When I started planning for the 2012 year back in September of 2011 it was time for a change. In 2010 and 2011, as a business we sustained huge losses in sales and production due to several factors:
- Inn at the 5th Hotel Construction
- The recent economic conditions in the wake of the recession
- Two cold and wet growing seasons in 2010 & 2011
With 2012 on the mind as our first year back in the swing of things I set out to make 
some changes:
- More Wine Club Parties
- Better Entertainment
- Better Food
- More Prizes, Contests, and Give-a-ways
- Better Decorations
- Online Registration System for all events
- A return to Music on the Garden Plaza at the 5th Street Market
- Better trained, more wine oriented staff
- Better Entertainment
- Better Food
- Printed Calendar of Events (The Entire Year)
- A stronger overall brand here in the Eugene Area
If the Mayans are right about 2012 then I will be happy to go out with a bang. This has to
be the best year in recent memory for our business on so many levels. I’m proud to say that I’m really starting to feel a sense of accomplishment with our most recent Wine Club Island Party last weekend. We had a jam packed lawn with 240 confirmed guests last Saturday. Following up our first two sold out indoor Wine Club Parties seemed like it might be difficult, but our club members did not disappoint.
Chris Erben, from 5th Street Market’s El Pato Cafe, came out for his second wine club party and prepared all of his Big Kahuna Macho Steak Skewers on site and fed everyone at the party. He also served grilled veggies and coconut rice for a little bit of the Island theme. I had very little negative feedback, and I’m looking forward to having him back again for our three course Winemaker Dinner on Saturday, August 18th.
The Cheeseburgers kept the crowd swirling, sipping, relaxing, and dancing for four hours
straight as they played all sorts of island rock music throughout the evening. We had two large groups of 25 people each celebrating a birthday and a retirement. We had so many people on site that we had to open up the cellar and seat people inside and outside. We finished off the evening with a bunch of raffle prizes and a hula hoop contest that turned into a two part contest with a final hoop-off! We couldn’t pick a winner so we gave both contestants a one night stay at the Inn at the 5th Hotel.
I want to finish this blog with a big thumbs up to our staff. I have watched a fairly new staff blossom into a fine bunch of people. Led by Eric, Evan, and our Wine Club Manager Gisela this 2012 year is really our best year yet at LaVelle Vineyards! We’ll hope to see another packed house at the Harvest Party in September.
