iKAG — Annual Position · Bodega Aurora

iKAG Take

Aurora came in with the right raw materials and the right mindset. What they didn't have was the system to convert quality into commercial traction. That system now exists — early, still being tested, but real. The biggest Year 2 risk is bandwidth — María Elena needs dedicated export support before distribution demands outgrow one person's calendar.

Year in Review

Wins

Import Compliance Resolved

Zero U.S. registrations → fully compliant. TTB approved, labels cleared for all four SKUs, state licenses in FL and TX. Health pillar: 2.7 → 4.1.

Importer Partnership Signed

Boutique South American specialist with strong FL/TX presence. First container shipped November. Torrontés on the ground in two U.S. markets — the entry strategy we planned.

Pricing Architecture Rebuilt

Torrontés and entry Malbec repriced for three-tier viability. Torrontés at $14.99 SRP — competitive, credible, with margin for every partner.

Still Open

Gran Reserva Malbec Positioning

SRP modeling: $65–75. Viable for allocation accounts, not for broad distribution. Aurora hasn't decided: prestige play or volume wine with price adjustment. This shapes Year 2 portfolio strategy — it can't stay open.

Before → After

12 Months Ago

No U.S. registrations

No importer

No distribution

No trade awareness

→

Today

Fully compliant — TTB, labels, state licenses

Importer signed — boutique specialist, FL/TX

Wine on the ground — two states, first container

Trade interest — Torrontés generating pull

Perception Gap

29 pts → 14 pts

The gap between Aurora's self-assessment and iKAG's score halved. The conversations are more grounded. The expectations are realistic.

Here's What I'm Watching

"Aurora came in with the right raw materials and the right mindset. What they didn't have was the system to convert quality into commercial traction. That system now exists — early, still being tested, but real."

The biggest Year 2 risk is bandwidth — María Elena needs dedicated export support before distribution demands outgrow one person's calendar.

Recommendation

Option A

Renew — Adjusted Scope

Year 1 built infrastructure. Year 2 activates it — depletions, 1–2 new states, Gran Reserva resolution. Cadence shifts: monthly performance reviews, quarterly recalibration.

Option B

Graduate to Monitoring

Subscription tier ($100/mo). Portal tools, Pricing Architecture, iKAG Signals. Quarterly check-ins replace monthly oversight. Works if the importer is performing and Aurora has added internal U.S. support.

Year 2 Decision Brief — Hand This to Your Board

Option A · Recommended

Renew — Adjusted Scope

Investment

$48,000

Monthly

$4,000

Cadence

Monthly reviews + quarterly briefs

Focus

Depletions, state expansion, Gran Reserva

Full consulting. Direct access to Brian & Gina. All portal tools and deliverables. Convert infrastructure into revenue.

Option B · Alternative

Graduate to Monitoring

Investment

$1,200/yr

Monthly

$100

Cadence

Quarterly check-ins only

Focus

Self-directed with tool access

Portal tools active. No consulting layer. Works if importer is performing and Aurora has hired U.S. support.

iKAG Recommendation

Option A — Renew

Decision Needed By

January 31, 2026

Contact

Brian Erwin · [email protected]