I suppose it’s true in every industry but one thing I’ve noticed in the wine industry is that there are a ton of super amazing, down to Earth people who would gladly give you the shirt off their back…BUT…I’ve also noticed there are a ton of people that think quite highly of themselves and would sooner spit their wine on you than converse with you.
I’m not saying I see that side often, thankfully I don’t. I am saying that when I do see it I’m always caught off guard at the purpose or reason behind it.
When I refer to the wine industry I’m talking about winemakers, winery staff, winery owners, wine writer/ bloggers, distributors, wine shops folks, and everything else. I’ve seen the kind hearted in each of these categories and I’ve seen the egotistical pile of…well, nevermind.
Again, I know this likely rings true in every industry but my wife and I are so entrenched in the wine industry that it tends to be what I’m around the most. The main purpose that I bring it up is that it saddens me…it really does. You always hear how “snobby” Napa is but from my one visit there I would disagree. Hell, I also heard the French were pricks but when we went to Paris in 2011 they were awesome.
Here in Paso Robles I’ve seen a little bit of the ugliness, nothing major, but I am starting to feel little tensions here and there. For now they seem isolated enough but my concern is that it will grow unless we pay attention to it now and do something about it. Paso Robles is a truly amazing community of people that support and help one another more than I’ve ever seen in other places I’ve lived. I’m sure you probably feel the same about the wine region you live in or the one you visit often.
We don’t want to see a few bad apples or a few egos define a single region or area. I’ve had people tell me that they went to this winery or that winery and had the worst experience in their lives but luckily went somewhere else nearby and met the sweetest most amazing people.
So what do we do? How do we fix that? If it’s a customer service issue that could be fixed through training then that’s great, we need to let the winery know there was a customer service issue so they have a chance to fix it if they so choose. What do we do about ego though? What if that is scarring people’s views of Paso Robles (or your wine region)?
Egos are less likely to listen to constructive criticism so I don’t know conversation is the fix. Maybe those folks will sink or swim on their own and we have to let it be that way. It just frustrates me when people tell me of those types of experiences here in Paso…and trust me, A LOT of people come to me via Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, and this blog to get recommendations from me or to tell me about their experiences.
At the end of the day I think this post is just a reminder to people that we’re all in this together, so there’s no need for ego. I think we also forget how fun wine is and how, for me, it is the essence of life…people, laughter, relationships, and so on. Let’s not forget that and let’s put our best foot forward…let’s show them what Paso is all about!!
Our experience at Turley. Back in the early 2000’s I visited Turley with a friend, I was told I could buy a glass for $10 and bring it back with me the next time and I wouldn’t be charged to taste. A few years later, I went back with my husband and presented the glass that I actually remembered to pack. We live in LA. We went to Turley I loved their wines when I went so I was anxious for my husband to try them. The lady whom I approached was VERY!!!!!!! rude and said that was a lie no one would have told me that. I told her there was no way I would make this up. Why would I bother to bring the glass? We walked out and have told many of our experience. I am quite sure our experience and my talking about it did nothing to affect their business. Good PR ( in my job I am all about customer service, sales) for her to say Gee I don’t know who told you that but we will honor it this one time. We would have bought wine and we would have said how great they were, not told anyone why but the lady’s rudness turned us off to ever go back. Those people in Paso who know us in the wineries, know we have over 800 bottles of wine and 90% is from PR so we are huge fans of the area!
Jo, yep, I could imagine that would be a big turn-off. I appreciate you telling me the story and I’m glad it didn’t stop you from filling 90% of your collection with Paso wines!!! 🙂
It makes it tough sometimes when you like a winery and have a bad experience. To me it puts a “cork’d” taste that often can be a permanent stain like a tattooed tongue.
I took my friends to a winery I love many years ago. They liked the wine and had a pretty good time. At the end, my buddy made a request for his pregnant wife that wasn’t unreasonable. His request was denied and they were less than friendly about it. To this day I cannot open a bottle of wine from there with them in my home.
One of the biggest egos just might reside within the CC. The person berates multiple types of people and has a clear bias. I have never believed that attacking or targeting groups of people was a good business plan nor overly bright. He makes great wines that I will not buy.
I have had similar poor experiences that when I see the bottle on a wine list, I say no thank you. The best way we can all draw a line and be heard is with our wallet. There are too many great people, great wineries to be had to give any more time.
I love to see the humility and grace of some of the legendary pioneers like Ken Volk and Richard Sanford (Alma Rosa) amongst many others. These are the types of places that provide good service, good wines, and deserve our attention and buying power.
Shawn, well said my friend. I completely agree. There are so many great wines being made by great people…as you say, our wallets can do the talking. Thanks for the comment man, great points!!
I could write pages…. but I’d rather get together and rant with you n Annie over a good bottle of Paso Robles wine… Cheers!
He Jeanette…we didn’t really drink the good stuff but we got together!!! 🙂 Thanks for hanging out!!
I agree with Shawn. I love Ken Volks Wines. We were very fortunate about 2 or so years ago to go to a winery dinner that he and Lone Madrone had. My husband wasn’t paying attention and sat down not noticing table cards for seating. We were allowed to stay put and sat next to Ken. What fun we had and we have purchased his wines many times. We prefer his tasting room on the Foxen Trail to the one in Paso however, we find the staff on the Foxen Trail to be more fun and not so snooty as they are in PR for whatever reason. We buy very generously from wineries we like which thankfully out number the ones who aren’t nice. We love Paso!
Jo, that’s fantastic. Ken is a good guy for sure. We like the Santa Maria tasting room more than the Paso one as well…although for us it isn’t because of snottiness, more just the general vibe. Cheers to the good ones…there are a lot…thankfully! 🙂
Just came from Alma Colima tasting in LA Loved it! We like the vibes at KV in Santa Maria too seems friendlier there
Jo, Alma or Alta Colina? Alta Colina is awesome. We’re friends with Maggie, the daughter.
Yes Alta Colina, Maggie went above and beyond for me once so she always gets a visit from us! We had so much fun last night at her LA tasting!
Jo, yep, that’s the Maggie we all know and love. She is awesome!!