First Impressions

I'm sure you've all heard that first impressions are everything. This age old adage is never more "real" than when one is visiting a winery. With everyday shopping you typically already know what you want or you want to survey the stock so aren't really interested in asking for help. It's different for me when visiting a winery because of the personal nature of the tasting process.

Allow me to paint the picture: The host pours you a smattering of an often times award winning wine and you put it in your mouth and make an assessment of its taste and character...all while the maker watches with gleeful expectation. To me, it's an experience with certain intimacies similar to tasting your grandmother's family-favorite pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving while she looks on with a loving smile. You'd never dream of spitting it out followed by a hearty, "YUCK" now would you?

So there is a balance that has to be struck between taster and host and as with any other retail establishment, the personality of the staff (in this case the wine host or hostess) is in direct proportion to the guest's first impression and enjoyment of the wine and the winery. When the customer is made to feel inadequate or dumb by a self centered host, it affects how much the customer purchases both at the time of tasting and later when in other stores as they look to replenish their supply. Conversely, if the host is friendly and opens up to the tasters to help create a mutually respectful relationship and inviting atmosphere, the customer is more likely to not only buy wine but to spread the word about their positive experience at the winery to their wine loving friends.

Here's the point of this post. If you visit a winery and you aren't met with a sincere greeting and then made to feel as though the host or hostess wants you there, leave. It really is that simple. As I've been visiting wineries over the past few months on my quest to win a wine cruise there have been some wineries where the visit turns into a lovely time of chatting and tasting and buying. Then there have been others where I can't wait to leave; sometimes before ever tasting a drop. I didn't leave because I want to complete the contest but I can assure you that when this contest is over, I won't be going back.