Monte Bello Futures Program - Leaving? Staying? Reducing? POLL

WINE TALK
1

Based on the many discussions on the Ridge Monte Bello Futures program, particularly recently, I thought it might be interesting to host a casual poll for those who have taken action in the last 4 vintages or so and see how this community has responded, if at all.

Of those who are in or plan to be in the Monte Bello Futures program, since the 2020 vintage have you:

  • Increased my allocation
  • Decreased my allocation
  • Left the program entirely
  • Added myself to the futures program
0 voters
2

I canceled in January. Not a function of any vintage or specific issue. I just needed to right-size my wine buying in relation to how much we consume, and a wine that needs so much age and that we already have a lot of was a pretty easy decision to cut. I’ve canceled others that were much more painful choices, and will probably cull even more next year. Trying to focus on the handful that are truly my favorites year in and year out.

1 Like
3

Poll might need to be modified. No option for “existing buyer, no change to allocation”.

Also note that increasing your allocation is not an option, based on what Ridge says in their emails.

7 Likes
4

I left after the 2021s arrived, in part because of the increasing price (and decreasing secondary market), and in part beause their opaque response to the 2020 fires made it hard to trust that they had consumers’ best interests at heart.

2 Likes
5

Talk about a pile on!

6

Am I the first to state “Flawed Poll?”
No Brett Favre option, and to think the poll was started by someone from Wisconsin.

One item to consider - I did not decrease my allocations post 2022 until the most recent offer of the 2024 vintage. The reason for my order reduction was not related in any manner to how Ridge handled the 2020 vintage.

7

Where’s the option for “the guy I was splitting an allocation with died”?

1 Like
8

Uh, well, technically “Increased my allocation.”

1 Like
9

Well it was his allocation.

10

ok, so ‘left allocation program entirely’

1 Like
11

But I didn’t intend to. Would have kept buying 3 bottles per year if he had lived. Not going to sign up and wait to get a half decent allocation at this point.

12

Now’s the time, I would think, as there have been some drops and reductions in allocations

13

Yes, that.

As I already said, I don’t keep my allocation. I sell it to @Sean_S at my cost. If he decides to drop (if that happens before I depart this mortal coil), I’ll leave the program.

14

Based on the responses here, could probably have someone either split with you or take over theirs, no?

Cheers

15

Didn’t respond to the poll. But, 2019 was the last vintage/allocation I bought. I believe it was $135 (+/- $5, not sure) plus tax and shipping.

16

My final one, too. It was going to be 2020, but I returned mine.

17

Too much of a PITA when I shouldn’t be buying anyway. Dad left me nearly 700 bottles of top-tier Cabernet.

1 Like
18

For some reason I didn’t record 2019

2017 $124
2018 $132
2019 ?
2020 $145
2021 $155

19

I have it at $141, Alan. If you received the email this week from Ridge and click through, you should be able to access the previous prices under the “Order History” section.

20

That looks about right.