I just got back from a month in Sonoma County. Last year I wrote an
entry on Sonoma for the FAQ saying that almost no wineries had tasting
fees. Everything changed in one year. Almost every winery now has a
fee and all that I found were applicable to purchases.

I have many friends in the business and asked everyone why they had
put the fees on. I got every answer imaginable.
Can't afford to give away that much wine.
Have to keep the day-tripping drunks in check.
and the best one from by good friend Doug Nalle,
If we don't have a fee, people will think we are not
worth visiting.
Healdsburg is now a major tourist destination and the tasting rooms
probably have 50% more visitors than they did 5 years ago.

I offered to pay and then told them I was only there to taste their
latest Zin and no one ever charged me. I ended up tasting 9 wines
at one place with a ten dollar charge and they didn't charge me.
None of the appointment-only places charge. One of the other things
they do is give you their logo glass as part of the tasting fee.
I just gave away 350 logo glasses when I moved into a condo so that
is one that I don't appreciate.

I am happy to also report that the trend of a few years ago where a
new winery that had never sold a bottle could call themselves a cult
winery and demand $80 or $90 a bottle for a new release is over
and all the first-time-cult wineries are out of business. I am sad
to report that there has been a lot of wineries that have sold their
names to conglomerates and the public never hears about it.

Ronin wrote:
> Tasting fees kinda tick me off. I understand wanting to keep the
winos looking for a free high out of the tasting room, but:
>
> 1. I spend a goodly amount on wine every month. (my social security
check is my budget according to SWMBO.)
>
> 2. I go to taste new releases for purchase for consumption or laying
away.
>
> 3. Particularly in the Willamette Valley I have spent more on gas to
get to the tasting room to give them a chance at my consumer dollar.
>
> 4. Even though most apply the fee to purchase, it especially hurts
if one doesn't purchase because one HATES the wine! I have more often
than I like to think, paid $5 to taste 3 perfectly horrible wines at
wineries that I'd never heard of, but thought I'd give a try.
>
> 5. I often taste to purchase later at my local wine pusher - I want
to support him, and there is not enough room in my Smart.
>
> It is like the lottery - you know you are going to regret it, but
there is a chance.... You might find a sleeper!
>
> Maybe we could get wineries to honor ID cards that allow AFW trolls
to taste fee free :-)
>

On Oct 3, 8:47 am, Bill Loftin > wrote:
>
> I am happy to also report that the trend of a few years ago where a
> new winery that had never sold a bottle could call themselves a cult
> winery and demand $80 or $90 a bottle for a new release is over
> and all the first-time-cult wineries are out of business. I am sad
> to report that there has been a lot of wineries that have sold their
> names to conglomerates and the public never hears about it.
>

Screaming Eagle being the most glaring example of that.

Bill Loftin wrote:
> I just got back from a month in Sonoma County. Last year I wrote an
> entry on Sonoma for the FAQ saying that almost no wineries had tasting
> fees. Everything changed in one year. Almost every winery now has a
> fee and all that I found were applicable to purchases.

Well, howdy, stranger! Good to read a post from you again. If you have
the time/interest to update that entry, I'll be happy to take whatever
you can provide. FWIW, I found much the same when I was last in Sonoma
in May.


> and the best one from by good friend Doug Nalle,
> If we don't have a fee, people will think we are not
> worth visiting.

Classic! Nalle is also appointment only IIRC, but one of the places
well worth visiting. I had no idea you knew him or I would've
shamelessly namedropped in May.

> I offered to pay and then told them I was only there to taste their
> latest Zin and no one ever charged me. I ended up tasting 9 wines
> at one place with a ten dollar charge and they didn't charge me.
> None of the appointment-only places charge. One of the other things
> they do is give you their logo glass as part of the tasting fee.

That's my experience, too. They all start out by telling you about
their tasting fee, but it gets conveniently forgotten after a 30-45 min
tasting session (of course, I also usually buy at least one bottle, so
that changes the story, too).

Mark Lipton
--
alt.food.wine FAQ: http://winefaq.hostexcellence.com