West of the West (WOW) Festival - Chicago 4/9/14

WINE TALK
1

http://www.westsonomacoast.com/west-of-west-festival/

Just wondering if anyone has been to this in past years (in Chicago or otherwise) and wants to chime in on its merits/downfalls. My wife and I are considering getting tickets, but seeing as it is mid-week and a 5 hour drive from us, it would be a 2 days off work, 2 nights in a hotel, plus tickets and all the other expenses associated with such a trip, we are wondering if it would be worth the hassle.

Any feedback is appreciated.

2

I attended last year’s event in NY… it was a bit of a madhouse. The good part was that all of the producers were in attendance pouring anywhere from 2 to 10 of their current release wines. Unfortunately the organizers of the event sold far too many tickets, and many of the tables were completely swamped.

If if was in my town and I wouldn’t otherwise get to taste many of the wines, I’d consider going. Given that you guys are traveling relatively far and taking time off, I don’t think it is really worth it. If you are very interested in the wines and meeting the producers, you would probably get more out of visiting the producers in CA.

3

Dusty,
It is a hectic event and it is a bit of a trip however in reading your posts over the past year or so the lineup could not be better suited for your tastes. If you go make sure to stop by LaRue

4

Thanks for posting this, since I live in Chicago. I may have to check this out.

5

This wasn’t on my radar, but think i’ll go to this too. I wonder which of the wineries will be there, the event listing seems to just be a roll call of members rather than the actual ones at this event. Maybe some of the winemakers/winery representitives would be interested in an offline.

6

At the NY event, nearly all of the winemakers were present and many did offline events on the nights before/after.

7

Well, I signed up. Hope to see a few of you there.

8

I’ve been to the Sonoma event the past two years and found it very worthwhile. Have become acquainted with Katy Wilson of LaRue, Jasmine Hirsch, the founders and other representatives of Lioco, Merry Edwards (I had met her on previous occasions in North Carolina), Ted Lemon and Heidi Lemon of Littorai, etc. I can’t speak for the Chicago event but hopefully a number of the winemakers or owners will be there in person.

9

I’ve been to the past two tastings in Sonoma, and found them to be among my favorite wine events the last two years. I have not been to the seminars, dinners, etc. My notes on the tastings are on Grape-Nutz.com:
West of West 2012
West of West 2013

10

Nice write ups Ken.

Thanks!

11

I’m signed up and dragging three friends with. Really hoping for a few producers to do separate dinners either the night before or after. I’ve tasted at a few of the wineries who are attending but always ready to taste more Hobbs, Littorai, Failla,etc. As long as they don’t oversell it, I think it will be a good time.

12

I went to the Willamette Valley tasting at City Winery last spring. The upside of meeting so many makers of the wines I love was crushed by the insane volume of people. It was way oversold. Even checking in was a mess. Worse than Pinot Days at Navy Pier. As much as I’d love to, I won’t go to WOW at City Winery because I don’t trust they’ll make any effort to limit attendance, and I’ll just be pissed the whole night.

My two cents.