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Importer of Chilean wines sells out,
brings in more BY CHRIS KASSEL FREE PRESS WINE WRITER September 13, 2005 |
New varietals and new label part of latest Ann Arbor shipment |
The Chilean import label created by local jazz singer and University of Michigan sociologist Marlena Studer has sold out of about 15,000 bottles of wine and has just brought in its newest shipment.
The shipment includes three new grape varietals, a merlot reserve, chardonnay reserve and a carmenere reserve to supplement the cabernet reserve it offered last year. The non-reserve cabernet will not be offered this year.
"We are really excited about having the varietals that are the most popular and appeal to the most people,'' Studer said.
In addition to adding new varietals, Studer commissioned an artist to redesign the label to feature a smiling sun.
The name Solterra fuses the Latin root words "sol'' for sun and "terra'' for earth.
Studer said she has been working hard to promote the wine in Michigan but now has plans to expand to out-of-state distributors.
Locally, Whole Foods Market on Washtenaw Avenue has been one of Studer's clients. Rich Walters, who manages specialty items for the high-end grocer, said the Solterra cabernet has sold well.
"It's done pretty well actually, and it's definitely a good value at its price,'' he said.
The wine sells for less than $10.
Busch's is another major client for Studer. The local chain has begun carrying her wine in several stores after starting with a display in its Ann Arbor store on South Main Street in Woodland Plaza.
Other carriers can be found on Solterra's Web page at www.solterrawine.com.
Mike Ramsey can be reached at mramsey@annarbornews.com
or (734) 994-6864.
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