Welcome
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FAQ
FAQ
Q:
Where are you located?
A:
We are located on Pier 19 in San Francisco CA 94111.
Q:
What are your business hours?
A:
We are open from 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.
Q:
How do I place an order?
A:
Orders may be placed through the shopping cart on this website or by calling and speaking with one of our representatives.
Q:
Where do you ship?
A:
We ship to any state in the US that it is legally allowable. As state shipping laws change on a near daily basis please call our toll-free number for a more detailed listing for your state.
Q:
Do you ship internationally?
A:
We ship internationally to most countries where it is legally permissible to do so. However, the recipient must pay the cost of taxes unless prior arrangement has been made. Due to contractual arrangements, we do not ship to Canada or Mexico.
Q:
How do you ship the wine?
A:
Due to the rarity of the wines we sell, we ship our wines via FedEx Priority Overnight unless otherwise requested by the customer.
Q:
Do you make money on shipping?
A:
No. We pass along the FedEx price to our clients without an additional markup.
Q:
When do you ship?
A:
We generally try to ship Monday through Thursday. We attempt to do same day shipping. We do not ship on Fridays as the wine spends an excessive amount of time outside cellar conditions. Saturday delivery can be arranged for an additional fee from FedEx. Shipping cutoff times may vary during the holiday seasons.
Q:
Do you gift-wrap shipments?
A:
We do not gift-wrap. All of our shipments are shipped in for- fitting Styrofoam containers to maintain temperature levels and avoid breakage and damage. How ever an enclosure note can be added to any shipment.
Q:
Can I pickup my order?
A:
Yes, you may pickup your order from our location during regular business hours. Please call at least thirty minutes prior to pickup time so that your order can be ready for you.
Q:
Do you have to charge sales tax?
A:
Sales tax must be charged on any sale in which either the billing address or shipping address is in the State of California or if your state requires that we collect tax on shipments to that particular state. Please call to check on your particular state.
Q:
Can I return a wine?
A:
Under California law, it is illegal to return alcohol products, once sold, except for defective product, which may be returned for store credit or exchange for the same product within 15 days. We reserve the right to assess an order cancellation fee of 10% on all cancelled orders. All terms offered without engagement and subject to prior sale.
Q:
What are the conditions of the bottles?
A:
We strive to find the best bottles available in the market-place. There maybe some variation on label condition or of color and ullage from bottle to bottle on older wines. We inspect all wines that we receive and act in good faith in the handling of the wines. However, we are unable to accept responsibility for the state or condition of these wines, nor are we able to guarantee that the wine in the bottle corresponds to the quality or attributes which might be expected from its description. Older bottles from the same case may have significant bottle variation. We provide information, upon request, concerning the physical appearance of any bottle that is not normal for its age.
Q:
What is ullage?
A:
Level / Ullage Descriptions and Interpretations:
1. Into Neck: normal fill. Level of young wines. Exceptionally good in wines over 10 years old.
2. Bottom Neck: can be level of fill. Perfectly good for any age of wine. Outstandingly good for a wine of 10 years in bottle or longer.
3. Upper-Shoulder: slight natural reduction through easing of cork and capsule. Usually no problem. Acceptable for any wine over 20 years old. Exceptional for pre-1940 wines.
4. Mid-Shoulder: probably some weakening of the cork and some risk. Not abnormal for wines 30/40 years of age.
5. Low-Shoulder: risky and usually only acceptable for sale if wine or label are exceptionally rare or interesting.
6. Below Low-Shoulder: not acceptable for sale unless a rare sort of bottle. Wine will usually be undrinkable.
2. Bottom Neck: can be level of fill. Perfectly good for any age of wine. Outstandingly good for a wine of 10 years in bottle or longer.
3. Upper-Shoulder: slight natural reduction through easing of cork and capsule. Usually no problem. Acceptable for any wine over 20 years old. Exceptional for pre-1940 wines.
4. Mid-Shoulder: probably some weakening of the cork and some risk. Not abnormal for wines 30/40 years of age.
5. Low-Shoulder: risky and usually only acceptable for sale if wine or label are exceptionally rare or interesting.
6. Below Low-Shoulder: not acceptable for sale unless a rare sort of bottle. Wine will usually be undrinkable.
Because of the slope of shoulder it is impractical to describe levels of mid-shoulder, etc. Whenever appropriate the level between cork and wine will be measured and inventoried in centimeters.
The condition and drinkability of burgundy is less affected by ullage than its equivilent from bordeaux. For example, a 5 to 7 cm ullage in a 50 year old burgundy can be considered normal, indeed good for age, 3.5 to 4 cm. excellent for age, even 7 cm rarely a risk.
The condition and drinkability of burgundy is less affected by ullage than its equivilent from bordeaux. For example, a 5 to 7 cm ullage in a 50 year old burgundy can be considered normal, indeed good for age, 3.5 to 4 cm. excellent for age, even 7 cm rarely a risk.