Rigga 
Grape Sorter
Posts: 288
 | | 02-02-2007 06:54 PM |
| Just received an e-mail saying that the spring offer is going in the mail. I guess I've made it off the waiting list but after what I've read in the recent past between their hostage program and lousy service that I'm wondering if I should bother.  | | |
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mountainman
Mammoth Mountain
Wine Addict
Posts: 6217
| | 02-02-2007 07:00 PM |
| I think this is the first time I ever got an email from Martinelli. Are they moving into the 21st century finally?
If you like their wines, it's not a hostage mailer. Last Fall I only bought 6 wines from the mailer, all top notch. I have only had excellent customer service with them. | | | |
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JimmyV
Central Connecticut
Wine Connoisseur
Posts: 5251
| | 02-02-2007 07:06 PM |
| "Hostage" really isn't the right word. They bundle Chards, Pinots and Zins. All 3 varietals are first rate in quality. They aren't making you buy any "bad" wine, which is what I think of when I hear the term "hostage wine." But if you love Chard, and not Pinot, or vice versa, then this isn't the list to be on, as you will have to buy some of both. To the Chard lover, the Pinots are "hostage wines". To the Pinot lover, the Chards are the "hostage wines". Hence a misuse of the term, which, IMHO, should be reserved for wineries that make you buy a wine that is universally unwelcome. | | | Beta testing a new signature. | |
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R8der
Livermore, CA
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2186
| | 02-02-2007 09:50 PM |
| Quote:
Just received an e-mail saying that the spring offer is going in the mail. I guess I've made it off the waiting list but after what I've read in the recent past between their hostage program and lousy service that I'm wondering if I should bother.
There is a waiting list? That's odd....they have sent me multiple e-mails asking me to buy....it's not like they are selling out with the current list. Why would they have a waiting list?
Passing due to the "bundled" policy.
Chris |
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Rigga
Grape Sorter
Posts: 288
| | 02-03-2007 02:01 AM |
| Jimmy, I can see your point. When I initially signed up for the list a couple of years ago They put me on a wait list but would send me e-mails offering to sell leftovers of the least desirable wines which I passed on. I'll wait and see what the offer looks like before I commit one way or the other. | | | |
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Mona_Lisa_Vito
Grape Sorter
Posts: 228
| | 02-03-2007 02:45 PM |
| Quote:
Just received an e-mail saying that the spring offer is going in the mail. I guess I've made it off the waiting list but after what I've read in the recent past between their hostage program and lousy service that I'm wondering if I should bother.
we are in exactly the same boat... waiting to see what is offered before deciding to pass (or buy!) | | | |
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Marc A
Grape Sorter
Posts: 259
| | 02-03-2007 06:02 PM |
| I agree it's not really a hostage situation...but I do resent the bundling..
I just really like their Pinots and Zin's and so I accept the policy...but again it does piss me off. | | | |
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pizinah
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1313
| | 02-03-2007 07:28 PM |
| It's a hostage situation pure and simple, unless you happen to like all of the offerred wines equally. We don't drink much white wine and I don't particularly care for the Martinelli whites (prefer Aubert, Marcassin, DuMol chards). You also have to buy a ton of wine you may not want to get a single bottle of the BSR pinot or Jackass zin (and forget about the Jackass Hill zin or high-end syrahs unless you buy literally hundreds and hundreds of wines you may have much less interest in first). What's non-hostage about that...? I love Martinelli wines but the hostage situation coupled with disorganized customer service/shipping make their mailers an easy pass for me. | | | |
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dinwiddie
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2215
| | 02-03-2007 09:11 PM |
| Last year they made me give them 6 differnt names to ship 6 bottles to DC. This year I'll pass. | | | |
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Drew
Sammamish, WA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3412
| | 02-04-2007 12:24 AM |
| Quote:
Quote:
Just received an e-mail saying that the spring offer is going in the mail. I guess I've made it off the waiting list but after what I've read in the recent past between their hostage program and lousy service that I'm wondering if I should bother.
There is a waiting list? That's odd....they have sent me multiple e-mails asking me to buy....it's not like they are selling out with the current list. Why would they have a waiting list?
Passing due to the "bundled" policy.
Chris
There is. I got a call Thursday night telling me that I wasn't going to get an offer, but I could buy some Bondi, G&L and the Zio Tonys. Yeahhhh. I told them I have KB on the way :-D | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30967
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Chicago Wine Geek
Chicago Western Suburbs
Wine Steward
Posts: 7124
| | 02-04-2007 08:35 PM |
| Got the snail mail on Saturday. Wasn't expecting it since I've passed on the last two mailers. | | | |
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pizinah
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1313
| | 02-04-2007 09:10 PM |
| Quote:
There is. I got a call Thursday night telling me that I wasn't going to get an offer, but I could buy some Bondi, G&L and the Zio Tonys. Yeahhhh. I told them I have KB on the way :-D
What vintage G&L are they currently selling? I hear this is $45 now, which is unfortunate. It was $35-36 for quite a while and a fun wine to drink at that price. Are they still selling the Vigneto de Evo zin? | | | |
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whiner
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
Wine Thief
Posts: 2875
| | 02-05-2007 08:38 AM |
| I got the mailer two days ago. G&L is up to $48, iirc. I really like Martinelli wines, but I can get the ones I want just by calling them up and there is too much other stuff I'm in to now. In a year or two I'll start buying off the mailer again, but not now... | | | I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland. <br>-- Woody Allen | |
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Drew
Sammamish, WA
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3412
| | 02-05-2007 02:39 PM |
| I cut her off before she could get to the vintage. Have a lone 04 that I bought back in July, so could be 05? | | | |
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rjs3
NJ
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1124
| | 02-07-2007 05:24 PM |
| How's their Chard - is there a big difference between the two on the mailer? | | | |
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mountainman
Mammoth Mountain
Wine Addict
Posts: 6217
| | 02-07-2007 06:11 PM |
| I generally like their chards and those 2 are different. One is Russian River Valley, the other is Sonoma Coast. The last few mailers, I only buy the 6 pack option and ask them to notify me of extra wines. Then I can cherry pick of what is still available. | | | |
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