For The Love Of Port

Glenn E. wrote:

Bradley Bogdan wrote:

Glenn E. wrote: I'll have a final decision for you by Saturday. We're already discussing it via IM. Will that be soon enough for the hotel/etc?

I'd be happy to knock out a half with you in the morning if you could use the company.

I was thinking 9-10 (the race is a 15k), but yes company is always welcome!

Heck, I'll even tote water for you if you'd like a semi-authentic race experience!

Bradley Bogdan wrote:

Glenn E. wrote:

Bradley Bogdan wrote:I'd be happy to knock out a half with you in the morning if you could use the company.

I was thinking 9-10 (the race is a 15k), but yes company is always welcome!

Heck, I'll even tote water for you if you'd like a semi-authentic race experience!

I don't normally need anything to drink for 9-10 miles, provided it's not too warm. What will the weather be like in L.A. in March?

And yes, this means we're coming. :) Kari will probably spend Saturday goofing off in SoCal, but she might join us for dinner Friday night if the flight works out right. We'll get something booked ASAP and let you all know when we arrive.

Andy, we'll need a hotel room and will be staying Friday and Saturday nights. I'll post in the other thread once we have flights and know whether or not we can arrive in time for dinner.

Glenn E. wrote:
And yes, this means we're coming. :) Kari will probably spend Saturday goofing off in SoCal, but she might join us for dinner Friday night if the flight works out right. We'll get something booked ASAP and let you all know when we arrive.

Andy, we'll need a hotel room and will be staying Friday and Saturday nights. I'll post in the other thread once we have flights and know whether or not we can arrive in time for dinner.

I've sent you an email regarding the hotel and airport info. I've put you into the dinner and will hold the spots until you advise on flight arrival times.

Glenn E. wrote:

Bradley Bogdan wrote:

Glenn E. wrote: I was thinking 9-10 (the race is a 15k), but yes company is always welcome!

Heck, I'll even tote water for you if you'd like a semi-authentic race experience!

I don't normally need anything to drink for 9-10 miles, provided it's not too warm. What will the weather be like in L.A. in March?

And yes, this means we're coming. :) Kari will probably spend Saturday goofing off in SoCal, but she might join us for dinner Friday night if the flight works out right. We'll get something booked ASAP and let you all know when we arrive.

Andy, we'll need a hotel room and will be staying Friday and Saturday nights. I'll post in the other thread once we have flights and know whether or not we can arrive in time for dinner.

Woohoo!

Also, I noticed Eric's plan is to fly into Ontario. Being almost totally unfamiliar with the area, is that the best plan? I had only been looking at LAX, but now that I'm noodling around on Google Maps that seems far away.

Bradley Bogdan wrote:Also, I noticed Eric's plan is to fly into Ontario. Being almost totally unfamiliar with the area, is that the best plan? I had only been looking at LAX, but now that I'm noodling around on Google Maps that seems far away.

I'm actually flying into John Wayne Airport/Orange County/Santa Ana, which is SNA. Ontario, CA, I believe is ONT. And then there is LAX. Andy reported that he was about equidistant from all three. The hotel at Pomona looks to be slightly closer to ONT, and I think SNA will be easier than LAX, but I really don't know about the traffic.

I picked SNA because Frontier had a really cheap fare to there. They fly to LAX as well, but there wasn't a mid-afternoon flight for a reasonable price, only a later evening arrival. I believe Southwest flies into Ontario.

Tom D. wrote:Any of you guys have the 1960 Taylor?

Not here. I had a bottle a few years ago, but drank it
Checking wine-searcher.com, I don't see any listings for a bottle in the U.S. currently.

Eric Menchen wrote:

Bradley Bogdan wrote:Also, I noticed Eric's plan is to fly into Ontario. Being almost totally unfamiliar with the area, is that the best plan? I had only been looking at LAX, but now that I'm noodling around on Google Maps that seems far away.

I'm actually flying into John Wayne Airport/Orange County/Santa Ana, which is SNA. Ontario, CA, I believe is ONT. And then there is LAX. Andy reported that he was about equidistant from all three. The hotel at Pomona looks to be slightly closer to ONT, and I think SNA will be easier than LAX, but I really don't know about the traffic.

I picked SNA because Frontier had a really cheap fare to there. They fly to LAX as well, but there wasn't a mid-afternoon flight for a reasonable price, only a later evening arrival. I believe Southwest flies into Ontario.

If it sways anyone, I was talking to the friendly folks at the hotel and they said they have free shuttle service to ONT, which is a plus. That's what I'll be flying into.

Bradley Bogdan wrote:
If it sways anyone, I was talking to the friendly folks at the hotel and they said they have free shuttle service to ONT, which is a plus. That's what I'll be flying into.

This is useful information. Flight schedules for me look better into ONT, but more expensive. I need to decide soon.

The hotel is closer to Ontario airport. Didn't know they had the shuttle, very cool. If you can fly into ontario that would be the far easiest option.

I almost have to fly into Orange County SNA, given the lack of decent flights into ONT.

Cab fare from SNA to Pomona is about $80 to $100, I can rent a car for 2 days for less than that, so that's what I'll probably end up doing. In that case, I'll pick up the rental car at SNA (I arrive around 11am), I can kill some time wine shopping until Eric gets in, then give him a ride to the hotel (along with anyone else who needs one during that time frame). Sunday late morning, I'll return the rental car to SNA -- I'll give a ride back to SNA to anyone who needs it, if you're not flying out too early

Then, my brother is picking me up at SNA and I'm heading down to San Diego for a few days at his place.

Andy, I'll ship the TCWC lot (6 bottles) as well as my own bottles directly to you. It'll probably be some time in January or early February, depends on our weather and how quickly I decide what I'm bringing for Friday. I'll be in touch via email to coordinate as the time gets closer.

Tom D. wrote:Andy, I'll ship the TCWC lot (6 bottles) as well as my own bottles directly to you. It'll probably be some time in January or early February, depends on our weather and how quickly I decide what I'm bringing for Friday. I'll be in touch via email to coordinate as the time gets closer.

Sounds perfect. Just let me know and I'll give you the shipping address.

Andy, any indication what Port(s) your +1 plans to contribute? Once we finalize the list we can think about format.

Tom D. wrote:Andy, any indication what Port(s) your +1 plans to contribute? Once we finalize the list we can think about format.

No idea as everything else I've got is already covered by bottles already coming. And I'm still waiting on hearing from Sean C (my +1) about what he's bringing. I'll give him a call and see what he found in his cellar which will work.

With Sean's, that will be 23 bottles. I think that's going to put us at a max number already for two sessions of about 11 bottles per session. I can add in some very nice dry wine/beer for dinner so we have something to wash it down with. If that's ok with everyone.

OTHER:
i will need any locals coming who have Port glasses to bring them. We will need about 120 glasses (we can reuse for the second session). I've got about 4-5 dozen, so we'll need another 5-6 dozen. Those locals coming, please post how many glasses you can bring.

Andy Velebil wrote:No idea as everything else I've got is already covered by bottles already coming. And I'm still waiting on hearing from Sean C (my +1) about what he's bringing. I'll give him a call and see what he found in his cellar which will work.

If you cover the 1991 or 1992, I'll ship an additional bottle for Friday or for you. Right now my 6-shipper is full (1 Friday, 3 Saturday, 1 beer, 1 for trade).

Andy, I'm elated with your contribution of the '35. I was just enquiring about your +1, sounds like you'll have that info soon. Thanks.

I'd be happy to see a few of the Ports consumed with dinner Saturday, if it helps keep the other sessions manageable.

I will probably bring 12 Port glasses with me, not sure I'll have room for glasses for Friday, though.

Tom D. wrote:Andy, I'm elated with your contribution of the '35. I was just enquiring about your +1, sounds like you'll have that info soon. Thanks.

That's what happens when I misread the post after only getting a few hours sleep and no breakfast first.

I'd be happy to see a few of the Ports consumed with dinner Saturday, if it helps keep the other sessions manageable.

I will probably bring 12 Port glasses with me, not sure I'll have room for glasses for Friday, though.

I think right now, at basically 11 per session, we should be fine. If we start around 1-ish that should give us a few hours with the first group, then a break for dinner, then back for the final round. starting around 7pm. Plus I would prefer to keep all the Taylor's together. Friday is a a much more laid back, bring a nice bottle of Port or Douro wine to share at dinner or for after dinner, without a structured tasting. A good evening for everyone to have fun the "old school FTLOP way."

Would be great if you could bring 12 Port stems for Saturday. No worries on Friday, I can cover you and any others who are coming from out of town.

We have our tickets (flying into Ontario) and our hotel reservation, so we're all set!

I didn't get the "Pre-Taylor Port Dinner" discount applied, but it appears to only be a $5 difference. They couldn't find anything about it in their system when I called, but I'm not too worried about it. As long as I have a room when I get there! :)

Kari will be joining us for dinner on Friday night, but not for Port on Saturday.

Ok, I'm going to slowly start working on food for this epic tasting. Please let me know here or by email if you have any food issues/allergies/etc. Plan to be more red meat/steak focused as the main (also trying to get some Elk my buddy recently killed in Colorado), so if someone is a vegetarian/vegan/or some other something let me know so i can work on accomidating. If I don't hear from anyone I'll assume you'll eat most of the usual staples.

Andy, no special needs here, although I like lots of water and bread or crackers during tasting sessions. For dinner I'm game for whatever you feel like doing. Thanks again!

Flights booked. Rental car soon to be reserved. Can't wait!