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FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/27/2008 6:24:49 PM   
jamscreator

 

Posts: 313
Joined: 9/10/2007
From: Indiana USA
Status: offline 		Some of us have jokingly been talking about a CT user weekend (long weekend?) get together where we can all come together and put faces with names, talk about wine, share wine and have an exceptional time.

Is anyone interested in seriously pursuing this idea?  We talked about this in another thread, and I've nominated myself to be on the committee to bring this weekend to fruition.  Come on Eric, what do you think?

I'll even donate a few door prizes and work on having a representative from the Mondavi family there for a talk and tasting. 

Anyone interested?

We rent a hall, get a block of hotel rooms, bring the wine.......pay Eric for the costs associated and throw a few bucks his way.  This could really be the start of something very very cool!  I've never been to Washington, so this is the perfect excuse. 

_____________________________

Jeff Lawson

"Drink what you like, and like what you drink."
-Robert Mondavi
Post #: 1
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/27/2008 8:50:34 PM   
Phantomind

 

Posts: 50
Joined: 7/22/2005
From: Pacifica
Status: offline 		I'll say 'yes'!  Washington sounds good to me.  We should try to pick the 'off' season so people can travel cheaper.

Raul

(in reply to jamscreator)
Post #: 2
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/27/2008 10:48:42 PM   
Eric

 

Posts: 5590
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline 		The time to come to Seattle is July/August/September. Shhh, don't tell anyone, but it is GORGEOUS here this time of the year. The question is whether we would be organizing a 20-person set of events or 200 people. There are at least a hundred locals using CellarTracker religiously, so I would imagine we would/could get them to participate a fair amount.

Event planning is not my expertise, but I know some good local spaces (Palace Ballroom, Uptown Hideaway) that might be perfect for a larger fete. And we could also always do something at my house for at least one event. Could handle about 100 folks on a nice day.

Anyway, if this gains steam I will of course happily embrace it in whatever form it takes. I am hesitant to put too much time in myself. Just so busy.


_____________________________

Cheers!
-Eric LeVine

(in reply to Phantomind)
Post #: 3
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 2:19:28 AM   
Colonel Lawrence

 

Posts: 1953
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
Status: offline 		Sounds like it's going to be an all American event as Washington (unless it's DC) is not the easiest place to pop into.
I'd vote for the East Coast - an International Airpot hub - although Eric would need to bless the venue.
I guess LA is another option?

(in reply to Eric)
Post #: 4
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 5:02:01 AM   
Serge Birbrair

 

Posts: 1493
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Boca Raton, Florida
Status: offline 		We'll be in Seattle July 28-29. Is Metropilitan Grill still the place to go for a good steak!?

_____________________________

Having a good day? I can spoil it! -

(in reply to Colonel Lawrence)
Post #: 5
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 8:36:43 AM   
Blue Shorts

 

Posts: 297
Joined: 2/5/2008
From: Santa Cruz, California
Status: offline 		My wife and I are in if the dates work out.  We know a few people there that we should visit and this is the perfect excuse!

_____________________________

The best wine is the one that you haven't yet tried.

(in reply to jamscreator)
Post #: 6
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 10:09:57 AM   
Eric

 

Posts: 5590
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Serge Birbrair

We'll be in Seattle July 28-29. Is Metropilitan Grill still the place to go for a good steak!?

By the book, yes, and it's an OK steak. None of the steakouses in Seattle set me on fire, but Jak's Grill might actually be the best. The Met is OK too.


_____________________________

Cheers!
-Eric LeVine

(in reply to Serge Birbrair)
Post #: 7
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 10:11:00 AM   
Eric

 

Posts: 5590
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Colonel Lawrence

Sounds like it's going to be an all American event as Washington (unless it's DC) is not the easiest place to pop into.
I'd vote for the East Coast - an International Airpot hub - although Eric would need to bless the venue.
I guess LA is another option?

Seattle is closest to the Pacific Rim though...

I agree we are a long way from much of anything up here in the Pacific NW.


_____________________________

Cheers!
-Eric LeVine

(in reply to Colonel Lawrence)
Post #: 8
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 11:11:58 AM   
fingers

 

Posts: 682
Joined: 8/26/2006
From: Santa Ana, CA
Status: offline 		Are there any wineries or vineyards near Seattle?  Maybe look into Columbia/Yakima Valley out east since that's where WA's great wines are from.  Or maybe San Juan Islands?  I know it's not AVA, but there is a charming little winery on the island and the area is soooo beautiful.  Good luck, Eric.  I've organized many corporate events over the past 25 years but being 1000 miles away makes it tough for me to offer much help.  My skills are on the technical and musical production side so if anything is related to plugging in an electrical outlet (lights, sound, video, or espresso machine!) I can be of use. We could even setup a webcast for those unable to be there in person.  For overall planning, I would suggest enlisting the services of someone known as a Certified Meeting Planner and hopefully, a CT'er.  Any major hotel or convention facility can refer you to a CMP but with any luck, someone will step up among our ranks.  Your time is busy enough with the site so if we can get a real organizer for the hard details (place, time, menu, lodging, staff, etc) then we can concentrate on content and agenda for the day/weekend.  You know, like going vertically through the Colonels' Leoville as an agenda item, or The User Forum Awards, where Serge gets the Provocative Instigator Trophy. 

This could be a lot of fun and no doubt, a lot of work, but there seems to be keen enough interest to take it further. 



PS - Sorry, CL.  Didn't mean to arbitrarily offer up your cellar!  This would actually be an ideal time to get into the wonderful wines of Pacific Northwest.

(in reply to Eric)
Post #: 9
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 12:19:16 PM   
GalvezGuy

 

Posts: 298
Joined: 5/10/2007
From: Galveston, TX
Status: offline 		This sounds great but I have too much on the calendar already this year.  I would definitely be interested in enjoying something like this.  Maybe we could do regionals 2-3 times a year where we select a list of wines and get together to enjoy them as well as a an annual event.  Also, I would definitely be in for "Virtual Events" where a wine is suggested that has wide availability and we all post notes, something else to think about.

_____________________________

If you're gonna be dumb you better be tough

(in reply to fingers)
Post #: 10
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 1:18:10 PM   
jamscreator

 

Posts: 313
Joined: 9/10/2007
From: Indiana USA
Status: offline 		I think a professional organizer (which I am not) would be the way to go.  I also like the idea Galvez has for some 'virtual events' throughout the year. 

Unfortunately, the number of users on the forum versus the number of CT users is quite small.  Maybe Eric could throw out a feeler in the next newsletter to see how much interest there is?

_____________________________

Jeff Lawson

"Drink what you like, and like what you drink."
-Robert Mondavi

(in reply to GalvezGuy)
Post #: 11
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 2:44:33 PM   
tim95030

 

Posts: 37
Joined: 3/31/2008
Status: offline 		I would be potentially interested if I am free and if I can afford the travel when the event is.

_____________________________

Tim Schroeder
Certified Sommelier

Current Location: Testarossa Winery

(in reply to jamscreator)
Post #: 12
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 4:10:46 PM   
fingers

 

Posts: 682
Joined: 8/26/2006
From: Santa Ana, CA
Status: offline 		The size of the group would be limited for many reasons.  For one, Eric will need to acheive the best "QPR" to not only offer an attractive package but also, to not lose his shirt.  The economy of scale will decide where/when/how many, etc.  This is where the Meeting Planner and travel companies really play a part - putting together "the Package"  One of the main factors they'll use is # of room nights in determining location. Then, and only then could it be advertised via CT, email, or the like and it will undoubtedly sell out very quickly and many will be disappointed.  But that's just the first year or, as someone suggested, the first of many. 

(in reply to tim95030)
Post #: 13
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/28/2008 11:08:06 PM   
ParkHill

 

Posts: 124
Joined: 6/27/2007
From: Denver, CO
Status: offline 		I do events also, but I'm (modestly) not a high-end planner. By that I mean that I produce events at $85 hotels instead of $150, as I have a very price-sensitive clientele. The planning key is a budget that covers hotel and meetings, loses no money in the early years, and scales gracefully as the event grows or rotates to different cities.

I don't think we need or want corporate-class event production. None of us really want swag and t-shirts, do we? There's money to be found in wine distributors advertising budgets, but again, that isn't the kind of event wine lovers really want.

I'm afraid the massive weight of all the US CellarTrackers suggests N. America. The first requirement is a large enough "local" chapter, to guarantee an adequate base attendance; the second is a low enough airfare to maximize the broader attendance from regional and national attendance. I'll bet Eric has more members in California or East Coast than anywhere else, but hotels are expensive there. Minimizing travel expenses requires a little knowledge of how postal codes distribute in CellarTracker.

Nevertheless, I'll bet the algorithm maximizes in LA or San Francisco due to the number of local and regional CellarTracker members, even if Denver, Chicago, Portland or Seattle have lower expenses for travel and hotel for the rest of N. America.

Only Eric can tell.


(in reply to fingers)
Post #: 14
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/29/2008 8:28:36 AM   
Colonel Lawrence

 

Posts: 1953
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: fingers

Sorry, CL.  Didn't mean to arbitrarily offer up your cellar!  This would actually be an ideal time to get into the wonderful wines of Pacific Northwest.


No problem - I'd like to know the answer myself .  For me the only issue is logistics - getting me, and/or my wine to the venue.
I tried a 1998 Troplong Mondot one day and an (expectedly inferior) 1997 the next - to me the 1997 was the better wine?
Now what about a best of South America vs best of the North?
I can offer Viña Almaviva S.A. Almaviva  1997 thru 2005


_____________________________

First they came for ....................

(in reply to fingers)
Post #: 15
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/29/2008 11:34:13 AM   
NiklasW

 

Posts: 435
Joined: 10/13/2007
From: Finland
Status: offline 		I would certainly be interested, but crossing the Atlantic is a bit too expensive for me. When the immigration officer would ask "Why are you coming to the US?", I'd love to answer "To drink wine"  Maybe next time.

(in reply to jamscreator)
Post #: 16
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/29/2008 7:02:12 PM   
mbannon

 

Posts: 268
Joined: 10/1/2004
From: Portland, OR
Status: offline 		Depending on the date "the group" settles on, I'm a definite maybe.  If I'm open, I'm in for sure.  If I'm busy, I'm sad.

(in reply to NiklasW)
Post #: 17
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/29/2008 9:53:32 PM   
Phantomind

 

Posts: 50
Joined: 7/22/2005
From: Pacifica
Status: offline 		"For one, Eric will need to acheive the best "QPR" to not only offer an attractive package but also, to not lose his shirt."

I think the whole point of this is that Eric has nothing to do other than show up (of course we would all love to sample some of his wine)...

I think the venue is the important thing.  This will be (hopefully) the first annual CT gathering.  And for the first time I think it should be somewhere Eric can drive to easily (sorry Colonel),  and latter we can worry about it nationally and internationally (Arabia could be fun!).  For all the people on CT I think it will be hard to pin down a lot of people.  It is a great idea, but travel and schedules can get in the way. 

I sugest something along the lines of...

We (who ever sure to commit to the event) well be at this place at this time and we will have enough wine and food for ourselves and hot coals for anyone else who shows up.  Anyone else who wants to come show up with wine and some food.  This way people can share what they have, but nobody has to worry if people are coming or not.  I am sure that enough people will make it that is will be a memorable occasion.

I have done this on a much smaller scale to great success.  I have had hot coals, beer (homebrew), my stake and glasses for whoever showed up, and ended up with 30 people and all kinds of food people brought to share.

Ok, so this is a very bare bones style, but I cuts down on overhead.  The only thing is being able to find a good location that will let us bring wine...

Raul

(in reply to mbannon)
Post #: 18
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 4/29/2008 10:42:03 PM   
ParkHill

 

Posts: 124
Joined: 6/27/2007
From: Denver, CO
Status: offline 		Phantomland Raul has the best suggestion.

Let's start with local meetups, and graduate to regional or national later on.

While sharing wine and food may be the first item on the agenda, there may be some practical aspects:
- Workshops on how to use CT.
- Wine tastings (real, educationals, not the marketing you get from distributers)
- Outreach to new users
- Outreach to wine stores or local wine experts.

(in reply to Phantomind)
Post #: 19
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/1/2008 11:31:46 AM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 895
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline 		Well, since I think I started all of this, I probably should contribute to this interesting thread.  I would vote for somewhere on the Eastern seaboard (NYC) or possibly Chicago.  These cities are fairly easily accessible to most anyone from the US, Europe, or Asia.  I'd be potentially interested ?2009.  Don't you all think it would be interesting to meet for some great food and wine?  And who wouldn't want to meet the Colonel in person?  I tried to arrange a meeting in London last week and was unsuccessful.  Perhaps his aura is in his mystery

(in reply to ParkHill)
Post #: 20
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/1/2008 5:13:09 PM   
jamscreator

 

Posts: 313
Joined: 9/10/2007
From: Indiana USA
Status: offline 		I'm reading the thread over, and I think I started all of this.  No matter really, but I am glad to offer help in anyway.  My vote would be for Chicago.

_____________________________

Jeff Lawson

"Drink what you like, and like what you drink."
-Robert Mondavi

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 21
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/1/2008 5:59:25 PM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 895
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline 		An issue of semantics (see Excessive post #14)   Chicago would be a logical meeting place.  In the meantime, if you make it to Boston, would be glad to share a bottle.

(in reply to jamscreator)
Post #: 22
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/2/2008 11:34:51 AM   
deb293

 

Posts: 287
Joined: 8/24/2005
Status: offline 		A similar event was hosted by Executive Wine Seminars a fews years back for their 25th anniversary.  Bob and Howard rented the upstairs room at Tribeca Bar & Grill (I think over 100 people showed up) and the sommeliers from the restaurant were enlisted to do the pouring (although we relieved them of this task fairly early.)

Each person was requested to bring a "special bottle" and was directed to one of two tables on arrival (reds at one, whites, Champagne and dessert wines at the other). The deal was that each of us would get the first pour from the bottle we brought, so we could taste it if it were the sole bottle in our collection.  Finger foods were provided and there was an entry charge to cover costs.

Great evening with an opportunity to taste many wonderful wines.  Sounds like a plan....

< Message edited by deb293 -- 5/2/2008 11:36:22 AM >

(in reply to jamscreator)
Post #: 23
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/2/2008 11:41:32 AM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 895
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline 		That really sounds like it could be a fun evening--and I would imagine it would not be too difficult to plan if the food were not too complicated.

(in reply to deb293)
Post #: 24
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/2/2008 6:20:22 PM   
deb293

 

Posts: 287
Joined: 8/24/2005
Status: offline 		It really was a memorable evening.  Too bad Bob and Howard took the pics off their website, as many stained labels were photographed that night.  The food was not complicated at all, as the wine was the star of the night.  I was really impressed with folk's generosity.  (I had never tasted Marcassin Chardonnay before, and have not had it since.)  Howard basically said, "Bring any bottle you would be proud to bring to a friend's house."  That was the sole criterion; he wasn't concerned with scores or price tag.

I imagine CTers would be an equally sharing community, given the same parameters.

Anybody else out there who attended this event?

< Message edited by deb293 -- 5/2/2008 6:26:27 PM >

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 25
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/3/2008 10:38:07 AM   
jamscreator

 

Posts: 313
Joined: 9/10/2007
From: Indiana USA
Status: offline 		Are there any event planners on CT who want to make the initial leap?

_____________________________

Jeff Lawson

"Drink what you like, and like what you drink."
-Robert Mondavi

(in reply to deb293)
Post #: 26
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/3/2008 12:55:42 PM   
deb293

 

Posts: 287
Joined: 8/24/2005
Status: offline 		Would it be worthwhile starting one of those polls to see which would be the most favorable city?  Could it be moved to the top of the thread?

(in reply to jamscreator)
Post #: 27
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/3/2008 1:49:28 PM   
Eric

 

Posts: 5590
Joined: 10/10/2003
From: Seattle, WA
Status: offline 		You have to make a new post for a poll. If you go ahead and will pin it to the top.

_____________________________

Cheers!
-Eric LeVine

(in reply to deb293)
Post #: 28
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/3/2008 4:11:07 PM   
Bill

 

Posts: 103
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: EU
Status: offline 		Great suggestion!
This will be a historical event!

Living in Europe I will not be a participant, but I will closely watch what happens.

Maybe there will ever be a European version………

Finding a location and a suitable date is one thing.
But how to handle more than 20 persons considering the wine?
Should everybody bring 2, 3, 4 or 5 bottles?
Or will everybody pay a certain amount and will the wines be bought?
Only curious….

Looking at this from the other side of the Atlantic I would suggest the following;
As Eric is positive about this, he should pick a date and location. (By PM suggested to him by forum members, so he can pick what suits him best.)
While there are so many US users of CT there will always be a lot of people who will participate, certainly when you pick a date in the distant future (like October or November).

Only suggesting……

And I will be closely following how you organize an EVENT! like this in the US.

When the US is a success, I volunteer to organize the European event.
(NiklasW….I count on you…..;-))

A lot of success to everybody participating in (the organisation of) this unique and great event!

Cheers!
Bill.

(in reply to Eric)
Post #: 29
RE: FIRST ANNUAL Cellar Tracker Wine Weekend! - 5/3/2008 5:24:08 PM   
deb293

 

Posts: 287
Joined: 8/24/2005
Status: offline 		Somebody start the poll thing; I don't know how to do it.

(in reply to Eric)
Post #: 30
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