Well, Andy and I made it back home after spending Thanksgiving in Ixtapa Guerrero, Mexico. It was the most relaxing, fun, and romantic vacation I have ever experienced. 🙂 I will post some pictures on here in the next week to let you in on some of the food we had and to show you how beautiful of a place Ixtapa is. 🙂 My heart and soul have been enriched forever and I can’t wait to go back.
We got back just in time to attend a preview party for the new Total Wine & More in Folsom, which opens today. We sipped sparkling wine from Mumm Napa, and tried other 15-20 different wines that will be available for purchase in the store–including a great deal of wines from Sobon Estates. Paul Sobon (the winemaker) was there pouring a few different zinfandels and a barbera (a personal favorite of mine) from the family portfolio. We snacked on food catered by Randy Peters Catering. I’d like to thank Total Wine & More for the invitation and include the press release (below) that was sent to me to give you a little bit more information on the store.
PS: Today’s opening will include live music, tastings and more! The official ribbon cutting will be on December 6th from 6-7pm.
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Total Wine & More, America’s largest independent retailer of fine wine, spirits and beer, has announced that it is expanding its presence in the Greater Sacramento area with a new location in Folsom, Calif., which is expected to open on November 29
“Our newest investment in the Sacramento community will benefit our customers, as well as the overall community,” says David Trone, who co-owns Total Wine & More with his brother Robert Trone. “Our expansion into Folsom will bring an estimated 50 jobs to the community, while also creating a thriving business which will generate retail sales tax that can bring additional city services to residents.”
Total Wine & More, which is known for its large selection and competitive prices, offers more than 8,000 wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 beers in each of its superstores, including hard-to-find labels and locally produced product.
“The key to our success lies in our basic principles: we provide our customers with an unbelievable selection, at market-leading prices,” explains Trone. “From wine connoisseurs seeking rare finds to complete their vintage collection, to beer aficionados who enjoy building their own six-packs with hard-to-find micro-brews, Total Wine & More is dedicated to providing customers with exactly what they seek, at the most competitive prices in the market.”
Trone notes that in addition to selection and price, Total Wine & More is also committed to creating an unparalleled retail experience for its shoppers. The retailer delivers on this promise through unique staff training programs and state-of-the-art in-store technologies.
“When you walk into our stores, there is a wow factor that is undeniable,” he says. “Customers are impressed with the bright, beautiful appearance of each store, and we build on this by also offering our shoppers the most well-trained staff in the industry, as well as the latest tools and technologies to help enhance their visit to our stores.”
Staff training is a cornerstone of the Total Wine & More business platform, and each member of the Total Wine & More sales team is trained for 150 hours prior to working in the stores, including education on various regions, production methods, varietals, brew styles, and tasting analysis.
The company also offers its employees continuous training throughout their career, including the opportunity to meet with the world’s key wine, beer and spirits producers. Every year, Total Wine treats select team members to a trip to California’s major wine regions for a week-long training session, as well as a two-week trip to Europe’s key wine regions every other year, to increase their knowledge of various products.
“A knowledgeable team can mean the difference between a good experience and a great one. Through our industry-leading training programs, Total Wine & More’s sales team members are equipped to always deliver a great experience to our customers,” says Trone.
Another area of focus for Total Wine & More is the delivery of a state-of-the-art retail environment, and the company delivers on this promise through its new, “next-generation” in-store technologies. The new Folsom store will feature many of these new technologies, which will allow customers to become more engaged with the products and increase their knowledge of many different wines, beers and spirits, according to Trone.
“Next-generation” features in the Folsom store will include:
- A state-of-the-art tasting bar where customers can treat their palates to tastes of various wines, beers and spirits while learning about the background of each beverage.
- In-store iPads equipped with a proprietary app which provides recommendations on specific beverages to pair with various meals.
- Flat panel screens throughout the store that stream video content on vintners, their wineries and how various wines are made.
- An updated education center, which will be used to host classes on various types of wines, beers and spirits throughout each month. The state-of-the-art education center is also available to be booked for use by local non-profits and businesses at no charge.
The Folsom store will be the 88th location for Total Wine & More, and its 11th California location. The new store is located at 2765 E. Bidwell St. Folsom, Calif., a former Borders location.
Total Wine & More’s vast selection of products, combined with low everyday prices and expertly trained wine associates, brings a unique shopping experience to the customer. Total Wine & More has the distinction of being Beverage Dynamic’s 2008 Wine Retailer of the Year, Market Watch’s 2006 Retailer of the Year, and Wine Enthusiast’s 2004 Retailer of the Year. Since opening its first store in 1991, Total Wine & More has been committed to being the premier wine retailer in every community that it serves. More information and stores locations are available at www.totalwine.com
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