Wine Bulletin Board Members Visiting Wineries

Bill_Tex_Landreth · February 25, 2009, 9:29pm

With all the buzz about tasting rooms and behaviour, I got to thinking…scary indeed. If a member here or from another wine themed BB made plans to visit y’all ITB…would you treat them to something special or off the normal tour/tasting? I’m not fishing for something here as I won’t be in CA for at least another six to eight months.

Tony_V_e_l_e_b_i_l · February 25, 2009, 9:31pm

I’m not in the biz but when I was, I always treated bb members, whether Squires board, Vinocellar, Wino Depot, etc., well.

Couldn’t give discounts but would open something not normally opened or take in the barrel room for a couple of tastes!

Cris_Whetstone · February 25, 2009, 9:34pm

I’ve found that lot’s of wineries are happy to have visits from board members and will give you the tour and barrel tastings etc just for asking or even stopping by. And knowing that it makes visiting regular tasting rooms a bit less likely for me.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · February 25, 2009, 9:37pm

I wonder how some wineries would receive those of us that are a little more…“colorful”?

Paul_Luckin · February 25, 2009, 9:38pm

depends Bill…how much you buyin’?

seriously though: if someone came in and mentioned they were a Beserker, i’d find something “off the menu” for them to try.

Cris_Whetstone · February 25, 2009, 9:41pm

Hmmmm…Not exactly sure who you mean. I’ve been called that and worse.

One thing I would say though is when I get special treatment or gifts I try not to boast about it on the board afterward. People like to assume they should get what you got and that can lead to a headache or a touchy position for a winery when they don’t want to have to do the same thing for the next 45 people that email them.

Bill_Tex_Landreth · February 25, 2009, 9:43pm

I meant this idiot…and I would never go blabbing what I got to the world.

larry_schaffer · February 25, 2009, 9:45pm

I personally try to give extra attention to anyone that reaches out and asks for it - either directly or indirectly . . .

So please do so if you plan on coming to our area . . .

Cheers!

john_holdredge · February 25, 2009, 10:04pm

I probably won’t have your car towed if that’s what you mean…

Jim_Cowan · February 25, 2009, 10:16pm

The boards are full of people with at least some knowledge of wine and a real enthusiasm for it; wouldn’t you want those folks visiting? I love talking to such folks - here or in the winery.
Best, Jim

N_Weis · February 25, 2009, 10:21pm

When people contact me, I personally host them more often than not, provided I’m available. In my old job, that made it special by definition since the winery and TR were separate and trade were usually the only others who visited the winery. I didn’t carry much inventory in bottles so barrels were all there were to try. Now, I’d probably do a little bit of barrel tasting and try some finished wines.

I like to talk about wine and I like people who are interested in wine. I have had some poor experiences at times hosting people but more often than not, it’s a real pleasure. Occasionally, it stretches on for hours.

Since we’re on the topic, I have to say that I have been surprised at times by the behavior of some people I hosted. Some quick hitouts:

How much Syrah do you add to your Pinot? (I didn’t…nor did I imply I did. I think they were trying to trick me into saying so if I had - think Legally Blonde: “and your boyfriend’s name is…?” Wasn’t appreciated)
I actually had someone once count up the # of barrels in a lot (the tags were color-coded, so it was easy from a distance) and then guess how many were new and chastise me for using too much new oak…before they tried the wine.
So does Kistler get mad at you guys following them around into vineyards and copying them? (We were a direct competitor with Kistler with several shared vineyard sources…some of whom my boss had developed relationships with prior to Kistler - about 50/50 as to who was there first among the shared sites. Not to mention the wines were very different styles).

Sarah_Warner · February 25, 2009, 10:28pm

Happy to see to it that BBs get extra special attention/tastes/tours/lapdances etc. or whatever if I can. You guys rule! [d_sunny.gif]

That said, if any of you are traveling up to Napa, Central Coast, Sonoma or Italy, PM or e-mail me and I’ll see what I can arrange for visits to the wineries I work with!

Sarah

C_Bowman · February 26, 2009, 12:55am

We’re not a winery but we have a wine lounge . After I finished laughing my
ass off when you told me who you were I would crack a bottle of something
yummy for you !
When friends from the board stop by we always try to pick something or have them pick a wine to enjoy, with us of course.

John_Cabot · February 26, 2009, 1:31am

I never get visitors, except locals. If you drove out here, you’d understand why- long windy roads, two hours from any decent restaurants and hotels. That being said, if any of you are ever feeling adventurous, Kimberly and I have a guest cabin and we love to entertain. Think of it as a cheap vacation. Seriously, please take me up on this if any of you want to come check this place out.
John

Bob_Wood · February 26, 2009, 1:41am

Do these guys appear there?

Tyler_Rico · February 26, 2009, 1:44am

Fellow BB members have always treated me rather well. Dan from Outpost and Henrik from Alpha Omega definitely went the extra mile.

Mary_Baker · February 26, 2009, 2:15am

I really enjoy meeting fellow board members, from any of the boards. I usually offer tastes of everything we have available, including the reserve list, and if the weather is nice and you have time to spare, we may take a bottle outside … or if you’re in town for a night or two I really get excited when I have an opportunity to get off the farm, so call me and we can meet up at Villa Creek or a local wine bar for a glass of wine!

ToddFrench · February 26, 2009, 3:31am

I’m seeing Sarah pouring wine at TB next Monday - I’ll report back as to any ‘special treatment’…

Randy_Bowman · February 26, 2009, 3:39am

No, these guys do.

Terence_T-Bone_Livingston · February 26, 2009, 4:24am

Bill, great thread topic! I actually joined ebob (work with me here, folks!) right after I read something negative and totally unsubstantiated about our winery. I then PM’d the guy, and he showed up and had a wonderful time. This happened with several members of the board after they came to visit.

So…yes. I would treat WBBM more special. One, because I know they’re coming in advance. Two, because I know how powerful the written word is online (even if you are a dork with BIG WORDS) and three…it’s the right thing to do. If you’re truly interested in wine, and our winery, then I’m gonna show you the shit! I mean, that’s what we’re in this business for, isn’t it?

Great thread. Oh, and I love Bourbon Whiskey too.