Last week I wrote “Part One: Free Wine Tastings! Aka: YOU SHOULD Buy a Bottle if You Liked the Wine!” that was prompted by complaints I had received from wine industry people that said that when they gave away tastings for free it rarely worked that the customer purchased a bottle.
So, as is my custom, I asked Facebook pals if they tend to buy wine more (or less) when the tasting is offered for free at a winery tasting room. Most of the answers were the opposite of what the wineries had said, so now I’m left with this: Is it an issue of perception, where something negative seems bigger or are my pals just really well trained…by me?
The Facebook Roundup
Julie K. – We always buy a bottle, lol.
Cheryl G. – To buy one. Unless they apply tasting to a offer of buying 2 or other incentives.
Javier C. – Buy if I like, buy a wine accessory if its ok (olives, mustard, bottle opener etc.)
Elle S. – Depends on if I like the wine. Lol! But I’ve been known to buy a bottle if I do. Or join their wine club. Yeah. I’m a fan of that, as well.
Eve – I’ve been hearing from tasting room peeps that the free wine tastings don’t always transfer to a purchase. Maybe it’s better if the tasting has a charge and applied to a bottle purchase?
Beverly A. – I always buy a bottle, where I go, especially if it’s good!
Tammy B. – If I don’t buy a bottle I always leave a nice tip…
Jo T. – That’s a good idea Tammy we usually buy one at least. We have a problem saying no.
Rich R. – Usually buy.
Beverly A. – The only tastings that are free that I know of is San Antonio Winery, which is always busy if you can even get to the bar for a pour…lol. We just got for lunch and get a bottle to share, then if its not busy we will taste, just don’t go on Mother’s Day, we did and it was packed.
Lisa B. – We only buy if we like the wine. Always leave a nice tip!
Greg A. – I only buy those wines that I like.
William H. – Depends! sometimes we purchase a case, other times we leave the tasting glass on the bar, with the vino still in it! No disrespect, but maybe not quite our taste in wines.
Carole H. – If I like it I buy it.
Hola O. – It’s pretty likely I will like something.
Eve – I presume that you would only buy wine you like, I’m looking for your mindset. For instance, do you value the wine less if it’s offered for free? Does the experience cheapen if free?
Bj R. – Sip Sip GULP!
Cheryl G. – I’ve always liked the idea of keeping the glass with the winery logo for the price of tasting.
Will F. – I usually feel guilty and buy at least one bottle, even if it’s pedestrian wine.
Julie O. – If I like it and will drink it yes I’ll buy some but if not, then no. Isn’t the point of tasting to determine what you’ll like before you buy?
Eve – Very true Julie… but like the free samples at the end of the Costco aisles, free sampling is tough to walk by, and we don’t all buy.
Renee S. – It really depends if I enjoy the wine or not.
Julie O. – Well Costco is totally different…you’re not going there to sample that specific product to decide to buy it, you’re going there for other things and they’re capitalizing on that fact…too bad for them if you choose not to fall for that trap.
Michael N. – I still believe that a no frills wine sampling (no tour, food pairing, etc.) should be free. We are there to taste a small sampling of the wine and decide if it is worthy of being purchased and collected. I do not believe that it cheapens the experience in any way… But as we all now it’s all about supply and demand… The free tasting is as rare as an $8 steak meal in Vegas.
Gregory A. – Julie O: It is referred to as a loss leader item.
Offering products for free or at a discount is meant to bring you in and buy other items. It works too … ))) And yes, I agree wholeheartedly with you.
Jenny K. – I buy. Which is why I left Indiana with an empty suitcase and came back with it full.
Jenny K. – I should say, I buy if I like…but the fact that I went to Central Cali for a wine festival, I figured I would like at least ONE of the companies…but made room in case I liked more, which I did.
Kathy W. – Buy.
Armen T. – If you like it, buy it!
Mark A. – If it’s good I buy.
Kathy W. – Just made a trip to British Columbia, Canada again and stopped for several wine tastings In Lake Country, Kelowna, Summerland, Penticton and all the tastings were free!
Love that area and it’s a hidden gem in the Okanagan Valley. I brought home a few bottles from there too. I usually buy if they generously pour and I haven’t been anywhere that I haven’t likes at least one of their wines.
Kathy B. – I buy if I like it. A couple of us bought from a Paso winery last fall after a free tasting and both of us thought our wine that we bought was bad. Not a good experience.
Kathy B. – I don’t feel it cheapens the experience if the tasting is free. Some really nice wineries offer free tastings.
Lawrence H. – If you like it you’ll buy it!
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All about discovering right?
Diane E. – I buy it if I like it, regardless of the price, or the tasting price/no charge.
Courtnie N. – Depends on how much the bottles are LOL.
Shawn B. – No guilt purchases here.
Chris C. – Both.
Rick L. – I went to San Antonio winery once and had no desire to buy anything. Or go back. In fact, the tasting didn’t last very long for me either.
D.T. – If its good to me yes I will always buy.
Lisa T. – Both – Depends on the Wine 🙂 Cheers.
C.W. – Should buy a bottle but only if you like it.
Chris N. – If the wine is tasty, I buy.
