Wouldn’t this assume that people actually did/wanted to share mystery cases in the first place? I think if we are talking similar prices (or better, given the CM model) to WW for a mystery case, will sharing even matter? Also, if you can always do a mystery 6 x2, so it’s easy to split to ways.
@NightGhost True, but if there was a 4x offer that also had it and you got 3 of them, then no problem.
The packing department could also put dividers in the case to delineate the different packs. That’d be interesting.
@baekdusan@NightGhostABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
Same location in Glen Ellen, but Peter retired and sold to VJB.
Most all has since changed, including quality, style and price. Some wonderful old prized vines are now gone.
Use care in CT to not confuse the two entities.
Peter was Wellington Vineyards
VJB is Wellington Cellars
@baekdusan@NightGhost@rjquillin@ScottW58
I haven’t heard any notes yet, but knowing VJB’s style and their new price point I have a hard time imagining there’s even a semi-compelling value proposition. But the best answer is to send a few of us lab rat bottles for an upcoming offer Right, @WineDavid49?
@klezman I was thinking of the Wellington cases when I wrote the post. Note that there was quite a bit a variation in the “special” bottles that were found in each case. I suppose you could do a split without opening…
@NightGhost@ScottW58@Winedavid49@baekdusan@klezman
We hit VJB on the '14 tour; few were impressed.
I do recall an exchange I had last year with someone that visited; also not impressed.
I have no additional memory or details, but would be interested in comments from someone elsethat has tasted.
@baekdusan@klezman@NightGhost@rjquillin@Winedavid49
I only ask because I don’t like to throw a wet blanket over a whole operation without tasting their wines just because they bought the winery from Peter. I mean it wasn’t a hostile takeover (I think) he wanted to retire anyway, and besides that they now have access to superior grapes or at least better than their old sources I am thinking.
@ScottW58
For me it has nothing to do with buying Peter out, and I don’t think most would say that has anything to do with it. You are 100% correct it was a willing sale.
If it had been done five years ago I’d have been excited. VJB’s wines to that point were interesting and not too far overpriced (i.e. roughly par for Sonoma). Good sources and a good style with nice balance and complexity. I loved their 2007 Barbera that I got on woot. By the time we visited on the 2014 Tour, though, their style had evolved away from everything I prefer, headed toward more ripeness/overripe, less acidity, and generally uninteresting. During that same time they also upped their prices significantly. That’s why the RPM Tourists were so disappointed with that stop.
There is some particular ire levelled at them because they essentially ripped up all of Peter’s prized old vines (which was, of course, their right).
@baekdusan@klezman@merrybill@NightGhost@rjquillin@ScottW58@Winedavid49
I also purchased the Barbera, for $27.75 + 2.29 tax + 1.50 shipping (paid to WD). We liked that one a lot. Also picked up the Aleatico Le Due Rose ($18.75 + 1.55 tax + 1.50 ship) and the Rosso (also $18.75 + 1.55 tax + 1.50 ship). I agree that the other wines seemed mostly overpriced and underwhelming but felt that we got good value on these three.
I never did get a mystery case on Woot–I was in and out too much to catch them. Having said that, I would be really curious to see a mystery case on CaseMates. Bring it on!
@markgm@Winedavid49
I think a good test of this would be to debut it around the same time that you are able to debut the on-site case sharing/payment/etc features. Because you would probably want to know how many people are in on a case if there are duplicate bottle options. I think the packing is really going to be the difficult thing, depending on the level of randomness (if any) to the mystery.
Actually, the more I think about it, the difference between a random case vs a mystery case is key. A non-random mystery case should be easy so long as people know the “splittable unit”. Then they can decide if 3 people want to split 2 sets of 6 vs 3 sets of 4, then it’s their choice and they can deal.
I would love a mystery or random case. Like, especially if I could select some sort of parameters (all white/all red/mix vs sweeter/nonsweet). I found quite a few bottles I liked through one of those kitchy wine club deals. I ultimately got bored with them because they didn’t have enough variety to keep me entertained. But something like this? I’m entirely down for!
Maybe we could do like draft picks for the mystery bottles. Yea. A mystery draft. You could trade draft picks and such. The more the merrier. We could leave it a mystery until the next local gathering and then draft off all the bottles.
In addition to red/white/other mystery mixes, it wonder if it might be interesting to mix ‘top shelf’ and ‘bargain buys’ as the two price points instead of 1x3/4/6 vs a full case. So the ‘cheap’ offering would be a case of less expensive wines with a mystery top shelf bottle or two thrown in, and the more expensive case would be a case of the more expensive wines with a bottle or two thrown in of the cheaper offerings.
I bought many mystery cases during the Woot days, especially the Wellington offers. I was surprised to hear some peeps whine about a few of the bottles they received. No whining here…let the CaseMates Mystery Cases begin!!!
Super interested in this! While I buy most often accordingly to varietal and region (or in a once in a while I recognize the maker), this would be very interesting for purposes of trying something new. I would prefer all red or mostly. And a 6x2 split could be cool. But depending on cost, might not share at all.
I was not around during WW days, around what was the case sold for?
I agree with @raccoon81- a mystery half case. 6X2. The quality of wines I’ve purchased through CM makes me comfortable that it would be compelling and fun. It appears not many Wooters or CM buyers are on Cellartracker- not much in the way of feedback on purchased deals. The Cornerstone Sgl Vyd Syrah is fantastic value and I have buyers remorse. Should have kept more for myself! Look forward to the evolution of Casemates!
Go ahead. Surprise us, el capitán.
Wouldn’t this assume that people actually did/wanted to share mystery cases in the first place? I think if we are talking similar prices (or better, given the CM model) to WW for a mystery case, will sharing even matter? Also, if you can always do a mystery 6 x2, so it’s easy to split to ways.
I think if you let us know that the mix i 12x 1 or 6x2 or 4x3 or 3x4 Yes it can
I’ll add that if the price is right <120 for a mixed case I’d buy alone.
i’m a mystery case sucker, so i’d probably want a whole 12x1 for myself.
Just need to know how many different bottles, so number of splits can be determined
There would be a problem if the case had that one special bottle.
@NightGhost Is this common for a mystery case offer?
@baekdusan @NightGhost In the past, it has been.
Think Wellington.
But likely not much of that left around by now.
@NightGhost True, but if there was a 4x offer that also had it and you got 3 of them, then no problem.
The packing department could also put dividers in the case to delineate the different packs. That’d be interesting.
@NightGhost @rjquillin Is Wellington the same as the one produced by VJB?
@baekdusan @NightGhost ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
Same location in Glen Ellen, but Peter retired and sold to VJB.
Most all has since changed, including quality, style and price. Some wonderful old prized vines are now gone.
Use care in CT to not confuse the two entities.
Peter was Wellington Vineyards
VJB is Wellington Cellars
@baekdusan @NightGhost @rjquillin
Has anyone actually tried any of the new Wellington/VJB wines??
@baekdusan @NightGhost @rjquillin @ScottW58
Right, @WineDavid49?
I haven’t heard any notes yet, but knowing VJB’s style and their new price point I have a hard time imagining there’s even a semi-compelling value proposition. But the best answer is to send a few of us lab rat bottles for an upcoming offer
@klezman I was thinking of the Wellington cases when I wrote the post. Note that there was quite a bit a variation in the “special” bottles that were found in each case. I suppose you could do a split without opening…
@NightGhost Yup…quite a bit across the several we ended up with, too.
@baekdusan @klezman @rjquillin @ScottW58 @Winedavid49 There may be more than one Wellington, but there is only one Peter Wellington.
@NightGhost @ScottW58 @Winedavid49 @baekdusan @klezman
We hit VJB on the '14 tour; few were impressed.
I do recall an exchange I had last year with someone that visited; also not impressed.
I have no additional memory or details, but would be interested in comments from someone elsethat has tasted.
@baekdusan @klezman @NightGhost @rjquillin @Winedavid49
I only ask because I don’t like to throw a wet blanket over a whole operation without tasting their wines just because they bought the winery from Peter. I mean it wasn’t a hostile takeover (I think) he wanted to retire anyway, and besides that they now have access to superior grapes or at least better than their old sources I am thinking.
@ScottW58
For me it has nothing to do with buying Peter out, and I don’t think most would say that has anything to do with it. You are 100% correct it was a willing sale.
If it had been done five years ago I’d have been excited. VJB’s wines to that point were interesting and not too far overpriced (i.e. roughly par for Sonoma). Good sources and a good style with nice balance and complexity. I loved their 2007 Barbera that I got on woot. By the time we visited on the 2014 Tour, though, their style had evolved away from everything I prefer, headed toward more ripeness/overripe, less acidity, and generally uninteresting. During that same time they also upped their prices significantly. That’s why the RPM Tourists were so disappointed with that stop.
There is some particular ire levelled at them because they essentially ripped up all of Peter’s prized old vines (which was, of course, their right).
@klezman
Well there you have it, nobody actually said that they tried their wine and for whatever reason didn’t like it… until now
Ripping up old vines well that’s a whole other crime!
@baekdusan @klezman @NightGhost @rjquillin @ScottW58 @Winedavid49 I remember they had a pizza oven on the patio. The pizza was very good. The wine was generally fine but overpriced even then - $37 for Barbera?
@baekdusan @klezman @merrybill @NightGhost @ScottW58 @Winedavid49
2012 VJB Barbera was purchased by at least four of us, my single purchase and in CT @ $31.70, but that could be before tax.
@baekdusan @klezman @merrybill @NightGhost @rjquillin @ScottW58 @Winedavid49
I also purchased the Barbera, for $27.75 + 2.29 tax + 1.50 shipping (paid to WD). We liked that one a lot. Also picked up the Aleatico Le Due Rose ($18.75 + 1.55 tax + 1.50 ship) and the Rosso (also $18.75 + 1.55 tax + 1.50 ship). I agree that the other wines seemed mostly overpriced and underwhelming but felt that we got good value on these three.
Yes, I love mystery cases and usually keep for myself if the price is right.
I never did get a mystery case on Woot–I was in and out too much to catch them. Having said that, I would be really curious to see a mystery case on CaseMates. Bring it on!
Most of what I buy is a mystery to me, so count me in! I’m curious what that would do to the shipping logistics.
@markgm yea, that’s what i’m hoping this thread will help us think through.
@Winedavid49 I meant more from the standpoint of what wines can be shipped to which states.
@markgm @Winedavid49
I think a good test of this would be to debut it around the same time that you are able to debut the on-site case sharing/payment/etc features. Because you would probably want to know how many people are in on a case if there are duplicate bottle options. I think the packing is really going to be the difficult thing, depending on the level of randomness (if any) to the mystery.
Actually, the more I think about it, the difference between a random case vs a mystery case is key. A non-random mystery case should be easy so long as people know the “splittable unit”. Then they can decide if 3 people want to split 2 sets of 6 vs 3 sets of 4, then it’s their choice and they can deal.
@WineDavid49 – I think people can figure it out. Casemates are a friendly bunch!
I’d be thrilled to try out a mystery case!
A mystery case would be fun!
I would love a mystery or random case. Like, especially if I could select some sort of parameters (all white/all red/mix vs sweeter/nonsweet). I found quite a few bottles I liked through one of those kitchy wine club deals. I ultimately got bored with them because they didn’t have enough variety to keep me entertained. But something like this? I’m entirely down for!
oooh that sounds fun! yes!
There is always room for a little mystery.
Maybe we could do like draft picks for the mystery bottles. Yea. A mystery draft. You could trade draft picks and such. The more the merrier. We could leave it a mystery until the next local gathering and then draft off all the bottles.
this is all really good input. thanks and keep them coming!
In addition to red/white/other mystery mixes, it wonder if it might be interesting to mix ‘top shelf’ and ‘bargain buys’ as the two price points instead of 1x3/4/6 vs a full case. So the ‘cheap’ offering would be a case of less expensive wines with a mystery top shelf bottle or two thrown in, and the more expensive case would be a case of the more expensive wines with a bottle or two thrown in of the cheaper offerings.
A tangled web is being woven here.
I was a sucker for mystery cases back during the WW days. For the most part, I tend to keep what I buy (meaning I’m not splitting), so I’d be game.
I bought many mystery cases during the Woot days, especially the Wellington offers. I was surprised to hear some peeps whine about a few of the bottles they received. No whining here…let the CaseMates Mystery Cases begin!!!
Super interested in this! While I buy most often accordingly to varietal and region (or in a once in a while I recognize the maker), this would be very interesting for purposes of trying something new. I would prefer all red or mostly. And a 6x2 split could be cool. But depending on cost, might not share at all.
I was not around during WW days, around what was the case sold for?
I agree with @raccoon81- a mystery half case. 6X2. The quality of wines I’ve purchased through CM makes me comfortable that it would be compelling and fun. It appears not many Wooters or CM buyers are on Cellartracker- not much in the way of feedback on purchased deals. The Cornerstone Sgl Vyd Syrah is fantastic value and I have buyers remorse. Should have kept more for myself! Look forward to the evolution of Casemates!