Some Wineries Get It..And Some Don't.....

[M_A_T_T_H_A_R_T_L_E_Y]

@Bob Hunnicutt

btw, I don’t think you should be treated any better because of the economic times. Treatment should always be the same regardless of how busy they are, how you’re dressed, or whether you’re the first or last cusomer of the day…

Best point made on this thread…

[TomHill]

@MitchTallan

Tom; I’ve seen you in action when you go to a tasting room or meet a winemaker for the first time (I will never forget our visit to Jason Drew when he was still in Lompoc). You are quite the inquisitor, not capable of being satisfied with mere tastes of what’s in the glass, you want the whole gestalt of approach, goals, philosophy, background, everything but name, rank, and sexual orientation (though nothing would stop you from asking the last). I say that-as you know-with absolute love and respect. While I agree with you, we all know the countervailing argument(s). Joe Heitz was Joe Heitz, but who can argue with '84 and '85 Marthas? Patty is Patty but Dave is Dave. And I could go on and on. When it comes to tasting rooms with no appointment and no advance word, you certainly understand all the crap the employees see along the lines of the famous Miles scenes in “that movie”. I you are saying that you have sent favorable notes to the proprietor/winemaker and only seen responses 50% of the time, I am surprised. All said, though, this all boils down to the inherent degree of subjectivity bias in wine. The person who loves a certain wine because they associate it with a great memory can not be told that he or she is wrong. They are not wrong. They are simply subjectively biased. The person who says that a certain wine can’t be enjoyed to it’s fullest without consuming it where it was produced with the local food and/or walking the vineyard etc. is likewise not wrong, and in that scenario we have argued whether such is context bias or context experience or both.

Hmmmmm…not quite sure what the point is you’re making, Mitch.
I’ve dealt w/ my share of irrascible winemakers over the yrs. Joe Swan being one such. But, given enough one-on-one time, I think most people,
giving a sincere & genuine interest in their wines, can break thru that gruff veneer some winemakers project.
As to your last point, it’s as Neal Rosenthal says in his book…“the finest of wines pave the path to memory”. That can certainly introduce a bias in one’s
tastings. I have difficulty in tasting Ridge wines w/o it stirring up many great memories of wonderful times up there on the Ridge…or at table w/ DonnReisen.
But I like to think I can put those biases aside and review a Ridge w/ some degree of objectivity. I certainly gave Donn and other Ridge folks my
unvarnished opinion when they released a wine I didn’t think was up to the usual Ridge standards. Usually, in such cases, Donn would give
me a fatherly/patronizing pat on the shoulder and admonish me to give the wine some time. And…often as not…he was right. But I still can’t get the Ridge Carignanes…no matter how much time I give 'em.
Tom

[gemschaefer]

@TMacpherson

Hi Tom:

Thanks so much for posting this thread. We couldn’t agree more. Some wineries really know how to do it. Our experience with the Pax’s Agharta (and especially Gloria) has been absolutely phenomenal. Feels like we are part of a really warm and caring family. And they make extraordinary wine! …

Tom

Aww, Thanks Tom M. : )) The people that I have met over the last 20 years in the wine business are the best part of the wine industry! We have some long lasting friendships that started over a glass of wine. I also have some extraordinary stories of people I talked to online that I eventually got the opportunity to meet in person…for some reason it feels like you have known them for years. Wine is about sharing on many levels and a very social product…If you don’t recognize that…kinda miss the boat : ))

Tom H… I love seeing notes when people have enjoyed the wine…completes the circle for me…I can’t imagine any producer that would not appreciate that… I used to get the “info” mail at our other winery for years…best mail : ))