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Our ability to present our wine list on a Kindle Fire is a complex endeavor that dates back seven years to our very first investment in technology when we installed a computerized Point of Sales system, essentially a database of our entire inventory with a companion database of all of our clients. With this system we can, in real time, manage and market our business through a concise knowledge of what we have in stock and who is purchasing our products. The next step in our evolution was launching an online store when Drew spearheaded the project to link our new shopping cart to our POS system. We effectively display selected inventory on the cart, complete with price, tasting notes and bottle shot. The final challenge was to present our wine list on a Kindle Fire, and we accomplished this by mirroring content from our online store. Data is dumped into a new format created for the list and it is updated automatically four times each day so that as we sell out or add wines, these changes are reflected on the Wine List. Drew has worked for more than a year with a Texas-based consultant (thanks for hooking us up, Ron Hart!) and our webmaster, Chris Tandoc, to put together all of the pieces of this very complex project—part database, part Internet, part design and all old-fashioned hard work.
Here's a screen shot of the new digitized Carpe Vino Wine List. Delivered via Kindle Fire tablet, the new list will be available in the restaurant starting March 1 (we hope!). We expect to meet our deadline and have four Kindle-Fire tablets available for use in the shop to start. The Wine List features a navigation bar on the left broken down by varietal and region. Customers can also simply scroll through the entire list. Each entry features the name of the wine, vintage, appellation and price. If there is a six-bottle deal available, this is noted, along with any scores awarded by The Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator or the Wine Enthusiast. Since the entire list is linked to the Internet and locked to our web site, users can get more information by clicking on individual wines to obtain tasting notes and a bottle shot. The only issue we’re concerned about is that once people get a Kindle Fire in their hands, they’re not going to want to give it up. One huge residual benefit is that we decided to apply to become a Wine Spectator Restaurant Award recipient, a designation granted to fewer than 4,000 restaurants worldwide whose lists meet exacting standards. We have not applied in the past because other than our by-the-glass wine list, we have not had a formal presentation of what we have to offer. Our new Kindle approach changes everything. What really made this new advance possible for Carpe Vino was the launch of the Internet-based Kindle Fire, which retails for $199. When the Apple iPad was introduced several years ago, we fantasized about using one of the new vendors creating programs for the tablet, but the cost was prohibitive. Basic iPads cost $500 each, plus programming and database management. With our system, we’re getting into the game at a fraction of the cost of going with iPads. The very cool thing is, however, anyone with an iPad or a computer will be able to access the list, so our customers can peruse the wine list at home before they come for dinner. The list will not be password protected. . .we want everyone to be able to take a look at what we have to offer.
Carpe Vino Ranks among Top National Wine Lists
OpenTable’s “Diners’ Choice Awards” for this year are based on more than 10 million reviews penned by the online reservations firm’s clients from October 2010 to September 2011. Restaurants that made the list are located in 21 states. Read more about Carpe Vino's OpenTable Award, click here > Carpe Vino Named to OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurant ListBelow you’ll find the text of a news release sent to Sacramento-area media. Rather than re-write it for Window on Old Town, I’m taking the easy way out. I’ve got to add that I am desperately proud of our entire staff and all that they have accomplished that led to earning the recognition from OpenTable. We work in relative obscurity here, but we strive for excellence none-the-less. It’s tough to get the media down the hill to take notice, but when our customers acknowledge what we’ve accomplished in Old Town, it is oh-so redeeming. . .and oh-so sweet. My thanks to everyone who has ever dined at our tables or sipped from our Riedels. You folks are truly awesome and we love you all. –gary Click here to read the press release >
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The Wine Mine Makes Memorable Special Events
And, don’t forget that Carpe Vino gift cards make perfect gifts. All you need to do is decide on the amount of the gift!
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Carpe Vino may be a 32-seat restaurant located on the distant edge of Sacramento, but its wine program is the equal of much larger establishments located in major cities across the country. The Old Town Auburn-based fine dining restaurant earned a spot among the Top 50 Restaurant Wine Lists by OpenTable, a leading reservations service representing some 12,000 establishments nationwide.
