Madeira Tasting in San Francisco - May 17-19, 2013

[David Spriggs]

OK. Let's try and do this soon. Roy will be very hard to get a hold of during the fair and then he's off to Portugal!

[Alan Gardner]

It seems we are waiting for Roy to ‘make this happen’.

In an unrelated communication with Roy (in which I was trying to find a calendar date where we might meet up) he mentioned that he didn’t have time to work on a SF tasting until AFTER he returns from the Port Harvest Tour (which ends Oct 7th) i.e. no progress will occur until after Oct 7th.

However, reading between the lines on Roy’s earlier post – it seems like weekends of 30 Nov-2 Dec and/or 7-9 Dec are the only feasible dates (if it’s a weekend).

I’m suggesting that we start determining availability for those weekends to see if we have a ‘critical mass’ of people willing and able to get together. It may be that either (or both) is already difficult. For example I need one of those weekends to organize my annual Madeira tasting here in Toronto, so I have a vested interest in determining the date.

So, assuming Roy doesn’t post a note here telling us to wait – what is peoples likely availability?

Respond with any of
1) Both
2) 30 Nov-2 Dec ONLY (or dates within this period)
3) Dec 7-9 ONLY (or dates within this period)
I know that responding “only Dec 2 or Dec 7” doesn’t fit the template – just make it as easy as possible to understand!

[David Spriggs]

Both

[Roy Hersh]

Yes, I am crazy busy, but please feel free to get people ready, willing and able. This won't take me a lot of time to plan and obtain a venue for our tasting. Keep the discussion moving forward. This will remain a FTLOP event and I may have a guest from the trade join us too. We'll see. For now, please DO work on a date that works. Also, to make this worth people flying in for, we are not going to do basic bottles but something really nice. I would say that for now, bottles should be in the $300-$750 range at retail. That way, it is affordable for the vast majority here, while keeping this lowbrow and still worthy for those wanting to come from the other coast etc.

[Eric Ifune]

Both.

[Andy Velebil]

Both

[Barry Sunderland]

Both

[Steve Pollack]

2) 30 Nov-2 Dec ONLY

[Marco D.]

Both.

[Barry Sunderland]

Looking good, gentlemen. What a way to start the season of my 50th, as well!

[Timothy B.]

I would like to attend and for dates, right now am also a "both".

Can I call dibs on 1862 D'Oliveiras Sercial?

--- T

[Alan Gardner]

And for completeness,I'd like to be in for two people.
BOTH weekends available.

[Mark L]

BOTH.

(but Dec 7-9 would be better)

[Timothy B.]

When is Roy due to surface?

[David Spriggs]

Roy should be free from The Fair this week, but then he flies to Portugal for the Harvest Tour. I'm not sure he will stop in here before leaving, but in the past he normally would.

[Andy Velebil]

Roy should be free from The Fair this week, but then he flies to Portugal for the Harvest Tour. I'm not sure he will stop in here before leaving, but in the past he normally would.

Allow me to translate. Anytime between now and the next couple weeks

[Eric Ifune]

Yeah,
Roy will probably stop on by but won't be able to work on the tasting until after the Harvest Tour.

[Alan Gardner]

Any news on if/when this will happen?
I have other potential opportunities in early Dec and don't want to pass them up unnecessarily.

[David Spriggs]

I don't know if this tasting is still happening, but unfortunately I'm not able to attend. Sorry!

[Barry Sunderland]

Any news on if/when this will happen?
I have other potential opportunities in early Dec and don't want to pass them up unnecessarily.

I'm at this point, as well. Thanks.