Hello,

While nothing is planned yet, I'd just like to get an idea of how many people would be interested in a Vinocellar South Offline sometime in Sept. or Oct. I'm not completely familiar with the distribution of members throughout the South, but I'm sure that we could plan it in a city that is reasonably convenient for all. I would be willing to set it up and make all of the arrangements if we decide that we would like to hold it in New Orleans. If we do have it there, I can arrange for a tasting menu matched to the wines and prepared by Chef John Besh at Restaurant August....or we could try the Bourbon House, Louis XIV, Muriel's, or Le Bistro Maison Deville. However, I am willing to travel to another city if everyone agrees that another place would be better.

Right now, I'm just trying to get an idea of how many people would be interested.....Bella Donna, Winetex, WIML, WDoT, CMSyrah, scottj, wineaux, texaswino, Kyle, or anyone else who would like to participate? Certainly any other Vinocellar member who will be in the area or would like to attend is more than welcome, also!

I figured that we Southerners deserved an offline of the same caliber as the Cali folk's "Cult Smackdown". I figure that there is no reason to limit ourselves, however, so I propose we do a "Best of the Best" offline. Maybe 4 flights....Bubblies, Whites, Bordeaux, and Cali Cab...and then maybe a few stickies. That can all be worked out later, but I think everyone would be in heaven if we all brought some of our best. I went to an offline like this about 4 years ago and it was stunning....the best offline I've ever attended, and the most great wines I've ever tasted at one time. Its almost overwhelming to be able to taste so many great wines in one night.......almost.

So, anyone who likes the idea, drop a line on this thread so that we can get an idea of group size, best location, and best time frame.

Let's get this ball rolling.......


Jester

I vote for New Orleans. We attended some of the best offlines ever there one weekend.

Jester if you take the ball and run with the planning I think you can get a decent group for a fall weekend. And of course I vote for a Champagne Smackdown to be part of the festivities.

Winetex, I knew I'd get you with that Champagne suggestion. As much as I love bubbly, I couldn't leave it out.

Assuming that others agree that New Orleans will work ( and we don't have another hurricane ) then, as I said, I'm willing to do the planning, etc.

Anyone who wants to tentatively reserve a spot, post the number in your party and I'll start making a list and contacting restaurants.

Jester

What!? No pinot? Assuming that oversight is corrected, I'd be interested. Unfortunately, though, I won't be able to offer much planning help over the next few week as a vacation and pending job change will keep me flying low for the next few weeks. BTW, Jester, the Bistro at Maison de Ville recently closed and apparently will not be reopening - another Katrina victim.

I would be interested but it all depends on the date...

I can do it:
Labor Day weekend Sept 2-4 (this would be great since it's a long weekend)
Weekend of Sept 16-17
Weekend of Sept 23-24
Weekend of Oct 14-15

I vote champagne and pinot! Woo hoo!

Put me down for a tentative (2)

I see no reason why we couldn't have some Pinot, as well. We can either eliminate one of the other flights or simply add another.

I think that the mid Oct weekend is going to be the best for myself and a few others, so I'm going to plan on it taking place around that time. I'm pretty busy for the rest of the summer and then fall semester starts. I have no problem planning this event, but it may take a while. So, Oct sounds perfect right now. It may take that long to get it all together. I'm hoping that we can get at least 7 or 8 couples, but we'll see.

Anyone else?!!?!?

Jester x 2
BellaDonna x 2
Winetex x 2 (?)
Wineaux x 2 (?)

Yeah Pinot's!
I am on a roll with them in Summer months. Lighter than my love of cab's in winter.
Champagnes? Of course. I am a slut. Just not a bone fide member of the club.
I would love to meet all the Southern'ers.
However, I have been ambushed by the foundation I work for , so my time is not my own.
I will be traveling on the dates that have been suggested.
Gimme more.

However, if this will be the defining moment where a small group of winos raise hell and demand that somethng be done for the displaced citizens of New Or'leens and it's devestated neighborhoods...tax paying citizens.....to right the wrong...Count me in.
I can get from anywhere to anywhere in two days and raise some swell hell.

I think Jester has settled on the Oct 14-15th weekend. He has a great menu on the burner.

cmsyrah -

Quote:

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However, if this will be the defining moment where a small group of winos raise hell and demand that somethng be done for the displaced citizens of New Or'leens and it's devestated neighborhoods...tax paying citizens.....to right the wrong...Count me in.

---

Probably not that but at the very least we can support the hell out of the local economy.

What is considered the best of the best of pinots?

More importantly, what is the weather like in New Orleans that time of year?

"big fruit Pinots from California"-- I have
Burgundies in my cellar--big fat ZERO

We'd love to have you there cmsyrah.........let me know if you want me to put you down for a tentative yes for you ( +1 if someone would be with you )

To everyone......someone suggested that I extend the Vinocellar South Offline invitation to members of the WinoDepot Board. I'm not going to go over there and make another post, especially since once this thing really gets going its going to be hard enough keeping track of this thread and all the PM's on this board. However, if there is anyone on that board that you would like to invite, please tell them to come on over to Vinocellar and either send me a PM or post a note on this thread and I'll be happy to add them to the RSVP list.

One last question.........would any of ya'll prefer to do any or all of the flights blind? It doesn't really matter to me. I prefer not to drink my Champagne or Sweet wines blind, but the reds and whites would be fine if that is what everyone prefers. Also, since we have a small group, would ya'll prefer to mail all of the bottles to me ahead of time with a note stating your preferred decanting time for each bottle so that I can decant all of them the day of ( maybe even day before, for some ) the offline and prevent any travel shock.

Finally, if people would like to start making suggestions on wines that they would like to bring, then lets hear 'em. This is the fun part. I would like to have the list completed ( not counting Champs and stickies ) before I contact the chef. That way we can work to make a menu that will work well with the wines. So, lets make each other drool. I'll post mine in a little bit.

Jester

I already have an offline schedule for October 14th so I'm out. You guys have fun.

Whoa there Jester...

So it's pretty certain that we have decided on Oct 14?

Look you guys. I know that no one wants to do any of the planning for this, and thats fine. I have no problem planning the event, but there has to be some input from everyone else. Oct 14-15 was only a date picked out of the 4 dates that I was given by ONE person. If you want to do this and would rather do it on another date, then take two seconds and make a alternative suggestion. I am here to help plan the event on the date that everyone agrees upon, but the only reason I'm planning it is because I'm close to New Orleans and Wineaux is too busy. I'm not here to make all of the decisions myself. I thought this would be a fun idea, but the response I'm getting from some people is somewhat disappointing. If you want to attend and either want to make a suggestion or can't attend on a certain date but would like to come, then let all of us know. Its not like we're going to have 40 people attending. I'm pretty sure that we can find a weekend that will work for the 6 to 10 members that will attend. People work together to plan events like this so we can all attend and have a good time. I'm already getting PM's and posts saying "You're not doing this or that and why the hell did you pick this date because it doesn't work for me. Where is it going to be? How much?................I would prefer that we just start over and try to find a date that will fit everyone's schedule. Here are my available dates.....

Sept 30-Oct 1
Oct 7-8
Oct 14-15
Oct 21-22
Oct 28-29
Nov 4-5
Nov 11-12
Nov 18-19
Nov 25-26

For the people who would like for this event to happen, please communicate with one another and with me through this thread so that we can decide which date suits all of us. Once that is done, then we can move on to other things.

If you would like to attend please reply with the number of people who will be with you as well as your top 3 dates in numbered order

Hopefully this will make things easier.

Jester

Hey Jester,
I am sure you have received many pm's thanking you for this terrific effort. This has to be a organizational nightmare and I personally thank you for getting the first S' USer offline together. I am going to going to post here as well as pm'ing you since we both think it will better relay the message.

My understanding is the first date decided upon was Oct. 14th. I can't do that date nor the others suggested for September and October.
As I said, the foundation I give my time to has me all over the US for the next three months or so, so I am a bad barometer as far as dates.
I don't know if others will go so far in advance as November at this time, but if they do...give me the date and I will check. Thanksgiving and birthday's always seem to swallow November.
I say, go with the date that you and the others decided on previously. Oct 14-15.
Just keep this going, make it annual, and I will be at the next one!!

Winetex! Girlfriend! Keep that hellava great commerce going on NOLA!
Spend! spend! spend!
Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!

Better yet, in NO:
Gumbo!
Gumbo!
Gumbo!

Oh yeah.
Jester is one of the best at getting wine to a buyer on time and shipped perfectly
Thanks Jester.


Nice.
CMS

You are very welcome CMSyrah!

As slowly as things seem to be progressing, it does look like this may not take place until Nov. I know that we do things slower down here in the South, but I didn't realize to what extent. Maybe it is just lacking the enthusiasm that I initially thought the idea would bring.

I still hope it works out one way or another. We'll just have to see.