intimate details of the wineries that were presented and what qualities each possessed to make it a standout wine.  Again, we had an array of wines from different countries, regions and grapes. We offered a Chablis Premier Cru “Fourchaume”  from La Chablisienne (100% Chardonnay) and a California “Russian River Valley” Chardonnay from Sebastiani Vineyards, as a contrast. As a third white wine, we included an Alsace Riesling from Pfaffenheim. Our tasting then shifted to reds that encompassed a Pinot Noir from Oregon by Belle Valley, a Chianti Classico by Luiano from Tuscany, a Shiraz from Mudgee, Australia by Robert Oatley, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley by Whitehall Lane and finally finishing up with a hearty red Zinfandel by Four Vines from their “Biker Vineyard”. Each wine showed amazingly well and everybody seemed to have their favorites. All in all, there were about 50 – 60 people who traveled through the doors to taste and, of which, a great percentage of those that purchased. We thank all those that did and helped to raise money for the league.

Although the LWV was the first fundraiser we’ve done, we do regular in store tastings with our suppliers. Our next event will be our annual Holiday tasting on Saturday, December 17 from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Although the wines are not 100% set for the tasting on December 17th from 1-6 pm, I can tell you that, as always, we’ll have an array of wines from various regions and various price points. We will also be introducing a new vodka from Brooklyn, NY called Brooklyn Republic. It is NOT just another gimmicky vodka with a great package. The vodka is sincere, well crafted, smooth as silk, and well priced. It’s blended from organic wheat from upstate New York and mid western corn. Distilled six times to remove the “bad” alcohol and then pumped into special temperature controlled tanks at 28 degrees Fahrenheit. This then causes the impurities to crystallize and float to the top of the tank where they are then skimmed off. Well worth tasting!

In addition, we’ve been conducting wine classes in the store for the last three years. Our Fall/Winter schedule is currently in session. Seats are still available for those who’d to join any of the upcoming classes. Our next class is Tuesday, December 13 from 7:45 to 9:15 p.m. here in the store, featuring sparkling wines from around the world. As a member of the class, you’ll receive a customized set of tasting notes and an instructional on that night’s topic. Six wines are tasted at each of our classes and special discount pricing is offered to those who wish to order any of the wines. Seating is limited and by enrollment. Please call 914-238-3114 for further details.”

What makes your store unique?

“Our store is unique in that we look to seek out wines of special interest. Everyone is tired of the same old cookie cutter wines. There is a whole world of wine that is simply not explored because the average person has not heard of it. It is safe to go with something that you know, but our customers have learned to rely on our tasting experience. We have found many wines that are very small production that are not any pricier than the national branded items. This is what makes our selection unique. We also pride ourselves on our service. If we don’t have a particular item that someone is looking for, we try to locate it and, if possible, special order it for them.”

Have you seen a change in your customers’ wine selection due to the economy?

“I think that everyone’s business has changed since the speed bump in our economy. Customers who were comfortable spending $50 - 60 on a bottle of wine are now being more cautious with their money and cutting back to a more modest price of $30 - 40. And those spending $30 – 40 reduced their spending to the $15 - 20 price range. And so on. This prompted us to alter some of our buying patterns in the last several years to include some more budget-priced wines.” 

What are some of the most common misconception people hold about the wine business?

“Well, for example, people often think that the more common the wine, the better it is. Just because everyone buys it or it’s popular, doesn’t make it a good wine. Many of the wines that consumers buy today were the small boutique wines of yesteryear. Popularity led to mass production and in many cases also led to an inferior product.”

Do you offer mixed case discount or loyalty programs?

“We try to offer value around the store in the manner of in-store specials and sales. In addition, for wines that are not slashed to bare bone pricing, we offer a 15% mixed case discount and for many of our in stock items, there is a solid case pricing of 17 - 20 % off.”

What do you think the town could do to make conditions better for business?

“Many of our customers enjoy lingering in the store and talking about the day in, day out goings on in town. Unfortunately, the same concerns repeatedly come up in conversation. The diversity of business is stagnant and the residents are looking for change. The town has become a haven for only certain types of business, which has become a local joke around town. The town board needs to set limitations and caps on the number of a “type” of business permitted. If the limit is set at three, and if there is someone looking to open up a fourth similar type of business, the town must say ‘no’ at that point. We need a diversity of shops in town or else residents will go elsewhere.”

Besides calling, how can customers stay connected with you (Facebook, email, etc)?

“With the new developments on our web site, soon to be revealed, customers will be able to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and our new blog. Those who wish to call the store may always do so at 914-238-3114.”

Any special discounts for NewCastleNOW readers who mention this article?

“Of course we always like to offer an incentive to any of our potential customers. For those that read this article and wish to make a wine purchase for the first week that it runs, we will offer a 10% discount on their purchase.”
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* TONIGHT!

Join us Friday evening, December 9th from 4:00 to 7:00 pm for a tasting of a couple of our newest discoveries!

We recently teamed up with a new importer of fine wines that have shown us some beautiful new wine values. Our rep will be on hand to pour three of our newest additions. First up is a very interesting Viognier from Tangent winery, an Edna Valley, California producer. Second in line is an elegant Pouilly Fuisse from a boutique Burgundy producer, Demessey. And, we end with an incredibly beautiful Rioja Crianza by Nocedal, made from grapes grown on 25 year old vines. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged in oak barrels for six months and, once bottled, is then aged another 12 months before being released.