Salewine (also) plagiarise our newsletter

Recently we exposed how our friends at Getwine blatantly copied part of our email newsletter. We weren’t surprised: we are often first with amazing deals and competitors find themselves playing catch-up. That’s why wine lovers subscribe to our email newsletter, to get the best wine offers first.

Truth is that competitors copy our great offers on a regular basis. We don’t write about every instance, but yesterday it was pointed out to us that SaleWine copied one of our recent offers, and also plagiarised one of our images in the process.

Our 26 August newsletter promoted a Michelangelo Mixed Case. The next day, SaleWine’s newsletter also promoted a Michelangelo Mixed Case. Coincidence perhaps, considering that only one of the wines matched our offer. However, they also blatantly copied part of our image as illustrated below. We created the wording, using that specific font, the positioning and the lines. They couldn’t have got it anywhere other than from our image. So their offer was a copy of our concept and they couldn’t even bother to make their own image.

Interestingly, our offer was so popular that we bought all the available stock of Sauvignon.com. The next batch is being bottled especially for us.

Get the pattern? If you want to be first to hear about offers so good that competitors are copying them almost weekly, be sure you are on our email newsletter list (form on our Facebook page). We hate spam as much as you do, so don’t worry about that.

For the record: Since exposing Getwine, they visited us at our office to apologise for their “error” and we all had a good chuckle. We appreciated that spirit and harbour no hard feelings.

Getwine flatters us with plagiarism

Our deals are so good that Getwine, a competitor, is copying us blatantly. Down to the product image we created, the text we wrote, our Buy-button and even our corporate colours!

While we view this shameless copy and paste exercise as unethical business conduct (people have been fired for plagiarism), we do feel pleased. As the saying goes, “Imitation is the best form of flattery“. Getwine is confirming what our customers know: you’d better be on Cybercellar’s mailing list if you want to be first to hear about great wine deals!

We offered Journey’s End The Pastor’s Blend in our newsletter of 29 August 2012 at 40% discount. Two weeks later, the exact same offer was made in Getwine’s newsletter. Nothing wrong with that: it’s a great offer and we’d be surprised if our competitors didn’t follow us. Cybercellar is often first with special offers on wine or exclusive releases. Just last week, we were the first retailer to sell the 2011 vintage of the iconic Chocolate Block. It is not uncommon for competitors to copy our offers and initiatives. We are used to being copied. After all, Cybercellar was the first online wine shop in South Africa, back in 1998.

However, Getwine took it further this time. They used exactly the same headline and opening sentence, and lifted two images we created – the product shot and our characteristic green Buy-button. The strangest thing is that they even used our corporate colours, which don’t match their own official colour scheme.

Have a look for yourself:

We find the blatant copying of our newsletter by Getwine flattering. They plagiarised our headline and first sentence, and copied our image and Buy-button. They even retained our corporate colours, which includes a purple not present in their scheme.

Hey Getwine, thanks for the compliment! (And you don’t want to miss next week’s newsletter…)

The Chocolate Block 2011 by Boekenhoutskloof

There is no end to the South African wine sensation that is The Chocolate Block by Boekenhoutskloof. The 2011 vintage was released last weekend as part of the Franschhoek Uncorked Festival, and Cybercellar was one of the first retail establishments to have this iconic wine on offer.

The Chocolate Block 2011 flying off the shelves at Cybercellar, who was one of the first retailers to sell the new release of this iconic South African wine.

This multi-regional blend from the Platter 2012 Winery of the Year has taken off from the meager 15 initial barrels produced in the maiden 2002 vintage. The popularity of the wine has seen production increase to more than 1000 barrels in the 2010 vintage, and 1432 barrels for the 2011 vintage.

The 2011 Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah (69%); Grenache Noir (14%); Cabernet Sauvignon (11%); Cinsault (5%) and Viognier (1%). This wine is the perfect example of identifying “undiscovered” parcels of vineyard with amazing potential and utilizing it to unleash its world class quality. The Syrah and Viognier fruit come from Malmesbury (Swartland) with its unique growing conditions and dryland farmed vineyards to ensure deep-rooted vines and therefore optimal concentration of colour, flavour and tannin structure. The Grenanche Noir is sourced from Piekenierskloof (Citrusdal) with its very sandy soils and perfect terroir for ripening this grape varietal. This batch was matured in 600L barrels to retain the unmistakable fruit and freshness on the cultivar. The Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Franschhoek and the Cinsault is from old bushvines on decomposed granite soils in Wellington. The wine matures in 2^nd and 3^rd filled French oak barrels for 18 months before it gets a light egg-white fining.

Buy The Chocolate Block 2011 by Boekenhoutskloof online at Cybercellar.com, the original online South African wine shop with the widest selection of South African wine. Free shipping on 2 cases or more of Chocolate Block!

Win Tickets to the Seductive Sauvignon Festival.

Spring is on it’s way people – although us folks down here in Cape Town have only flirted with a couple of warmer days this last two weeks, up in Johannesburg the shorts and skirts are making a comeback. And you know what spring means…

This Friday (31st of August) sees the 10^th  exclusive Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon Festival hosted at The Vineyard Hotel and Spa in Newlands, Cape Town. Johannesburg too will have their turn with The Fire and Ice Hotel in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg playing host on the 13th of September.

Cape Town: The Vineyard Hotel and Spa, Colinton Road, Newlands,

Date: Friday 31 August 2012 Time: 17h00 – 21h00

Johannesburg: Protea Hotel Fire and Ice, Melrose Arch

Date: Thursday 13^th September 2012 Time: 17h00 – 21h00

Treat your taste buds to a tantalising selection of just two varieties! Producers exhibiting includes the likes of Ataraxia, Diemersdal, Iona, De Grendel, Cederberg, Cape Point, Kleine Zalze, Waterkloof, Almenkerk, Le Riche, Springfield, Shannon, Groote Post, Avontuur, Jordan, Black Oystercatcher and Groot Constantia – to name a few. This popular annual festival gives wine lovers the opportunity to taste recently released Sauvignon Blancs and current Cabernet Sauvignons. For those who prefer to savour older vintages, there will be a range of these on offer as well. Hot and cold finger food will be served with the wine throughout the evening.

All the showcased wines will be available for purchase.

 Cost: R130.00 per person – includes tasting of all wines on show, souvenir wine glass and light snacks.

Ample parking available at both venues.

WIN A SET OF TICKETS to JHB or CPT by simply tweeting your Favorite Sauvignon Blanc and include hashtag #SeductiveSauvignon in your tweet.

Tickets for Johannesburg and Cape Town can be purchased over here

Limpopo Wine Show

The sixth Limpopo Wine Show takes place at the Meropa Casino & Entertainment World on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th July 2012.  Presented by wine authority Michael Fridjhon and OutSorceress Marketing, the team which organises the country’s premier national and regional wine festivals, Polokwane wine lovers will again be treated to a prestigious array of Cape producers and award-winning wines.

Past exhibitors have included the likes of Diemersfontein, Raka, Boekenhoutskloof, Creation Wines, Haute Cabrière, Muratie, Reyneke Organics and Tokara. Not only can visitors refresh their palates but they may also stock up on their favourite wine discoveries  through the Shop@Show facility operated by Cybercellar. Offering a great number of delicious wines for tasting and purchase, Cape winemakers and producer representatives from around 50 exhibitors look forward to sharing around 250 wines with all lifestyle enthusiasts. The Limpopo Wine Show is also a good reason for Gautengers to “make a weekend of it” and get away to the bushveld province only 3½ hours drive from Johannesburg.

Address: Meropa Casino & Entertainment World – Plot 59 Sterkloop, Roodepoort Road, 0700 Polokwane

Tickets can be purchased via Computicket or at the Checkers money market counters.

For more information, call  011 482 5936.

Cybercellar Tasting Sessions: Solms Delta Estate

Hi Everybody!

It’s that time of the month again, and this time round it’s on the historic Solms Delta Estate in Franschhoek. Expect to have a truly memorable time on this magnificent setting with entertainment and music supplied by the ever popular Solms Delta Band. There are awesome specials on the day on wine purchases, and you can also pilot the new Solms Delta Ipad app! Snacks and food also available from the restaurant.

Come fill up your cellar with some truly distinctive wines, and a cultural experience like no other!

Hope to see you there

Stefan Coetzee

stefan@cybercellar.com

021 876 2649

Cybercellar Tasting Sessions – First Up: Warwick Estate

Let’s blow some warmth into Winter shall we?

With so many beautiful wineries around the Cape, it’s time to start somewhere and work your way through the whole lot… Cybercellar is presenting the Cybercellar Tasting Sessions as a unique offering to the winelands, with a different host winery each month, we aim to bring you a most enjoyable day humanly possible – with live music, fantastic wine specials to stock up the cellar, hand selected mixed cases, special offerings for the day and great prizes to be won.

First up is Warwick Wine Estate – aka the Stalwart. To book simply mail visit@warwickwine.com or call 021 884 4410 to be part of the action. Bring your family, loved ones and friends. Think this sounds like a good time? I GUARANTEE IT!

Stefan

Burgundy Lovers Wine Tasting – Win some tickets!

Hi Everyone, its been a quiet couple of months on our blog… but I kid you not we are going to blow your mind in a couple of weeks! Seriously.

A lot has been happening behind the scenes at Cybercellar HQ – and we’re all ECSTATICALLY excited to bring you the news…Watch this space!!

In the mean time I think its good to catch up! How’s everyone doing!? New haircut? Looks great. You loose some weight!? I can tell!

If you love your Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, you definitely need to check this out. We’re all heading to the Burgundy Lover’s festival this weekend, and would love to see you there, it’s going to be one for the books! Here’s the details:

Now in its second year, Wine Concepts premier Burgundy Lovers Festival is set to be bigger and bolder as it celebrates the Capes finest Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.  This year the festival will be hosted in both Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Cape Town is staged at the prestigious Vineyard Hotel and Spa in Newlands,  Sunday 27^th May 2012 and for the first time in Johannesburg at the trendy Protea Hotel Fire and Ice, Melrose Arch – Thursday 7^th June 2012. You’ll be treated to one of the most impressive selections of Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs ever seen in the country. 30 of the country’s top producers have been invited to showcase their fine wines complimented by delicious snacks suited to the style of wines. As an added bonus all wines presented at both Festivals will be on offer at a 10% discount for guests wishing to purchase.

The Cape Town Sunday event at The Vineyard Hotel and Spa will be from 14h00 to 17h00 in the graceful Summer Room. Weather permitting the Festival will flow out onto the sprawling lawns to create an even more relaxed atmosphere for guests.

The Thursday event in Johannesburg at The Fire and Ice Hotel will be held early evening from 17h00 to 20h00. Gauteng wine lovers will be able to relax while tasting and discussing their favorite wines with the representatives of the farms. Melrose Arch offers many restaurants where guests will be able to dine after the Festival.

Entry to the festival will be R150 per person for pre-booked tickets and R170 at the door subject to availability. The ticket price allows guests to taste the wines on offer at the festivals and includes light snacks as well as a chance to win wonderful prizes in a lucky draw. Tickets are also available through www.webtickets.co.za.

So now that you’re clued up on the nitty gritty…

Great news! We have two sets of tickets to give away. Because we love you – and wine is always tastier when shared… Simply comment on this blog (or drop me a mail) with an answer to the following question, and whether you’re based in CT or JHB:

Q: What is the main red and white variety produced in Burgundy?

Winners will be announced Friday before noon. So keep an eye out

Have a wonderful #WineWednesday and we look forward to seeing you at the tasting

Cheers

stefan@cybercellar.com

021 876 2649

The Home Stretch

Hi everyone!

First a little icebreaker…

What spectacular weather we’ve had this last couple of days! Hail, rain and sunshine in November – 2012 is bound to be an interesting vintage, and according to VinPro’s viticulturists the industry is optimistic that a good growing season with beneficial rains in November will yield a bigger harvest, despite the decline in area under vines!

Translated – more fantastic wines for all of us to enjoy!

But let’s get to the point at hand, as talking about the weather will only ignore the elephant in the room…

As December is creeping up on us I start to feel a bit of angst – It’s a contradictory month to be taken with a pinch of salt. Sure on the one side you’re a little depressed seeing as you have to buy presents for in-laws, nephews, nieces, friends, close – and extended family, GIRLFRIENDS and WIFES (the latter two being particularly heavy on the wallet), but then again it’s also a joyous time where you can conclude Chapter 2011 of your life, and look forward to starting Chapter 2012 with renewed fervor, ambition – PASSION!

It’s the opportunity to appreciate some time away from work, enjoy memories made with friends, family and loved ones. The opportunity to let sleeping dogs lie, plan ahead, make your resolution and take 2012 by the HORNS!!  You’ll inevitably start 2012 with the knowledge that you’re a BETTER YOU.

OK, that’s my pep-talk!

So let’s help you through the home stretch…

In the spirit of the festive season, and with the Franschhoek Magic of Bubbles festival taking place this weekend, I think it’s time to celebrate! And what better way than bubbles!! If you ever wondered what lies behind this timeless and elegant beverage, want to find your favorite producers and their stories from fermentation to bottling – We have the perfect gift.

A gorgeous coffee table book, Celebrating Méthode Cap Classique  (by Di Burger) is filled with breathtaking images, uplifting quotes, expressions, poetry and everyone involved in the SA fizz industry! A highlight of the book is the inclusion of scrumptious examples of food and Cap Classique pairings for brunch, lunch and dinner! A sensational read! Right in time for the festive season!  Shipping is free anywhere in SA!

Celebrating Méthode Cap Classique     Price is R290.00    BUY NOW

Not a big reader? Don’t despair. We’ve managed to get our hands on some fantastic vino for Christmas Gifts

How about a fantastic looking (and amazing tasting) De Grendel Merlot Double Magnum!

A full bodied wine filled with a combination of different berries on the nose. Mulberry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit accompanied by liquorice and mocha flavours that carry through on palate. Well supported by firm French oak tannins. Beautifully presented in a wooden box. Stock very limited. Shipping: FREE! WOW!

De Grendel Merlot Double Magnum        R690.00 each    BUY NOW

Or if you’re looking for something to complement your Christmas cake and desserts menu, why not try the Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2008? Typical Muscat nuances enhanced by nuances of pineapple, raisins, apricots and honey! Beautifully presented in award winning packaging, this is sure to earn some major brownie points! Shipping is free!

Groot Constantia Grand Constance        R495.00 each    BUY NOW

If you’re planning on heading to the winelands, or find yourself lucky enough to live here, we all know we need our handy JOHN PLATTER 2012! Updated, revised and simply brimming around the edges with useful information, this is the go to guide for everything wine related!

John Platter 2012                                 R159.99  each      BUY NOW

And off course if these marvelous offerings didn’t tickle your fancy, we have a websitefull of fantastic tasting wines and gifts, shipped to your door anywhere in South Africa!

 

 

Now, take a deep sigh of relief, wasn’t that bad was it? Let’s get the season going!

Having a fantastic week!

Stefan

(Standing in for Fi )

 

info@cybercellar.com

www.cybercellar.com
+27 21 876 2649

De Toren five star gift packs

Hi everyone!

Do you ever get that feeling that Christmas is accelerating towards you at a rate of knots and you just can’t get out of the way??

Yikes – I STILL haven’t even thought about Christmas presents yet, and I’ve got three birthdays to get through in December too =:-[

So I may well be taking my own advice here, and stocking up on some of these …

This week’s featured winery needs no real introduction, but a quote on the home page of their website sums up their philosophy.

“The detailed attention we give our vineyards, and to the winemaking process, is reflected in our wines” Emil den Dulk, Estate Owner, De Toren Wines.

Something we totally agree with, and we’re not the only ones … the awarding of a five star rating for the De Toren Fusion V 2009 in the 2012 Platters Guide sums it all up, really …! Not the first time they’ve achieved a five star rating with this fabulous Bordeaux styled red blend, either! And I don’t believe any of the vintages since the maiden 1999 has scored less than 4!

The De Toren Z also regularly scores highly, and has once again achieved it’s consistent 4 star rating in this year’s Platters

So for the red wine enthusiasts out there, we have a very limited number of De Toren gift packs to offer … buy now, or they’ll be gone before you can say “Father Christmas!” =:-[

SINGLE BOTTLE gift boxed DE TOREN FUSION V 2009: R450.00 per gift box                      ORDER NOW

12 BOTTLE boxed gift set DE TOREN FUSION V 2009: R3900.00 per gift box                        ORDER NOW

SINGLE BOTTLE gift boxed DE TOREN Z 2009: R330.00 per gift box                                      ORDER NOW

12 BOTTLE boxed gift set DE TOREN Z 2009: R2460.00 per gift box                                        ORDER NOW

Stocks are very limited on these exceptional wines, so please be quick

What was I saying about running out of time / Christmas / birthdays / December???

 I KNOW IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE YOUR USUALLY BIRTHDAY CAKE BUT WITH CHRISTMAS COMING UP AT HIGH SPEED AND HAVING ABSOLUTELY NO TIME TO SHOP, I HAD TO MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF THE LEFTOVER VEGETABLES IN THE FRIDGE … I’M SURE IT’LL TASTE LIKE CHOCOLATE CAKE THOUGH!

Can you believe it’s going to be December next week  =:-[

Cheers …

Fiona

info@cybercellar.com

www.cybercellar.com
+27 21 876 2649