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I guess it has been a while since I went wine tasting...

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Posted on April 23, 2019 at 15:38:02
TWB
Audiophile

Posts: 7408
Location: Long Beach, California
Joined: January 5, 2001
 My wife and I took our 23 y/o son to the Santa Ynez valley for a few days as he has developed a taste for wine working for Von's and helping manage the liquor dept... We went somewhat regularly back in the 90's and early 2000's. The cost for tasting then was $5-10 depending on the location and the winery usually included a glass! Many times it was free and certainly free if you bought a bottle or two... MY, MY how things have changed... ALMOST every winery we went to charged $20. per person and only two gave us the glass. We shared the tasting quite a bit. One winery we went to charged $20. for the tasting and when I purchased a bottle of wine did NOT waive the tasting fee! Later the next week I saw the same bottle of wine at a local GROCERY OUTLET store for $6.99 and I paid $35 at the winery!!!! You can imagine what kind of review I will be leaving them on Yelp!!!! In spite of all that we did pick up some nice wines and had a great time!!!

 

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RE: I guess it has been a while since I went wine tasting..., posted on April 23, 2019 at 18:03:08
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 803
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
 It was the same vintage of the same wine at Grocery Outlet? Thats pretty odd, but I guess possible.
I worked for a guy who ended up selling some of his wine at Costco cheaper than his wine club could buy it. Suffice to say he doesn't seem to be around anymore.
But its tough times for wineries right now. Cash flow is king and people do desperate things to get it.

 

RE: I guess it has been a while since I went wine tasting..., posted on April 23, 2019 at 18:34:41
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 803
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
 It was the same vintage of the same wine at Grocery Outlet? Thats pretty odd, but I guess possible.

I worked for a guy who ended up selling some of his wine at Costco cheaper than his wine club could buy it. Suffice to say he doesn't seem to be around anymore.

But its tough times for wineries right now. Cash flow is king and people do desperate things to get it.

 

Tastings are a profit source now, posted on April 25, 2019 at 09:06:41
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 3048
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
 As mkuller pointed out a while ago, the days of free wine tastings in California are over. They're getting more expensive and they are having different levels/priced tastings. I typically go for the premium tasting because for a few dollars more you're getting the good stuff and you're typically not standing elbow to elbow at the bar.

I do agree that the tasting fee should be waived if you buy a wine from the tasting you had.

 

This was at Firestone Vineyards... which USED to be family owned but recently was sold...., posted on April 26, 2019 at 13:01:45
TWB
Audiophile

Posts: 7408
Location: Long Beach, California
Joined: January 5, 2001
 to William Foley from the area. The vintage at Grocery Outlet was 2016 and a slightly smaller bottle with a screw cap. The vintage that I purchased was 2013 in a larger bottle with a cork. It was not under the Firstone label but under Proximity 26. Which apparently was a label established by Foley. The Firstone family has decided to concentrate on their Firestone Walker Brewing Company restaurants and still retain ownership of Curtis Winery. The place was deserted only one other couple in the place... When we went there previously you had to wait to taste!

 

RE: Wine tasting..., posted on February 21, 2023 at 10:41:47
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
 ...as Jimbill points out, tasting rooms have gone from being part of the winery's public relations maybe 25 years ago to profit centers.

And a way to get you to join the wine club to get a discount. Wine clubs are hugely profitable.

The wineries have to charge list price unless you join the club, if I'm not mistaken.

The average price for a tasting in Napa Valley is now about $65.

Glad to come back here and see some activity.

If you (or your wife) are on Facebook, follow my East Bay Wine Group.

 

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