So this article came out about tasting rooms…

2006 Tasting Room Survey Report
by Veronica Barclay from Wine Business Monthly 05/15/2006

A main point shows that half of all wineries in the states charge for tastings at their tasting rooms. Another little interesting nugget is the fact that around 10% of survey respondents in Washington, Oregon, and California charge OVER $10 for a tasting. Gee, I wonder where the biggest culprits are… Starts with “N” and rhymes with Frank Zappa I bet.

If you’re arrogant enough to charge $10 or more for a tasting at your winery, my ass better get a neck massage or free cheese or something. You better be hot shit. But then again, if you think you’re so hot shit, why not just be appointment only?

Here’s the deal. I think it’s totally cool for a winery to charge for tastings. It’s a legitimate cost of doing business. But I feel very strongly that if a customer makes a wine purchase, the tasting fee should be waved. Elementary. You gotta give a little to get a little.

Incidentally, this rule applies to corkage fees, too. I’m behind the corkage fee 100%. It’s meant to allow customers to bring special/sentimental bottles to dinner, something not on the list. But, if a table buys another bottle off the restaurant’s list or has a round of before/after dinner drinks, etecetera and so forth…the corkage fee should be waved. My rule: I always waived fees if customers bought beverages near the price of the cheapest bottle on the menu. If a restaurant doesn’t do this, they are short sighted. And douches.