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NVLife_MayJune_2014

FLY WINE takes flighby Kair tRelu FlyWine, a proprietary wine that is only available in 100ml “Travelers” size bottles, lifted off in May. FlyWine’s Travelers are the only TSA-friendly package for wine. Developed and marketed by Yountville resident and wine marketing specialist Stephanie DeMasi, each release will be made by a different winemaker, exclusively for FlyWine. According to DeMasi, the wine will be “quality juice,” made dirtto bottle with a special story unique to the winemaker. The winemaker will also select a charity of choice to which FlyWine will remit a donation. “The Napa Valley lifestyle is my lifestyle,” said DeMasi, who moved here twelve years ago from New York. “My friends engage as family should: we share long meals several times a month (sometimes several times each week); we cook together, drink together, share stories and much laughter. It is wine that has brought us together—a lot of very good wine.” Several years ago, DeMasi learned about a one-of-a-kind bottling machine that was bottling down regular-sized (750ml) wine bottles into 50ml and 100ml bottles. “I thought, “Wow, those are great! I can bring them anywhere!” So she bottled some wine from Juslyn, where she worked, into the “Travelers” and took them with her everywhere—traveling, the movie theater, trade shows, and gave them to folks as gifts. “The response was the same each time: “These are amazing—how can I get some?” said DeMasi. DeMasi has made many winemaker friends since living in the Napa Valley. “My promise with FlyWine is to tap a real winemaker to make real wine to share with you for each release,” said DeMasi. “Each winemaker will share his/her adventure in making their exclusive wine for FlyWine, so you can learn directly from the source what makes the wine special.” Additionally, FlyWine’s “Flights take Flight” winery service launched May 1, and DeMasi said she is looking to bring on board five to ten wineries to participate immediately. Their wines will be bottled into the Travelers for retail takeaway and commercial sampling. “Life is too short to drink bad wine or be enthralled by a kitschy package. Think—if that package is that special, it was expensive! So how much money do you think they had left to pay for the wine in huge volume to re-coup the cost!? The answer is, probably not much. FlyWine invests in winemakers’ visions, quality fruit, and inspiring charities,” said DeMasi. FlyWine also now has club memberships on their website, Fly-wine.com. The club is limited to 250 6-pack members, 500 3-pack members, and 10 case members for the first releases. They will offer both red and white wines, sometimes concurrently. Each release will be noted on the bottle, and on their website so you can collect them all, re-order while they are still available, and share them with your friends. The club has many benefits for sharing because, says DeMasi, “Wine is meant to be shared.” Each time a member successfully refers a new member to our club, he or she receives a point. Each traveler release will have its own point value. Members can opt to bank points or use them towards their next purchase. Sometimes there will be a release with a more expensive wine produced by a “cult winemaker.” These wines will require you to redeem more points. Each release will clearly show its point value—use them wisely! “Remember, it’s just for fun, and a way for me to thank you for being a part of our family.” Flywine allows a consumer to have a little taste of luxury without opening a whole bottle. They are also great for caterers, party planners, corporate holiday gifting and stocking stuffers.  “The important thing about FlyWine is that the wine inside has been made by a real winemaker from a subappellation— it has a story, a sense of place,” said DeMasi. “And you can take it anywhere.” Stephanie DiMase 22 www.nAPAVA L L E Y L I F Emagaz ine. c om


NVLife_MayJune_2014
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