Future rpm Magical History Tours
11July’s 2018 rpm Magical History Tour - Lodi & Amador was a great success! I am certainly encouraged by the Tourists reactions and look forward to creating possible new Tours in new areas, as well as doing another Tour in Lodi & Amador for those who were unable to join us this year.
It struck me, however, that only four of 20 Tourists were “newbies” - that is 80% of the Tourists had been one one or more prior Tours. It’s always a great pleasure for me and SWMBO to see our old friends from prior Tours and to explore new places with them. And, these sorts of Tours in new places are necessarily advanced tours really most suitable for veteran Tourists who already have a couple of Tours in Napa and Sonoma - still the center of the high quality wine industry in California - under their belts.
I suspect that most Tour veterans would not want to repeat Tours in Sonoma/Napa.
I’m wondering, however, if there are enough Casematers/former wooters who have wanted to go on a Tour, or who are just learning about the Tours, who would be interested in a 3 or 4 day “newbie” rpm Magical History Tour focusing on Sonoma and Napa counties next year - Summer of 2019.
While no two Tours are identical, a 2019 rpm Magical History Tour - Sonoma & Napa would be based on our previous Sonoma and Napa Tours. We’d probably visit 4 wineries per day, as we’ve done on most Sonoma/Napa Tours (instead of the 5 per day in Lodi and Amador where distances were not great and travel time was rarely more than 10-15 minutes between wineries). We’d probably be based in Sonoma, at the Sonoma Valley Inn if we can negotiate an acceptable rate (but, be warned, I’m just not willing to stay in an uncomfortable, run down, budget motel to save a few $$).
If there is sufficient interest, and we were to undertake this project, it would mean significant deposits by the beginning of the year, and full anticipated payment at least 60-90 days prior to the Tour.
So, if you haven’t been on a Tour, and you’re seriously interested in doing a Tour with me, please respond below. Both a public response, so people can see what sort of interest there is, and a whisper response so that you can give me your full contact information including name, address, e-mail and a phone number at which you can be reached.
I’d like to have a tour with no more than 24 Tourists (plus the Organizers and their Significant Others). But, unless there are at least 50 people who indicate serious interest, the project won’t go any further - for every Tour we’ve had at least 50% drop out, even when we’ve had long lead times.
As has been the practice in the past, the list will be first come, first served at this stage. As always, subject to the discretion of the instructor.
Once we post details of dates (tbd, but you can expect it to be in July) and ask for deposits, there will be a limited time to respond with payment to keep your place.
So, think about it potential newbie Tourists, and let me know.
- 56 comments, 20 replies
- Comment
Despite being veterans of 2 tours (2012 newbie, 2014), my wife and I would be thrilled to do another RPM tour in Napa/Sonoma. I totally appreciate your desire to recruit a class of newbies but perhaps you could allow interested veterans a spot towards the back of the queue?
Maybe block off the first X number of spots for newbies and allow us veterans to start at (31)? (41)?
If so, please consider this my official interest for 2019.
I would be interested along with a +1
Put me and +1 down for a future tour.
I’d love to go with a +1!
Interested +1
Interested +1
Interested +1
Interested with my +1, in the past I’ve never been able to make the stars align to make this happen but we’ll try it again!
I will create a list in the order people posted, however, to be on the list you need to have not only posted, but whispered your contact information.
Those who’ve posted, but not whispered, have a day or so to catch up.
Thanks!
Interested +1
Interested +1
Interested +1
rpm this is a great idea! Kudos to you for being willing to donate your time and energy to another Tour!
I’ll just leave this hint here: I would hazard a guess that if there was a larger gathering one night, you’d get a bunch of local-ish folk willing and able to drive up to Sonoma.
@klezman yes, I was thinking that too! I’m local and while I wouldn’t be able to justify a full tour w/ hotels etc, I’d definitely love to tag along for a day and meet people
Just so I’m on the list…
Likely I’m on many I’d just as soon not be on…
@rjquillin RQ, you are NOT a newbie!
@jmdavidson1 @rjquillin No, think of RJQ more in the Club Med locution of a gentil organisateur - as long as he’s in that role he’s automatically got a spot on the bus as Organizer #2 and Organizer #2 +1.
Interested + 1
Well, since we were newbies on the Lodi/Amador tour, we’d love to get the RPM experience of Napa/Sonoma. Put me and @texashaze down!
Interested (probably +1)
I really, really want to do one of these since I never have (and am still a relative newbie to wine in general). However, next year isn’t a possibility for me, unfortunately, since we’re already doing a big trip in July.
If you decide to also do a “future years” list, then I’d definitely like to be on it!
Well, golly. If it comes down to also allowing vets to go, me and a +1 and possibly a +2 (my sister) would be interested.
Well, my +1 would be a newbie for a Napa/Sonoma tour…and she’d miss me if I wasn’t there…and I couldn’t leave my sister out…so me +1 & +2 with the full understanding that real newbies get the first crack at the bus.
Interested +1
I think this idea for new tourists is a great idea.
I greatly encourage those who are interested to sign up, and budget/plan a week’s worth of vacation for this. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for those who haven’t been on one of the previous tours to learn about the wines and history of the area.
Having been on three tours in Napa/Sonoma, I don’t count as a newbie, but my wife has never had the chance to go on a tour, and would really love to go next year.
So, figure out the new people and put me and my “newbie +1” wife down somewhere on the list.
Tourist newbie here, I would love to do a tour in Sonoma/Napa! I could come on my own or probably with as many people as we might need if there are extra spots.
I’m interested and would be a newbie!
What a great offer, my wife and I would definitely be interested in going.
Very interested, newbie +1
Omg I heard about these magical things from@ddeuddeg but I’m super interested. Possibly+1
I’m definitely interested!
me, too–me, too–pick me! (yes, I’m a newbie)
Hey, I kept seeing comments about these tours. Sounds like fun. Definitely interested in getting more information.
2 newbies
I’d be interested + 1
Like wkpanda, I am not a newbie having been on a Sonoma/Napa tour, but my wife is and would love going on one of these trips. You can put us down the list a bit, but please include me and my newbie wife as the +1. We have some good friends in the area and might be heading that way anyways.
Our 2019 is (rather amazingly) already booked up, but my +1 and I would be interested in potential future tours after that!
Definitely interested… nice to do my annual Sonoma/Napa visit with like minded vinos…I usually schedule during the NASCAR/Sears Point race in June but up for multiple visits.
Would be interested, and maybe can actually start saving money
I’m an oldie from WW, but a newbie for a tour. Would be interested with a +1.
I’m interested and would be a newbie on the tour. So me and a +1.
Is this full already? If not, I’m interested + 1.
I will continue to watch these enviously but not make myself part of the dropoff this year.
For anyone still thinking about whether or not to sign up for this tour, consider this: there are a number of reasons why the 2018 tour was 80% composed of folks who had been on one or more previous tours, including, but by no means limited to, great wines, great friends (some new, some not so new), great knowledge gain, excellent value. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. You really, really want to do this.
Glad that there is a tour for newbies. If still available, I’m interested +1. Many thanks to the community for the education.
Interested +1, but dates would have to be finalized along with a rough estimate of total cost several months prior to the start of the tour. It is the late/uncertain timeline that has prevented previous participation. Those of us not on the west coast need to be a little more formal in their planning for such an event.
RPM, I’m all in for a (newbie) tour–and connecting with others–perhaps this time is the charm!
I’m very interested!
Updated gatherings graphic for Casemate Gatherings:
We still haven’t been able to make one of these but please continue to count us on the perpetually-interested-if-it-happens list!
/giphy perpetually-interested-if-it-happens
Please count me in on any future trip, if they can still happen in a post-pandemic world!
@rpm
Any chance for summer 2022?
I don’t know the individual, but from what I have read, it would be great, and much cheaper than lunch with Warren Buffett
@RPM
Given current conditions, any thoughts on a 2023 (next year) Tour?
Since it’s already March (wait, March already?), probably too late for planning a tour for 2022.
@MarkDaSpark Well, even California is opening up a bit by now…so it’s probably not silly to think about a 2023 Tour. I would appreciate suggestions on venue (Napa/Sonoma again for newbies? An advanced tour (similar to 2012 Cab Seminar but maybe somewhere else/other grapes? Lodi/Amador? Oregon?) so we can organize well in advance and make it work.
I think we won’t start a list until we’ve decided on a location and type of tour…maybe even 2 tours?
It does seem we’ve all been away from the wineries too long…and virtual doesn’t really make it.
Timing would likely be in mid-late July for the usual reasons (mostly that may be the least disruptive time for any real ‘insider’ touring - before July, they’re still working in the vineyards or finishing up from last vintage and after August 1 they’re already getting ready for/starting harvest/crush for earliest ripening varietals).
@rpm The logistics would be significantly tougher, especially with two little ones, but molarchae loves Pinot and a Tour in Oregon might hit the spot for her.
@klezman @rpm If you come to Oregon, I can help with travel arrangements. July fills up fast. It would be great meeting everyone.
@rpm Hmmm …
Well, given that 2023 will be the 5th Anniversary of Casemates launch, it might be nice to have a Newbie Tour Mon-Wed, 5th Anniversary party, then an Advanced Tour Fri-Sun (Thursday being a recovery day!) in Napa/Sonoma?
Oregon sounds great, but 5th Anniversary!
Mainly because I’m not sure people can fly out twice (Casemates Anniversary, then in July to Oregon.)
@rpm
Unless we do a Mini-Newbie tour around Casemates Anniversary party (maybe Sonoma only? ) in early 2023 and the Advanced Tour in July in Oregon?
Depends on if you don’t mind flying twice to the West Coast.
@MarkDaSpark @rpm I got 400k points to use on SW, let doooo thiiisss!
@Winedavid49 … thoughts on 5th Anniversary?
@MarkDaSpark @rpm Count @texashaze and me in!
@MarkDaSpark @Winedavid49. I think this might work… mini-Newbie - 6-8 key Favs in NapaNoma in Early 2023 … 1 day on either side of Casemates anniversary party? Then advanced Pinot + more Tour in Oregon in July 2023. I think it could work…I’ll need to spend some time in Oregon ahead of time, but that may well be possible. (Those local and those who have offered help, please whisper me soonest)… Fear it won’t be as cheap as some Tours, but I think it could be a lot of fun!
@MarkDaSpark Might well be mostly different folks…I’d love for new ‘maters to have the opportunity to do a Tour…. And the Oregon gig would be for the die hards …
@rpm @Winedavid49
Sounds like a plan!
@MarkDaSpark @rpm I would be a newbie coming from FL and would love to make this trip work. Went to Lodi, Amador & Sutter Creek this past Feb & loved it! Definitely would go back! And really interested in Oregon in July
@MarkDaSpark @rpm Been retired for 7 yrs now and as an old Wooter & current Casemate’r with a continued basement full of wine, I’d definitely be interested as a newbie since I couldn’t make the other tours. You’d probably get some of our other NE OH 'Mates! I just saw these posts. Is there another posting or listing somewhere to follow?
@Boatman72 @rpm
Not yet.
Bunny has never made one of these trips, but she’s eager to change that!!
I’ve never done a tour, but now that I’m retired…
Also, 50th class reunion in '23 at Calaveras HS. Love that region’s wines.
And…2 daughters in Oregon, so that’s nice too.
However, not a fan of Pinot.
Keep posting, I’ll keep snooping.
@FritzCat Maybe a pinot tour would benefit you more than you’d think.
@jmdavidson1 Perhaps…
@FritzCat @jmdavidson1 The RPM visit to Buena Vista was the first Pinot for me that didn’t smell like nail polish remover…
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Bump …
@Winedavid49
Any thoughts on a 5th Anniversary celebration?
@rpm
Any chance for summer 2024?