Hope-Merrill House
Something often overlooked in the wine industry, is how much our local business’ support and loyalty can really elevate a small winery to a whole other level of being ‘known’. At Michel-Schlumberger we’re great friends and allies of our local businesses. A great example is our relationship with the local Inns, B&B’s and hotels. These folks aren’t just our neighbors in wine country who are trying, as we are, to run a business in a tourism driven area, they are friends. They are also the bread and butter behind why we have so many guests who come to us already impressed with our story and completely ready to embrace our winery and our wines as something special.
Just to name a few of our friendly innkeepers (must save something for future blogs…….), we have:
Cosette and Ron Schrauber at Hope-Merrill and Hope-Bosworth Bed and Breakfast Inns (http://hope-inns.com/ourinns.htm) in Geyserville. Cosette and Ron run quaint, historic B&B’s with a feel of luxury and hominess to them. They keep their places in tip-top shape, and provide a warm and amiable ambiance for out of town travelers. A homemade (and more than plentiful) group breakfast and coffee are served each morning in their Victorian style dining room.
Many an interesting conversations have started up between travelers at this table…….. Last time I breakfasted there I found myself at the table with 5 journalists, a newly married couple on their honeymoon from Canada, and a local Bay Area couple who were biking their way through wine country. I ended up inviting them all to Michel-Schlumberger of course, and several showed up!
Cosette and Ron send a lot of their guests to Michel-Schlumberger to take our Estate Tour, do a special tasting or cheese pairing, or even head out on one of our morning Green Tours. We appreciate their referrals and take it as the highest compliment that they trust us with something as important as their guests satisfaction.
I see Cosette and Ron out and about at our local wine industry gatherings, and every time I ask them how they manage to own and manage two Inns as well as actually get out and do some socializing with their neighbors. They just smile and shake their heads and say they have no idea……………..
Hope-Boswell House
