When I was in Oregon-Dundee area all the places I went to applied the
tasting fees to the purchase of wine or if Club joined.


"Curt Wohlgemuth" > wrote in message
...
> Ben wrote:
>
>> Just got back from a trip to the Oregon coast. Along the way my wife and
>> I
>> stopped at a number of wineries (McMinnville) to sample and purchase the
>> local products. The tasting fees ranged from $5.00 to $15.00!! I was
>> appalled at the high dollar tasting fees charged and the arrogance of not
>> applying the fee to a purchase!
>
> In my experience in California, the practice of "Napa Valley: tasting
> fees;
> everywhere else: no charge" is historical at best. At this point, I
> expect
> everywhere to charge a fee in the tasting room; if they don't it's a
> bonus.
>
> Actually, I don't mind if they charge me; it's a nominal amount, they need
> to defray their expenses, and it keeps down the marauding hordes of "let's
> hit all the wineries in the area and get blitzed" people. But if they
> don't
> apply the fee to a purchase, I do think it's arrogant.
>
> Curt