This time of year can get a bit stressful for any CPA firm. This is especially true at Grassi & Co. where the bustling practice is running at nearly full capacity preparing financial statements and tax returns, helping clients save money and run their businesses more profitably. After hours and during the weekend, when team members are looking to relax, the firm provides an interesting avenue for employees to pursue: The Grassi Wine Club.
Founded last year by Adam Wolf, the firm's Director of Marketing & Business Development, the Grassi Wine Club is an informal group of folks at the firm who enjoy wine and band together to buy it in bulk. From humble beginnings with only five members, the group now boasts a membership of 20. There are no qualifications for membership, no membership fees or other obligations, just a love of wine and an interest in receiving occasional e-mails with offers from the club. Sometimes those e-mails can be a little zany, such as the time when one featured a red zinfandel, Seven Deadly Zins. The e-mail indicated that firm partner and wine club member Rob Brewer had been known to howl at the moon while sipping this wine--a personal favorite--in his hot tub. Interestingly, the case of Seven Deadly Zins sold out in one day.
"I love wine and I knew there were other people at the firm with a love of wine too," commented Wine Club President Adam Wolf. "I thought it would be a neat way to try new things and build a sense of camaraderie at the firm." The wine club has clearly done both things. According to Rob Brewer, a charter member of the club, "The wine club has really been terrific. We've tried a bunch of new things and it's always exciting when a new e-mail offer comes out. People look forward to them; I know I do."
Some of the recent wine club selections have included a highly rated 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva, and several 2005 Bordeauxs. The wine club is always on the lookout for bargains and frequently orders its wine from two online closeout sources. Bottles are typically priced between $10 and $15, though one recent deal featured a $6 cabernet/shiraz blend and a while back the club ordered three bottles of a high-end New Zealand Pinot Noir that was $25 per bottle.
So as busy season rolls on, clients of the firm can be confident that their work will get done with the usual quality the firm features and will know that Grassi & Co. is most certainly not your typical CPA firm.
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