Couldn’t your daughter have hitchhiked

Stuart,Stuart BeauneHead Niemtzow wrote: ↑August 2nd, 2019, 11:30 amThanks for all your nice comments, invites and pm's....
I am hoping to spend a day in the Willamette Valley on Monday October 21. Will be staying in Portland with family for 3 days, so one day visiting and tasting is max. Really looking forward to this, a long time goal. (I've never been to CA wineries and am going to skip them for this). Will focus more on the specifics as time gets closer. Lots of great opportunities.
Wonder what I should bring along as wampum?
Erica, it sounds like there was a "failure to communicate"-- all around here. We had no idea of the details you list. We had no number to call; and were told that time wasn't of the essence and that someone would be calling you to confirm we'd be there.Erica Landon wrote: ↑November 2nd, 2019, 8:26 amStuart, I feel that it is important to share how difficult it is for small wineries to host appointments during harvest, as we have modest crews juggling an incredible amount of work. We feel that it is such a special time of year, so we make it a priority to share the process with our guests. During this time of year, we limit appointments to once each day, 5 days a week, where we combine a few groups together and show them all that is happening in the winery. Had you made the appointment directly with Walter Scott I would have communicated that punctuality is VERY important as you are tasting with others AND due to it being Harvest, our team's schedule is incredibly tight. Our appointments were full in the morning of your visit, and because Seth requested on your behalf we made an exception to host a second group that day which quickly filled up. The appointment was scheduled to begin at 1:30 in the afternoon. Ken and the other guests waited for 15 minutes for your group to arrive. At 1:45 I began texting Seth to try and reach you and determine if you were still coming to the winery that day. At 2:10 Seth responded that he was not sure, as he was out of the state. By that time, the tasting was well underway and we asked Seth to tell you we no longer able to see you, as it would require us to host the 3rd appointment and that wasn't possible. Your group arrived 2:40 just as I was leaving the winery to collect our daughter from school.Tasting with Marcus was as good as it gets as far as education and curiosity. However, the time flew, and our schedule was irretrievably broken. [oops.gif wrote: Marcus, we though, was calling our next two appointments: Walter Scott and Cristom. But, when we arrived at Walter Scott, we were (probably justifiably) greeted by a decidely annoyed winemaker who said we were an hour late and to come back "next time." (There is not likely to be a next time, sadly) I had been particularly interested in tasting their wines, and am still curious, but......
As a note to all who visit small producers during harvest, or really any time of year, please keep in mind that they are incredibly busy running their small businesses and they rearrange their entire schedules and open wine to host you. Making sure to stay on schedule and respect everyone who has made it a priority to host you is so important. Communicating with the wineries what your schedule is so they can help keep you on schedule and get you out to your next appointment, as well as not overbooking your trip is important etiquette.
Marcus, you are a great ambassador for the Willamette Valley, and your wines a wonderful indication of the potential of the region for all of the varieties of grapes. I really look forward to see the evolution of the wines we bought. Thanks again.Marcus Goodfellow wrote: ↑November 2nd, 2019, 2:36 pmStuart,Stuart BeauneHead Niemtzow wrote: ↑August 2nd, 2019, 11:30 amThanks for all your nice comments, invites and pm's....
I am hoping to spend a day in the Willamette Valley on Monday October 21. Will be staying in Portland with family for 3 days, so one day visiting and tasting is max. Really looking forward to this, a long time goal. (I've never been to CA wineries and am going to skip them for this). Will focus more on the specifics as time gets closer. Lots of great opportunities.
Wonder what I should bring along as wampum?
It was really lovely to meet you, your wife, and friends. It’s always a pleasure to spend a bit of time with someone as knowledgeable as you. While time got away from me, the opportunity meet you was a highlight.
Your generosity with wampum is also VERY appreciated. I hope that the Willamette Valley wines you took home are highlights for you in the coming years as well(and an indication that the terroirs in the Willamette Valley are worthy of the early hopes).
terrible place.. people need to stay away!!
Wait.. wha?? No offense meant Stuart but the post sounds a bit entitled..Stuart BeauneHead Niemtzow wrote: ↑November 4th, 2019, 1:36 pmThis was not a matter of "etiquette"; we would have been happy to comply. But, it is also incumbent on a winery, I think, to make clear what it expects from visitors. And, other than a time and location, we were told nothing, and didn't even think it necessary to call when we were running late, due to some misinformation about such things in the Willamette. Maybe we just slipped through the cracks and you do communicate with other visitors.
Try the Chards.. some of the best in Oregon.Stuart BeauneHead Niemtzow wrote: ↑November 4th, 2019, 1:36 pmIt is a shame, as your operation was very intriguing to this Burgundy-lover. I hope someday to be able to taste one of your wines....
Yes, a tasting with Marcus is "as good as it gets".Stuart BeauneHead Niemtzow wrote: ↑November 1st, 2019, 12:10 pmTasting with Marcus was as good as it gets as far as education and curiosity.
We finished with Bethel Heights...Their pinot noirs were very impressive, as were Marcus', and though it was out of my price comfort zone, I could not resist a particular one, the 2015 "Shallows", which I thought was like a Vosne Beaumonts...or even Cros P:....So, I think I paid as much as I ever had a for single bottle of wine. I plan to have it rest until 2025. For me, it was as good as any Oregon wine I've tasted.
The wines from the region have come a huge distance from the large tasting in NYC (with winemakers) I went to in 1985
Stuart BeauneHead Niemtzow wrote: ↑November 5th, 2019, 8:01 amSorry if my response seemed "entitled". Perhaps it was. Entitled to communication to understand the "etiquette" is indeed the issue. Everyone is "entitled" all around to know the rules/mores/"etiquette". We were clueless. Perhaps because third parties were involved; perhaps because we are. But, as a first time visitor to the region, we had no idea what to expect. At three places we visited the visits worked out very well. At one it didn't happen. We were not on time-- for sure. So, my only point is that communications are necessary all around; and, that "communications" is not posting something on a website (which I had looked at)....or thinking intuitive "etiquette" should rule. Not sure what we would have enquired about, as we were told by two people that punctuality for visits is not essential. That worked..until it didn't work. Wish we had known more.
This all reminds me of our first trip to Burgundy, on our honeymoon in 1983. My wife had lived in Paris for a few years, and I was depending on her to be the communicator, gps and translator. There was no gps then. We faltered and had huge blowout over it. It is so much easier to communicate in 2019 than 35 years ago...and, obviously, to find places. Communication serves everyone's purpose.
In all my years of visiting Burgundy (both before and after GPS and with and without my translator), only one person expressed annoyance for our tardiness: Guillaume d'Angerville. He had just taken over, in 2007, from his father and we were lost in Volnay, as usual. I remember it only because it was unique. It never seemed to me that anyone at artisanal wineries cared about the clock. In fact, when we did call....they often laughed at us for calling.
All this is to say that in a wine region, it is important for the visitor, as well as the person visiting, to have a specific idea of the "etiquette" and considerate behavior. That "entitlement" is universal. I hope others visiting the area learn from our faux pas....as it is certainly a wonderful area to visit and explore, with wines that are VERY impressive from all varieties (ok, maybe except viognier.
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Someone please turn out the lights. Nothing left to see here.c fu wrote: ↑November 5th, 2019, 8:38 amStuart BeauneHead Niemtzow wrote: ↑November 5th, 2019, 8:01 amSorry if my response seemed "entitled". Perhaps it was. Entitled to communication to understand the "etiquette" is indeed the issue. Everyone is "entitled" all around to know the rules/mores/"etiquette". We were clueless. Perhaps because third parties were involved; perhaps because we are. But, as a first time visitor to the region, we had no idea what to expect. At three places we visited the visits worked out very well. At one it didn't happen. We were not on time-- for sure. So, my only point is that communications are necessary all around; and, that "communications" is not posting something on a website (which I had looked at)....or thinking intuitive "etiquette" should rule. Not sure what we would have enquired about, as we were told by two people that punctuality for visits is not essential. That worked..until it didn't work. Wish we had known more.
This all reminds me of our first trip to Burgundy, on our honeymoon in 1983. My wife had lived in Paris for a few years, and I was depending on her to be the communicator, gps and translator. There was no gps then. We faltered and had huge blowout over it. It is so much easier to communicate in 2019 than 35 years ago...and, obviously, to find places. Communication serves everyone's purpose.
In all my years of visiting Burgundy (both before and after GPS and with and without my translator), only one person expressed annoyance for our tardiness: Guillaume d'Angerville. He had just taken over, in 2007, from his father and we were lost in Volnay, as usual. I remember it only because it was unique. It never seemed to me that anyone at artisanal wineries cared about the clock. In fact, when we did call....they often laughed at us for calling.
All this is to say that in a wine region, it is important for the visitor, as well as the person visiting, to have a specific idea of the "etiquette" and considerate behavior. That "entitlement" is universal. I hope others visiting the area learn from our faux pas....as it is certainly a wonderful area to visit and explore, with wines that are VERY impressive from all varieties (ok, maybe except viognier.
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Clearly didn’t look very hard
https://www.walterscottwine.com/contact
I like that you were 70 minutes late and keep giving yourself excuses. At no point do you apologize publicly to the winery for your excessive tardiness.
Weird. I’ve done same.Mark Y wrote: ↑November 5th, 2019, 8:52 amD9FF1680-7FDF-4E77-B7E8-4E0CBCC7BB02.png
FWIW I’ve spent the day the exact same way. Visit with Marcus in the morning. Visit with Walter Scott after a bite of lunch. And then cristom. It’s not that hard to stay on schedule. Altho Marcus is super hospitable and will get you hammered before lunch if you aren’t careful.
Episode 342Stuart BeauneHead Niemtzow wrote: ↑November 5th, 2019, 11:43 amI clicked on the link, but it doesn't take me to a podcast. Is there a more specific link?
dsGriswold wrote: ↑November 7th, 2019, 9:40 amEpisode 342Stuart BeauneHead Niemtzow wrote: ↑November 5th, 2019, 11:43 amI clicked on the link, but it doesn't take me to a podcast. Is there a more specific link?![]()
I hope to avoid pitfalls and bad form on my upcoming trip to WV. I have booked seven appointments over three days and I am very excited for each visit. To schedule the desired visits was easily accomplished given the responsiveness of each party. One winery I was hoping to visit with could not accommodate us on our desired date and reached out hoping to do it the following day. We were unable to visit as we will be visiting other wineries in another AVA. Oh well, we will try next time. Knowing what is possible to schedule with the quality of the experience desired and the logistics of how far apart many of the wineries are from one another takes thoughtful consideration.Vincent Fritzsche wrote: ↑November 7th, 2019, 10:21 amJust catching up here. I'm pretty flexible as a wine producer, I know Walter Scott is as well. Is it news that being over an hour late to an appointment is bad form? Much less, is it news that October is harvest time in Oregon? Ok I'm done.
Ha Richard,Richard T r i m p i wrote: ↑November 8th, 2019, 6:47 amBill,
Cameron has an effective way of dealing with these problems.
RT
There are no pitfalls or bad form. Just be on time or communicate, like with any appointment or deadline.Bill Mauger wrote: ↑November 7th, 2019, 5:30 pmI hope to avoid pitfalls and bad form on my upcoming trip to WV. I have booked seven appointments over three days and I am very excited for each visit. To schedule the desired visits was easily accomplished given the responsiveness of each party. One winery I was hoping to visit with could not accommodate us on our desired date and reached out hoping to do it the following day. We were unable to visit as we will be visiting other wineries in another AVA. Oh well, we will try next time. Knowing what is possible to schedule with the quality of the experience desired and the logistics of how far apart many of the wineries are from one another takes thoughtful consideration.Vincent Fritzsche wrote: ↑November 7th, 2019, 10:21 amJust catching up here. I'm pretty flexible as a wine producer, I know Walter Scott is as well. Is it news that being over an hour late to an appointment is bad form? Much less, is it news that October is harvest time in Oregon? Ok I'm done.
I do think it is worth mentioning that this is also a two way street. Four years ago we did a similar trip with two other couples and I organized the trip. We travelled from CO. We left our morning visits and went back to a lovely house we had rented in the Dundee Hills on a vineyard. We were very content and even discussed cancelling a visit we had scheduled in McMinnville. Well, I rallied the troops because I thought it would be bad form to blow off the appointment. When we arrived the winery was locked up and no one was there. We were blown off. I texted the winemaker and received a curt reply - “sometimes things just happen”.
Well talk about embarrassing and all it would have taken was a text to say “Hey Sorry I need to cancel”. I did call this person out on BD and he has offered to make it right. It still has left a bad taste in my mouth, however. I probably need to get over it as I am sure I am missing out on a persons wines that have “soul”.
I did eat at Nicks a couple years later when taking my daughter to visit colleges in the Pacific North West. One of his wines was on the list from the excellent 2010 vintage. I ordered it and was very impressed yet I still have never bought his wines.
This trip I did not want to schedule to much and the list of wineries that were the priorities got scheduled and I will miss the chance to taste his wines again. There are also numerous other producers with witch I have a desire to visit including many of the folks that so graciously participate on this board.
Oh well, I just wish Stuart and the winemaker could both just show some humility from the outset. To the winemaker’s credit he ultimately did.
Vincent you are one of the 22 - and I will add high on the list. I think our next visit will include more producers in your locale and hope to taste and meet you. I am not sure how if you read my post you thought I was calling out Erica and Ken in anyway. Quite the opposite - and even though Stuart did not have knowledge of the valley it is no excuse. Hats off to Marcus for trying to diffuse the situation gracefully. Walter Scott was one the four and I look forward to our visit and being on time! Thank you for your active and insightful participation on this forum.Vincent Fritzsche wrote: ↑November 8th, 2019, 10:40 pmAre you suggesting the producer was in the wrong? Stuart called her out after being invited to their residence and showing up super late. Tough crowd.
Todd, I really am over it - no way I was calling you out. I thought about seeing if you had time on the afternoon of 11/16. I did not reach out only because I think my wife will be over my obsession after running her ragged on Thursday and Friday. We are going down to Amity for a late morning visit on 11/16 and plan to have lunch down there but nothing scheduled after that. Perhaps we can meet but can we play it by ear a bit - and I understand if you are not available. I really do want get to know your wines - as I am sure they have soul. Also, I want your opinions on how the valley is changing as you alluded to in a prior post not in a positive light.Todd Hamina wrote: ↑November 9th, 2019, 12:18 amNo, he's talking about me. Since Bill's appointment I forgot, I immediately stop and log it into my calendar on my phone.
Awesome - enjoy the travel. Will be a priority on the next trip!Todd Hamina wrote: ↑November 9th, 2019, 3:04 pmI'm in France currently, then Italy until the 21st. Next time!
And I'll put it in my phone!!!