I’ve been doing my research for my upcoming trip to Napa/Sonoma. My past trips have been well planned out thanks to recommendations from online friends. I always thought it was gracious of the various winemakers not to charge for these visits. I certainly understand that their may be associated costs involved, not to mention valuable time spent with a guest. I’m under the impression that wine makers that are passionate enjoy these visits? No? I’d also think that any tasting notes posted after a visit would generate a little positive pr.
My my. Whatever was I thinking?
I received an e mail from the tasting room manager where said appointment is/was to happen, asking me to send credit card information. I responded that I thought that this is unusual, and to please check with so and so about my visit. Am I wrong to think I’m an invited guest? Dates and times were confirmed.
A response later in the day still requested the cc info.
Am I crazy? I’ve paid for tastings before, and I don’t have a problem with it.
Is the winery shortsighted? Do I have a lot of nerve to think this visit should be no charge? This is the first time in several visits to wine country that I’ve been asked to anty up for an appointment.
What advice/opinion do you have?
Oh, and one more thing. This winery is easily replaced with others that are on my shortlist.
You win some and you lose some. Only problem is that I don’t know who the winner and loser is?
Interesting for sure. I think this is a bit bonk, b/c generally wineries have policies where if you spend a certain amount on wine, they waive the tasting fee. (and if they don’t, they REALLY should)
Are they feeding you? If so, I can kind of understand, but otherwise, it sounds over zealous.
Ask them for free wine in return for your CC info. See what they say then
Do you mind naming the winery? I can see this with lots of main stream wineries out there that are primarily catering to the throngs of tourists. After all, you’re exchanging emails with the “Tasting Room Manager”. First of all they have a Tasting Room Manager. Second it’s my impression that most wineries of that size to have a Tasting Room Manager the manager is responsible for a certain amount of sales through tasting fees, bottles, etc…
Do they normally charge a fee? Is this just a public tasting room and you are getting some “special” treatment? And, did you ask why they needed your CC? Were they just going to hit you for the fee if you didn’t show?
Personally, I would skip them - there are (as the saying goes) lots of fish in the sea. No shortage in these times of good winemakers that would host you gratis.
Without knowing the winery, it’s hard to say. But for a lot of wineries in Napa, a visit/tour/tasting involves a standard fee for the wines to be tasted…
Having said that, I think it’s a bit aggressive to ask for your credit card info BEFORE you even get there. It sounds as if they intend to charge your card even if you miss the appt. (like a restaurant charging for a missed reservation). I would definitely not give out the credit card info. in advance.
I would also pick up the phone and talk to this person…
Dan – Is this place in Napa? If so, they may be required to charge. The county passed a law 15 or 20 years ago requiring any tasting room opened after a certain date to charge a fee. The goal was to cut down on people hopping from one winery to the next, chugging down free tastes. That may apply to tours with a tasting.
It also wouldn’t surprise me if they want a credit card commitment because I bet they have a lot of no-shows.
I do not have a problem with wineries charging. Most wineries that charge, have to, because 90% of the people that walk into the door deserve to be charged.
Dan
I had a similar experience with Viader this past spring. I was never charged and even mentioned this on RP’s site. When I arrived ( a Thursday), I was never charged the fee. I think that it is all about how you present yourself (you should be god Dan) and if you are in Posner’s 5% of the population, which I think that you are, you wil not have to pay.
Either they are big enough not to care about having to demand a CC#, or they are a small operation and have been burned enough times to Have to ask for it.
What the hell does this winery need to charge you for…to pay for their marble tasting counter with the leather chairs?
Dan, cancel the visit and spend time with people who won’t chase you for a fee. I paid one tasting fee during our June visit–shockingly, in Napa when we needed to kill some time–and it was just that. The rest of the trip we hung out with winemakers who dig their craft. I didn’t take a credit card out once, save the stop I noted above.
This is a boutique winery in Napa/Sonoma. Most of my visits are to ‘better’ wineries where I can set up an appointment (and possibly taste with board members).
FYI, my e mails were to the owner, and there was no mention of cost. Possibly a mis-communication.
When I received the second e mail response from the winery, after my inquiry as to the cost, I’ll go out on a limb and say that the tasting room manager spoke to the boss before responding to my e mail.
After letting this simmer a bit, I e mailed the owner to express my dismay. I stated that I was speechless.
Hopefully there’s a misunderstanding between the two at the winery. Only time will tell. I’ll eventually post an update.
Wow, this is a new one on me - I have never, ever heard of such a thing. Heck, I get insulted on the occasion that a restaurant asks me to secure a reservation with a credit card. I don’t do it, and I have never been turned away from one of those restaurants in the end, either. My thought is if a person is savvy enough to know he needs to make an appointment for a tasting, then that person is probably conscientious enough to also cancel that appointment with enough lead time so as not to inconvenience the winery.
I’ve been to Napa/Sonoma only twice (May 2001 and May 2006). As I recall, most don’t charge, but some do. In France, though, I’ve never been charged for any visit or tasting. On the contrary, some producers even give me bottles to bring home. One owner in Alsace even let me choose what I wanted. Those times I was charged in Napa/Sonoma, I just paid. As is said in America, “No big”.
Is that so? Ok, “No biggie” then, though I swear I hear “No big” once in a while when my youngest watches certain children’s shows on cable (Nickelodeon shows I think).
The issue here is not “paying.” But asking for a credit card to insure the visit in advance? That’s what is new here.
I see. No real difference to me, though. Whether I pay via credit card or cash, it’s the same thing. If I don’t show up, I figure I deserve to be charged for whatever inconvenience or lost opportunity I caused. Seems fair to me. No biggie.
![[truce.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/d/d33e712b50d5efc2425bf219c404fbdb7ed0ba50.gif "truce"){kind=small}
![[thankyou.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/d/df165fe9c1593d19166ae7e1ffe5e272089cc07b.gif "thankyou"){kind=small}
The issue here is not “paying.” But asking for a credit card to insure the visit in advance? That’s what is new here.