I have a thing about tasting fees. On a fairly recent trip to the Yarra Valley, our small group (five) was constantly hit with a (refundable upon purchase) tasting fee of anywhere between $5-$10. Because I'm getting grumpy in my old age, I refused to pay, and therefore taste, and therefore buy - I just lurked around the dark walls getting a vicarious thrill from watching others enjoy themselves. On a recent trip to Milawa, with no tasting fees apparent, I bought seven and a half dozen bottles.

Maybe the solution (if indeed one is needed) is to have a badge which says "Mate, I'm serious here, not out to drink you dry. Give me a taste, and I'll probably buy!"



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Good one Tony. Yes, the silly buggars do overdo
the fee thing and I agree,do overlook the most important word in the English language--
INCENTIVE.
Cheers, Geoff



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Personally I don't usually have a problem with tasting fees, if they are around $2 - $5. I would prefer to pay to taste, but then be able to taste the FULL RANGE of whats available, rather than have a free tasting but be restriced to the $10 quaffers they have on offer. Besides, if the fee is refundable, even if you don't like their wines too much, all you have to do is buy a bottle of their cheapest wine to effectively get a free tasting - thats not too bad if you really wanted to try the wines. Or just cut your losses and buy nothing. I find that chances are I'll at least like something enough to buy one bottle.

OTOH, if the fees are creeping up towards $10, I think thats a little over the top. Wineries may be trying to cut down on the 'get drunk for free' crowds, but $10 is a bit ridiculous.

CheersAdam



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It would have to be the Yarra Valley. I went once and have not been back to this area, sad because I now only live 40 minutes away. Yet I regularly go to McLarenvale Coonawarra Barrosa and the Hills in SA and The Hunter etc, and I can only ever recall the Yarra valley asking such a small group for a fee. It is understandable for a coach or mini bus to charge a little, but for 5 people or a couple as it was with meand my partner, well that is totally unacceptable. If they think some one is a guzzler don't fill the glass up so much, use a bit of the grey matter and observe people. You can refuse service if they appear to be on their 15th bottle.



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I have no problem with a moderate tasting fee to cover costs. Unfortunately there is no way to distinguish the genuine buyer from the freeloader, since freeloaders come in all shapes and sizes. Another case of the irresponsible ruining a good thing.

Of course, when the tasting fee becomes a revenue generating exercise and not an attempt to cover costs then that is another thing!




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