The Blue Lagoon wine was in the limelight at ISC, and when Robert and the others returned, Link had to give them a celebratory dinner. One is to celebrate. Secondly, I would like to treat these young winemakers and thank them for their work last year.

After the dinner, the winemakers went back to rest, and tomorrow they all left Ozette to prepare for this year's winemaking.

Link asked Robert and Snapton to go with him to the study.

He needs to talk to Robert about this year's winemaking. Last year's wine production was too large, and this year's Hans Farm and Ozette Farm also look like a good harvest. Hanova Farm's vineyards are slightly lower this year than last year due to drought. However, compared to other grape varieties, the unit yield is at least not lower than that of those varieties in the right climate.

He asked the two of them to sit down first, and asked the servant to bring three cups of tea.

He hadn't been to Hanova Farm for a while, and only learned about Hanova Farm through Robert and Bob Fanti. Now the grapes are about to ripen. He wondered how Robert was doing with their winemaking preparations. He asked Robert, "What are your plans for making wine this year?"

Robert has been preparing for this work for a long time, and he has long been prepared for it. He immediately said, "In Auckland, I discussed it with Albert. This year's weather in the western United States is different from last year's. The ripening time of the grapes at Hanova and Hanse is almost the same. We all agreed that two farms should be brewing at the same time. ”

Link thought for a moment and said, "The grapes from Hans Farm have indeed ripen ahead of schedule this year. If you make wine at the same time, will you be able to handle it?"

"If you cut down on some of the wines and make more of the same wines, you can still cope with the shortage of manpower. "The two farms have enough brewing equipment, and the winemaker's main job is to instruct the workers, so as long as you reduce the amount of wine you brew, the efficiency will be much higher.

Snapton also said at this time: "Cutting back on some wine is also a great benefit to wine sales." ”

"Why do you say that?" Link asked her. "Is it because some of the liquor is selling too badly?"

"It's true that there are some wines that are selling relatively poorly. But that's only for other Blue Lagoon wines, which are more popular. Snapton shook his head. "Too many alcohols can also make it difficult for consumers to choose. In fact, we have a lot of wines that are positioned in the market about the same. While some customers prefer certain wines, some wines have a narrower audience. Judging by the current sales volume. The amount of cellar storage may be sold for two or three years. ”

Link understood, and said, "Then you make a list of the wines that you compare in the cellar and let Robert and the winemakers arrange the wines." ”

Snapton nodded and said, "It's mainly low-to-mid-range wines, but it's also popular in the market." I recommend that you make it every other year, depending on the amount of cellaring. ”

Link said to Robert, "If you don't have a mature idea this year, you winemakers shouldn't experiment with new wines just yet." ”

Rob nodded and said, "Okay." If someone wants to experiment with a new drink, I'll put it together and ask for your permission. ”

"If it's an improvement plan for the original wine, you can do it if you think it's feasible after discussing it. Link paused for a moment and then said. "Will it be difficult to prepare sake brewing on both sides at the same time?"

"I made a detailed plan with others. I believe there will be no problem. ”

"That's good!"

However, Robert asked a different question than in previous years: "There is another situation, Mr. Hans. ”

"What is it?"

"You know, this year Hanova Farm has had less precipitation than in previous years. Although there is an irrigation system. However, the Hanova reservoir dried up in June. The Canadians River is also underwatered. During the fruit-bearing period, the grapes are mainly irrigated by groundwater, and due to the lack of water, the vineyards at Hanova Farm not only have reduced yields, but also have a slightly different sugar content than last year. And there are many unripe fruits. ”

Link looked at him and asked, "Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"

Robert frowned and said, "It should be said that the pros and cons are mixed. The good thing is that the sugar content of the grapes is higher than last year's, and the wine is more mellow. But even with last year's brewing method, there may be some negative changes. However, we try to adapt the brewing method to the actual situation as much as possible. ”

Link thought for a moment and said, "I don't know much about winemaking. You guys are professional, so I won't say much. But I hope that the sake that comes out of it will at least be sold. ”

Robert laughed and said, "That's absolutely fine." We don't just make wine that we can sell. We also try to make high-quality wines. ”

"So, is there a similar situation with the grapes from Hans's farm?"

"That's the case. It's not that obvious, though. The main reason for this change is that the accumulated temperature at Hanse Farm this year is higher than last year, and the evaporation is of course higher. So although there is an irrigation system to ensure that the grapes need water. However, the water content of the grapes is still a little lower than last year. The sugar content is also a little higher, of course. ”

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Albert suggested that we might be able to make a batch of brandy from the grapes from those two farms. ”

"Shouldn't you use white grapes with less sugar?"

"That's what I said to Albert. However, he pointed out that the lack of precipitation not only increased the sugar content of the grapes, but also made the grapes more fruity. And this year's high temperatures prevented the tannins from ripening in the grapes. Robert thought for a moment and said. "The grapes from Hanova Farms are really fruity. He also suggested that the unripe grapes could be pressed together, which would increase the total acidity of the raw material and also make the wine lighter. ”

"Brandy is fermented for three years. Link knew they were the professionals, but there were some things he couldn't afford not to consider. "How much are you going to brew?"

Albert wanted to make more than half of the grapes into brandy, which would require more processes, such as peeling the grapes. More oak barrels are needed for fermentation. ”

Link pondered for a moment and said, "Wouldn't that be too risky?, can the market accept brandy made from red grapes?" That's not a joke. As for the process, this is not a problem.

Robert was silent for a moment and said, "There is definitely a risk. ”

Link thought for a moment and said, "If you have faith, then do it." "Half of the grapes on Hanova Farm are a lot, but the cost is not too high. But he felt that this year was a special climate, and since Albert proposed to make brandy, he thought he was quite confident.

He asked again: "You have also planned the work here of Ozette?"

"Yes, we have learned from last year and made some changes in terms of staffing. We will come to Ozette in groups before the end of the brewing work on the other two farms. ”

Link nodded and said, "Then I'll be working hard for you for the next few months." I think you're tired too, you go and rest first!"

After Robert left, only Link and Snappon were left in the study. Snapton took out the prepared documents and said, "This is a summary of Blue Lagoon wine sales up to last month. ”

Link took it and asked with a smile, "It seems to be more than 30 million bottles?"

"It's been exceeded. ”

Link smiled, flipped through the information and said, "Are you ready?"

"I've been preparing!" Snapton said with a smile as he heard him say that. "Feel free to start a new job. ”

Link glanced briefly at the table. By the end of September this year, Snapton's team had sold 31 million bottles of Blue Lagoon wine worldwide. This has exceeded Link's expectations. If according to such sales volumes. The wines in his cellar cellar were mainly mid-to-high-end that remained later.

He looked up and said, "But I can't be completely comfortable with handing over the marketing of wine to someone else." I need you to continue to be in charge of this. ”

"You're going to regret it?" Snapton raised an eyebrow.

Link smiled and said, "No, I'm not going to go back. You know I'm getting more and more money right now, and I need someone who can turn it into an investment. So, I'll invest in an investment company that can put you in charge. But I want you to be in charge of marketing Blue Lagoon wines. ”

Snatton laughed and said, "Of course that's fine. So when are we going to start?"

"When you're ready!"

"I'm ready!"

"Then you can start preparing for the company. But what are your plans for the future of wine marketing? New wines are ready to be sold. ”

"Getting good results at the ISC two years in a row is a super advertisement in itself. Most of last year's low-grade wines have been sold, and mid-range wines have also sold about half. The new sake is just right to be connected. And our marketing strategy will not change much, at most we will make some fine-tuning according to the current situation, and turn the results into word of mouth. I am confident that we will be able to sell more than 45 million bottles this year. ”

Link simply looked at the information she brought, and saw the total sales of 4.8 billion yuan, so he closed the information and said, "When you prepare to build the company, I can temporarily come up with two billion dollars for you to operate." You can own 10% of the dry shares of the company, and after five years you can buy these shares with 70% of the market value. ”

Two billion dollars, which is equivalent to less than half of the profit from wine sales this year.

"Deal!" Snapton had no problem with his terms. "When will the funds be available?"

Link asked curiously, "Do you have a goal for action now?"

"There are a few alternative targets, but they haven't been decided yet. Snapton grinned. "Because I don't know how much money I can use. ”

Link smiled and said, "I will put the funds in the Ozette Bank, and you will use them in the form of loans when the time comes." I guess it's a little bit more of a turnover for my bank. ”

"What about interest?"

Link didn't answer her question: "If it's a prime asset, you can sell it to me." ”

"The investment company that the woman is in charge of?"

"That's right. He knew she was talking about Martha.