Hi there! After nearly 300 posts here, we've moved to Substack. 

Please give us a follow!  - Ali & Eric Story 

SUNDAY VIBES IN WINE COUNTRY 

Traditionally in our home, Sunday is a day of cooking farmer’s market bounty and opening great bottles of wine. Today, I’m in the tasting room and Ali’s home preparing local wild caught Halibut. A dinner to be enjoyed with the 2022 Smith Story “Lakota’s View” Sémillon, oh this is a dream pairing!

Big cheers to an awesome crowd of Storytellers and new friends who joined us on Friday for our first Smith Story Summer Social of 2024. A delicious gathering & toe-tapping time with a musical guest appearance by Spike Sikes taking a seat at our vintage piano. A great way to “wine down” from the week my dear wife said, I agree! 

This time next Sunday we’ll be meeting Native Birds in our tasting room for Father’s Day.

What am I up to when not in the tasting room this summer? I’m in the midst of securing new grape contracts for Harvest 2024, checking vineyards and prepping for a Cabernet Franc bottling next month. The hardship of 2020 and following few years of health challenges have caught up with us. 2024 is a crucial year to grow our inventory levels back to normal. The only way possible to do all this is with your continued support. Our bootstrapped family winery has one tough collection of boots after ten years! 

The 2024 Smith Story Fall Wine Release will raise the bar for our family winery once again. Three incredibly beautiful wines from family vineyards the Russian River Valley, AVA. Details coming soon about that. 

Grateful to have you with us!  - Eric Story 
 

June 9, 2024

Most Everything Gets Worse Before It Gets Better. 

Ali here. I'm home today attempting to tackle larger than describable to-do list with a sore face and head. Blame it on allergies and massive laughter. 

Last Friday night, Eric treated me for my birthday to a comedy show featuring the fabulous Wanda Sykes. It was a night to remember! I laughed so hard that I used two tissues to wipe my eyes so I could see the stage clearly. Wanda hit all the marks, the crowd at Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa often standing and cheering, making our heads fall back and forth nodding in agreement with a good mix of common sense thrown in. I haven't laughed that hard in many years, she was so damn funny! 

Wanda knew her audience and played into our current news and culture.  “Listen up, I shouldn't be the one to tell y'all this, but most everything gets worse before it gets better”. 

Full stop. 

It's no secret that the wine business has found itself in rough waters this year. And no secret that our family winery has been met with excruciating challenges since 2017.  Just when we think the tough times are over, another huge wave seems to hit hard. We just keep swimming. 

Thankful for my laugh lines today. Incredibly grateful that Eric and I have never taken our eyes off our future, this chapter for our family winery is hard yet again, but the big beautiful bright light is so much closer than ever before. 

Stay tuned! - Ali 

Monday, January 3, 2022
 
Exciting news for our family winery today, Wine Industry Network announced Ali Story as “Wine’s Most Inspiring People”.  "Each year, Wine Industry Advisor chooses 10 individuals within the wine industry who showcase leadership, innovation, and inspiration. For the first time in 2021, WIA opened up the submission process to the industry at large. With over 100 nominees, the editorial team selected the top 10 individuals who they felt has truly, positively impacted the US wine culture over the past year.” Stacy Briscoe, Managing Editor of Wine Industry Network. 

“My head is spinning with so many thoughts today after these last two unbelievably hard years for our new winery. The lessons along the way, the numerous others who’ve inspired me both in and out of the the wine industry. It’s my greatest hope that Smith Story Wine Cellars will continue to be a leader in offering exceptional wines that are accessible to everyone.

Social media, our email communication, our in-person hospitality all continue to allow us to tell our story with tremendous transparency and heart. I’m nearing 20+ years in this crazy business of wine and of all the wineries I’ve fallen hard for, Smith Story has grown due to the support of wine lovers who care about seeing our family winery succeed in this giant world of wine. Your loyalty is beyond mind-blowing, what an honor to have been nominated by my peers and receive this award!”, Ali.

How can you continue to be a part of Our Story? Share this news, good news is THE perfect pairing with Smith Story Wines. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in 2022. The next few days are filled with planning the 2022+ road ahead here in Healdsburg, meeting with our wholesale teams and hiring the right people who’ll enable us to keep spreading our wings. Tasting room reservations are now open through April and most preferred. However, shopping and just stopping in to relax is welcome too. Details on our VISIT page. 

Cheers to so much peace, love and delicious wine in 2022! 

Thank you,
Eric and Ali Story

PS. Big Congrats to Storyteller Cathy Huyghe—Writer, Entrepreneur, Meditator too!  We are among great company. 

May 14, 2024

Tortured Vintners Department // Rose Colored Glasses

Today, today is the day we said "I Do" on the Big Island of Hawaii, just the two of us. On May 14, 2013 we eloped and had a traditional wedding ceremony in the middle of a Kona coffee farm under the pouring rain. In Hawaii rain is considered a blessing and a good omen. 

Straight From The Tortured Vintners Department. 

May 14, 2014 we announced Smith Story Wine Cellars to the world. We then dreamed of  celebrating Smith Story Wine Cellars by year ten back on the Big Island with our most loyal customers, friends and family. Today we’re celebrating by delivering wines to loyal restaurant accounts and looking forward to a quiet dinner at the Chef’s counter at one of our favorites in Sonoma County.

Due to the reality in our industry, pretty much since 2017, we have absolutely lived a tortured life as winery owners.  It’s truly unimaginable...wildfires, tariffs, relocating cellars, tasting rooms and homes, a global pandemic, freaking cancer and one helluva increase in the cost of living and in doing business. Pure torture for a small, bootstrapped winery with big dreams.

Ten years of building, innovating, increasing revenue each year. Ten years of giving Smith Story Wine Cellars every single breath we inhale and exhale.

What's the closest we’ve come to our hearts exploding?  The thrill of releasing a new Smith Story Wine to you, every single year.

Looking Back and to the Future with Rose Colored Glasses. 

The meaning of rose colored glasses; a cheerful or optimistic view of things, usually without valid basis. Everyone we know understands why it’s meant to be. Maybe because we’re crazy, maybe we are the only ones who can see the light pulling us through.

We’re the ones who have seen your smiles after sipping Smith Story wines, read your emails full of kindness and encouragement, been able to hug thousands of necks in gratitude over the years and we’re the ones that continue to push with strength, integrity and passion for Smith Story Wine Cellars. Our wines are impressive, we are so very proud. 

Thank you for believing in us. The next ten years are full of making Smith Story dreams come true. Those dreams include you, still enjoying and sharing the spirit of Smith Story. Raise a glass in celebration with us tonight! 

In gratitude, 
Ali & Eric 

Single Vineyard Series // Pinot Noir 

A new tasting offering! 

Smith Story Wine Cellars, Single Vineyard 
Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir
From the Deep-End to Boonville, a chance to taste these
life-changing wines together. 

Reserve your time with us in Healdsburg

NEXT WEEK IN NORTH CAROLINA

Wednesday April 17 // Charlotte: 
Ali's leading a tasting at Petit Philippe (a long time supporter of Smith Story!) for Charlotte Food and Wine (purchase tickets)
Thursday April 18 // Raleigh:
Ali's pouring at Hope Valley Country Club, who is a member? Spread the word to others! 
Friday April 19 // Atlantic Beach: 
Join Ali from 5-7pm for a Smith Story Wine Tasting at Bahia Beach House.

It's been since 2019 that Ali's been able to work with our fabulous wholesale partner, Cellar Distributing. She's with the sales team in Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham and then a little something special in Atlantic Beach by the weekend!  Please contact Cellar Distributing if you can open a door for us in this wonderful state, both Eric and Ali have lifelong memories of North Carolina and now numerous fans of Smith Story also live in NC.

END OF VINTAGE WARNING! 
These beauties are nearly sold-out, please build your summer case of wines and  place an order today for pick-up in Healdsburg or choose to have your order shipped while the weather is still cool across the country. This support also helps our small winery so much! Current inventory is very small in wholesale markets this year due to limited production these past few years here. 
 

2021 Smith Story Olivet Lane, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley $64 // A California Chardonnay for White Burgundy Lovers.

2023 Smith Story Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County. $40 // Our first SauvyB fermented and aged in concrete eggs. 

2022 Smith Story "Lakota's View", Sémillon, Sonoma Mountain. $40 // The last drop from this vineyard until we win the lotto and buy the place. 

2019 Smith Story Pickberry VIneyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Mountain $96 // 2023 is the next release from this legendary vineyard, so Cab fans, please load up now.  

Cheers from Healdsburg this morning! 

Dusty Ann Rhodes
Hospitality Director, Smith Story Wine Cellars
PS. If you are planning flights to visit, STS is the Sonoma County Airport code, minutes away from us! 

Hey there! It's Dusty, your Hospitality Director at Smith Story Wine Cellars, and I'm absolutely thrilled to catch up with you and offer you the warmest of welcomes. 

Spring has finally arrived in Healdsburg, and we couldn't be more excited to swing open our doors and invite you back to our beautiful tasting patio and wine garden. By the way, if you haven't had the chance to check out the stunning mural adorning our patio wall, you're in for a treat. Ask us about the fantastic story behind its creation – it's a real gem! 

There's no better time than now to visit our joy-filled tasting room and wine garden nestled right in the heart of Healdsburg. California 

California Poppies are popping, and the sunshine feels so good. Our beloved Sauvignon Blanc is back in stock, and let me tell you, the good-times and laughter filling our space are positively infectious!

Oh and only a few cases remain of the 2023 SauvyB! 

See you soon, 

Dusty

Join Us // Invite Us

Wine of the Week: 2019 Smith Story Cabernet Franc, Sonoma County
Last week here in Sonoma County began with loads of new spring sunshine. By Friday we had dark skies cut with rays of sunlight peeking through big white cartoon-like clouds with bright rainbows that filled the gaps. 

A glass of our 2019 Smith Story Cabernet Franc was in hand when a rainbow hit our kitchen windows and stopped Ali in her tracks. A magical wine and magical moment. A handful of cases available. 

Spring Wine Release Shipping
If picking up in Healdsburg, please let us know in advance by emailing tastings at smithstorywines.com so we can properly host you. 

Keep an eye out for your tracking number email if your orders are being shipped. Reminder: once you receive your tracking number any and all shipping changes must be handled by you through the carrier. Smith Story can not make changes for you once the shipment has left our hands. 

April 2 // The All American Wine Story
Join us at the Glen Ellen Star for an evening of celebration. A 5-course dinner pairing with our new Spring Wine Releases and a few "First Borns".  To reserve a seat at this very special dinner with us.  A Celebration of 10 Years of Smith Story Wine Cellars... you won't want to miss! 

Visit the Smith Story tasting room.
Oh guests are enjoying our new plant-based cheese pairings. Please reserve in advance as we coordinate with husband wife team at Nova Terra Creamery in Calistoga on the freshest deliveries of their handmade cheeses.

You may also select from other offerings listed on TOCK. No reservations required for wine and vintage sundries shopping of course. Open Hours: Thursday - reservation only. Friday-Monday reservations and walk-ins welcome. Bring your wine-loving friends to Smith Story! 

Last Call!
Less than 12 Storyteller memberships available for the Spring Release. For those of you new to the Smith Story Mailing List... this is the last call for our 2024 Spring release Wines. A very limited amount is available for purchase on smithstoryswines.com this week only. Storytellers receive savings on wine, shipping and a growing list of benefits too. To join.

Smith Story Socials // Invite us over
The 2024 calendar is filling up, dates available for West Coast & Bay Area socials are the most flexible. Reach out to Dusty to coordinate an up-close and personal fabulous Smith Story Wine tasting with us in your home. Details
 
See you soon, thank you for your loyal support and Sharing The Smith Story! 

 - Ali & Eric 

March 16, 2024

I woke up this morning to check the numbers. First thing that flashed in my head was standing in line as a young girl wearing my grass-stained soccer uniform with sweat dripping down my face saying "good game" while high-fiving the winning team. 

But in this case, there was no real opponent, only a big challenge for our winery. 

The angst of a small winery was stacked against us from the start. For example, no budget to hire cool celebrities like George Clooney or Taylor Swift to endorse Smith Story or buy ads in wine magazines (do you even read these nowadays?). These days personal email communication is the best way our three-person staff can reach you. We did and do what we can also using social media to spread the word.

A close friend called to tell us he was going to look for our wines at a retail chain Total Wine. Which he of course didn't find Smith Story Wines. Since the debaucles of 2020, we don't make that much wine these days to afford massive 3-tier distribution. Those of you who know the history of William Selyem for example, those guys started making wine in their garage buying grapes from family owned vineyards, it wasn't until very recent years that you could find their wines in retail establishments.

Oh a stealth (and beautiful) wine foundation is set however!  Between our single vineyard Smith Story Wines, Lord Sandwich wines, BRAVE and Eric Story Selections from Europe, we have created a very scalable wine company! The time has come for us to partner with a winery who can help us grow to the levels of success we began working so hard at for a decade now. The future is a bright one!

Hat's Off to You! 
We'll take this campaign and 5995 number as a big win!  Many new Smith Story fans placed orders, local fine wine accounts stepped up to support, dozens of new Storytellers joined and best of all, our most loyal supporters of Smith Story Wine Cellars gobbled up "first borns" and are saving a chunk of change on shipping and on wine prices. THANK YOU! 

Our sincerest gratitude goes out to each of you reading this today, thank you for sharing our story and enjoying The Spirit of Smith Story Wine! Ten years of your incredible encouragement and support, we are so very lucky to have you with us. What is next? A special tiny lot release is coming in May. And also, you'll see and hear from us on what to cook with Smith Story Wines this summer.  We are working on a new series in the kitchen for you to have some fun with!

Cheers to the first ten years of Smith Story Wines and to the strength and delight of ten more to come! 

In love and gratitude,
Ali & Eric