quote:

ORIGINAL: RoundersRob

I think that it would be nice if the original posters here were seated at 1 or 2 tables since we already have a history together.  Non-forum and future-forum members can be seated on a first come, first served basis since they don't know each other anyway.

Just a thought.

Another idea is to find out what everyone will bring ahead of time, and then have a random drawing to determine which wines go to which tables. 

I prefer the first idea, especially since I'd be in that group but this might be a viable alternative.

Bruce

quote:

ORIGINAL: deb293

Are you guys thinking of seating folks at tables, or just having everyone casually milling around?  I understand seats might be provided for the weary, but isn't the general thinking more around a buffet style thing?  I'm still waffling about booking a flight, so would love to know what's in store.

1. Certainly anyone who has footed the cost to travel to Seattle from a remote place is going to have first dibs on a Friday event at my house. As some note, if the local natives are restless as a result I will just have to host another event for locals at a different time. Anyway, once we get a better sense of the true numbers it will be a lot easier to make good decisions that are as inclusive as possible.
2. As Craig says, this is likely to be more of a "mill around" than a sit-down type of event. Just imagine, hundreds of wino, each clutching their prized bottle like a baby, wandering about and trading sips with like-minded winos. Sounds like chaos and fun!
3. On traveling with wine, I rue the assoholic terrorists who have caused the rules to be amped up around flying with liquids. That said, a few bottles wrapped in plastic and then sweatshirts or towels works perfectly fine in a hard-sided, checked bag. And even if that bag sits on the tarmac and gets a bit warm you just can't do that much short-term damage. Of course, if a bottle really gets up to 100 degrees the cork will pop out... Really should not happen though even if you are coming from very warm climes. Due to liability, headaches etc I just don't want to get into buying/holding bottles for people. That said, if it will help, there are numerous EXCELLENT wine shops in Seattle that I am sure would be willing to help out and *maybe* even deliver to the event? My top pick is always McCarthy & Schiering in Queen Anne, just a few blocks from my house, terrific people.
4. As Craig notes, if we stay in the neighborhood of 100-150 then this will all be pretty easy. If it starts to get a lot bigger then either we may need to rethink some aspects (venue, cap the size of both events?). Either way, we want to be fair and inclusive.
5. At least one supplied of barcode scanners has expressed interest in doing a demo and perhaps raffle/drawing for a free scanner and/or special discounted offer. An interesting commercial vector that I hadn't considered. I am sure we will learn a lot from this first, small event that will give us ideas for how to scale it up for the future. But for this first one we are trying not to overthink things...
   

quote:

ORIGINAL: Eric

Just pinning this one to the top and starting a fresh thread: http://www.cellartracker.com/forum/FIRST_ANNUAL_Cellar_Tracker_Wine_Weekend%21/m_20187/tm.htm

This is taking shape pretty quickly, although I have no idea if this will be 50 people or 500. Here is what we know for sure:

• Saturday, September 6th: UPTOWN HIDEAWAY
• LIKELY, Friday, September 5th, BBQ at Chez LeVine? Number of attendees is more of an issue here since I have kids, neighbors etc. But could handle up to 100 folks pretty easily.

Well this sounds like to much fun! Eric put us down for both affairs. (Jerry and Janet). We are Magnolians, so travel is not the issue. If you need some help with logistics I can help except for a trip to Montreal commencing on Aug 17th. Why not contact some of the local vintners about  arranging some tastings? I'm thinking about Ward Johnson and Chatter Creek... There are many others. Let me know what I can do.
Jerry

quote:

ORIGINAL: deb293

Craig,

To me, at least, you seem to have gotten the spirit of the thing just right.  If I finally take the plunge (see prior post about hating to fly) I will be happy to bring white wine and bubbly, even dessert wine, as most people seem to favor/collect/drink reds. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: cgrimes

We'd love to share a glass of trockenbeerenauslese with you!

quote:

ORIGINAL: deb293

And no cherry-picking the cellar, either!

quote:

ORIGINAL: deb293


P.S.  rjonas, if I do come, we'll "talk Turley".

quote:

ORIGINAL: Mtracy

Hi Eric,

I know you are focused on the September CT weekend, but when you mentiuoned the 5 year anniversary celebration I could not get this idea out of my head:

I've been on CT for 3 or 4 years. At # 2038, I guess I'm an early adopter.  Anyway, you.ve created a monster with CT, and I expect it will continue to grow for many years.  My idea for the 5th anniversary is a CellarTracker charity wine auction.  This would be an annual event (and the auction may be the feature event of the annual CT winopalloza).

My thoughts on a new concept.  First, wine to be auctiuoned come from CT members only.  Straight from the CTcellars.  Limit to say 100 lots.  Members whose lots are accepted get free lifetime membership. On the charity, Eric, you pick your favorite charity.  (Later, member polls might be used to determine the charity, but I like the idea of a relationship with one charity that is important to you.)

I have enjoyed CT so much, and would very much like to give back some of my good fortune through this amazing organization.  I would have no problem with a lot that should go $5 to $10 thousand.  I would be priviledged.

Ultimately, this annual event could rival any charitable auction, and it would say a lot about the kindness and generosity of Eric LeVine (who is an amazingly generous person) and the Cellartracker family.

quote:

ORIGINAL: deb293

I'm still waffling about booking a flight