John Helfrick, co-owner of Sonoma Shipping Company, prepares three bottles of Charles Creek wines for shipping. Photo by Ryan Lely.
John and Kim Helfrick are proof that the family that sips wine together can successfully ship together. The energetic couple transformed their passion for and knowledge of local wine into the Sonoma Shipping Company, which opened last month in Sonoma. The shop is an extension of the St. Helena Shipping Company, which the couple purchased from Kim’s parents two years ago. That store has provided the Napa Valley with wine services since 1984.
“There was a real need to open a second business here in Sonoma and I believe competition breeds success,” said John Helfrick, who has lived in Napa for 14 years with his wife Kim and their 3-year-old twins Aaron and Alyssa. “As our business continues to grow we receive larger discounts from our carriers and pass those savings on to our customers.”
Sonoma Shipping Company ships wine to most U.S. states and 235 countries using the wide variety of shipping options offered by both FedEx and UPS, including everything from the least expensive ground shipping to next-day delivery. Shipping costs vary according to volume and are available on the company’s informative web site. The Helfricks strive to beat the shipping prices offered by other stores.
In collaboration with SAIA Transportation, Sonoma Shipping Company offers custom crating and the transport for artwork and fragile pieces, such as stemware and dinnerware. Founded in 1924 and headquartered in Georgia, SAIA now provides ground transportation to most of the U.S. and provides partner coverage that ships throughout Canada and Mexico. The company’s large fleet of colorful trucks gets shipments delivered within days.
“One of our employees was once the owner of an art studio, and he handles all of our costume crating jobs,” explained John, who along with wife Kim shuttles between both stores. “We have shipped large art canvases, an 180-pound ancient soft stone Buddha, and we just sent a $7,500 lamp to Germany.”
Sonoma Shipping Company provides a number of concierge services, including the creation of personal wine collections and the purchasing of wine for corporate events. After a consultation about collector’s tastes and budgets, John will configure a wine list. Then, Sonoma Shipping will purchase the requested wine and store it in their temperature-controlled facility until it is ready for pick-up or shipment.
“To create a personalized wine collection, I track a client’s buying history and speak with them to help build the wine cellar of their dreams,” said John, who prides himself on his stores’ detailed customer service. “Some customers want hard to find cherries or cult wines. In this economy many are hunting for the hidden affordable gems.”
John was bitten by the wine bug while attending Sacramento State University. He worked as a waiter in a restaurant with an extensive wine list. He was quickly promoted to the position of wine director and traveled throughout wine country to learn everything he could about wine. After graduating, he became the wine buyer for a chain of upscale restaurants. During the next 12 years, he worked in sales and management for a number of wineries.
The store has hit the ground running and last week, the Helfricks, along with their 14 employees, were very busy with the large shipments of two wine clubs’ orders. They are planning a grand opening, which will happen in conjunction with an attempt to break a record in the “Guinness Book of World Records.” The details will be publicly announced within the coming weeks.
Sonoma Shipping Company, 548 Broadway, Sonoma; 707.938.7501. Web site: www.sonomashipping.com.
