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	Bodegas y Vinedos Alion Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Collector's Size: 12 bottle (750 ML) Country: Spain Region: Castilla y Leon Sub Region: Ribera Del Duero Design/Artwork: Good detail on both long sides. The logo design is engraved with thick lettering. The lid is also engraved with the wineries artwork design. Winery Notes/History: The Life of Alion started in 1992, the concept was to make a wine from 100% Tempranillo grapes, by the Alvarez Family, who bought the winery in 1982. At this point the family sought to modernize the operation, which predates the family back to 1848 when a Basque landowner, Don Toribio Lecanda, met Marques de Valbuena and bought off him a 2,000 hectare estate. The estate is well known for their more traditional wines Unico & Valbueno.
	Almaviva Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Collector's Size: 6 bottle flat (750 ML) Country: Chile Region: Valle Central Sub Region: Maipo Design/Artwork: High detail and unique designs on all four sides and lid. Almaviva produces 6 bottle flats to protect their wines. The crate is thick and very sturdy. Winery Notes/History: Almaviva launch was a major milestone in the development of Chilean wines, both in Chile itself and in the international market. There is still no official classification of wines in Chile. However, the launch of Almaviva has given rise to the Primer Orden category, a Spanish term that corresponds to the French concept of vin de cru and the English single vineyard or estate grown wines. Primer Orden wines come from the grapes of a single vineyard and are made in the estate’s own winery by a technical team dedicated exclusively to producing one wine. Located in Puente Alto, this bodega was designed by the famous Chilean architect Martín Hurtado. Built in 1998, and inaugurated in the year 2000, this winery is recognized as a perfect integration of both esthetic design and functionality.
	Ares Two Hands Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Exclusive Class Size: 3 bottle Flat (750 ML) Country: Australia Region: Barossa Valley Design/Artwork: High detail. The lid has a large engraved picture of the logo, and closes with a brass latch. Crates from Australia are typically heavy and durable. Winery Notes/History: The Two Hands are Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, who founded the company before the 2000 Vintage, with a clear objective of making the best possible Shiraz based wines from the best Shiraz producing regions with in Australia. In 2000 they processed just 17 ton of Shiraz from McLaren Vale and Padthaway. In 2001 they increased production to 120 ton from Padthaway, McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley and in 2002 they proceed 150 ton of fruit from Clare Valley, Padthaway, McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley which included a few lots of Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2003 they plan to add a Shiraz based wine from Heathcote, Victoria.
	Argiano Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Single Bottle Size: Magnum (1500 ML) Country: Italy Region: Tuscany Sub Region: Toscano Design/Artwork: Good detail. The lid has a small embossed logo of the wineries cote of arms. The lid is a slide-top style. Winery Notes/History: The history of the Villa of Argiano and its estate vanishes back in time. The first hints concerning the building of the residence go back to 1570. The Peccis, a noble family from Siena, brought to Argiano seignory and baronial rights as a dowry, which were renewed by the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1574. The Villa is located at the summit of a hill, only six miles south-west of Montalcino. It is thought to be an ancient place, where wise men searched for Ara Jani (the altar of Janus) as well as for the remains of the roman people of Argia.
	Les Asteries Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Collector's Size: 12 Bottle (750 ML) Country: France Region: Bordeaux Sub-region: St. Emilion Class: Grand Cru Design/Artwork: Exceptional detail. The logo is very unique, and has 6 different engraved pictures. Winery Notes/History: The micro-cuvée Les Astéries produced since the 2004 vintage is made with fruit from a 1.1 hectare plot acquired from Château Fonroque located next to Clos Fourtet. The vineyard is composed of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, with some vines survivors of the 1956 frost. There is an annual production of 350 cases of Les Astéries.
	Chateau Ausone Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Exclusive Class Size: 12 Bottle (750 ML) Country: France Region: Bordeaux Sub-region: St. Emilion Class: 2nd Growth, Premier Grand Cru Design/Artwork: High detail. Two sides of the crate are engraved with two different designs. One long side of the crate has one design, and the front of the crate has another. Special Details: Chateau Ausone and Chateau d'Yquem are the only two wineries in the world that are considered Premier Grand Cru Classe "A" Winery Notes/History: Mention of Vauthier's name immediately brings us to an examination of Ausone's history, because in recent decades it has certainly given us a tale worth telling, a tale in which Vauthier plays a central role. Nevertheless, the full history begins much earlier than this, perhaps two millennia ago. Ausone is one of the many Bordeaux estates that bear the names of key historical figures, names that help to bring the history of Bordeaux to life. Calon-Ségur and Phélan-Ségur are classic examples others, providing clues which when followed up lead us to Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur otherwise known as the Prince de Vignes, who held sway over a vast estate that took in much of the Médoc.
	Chateau D'Aiguilhe Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Collector's Size: 12 Bottle (750 ML) Country: France Region: Bordeaux Sub-region: Cotes De Castillon Class: Grand Cru Design/Artwork: Exceptional detail. The deeply engraved lettering surround an intricately designed picture of the winery's cote of arms branded in a crimson red color. Winery Notes/History: Far from the river and usual wine trails, the ruins of Château d'Aiguilhe proudly bear witness to the Castillon region's long history. A local legend has it that there was once a Gallo-Roman villa on this site. Much later, the château is said to have been a commandery for the Knights Templar, who defended the road running underneath used by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The first records of Château d'Aiguilhe and its feudal lord go back to the late 12th century. The present château, which is actually more like what the French call a maison forte, or fortified farmhouse, was built in the 13th century. The d'Aiguilhe seigneury would appear to have covered a vast territory in the Middle Ages, encompassing several large feudal estates. Located on the border between French and English-occupied zones during the Hundred Years' War, Château d'Aiguilhe's allegiance changed according to the tides of war. This very ancient estate, undoubtedly one of the oldest in Bordeaux, was a key element in the defence network established by the kings of England to protect their holdings in the province of Guyenne. It was therefore long a bone of contention between the French and Anglo-Bordelais armies. After this tumultuous period of its history, Château d'Aiguilhe went back to more peaceable pursuits, namely developing exports of its wine, especially to Northern Europe. Starting in the 19th century, the wines of Château d'Aiguilhe were shipped from the port of Castillon to England, Holland, and ports belonging to the Hanseatic League. The château was acquired by the d'Albret family and then came into the hands of the Leberthon family, who produced many members of the Bordeaux parliament. The Leberthons sold Château d'Aiguilhe on the eve of the French Revolution to a certain Etienne Martineau. He expanded it into a huge estate with four hundred hectares of vines in a single block. His descendents remained owners of the château until 1920.
	Chateau D'Armailhac Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Collector's Size: 12 Bottle (750 ML) Country: France Region: Bordeaux Sub-region: Pauillac Class: Fourth Growth, Grand Cru Design/Artwork: High detail. The signature logo is an intricately detailed picture of a young man holding a bunch of grapes. Below the logo is the victorian-style writing of the winery. Winery Notes/History: Chateau d'Armailhac has a complicated history, not least because proprietors seem to be persistently undecided as to what the property should be called. For the moment they have settled on d'Armailhac, reflecting the origins of the estate, which seems fitting, and I imagine that this name will now endure. It was Dominique d'Armailhacq who created the estate, having purchased the vineyard from Nicolas-Alexandre de Ségur, the so called Prince des Vignes, sometime between 1718 and 1740. The Marquis de Ségur sold his Pauillac vineyards to three men; those to the north were sold to Joseph de Brane, and these were to be Brane-Mouton, today known as Mouton-Rothschild. Those to the south were acquired by François de Pontet, and today these are Pontet-Canet. Those in-between came to Dominique, and these vineyards were to become the d'Armailhac that we know today. Following his acquisition, Dominique expanded the estate, and his acquisitions included the buildings at Chateau Brane-Mouton. Clearly not one to let a marketing opportunity pass by, Dominique duly renamed his estate Chateau Mouton-d'Armailhacq. Of the vineyards acquired, perhaps the most significant was the Carruades croupe, one of the better sites in the commune of Pauillac. Mouton d'Armailhacq was clearly an estate to be reckoned with, although records suggest that it still languished in the shadows of its more illustrious neighbors.
	Chateau D'Aurilhac Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Collector's Size: 12 Bottle (750 ML) Country: France Region: Bordeaux Sub-region: Haut-Medoc Class: Fifth Growth, Cru Bourgeois Design/Artwork: Exceptional detail. The front side of the crate is embossed with both the winery lettering, and beautifully designed cote of arms in a navy blue color. Winery Notes/History: Chateau d'Armailhac is a Fifth Growth that was originally established in the early 1700's. Ownership of the winery has changed hands several times and it's story is unique. Currently, the winery is owned by the legendary Baroness Philip Rothschild. The front of the crate has a deeply engraved picture and Victorian style lettering. The other sides are clean and clear. The wood grain color is a two-toned light cherry color. Made to hold (12) 750 ML bottles.
	Anselma Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Collector's Size: 12 Bottle (750 ML) Country: Italy Region: Piedmont Sub Region: Barolo Class: Fifth Growth, Cru Bourgeois Design/Artwork: Black engraved letter logo on all four sides. The crate is slightly oversized, and has ducktailed edges. Italian wood is typically light and multi-colored. This is a simple yet very attractive piece. Winery Notes/History:
	Clos Apalta Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Exclusive Size: 6 Bottle (750 ML) Country: Chile Region: Valle Central Sub Region: Rapel Design/Artwork: The Clos Apalta is an Exclusive Class crate based on it's designs on both the front and back sides of it's lid, as well as it's very sturdy closing brass latch. Three sides are also engraved with the winery logo. Winery Notes/History: Launched in 1997, Clos Apalta is a wine that comes from the Lapostolle family. The winery is 100% gravity-fed spanning five levels, three of which are buried into the granite of the Apalta hillside to provide a natural cool temperature environment for cellaring and ageing.This rare vertical design allows the wine to flow naturally downward during every stage of the production, eliminating the need to pump, which can adversely affect the subtle flavors of the wine
	Poderi Aldo Conterno Picture of: Wine Crate Type: Collector's Size: 6 Bottle flat (750 ML) Country: Italy Region: Piedmont Sub Region: Monforte d'Alba Design/Artwork: Lid has exceptional detail. All four sides are embossed with the winery's logo in lettering. The lid of the crate has a very large and intricately designed picture of the winery cote of arms. Winery Notes/History: The wines of Piedmont are noted as far back as Pliny's Natural History. Due to geographic and political isolation, Piedmont was without a natural port for most of its history, which made exportation treacherous and expensive. This left the Piemontese with little incentive to expand production. Sixteenth-century records show a mere 14% of the Bassa Langa under vine -- most of that low-lying and farmed polyculturally. In the nineteenth century the Marchesa Falletti, a frenchwoman by birth, brought eonologist Louis Oudart from Champagne to create the first dry wines in Piedmont. Along with work in experimental vineyards at Castello Grinzane conducted by Camilo Cavour -- later Conte di Cavour, leader of the Risorgimento and first Prime Minister of Italy -- this was the birth of modern wine in the Piedmont. At the heart of the region and her reputation are Alba and the Langhe Hills. This series of weathered outcroppings south of the Tanaro River is of maritime origin and composed mainly of limestone, sand and clay, known as terra bianca. In these soils -located mainly around the towns of Barolo and Barbaresco -- the ancient allobrogica, now Nebbiolo, achieves its renowned fineness and power.

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