Pet annoyance with all the waiting list wineries.

[Adam Frisch]

Con grano salis rant on:

Why is it that every single tryna-be-exclusive waiting list/members list winery never have their wines on their website? It's always "join our mailing list" and zero info about their cuvees (except some gobbledygook about terroir, of course - that's always there), and certainly no pictures of them. No, I want to see what plonk you're making to know IF I want to join your little overpriced cabal, not first join and then find out. That's not how it works, flashy guy.

It would be harder to find examples of waiting list wineries that do show the wines, than not. It's rampant in this category.

Rant off.

[Jason L.]

Frustrated by this too but I understand that there's a few things that drive it and the motivations for each winery are probably different. I always think of it as trying to create a cone of silence around the relationship with the customer.

[larry schaffer]

If you have to ask . . .

[Max S.]

It's definitely a turn off for me, but I've never really been much of a joiner so maybe I'm not their target audience.

[Rodrigo B]

Couldn't agree more. Even worst when it's a relatively new venture that's doing it.

[Richard T r i m p i]

I want to see what plonk you're making to know IF I want to join your little overpriced cabal, not first join and then find out.

Just say NO! There is so much good/great wine out there that requires none of that nonsense.

RT

[Jan Janas]

If you have to ask . . .

. . . it's too expensive for you.

[John Morris]

Con grano salis rant on:

Why is it that every single tryna-be-exclusive waiting list/members list winery never have their wines on their website? It's always "join our mailing list" and zero info about their cuvees (except some gobbledygook about terroir, of course - that's always there), and certainly no pictures of them. No, I want to see what plonk you're making to know IF I want to join your little overpriced cabal, not first join and then find out. That's not how it works, flashy guy.

It would be harder to find examples of waiting list wineries that do show the wines, than not. It's rampant in this category.

Rant off.

Since many of their customers are happy to shell out big bucks sight unseen, even for startup wineries, based on the name of the winemaker or whatever, why should they bother providing information?

[Tom Chen]

I suppose it depends on the winery's target market. Maybe some mystery is good for marketing, but couldn't imagine that is the case. Guessing it's more about return vs. spend.

There are some sites that have tons of content, but I would never buy from them.

On the other hand, there are some with minimal content, where I always buy, e.g., Greer.

[Tom G l a s g o w]

Adam, I think you need to step back and think about this. BUT NOT UNTIL MY BD ORDER IS CONFIRMED!

[Brian G r a f s t r o m]

I can understand wanting info about the wines, but pictures? Really?

Also, why not just sign-up for the list and wait to see if you get more information after that? Is it just about (perhaps unnecessarily) giving out your email?

[D@vid Bu3ker]

I can understand wanting info about the wines, but pictures? Really?

Adam can spot residual sugar in a photo.

[John Ammons]

Phew, I thought this was going to be a rant on winery pets.

My favorite thing about my visit to MacRostie in Healdsburg was thumbing through their coffee table ready glossy book showcasing the dogs of various wineries.

[Luca Giupponi]

Adam, I think you need to step back and think about this. BUT NOT UNTIL MY BD ORDER IS CONFIRMED!

Agreed. Once I get a half case of your Riesling, you can experiment all you want, but please no shenanigans before BD.

[R. Frankel]

They have to generate interest, mystery, excitement somehow. This is especially hard when the primary sales model - in person tasting and tipsy decision making - is nearly turned off completely.

FWIW I agree that I want more info rather than less.

And now the dirty little secret (ssshhhhhh) of these list-selling wineries. Just about zero are full/sold out. I’d bet there are fewer than 20 that wouldn’t offer you an allocation the first year you sign up - or even if you just email and ask any old time. COVID has not been kind to small list/visit based wineries.

[Ian S]

Sour grapes.

[Adam Frisch]

I can understand wanting info about the wines, but pictures? Really?

I buy with my eyes, Brian.

[F.Daner]

RT is spot on. I don't chase the high end Napa cabs anymore where you see this sometimes. Way too much great wine out there you can try first or buy without having to get on a waitlist and shell out 3 digit's for wine. There is also plenty of great Napa Cab that is highly available.

Other than Thomas I can't think of any of the top name Oregon pinots that I can't buy from the winery or find retail pretty easy. I bought a bunch last year and Oregon will get most of the budget this year since I went deep on 2016 Barolo last year. I also like that I can backfill some older vintages. Check out Belle Pente. They have several library vintages available on their website.

I want to see what plonk you're making to know IF I want to join your little overpriced cabal, not first join and then find out.

Just say NO! There is so much good/great wine out there that requires none of that nonsense.

RT

[Michael Martin]

Saxum is the exception. They list complete blend descriptions and recent professional reviews.

[Philip G]

Realm and Maybach have quite a bit of info, including pictures
Cayuse has all of their wines listed with reviews going back through the years.

[JDVanHoose]

I can understand wanting info about the wines, but pictures? Really?

Adam can spot residual sugar in a photo.

Hahahaha

[Tom G l a s g o w]

Realm and Maybach have quite a bit of info, including pictures
Cayuse has all of their wines listed with reviews going back through the years.

I don’t think Adam was posting about established wineries.

[tpetty]

First Rule of Wine Club is.....

[Marc Hauser]

You may be trying to not name names here, but how many “ tryna-be-exclusive” wineries really do this? I suppose it’s less than the “every single” posited (likely for emphasis rather than fact). I mean, I’ve seen it before, and yeah, it’s kinda dumb. But is it really that rampant outside of wineries that don’t need any more people on the waiting list?

[Scott Brunson]

It almost makes me think that these wineries are utilizing some kind of marketing ploy.

[Keith Levenberg]

[Howard Cooper]

Don’t know. Not on any waiting lists yet somehow find plenty of wines to buy.

[Cris Whetstone]

We forget a lot that not everyone is selling to wine geeks. We like to know all the details and particulars about the actual wine. Lots of people just want to buy something that is exclusive and popular at the same time.

[David Glasser]

My dog doesn’t mind the waiting lists, but he's downright ornery about the tariffs.

[Michael Martin]

We forget a lot that not everyone is selling to wine geeks. We like to know all the details and particulars about the actual wine. Lots of people just want to buy something that is exclusive and popular at the same time.

Maybe. If you know enough to buy exclusive and popular, which is actually an oxymoron, you probably also know something about wine.

[Cris Whetstone]

We forget a lot that not everyone is selling to wine geeks. We like to know all the details and particulars about the actual wine. Lots of people just want to buy something that is exclusive and popular at the same time.

Maybe. If you know enough to buy exclusive and popular, which is actually an oxymoron, you probably also know something about wine.

The oxymoron was purposeful. Being popular by drinking(or consuming) exclusively is a goal for many.

The point is that selling that exclusivity is what the goal is. Knowing whether it is or not is for those that marketing is not targeted at. The marketing is targeted at those that want to feel in the know without doing their homework.

[Michael Martin]

We forget a lot that not everyone is selling to wine geeks. We like to know all the details and particulars about the actual wine. Lots of people just want to buy something that is exclusive and popular at the same time.

Maybe. If you know enough to buy exclusive and popular, which is actually an oxymoron, you probably also know something about wine.

The oxymoron was purposeful. Being popular by drinking(or consuming) exclusively is a goal for many.

The point is that selling that exclusivity is what the goal is. Knowing whether it is or not is for those that marketing is not targeted at. The marketing is targeted at those that want to feel in the know without doing their homework.

I am not sure drinking exclusively is a goal for many. Some, yes. Many?

[Pat K]

Con grano salis rant on:

Why is it that every single tryna-be-exclusive waiting list/members list winery never have their wines on their website? It's always "join our mailing list" and zero info about their cuvees (except some gobbledygook about terroir, of course - that's always there), and certainly no pictures of them. No, I want to see what plonk you're making to know IF I want to join your little overpriced cabal, not first join and then find out. That's not how it works, flashy guy.

It would be harder to find examples of waiting list wineries that do show the wines, than not. It's rampant in this category.

Rant off.

From the frugal corner. There are so many decent reasonably-priced wines out there, especially now, that I have not joined a list in more than a year. And for those lists I joined within 2019-2020, the brands were those I learned about through trusted sources. And I made purchases. A key source is my contacts from Falltacular. And the wines tasted and/or offered for auction there. Knowledgeable people, solid support from vendors. Another source of course: Berserker Day & associated feedback. Info on pricing available without having to join the list. That's key for me. If wines are typically in the $50+ range per bottle without offering entry-level products, not interested IMHO.

Lately, I have also noticed that when I receive offers, more types/levels of wine are available. And, when ordering, my wish lists are likely to be granted.

I'm good with what I have set up now. Plenty of offers, plenty of wine. Now to enjoy....

YMMV.