Sojourn threads feel a little spammy

[larry_schaffer]

@Eric S n y d e r

@larry schaffer

To me, this is making a mountain out of a mole hill

This.

I don’t buy from Sojourn, but if I did, I would appreciate the batches of pre-release tasting notes from people other than a maybe-overly-enthusiastic-winemaker/marketing person to help me decide which bottlings to buy.

Yes - but with the caveat that those posters need to disclose the freebie situation. I really don’t see the issue with doing this, but I do see the issue with leaving this out.

Cheers.

[Eric_S_n_y_d_e_r]

^^ yes, I meant to include that.

[DougS]

@mike pobega

As one of the receivers of the Sojourn new release (3rd time if I remember correct) I can assure you that nothing ominous has happened here save for the simple forgetting of mention such in advance, I actually did not think of it. I am not a professional nor do I get special treatment but have always felt honored when offered such a gesture. I could have only posted on cellartracker and will only in the future if anyone ever sends me samples again. I have made the decision to stop notes here altogether, but that’s another thing.

I post here because I think them a value to anyone who has ever came here and said ‘The new XXXX release had dropped, anyone taste them?’ threads. If the wines were less than good, I would say so and I believe the senders know that as I have made many great friendships through the years and actually met many of these people; I have met Craig many times (Feel free to check http://www.clony.com for many of my wine world friendships. A group that was quite successful and based on honesty and fairness, just ask around as I think my reputation speaks for itself and will not be sullied by pettiness). Craig knows I am honest and fair, as anyone who knows me or met me would. I never accept with the understanding of a note having to be positive and if I ever did, I would refuse them as I have many times, I mean let’s face it, nobody is sending me Châteauneuf-du-Pape; I am drinking and sampling wheelhouse wines. Also, I always share these wines with others, ask that around too. Also, these are wines I am familiar with and have a track record with, so it makes sense; there have been times where a new wine impressed me so and I have shared those too, a few have done very well around here. Very well. I am sure there would be a line of those stating that my notes have helped them make SMART purchases on a new release; I hear from many and am always humbled. Almost all of these found at a CLONYC dinner or tasting on my own dime. You can’t besmirch me on this, nobody can. I guarantee it.

Bill, if you are insinuating me, you best delete that comment. You have no clue as to me, my world and my ways. I don’t need free wine and have always gotten excited about sampling them in advance but I gotta say guys, way to kill the buzz. Note writing is actually work, but the love for wine has been my only driving force to do so.

I have been spending less time here lately. Same asses being asses.

Bill, you are a subtle as a brick, but grace has never been your strong-point. You have ran better people from here, me I could give a shit. Very prominent Cab guy my ass.

Anyone want a list of the wine I have sampled gratis, please email me at mike@pobega.com.
I am an open book.

Cheers!

Mike, I’m surprised at how defensive this post is. I see most people in this thread not having a problem with the practice as long as it is disclosed. Apparently, that may even be legally required, although I have no idea. Either way, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to want people to mention that bottles were free. I also understand and believe, as I’m sure most of us do, that you simply forgot to mention that you received free bottles when posting some notes. I don’t know if Bill meant you or not, but even if he did, I don’t see anyone here, including him, attacking anyone who posts notes on free bottles. Yet, your post has that extremely defensive tone, which I don’t understand at all. Frankly, it seems completely out of place here. Personally, I have completely different taste in wine than you, but I appreciate your excitement about the wines you really like and like that you post notes on some of them.

[Chris_Blum]

@Corey N.

Reading the clues

really generous gift

maker on this board

I loved everything in the case

his stuff is hard to get

After quite a few months

I just wanted to spread the word among Berserkers because I was so impressed

It was Maison Ilan, wasn’t it?

Dang it. Was it that obvious???

[Chris_Blum]

I used the phrase “hard to get outside of his region” but I purposely left out “after you’ve already paid for it”. I thought that would throw people off.

I clearly didn’t count on matching wits with Hercule Priorat

[mike_pobega]

Doug, appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
I

Cheers.

[Chris_Seiber]

I had a winemaker of a very small winery once ask me if I would post notes on some wines I had bought from him the prior year, in advance of a new release. I didn’t get anything free or discounted out of it.

How does the group feel about that? Should I have disclosed that I was asked to write a note?

In case it’s not obvious, I mean that as a sincere question and not as a rhetorical question seeking to imply something.

[b_castner]

2012 RRV Pinot up on WTSO premium side right now fwiw

[Corey_N]

@Chris Seiber

I had a winemaker of a very small winery once ask me if I would post notes on some wines I had bought from him the prior year, in advance of a new release. I didn’t get anything free or discounted out of it.

How does the group feel about that? Should I have disclosed that I was asked to write a note?

In case it’s not obvious, I mean that as a sincere question and not as a rhetorical question seeking to imply something.

I see no problem with posting notes. IMO, the winery made a legitimate request that you had the right to refuse and there was no sense of obligation/incentive for you to post either good notes or notes at all. The reality is that we live in an age where ratings, from various sources, are deemed important. I’ve seen any number of business ask for a review on social media (such as Yelp) and even Amazon sends e-mails asking for a review of interactions with (non-Amazon) sellers. Your notes might not have mattered to a Gallo wine, but to a small winery…I get it.

And Chris, I think anyone who has read any of your posts would understand that you are one of the nicest and most upstanding posters on WB. I can’t imagine a situation where I’d ever doubt your sincerity.

[Scott_Jameson]

@Chris Seiber

I had a winemaker of a very small winery once ask me if I would post notes on some wines I had bought from him the prior year, in advance of a new release. I didn’t get anything free or discounted out of it.

How does the group feel about that? Should I have disclosed that I was asked to write a note?

In case it’s not obvious, I mean that as a sincere question and not as a rhetorical question seeking to imply something.

I don’t think a simple request to post a review needs to be disclosed if there was no inducement offered. I get these requests frequently, from hotels where I’ve stayed, restaurants where I’ve dined, stores and web sites where I’ve shopped, and I’m sure that’s true for many, if not all, of us here. I may or may not write a review, and it may or may not be positive if I do. I don’t see that saying the review was requested or encouraged adds anything.

[Ian_Sutton]

@Chris Blum

I used the phrase “hard to get outside of his region” but I purposely left out “after you’ve already paid for it”. I thought that would throw people off.

[Ian_Sutton]

I must say I don’t like being asked to review agriturismi / farmstays, apartments or other accommodation. I have posted comments on travel fora, and will continue to do so. However being asked does rather put the pressure on and I don’t want to be anything but honest (and in using my real name, there is no hiding behind an alias).