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 Napa Valley [all categories]
 Napa Valley - Wineries to Visit
 Wine Tasting Purchases
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| Author | Topic: Wine Tasting Purchases |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 06-27-2012 04:32 AM
  
Not me. -Hawkeye IP: 173.247.28.96 |
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RichardSE Member |
posted 06-26-2012 11:53 PM
Who charges $150 for a tasting?! IP: 108.59.136.30 |
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yesilovewine Member |
posted 06-25-2012 06:32 AM
WOW!!! So these places will require you to pay $150 to get a "free" tasting??? What is the tasting fee they ask to begin with??? IP: 71.65.254.43 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 06-24-2012 02:18 PM
Richard, Holler at me too. -Hawkeye IP: 173.247.28.96 |
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RichardSE Member |
posted 06-24-2012 10:34 AM
Sometimes places that don't say that they waive their tasting fee if you purchase will do so if you ask. A lot depends on the fee and how much you buy and how nice the server is. I will also sometimes pay a tasting fee because I have no plans of every buying their wine. For instance, I would never buy a bottle of Backus from Joseph Phelps because there are a lot of wines that are more affordable that are as good and better. Last September, we went to Joseph Phelps for their Insignia/Backus tasting. My friend has a magnum of the 05 Backus and he didn't believe me when I said it wasn't ready (because he likes his wines younger than I do). So we tasted the Backus and it's still in his cellar. I will of course be willing to taste his Backus if he decides to invite me IP: 67.49.148.81 |
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p5sky Junior Member |
posted 06-21-2012 06:41 PM
Most of the places, if not all, that I plan on visiting state that the tasting fee is waived with min. 2 bottle purchase. I think only one place that I saw does NOT waive the fee, we are not going there for this reason since the fee is quite high. All the places we are visiting produce high-end cabs that will cost $75 min and up to $125. So it is nice to take some things home and truly decide which you really liked, then you can get online and order more. IP: 24.205.181.115 |
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RC456 Member |
posted 06-21-2012 05:25 PM
Sky I know that you have pretty well gotten your answer and I agree w Hawkeye & D'mom views. But one observation from our trip in May: Sonoma wineries that we visited and there were many....everyone waived the tasting fee with purchase. Over in Napa, only visited (and purchased from) 3 or 4 and the only one that waived was Merryvale. That sort of irked me. I don't buy-in that the it cost the winery the expense of the bottles it pours for tastings.....that expenses is already calculated into the cost per bottle they charge just like all other expenses have been in order to set the retail price per bottle. My point to this mini-rant is this: I ask upfront if the fee is waived w purchase. If it is not, then I have no conscious what so ever to feel compelled to buy. If they do waive with purchase, I am more apt to try to find something (min of 2 bottles) to purchase. RC IP: 74.142.103.194 |
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p5sky Junior Member |
posted 06-21-2012 04:42 PM
Thanks everyone. Very reasonable guidelines. I have a nice connection in the wine industry so if I REALLY like something I can see if my cousin get get me a case. The toughest part of a trip is buying a lot early, but you really like something else later in the trip and you have a wine budget to stick too. IP: 24.205.181.115 |
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damombo Member |
posted 06-20-2012 07:22 PM
Hi y'all, I agree with Hawkeye's assessment - tasting fee, no purchase necessary. No tasting fee, I will try to find one bottle at least to buy - of course, only if I find the wine to my taste. But I don't feel too bad about not buying someplace if I don't like the wine - there will be someone along shortly who does like the wine! Viva la difference! We have reached the point where, if we really really like the wine, having a case shipped from the winery is the best price per bottle - shipping is often cheaper, certainly less hassle, and often there is a discount at the case level - a win win! ONLY if you are certain that you love the wine - don't want to get home and find that your palate was fooling you IP: 76.31.52.34 |
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Hawkeye Member |
posted 06-20-2012 01:26 PM
Hi Sky, My rule of thumb about purchasing: If there is a tasting fee, I feel no obligation to purchase. If there is no tasting fee, I purchase a minimum of 2 bottles IF I LIKE THE WINE! If there is a fee or if there is no fee, and I like the wine, I may purchase up to 6 bottles and have been know to go higher. -Hawkeye IP: 173.247.28.96 |
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p5sky Junior Member |
posted 06-19-2012 05:43 PM
I've got a trip planned in a month and I am ready to try some small production wines. I am curious, do you believe there is a minimum purchase expectation at some of these small facilities? I have gone on tasting excursions before and we did not purchase too much, but times/$$$ were tough. Also, we've gone with a family member who is IN the industry with a wine bar/shop and we ONLY taste since he is trying to see what is worth buying later on. Will I offend someone if I purchase only a few bottles . . . or possibly none if it is not my style? Then again, I am great at offending people so maybe I shouldn't be concerned. IP: 24.205.181.115 |
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