Page 2 of 5

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:02 pm
by Roy Hersh
A definite maybe. :mrgreen:

Will depend on several things, including specific date. Is this a one day deal, will it require an overnight, what are the parameters of the bottles people are bringing etc. Food, glassware? [foilhat.gif]

It is so nice to have other FTLOP'ers do the organizing. [kez_11.gif]

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:34 pm
by Roy Hersh
Is this still taking place. I have a friend very interested in joining you guys. He came to Madeira on one of our first FTLOP tours.

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:21 pm
by David Spriggs
I'm still planning on it! Barry?

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 12:27 pm
by Barry Sunderland
Hello, gentlemen...

When I started this thread, there was an emphasis on 'casual' at my house in Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale).
Slowly, but surely, over time, there's become a stronger interest in people attending who live far from the Bay Area.

One concern is what I originally intended as 'casual' is potentially becoming far bigger, less casual.

My biggest concern, though, is...If people are traveling far, and understandably so, I imagine that they will want to taste 'high-bar' Madeiras (>$750).
Unfortunately, as a public school teacher with 2 teens attending private school (the irony!), and living in the expensive Silicon Valley with a 2,800 sq ft home, a 'high-bar' tasting, at this point, would be well above my $ level. [kez_11.gif]

Lastly, I must admit, we are a cat-friendly house.

I'm not closed to a tasting at my house, but these are my most unfortunate circumstances. I'm open to ideas/suggestions.

Barry

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2015 9:45 pm
by Bradley Bogdan
Barry Sunderland wrote:Hello, gentlemen...

When I started this thread, there was an emphasis on 'casual' at my house in Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale).
Slowly, but surely, over time, there's become a stronger interest in people attending who live far from the Bay Area.

One concern is what I originally intended as 'casual' is potentially becoming far bigger, less casual.

My biggest concern, though, is...If people are traveling far, and understandably so, I imagine that they will want to taste 'high-bar' Madeiras (>$750).
Unfortunately, as a public school teacher with 2 teens attending private school (the irony!), and living in the expensive Silicon Valley with a 2,800 sq ft home, a 'high-bar' tasting, at this point, would be well above my $ level. [kez_11.gif]

Lastly, I must admit, we are a cat-friendly house.

I'm not closed to a tasting at my house, but these are my most unfortunate circumstances. I'm open to ideas/suggestions.

Barry
Barry, it's your party, set the rules! So long as all attendees are aware of the situation beforehand, there won't be any complaining, even if it's less formal or highbar than some in the past. If the circumstances are such that some aren't up for a big trip to attend, that is unfortunate, but not every tasting is a highbar experience and you're the one hosting. My friend and I are both within driving distance (Heck, he may live down the block from you) and are up for whatever event you're comfortable with.

An option for those that would need a bigger event to make it worth the travel, someone else could host/organize an event the other night of the weekend with a higher bar. No reason why one can't enjoy wine two evenings in a row!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkz. U

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 12:50 pm
by David Spriggs
Agreed. I think most Madeira lovers would be happy just to get together and drink *any* Madeira. I know that's what I was hoping for.

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 5:19 pm
by Eric Ifune
Me too. Just want to get together and enjoy some wine! [cheers.gif]

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:22 pm
by David Spriggs
Barry,
Let us know if you are still up for hosting. If not then we can try and find somewhere else to host.

The Madeiras - one or possibly two of them - that I was planning on bringing are in the < $150 range. More like the $75.

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 6:17 am
by Andy Velebil
Eric Ifune wrote:Me too. Just want to get together and enjoy some wine! [cheers.gif]
+1

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 5:37 pm
by Barry Sunderland
I can do <$150! Heck, I can even do $200!

Is Reidar still interested whle in Bay Area? If so, we can shoot for the March weekend. Reidar?

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 10:39 pm
by David Spriggs
Barry Sunderland wrote:I can do <$150! Heck, I can even do $200!

Is Reidar still interested whle in Bay Area? If so, we can shoot for the March weekend. Reidar?

ok... for a teaser... The $150 is available here in the US, but the $75 is not available here and was hand carried back from the Island. :D
Excited yet?? [yahoo.gif]

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 12:47 pm
by David Spriggs
David Spriggs wrote:but the $75 is not available
I just saw an offer for the $75 Madeira from the Rare Wine Co.- They are charging a bit more than I believe I paid on the Island).

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 3:22 pm
by Steve Pollack
David Spriggs wrote:
David Spriggs wrote:but the $75 is not available
I just saw an offer for the $75 Madeira from the Rare Wine Co.- They are charging a bit more than I believe I paid on the Island).

Which one is it?

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 4:10 pm
by David Spriggs
1979 H.M. Borges Sercial

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 11:59 pm
by Reidar Andersen
Sorry guys , I have given a lot of thought about this... It would be too diffficult to commute from and back to downtown SF. [dash1.gif] . I would love to be there.. [cheers.gif] . What I hope for now another event in Sociale ... As before date decided long ahead spring 2016. [dance2.gif]

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 11:22 am
by Steve Pollack
If this is happening on the weekend of March 7, I unfortunately will not be able to join you. :(

Sorry to miss it. Have fun! :winepour:

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 10:18 am
by Barry Sunderland
Eric,

What dates could YOU do? Let's start here and recalibrate. :munch:

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 2:48 pm
by Eric Ifune
I thought the dates were March 10 or 11?

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 6:05 pm
by Barry Sunderland
Eric Ifune wrote:I thought the dates were March 10 or 11?
Sure, those dates are good, too. :oops:

Re: 'Casual' Madeira Gathering in Silicon Valley

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 5:03 pm
by Eric Ifune
Actually meant Friday March 13 or Saturday the 14th. The second weekend.