tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621642312587973211.post9105251871450258441..comments2023-10-02T00:48:44.360-07:00Comments on West Hills Wine Blog: Are Tasting Fees Acceptable?John Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14673694424657884377noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621642312587973211.post-62887889647101150502010-02-12T00:15:48.114-08:002010-02-12T00:15:48.114-08:00Hi everyone! I do not know where to begin but hope...Hi everyone! I do not know where to begin but hope this place will be useful for me. <br />I will be happy to receive any help at the beginning.<br />Thanks and good luck everyone! ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621642312587973211.post-913142389488918042009-03-15T11:16:00.000-07:002009-03-15T11:16:00.000-07:00More people come to the winery for entertainment t...More people come to the winery for entertainment than to simply shop for wine and purchasing a bottle does not justify a free tasting. With a minimum of 30 minutes dedicated to each customer, I would be out of business if I did not charge a fee. The overhead is immense at a winery (at least the wineries that have not gone commercial)and to have a well trained staff that can accurately explain the wines and the varietals is essential to the overall integrity of the experience. A well paid dedicated staff equates to customers that are satisfied with the experience at the winery - after all, wine is more than what lies in the glass. It is the family behind the wine, the story of the business, the winemaker, the memories you make while sipping and the overall experience while at the winery. The time we give the customer has value as does the samples. Once you are a winery owner, you can appreciate this perspective.For_The_Love_Of_It_Allhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08741563735611090332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621642312587973211.post-69229760406321911122009-03-14T01:38:00.000-07:002009-03-14T01:38:00.000-07:00I recently visited Walla Walla and I didn't pay a ...I recently visited Walla Walla and I didn't pay a penny for the 5 tasting rooms that I visited. Admittedly, I went during the slow part of the year, but no one asked for me to pay their advertised tasting fee.<BR/><BR/>Free wine is a fantastic opportunity to give interested wine drinkers a sales pitch and, as you said, give more information about the grape and the vintner's history. What better way to sell your wines than having eager drinkers come to your store to listen and listen story behind the grape? I think charging even a penny for tasting is absurd. I've never paid for a fitting room while shopping for clothes. Perhaps winemakers shouldn't have a tasting room if the winemaker isn't confident that a 1 ounce taste will be able to convince a buyer.<BR/><BR/>Compelling post. It would be nice to hear a wine maker's perspective!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621642312587973211.post-83533622036983335782009-03-10T18:37:00.000-07:002009-03-10T18:37:00.000-07:00I want to thank you for your eloquent explanation ...I want to thank you for your eloquent explanation as to why tasting fees are justifiable. I agree with every point you made and will be passing this on the my fellow winery owner friends. <BR/><BR/>Cheers and happy sipping! <BR/><BR/>VA Winery Owner - Loudoun County, VAFor_The_Love_Of_It_Allhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08741563735611090332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621642312587973211.post-26991244738809611282009-03-01T08:33:00.000-08:002009-03-01T08:33:00.000-08:00Hey, first time reader, first time writer.:o) I f...Hey, first time reader, first time writer.:o) I found this blog out of interest in wine and my relative youth. <BR/><BR/>I'm fine with the fees. Yes, I suppose it keeps some people that have the interest out of the tasting room, but there are many expensive hobbies that sort of price out some people.<BR/><BR/>I find the fees here to be appropriate. A little cheaper than Napa, which has a more established wine market, but less than South Africa, which I found did have the fees, but they were a pittance. I also figure it's cheaper than buying a bottle and discovering it's not worth $75.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com