Robert Hall Winery

Robert Hall 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon takes 1st place at house wine party!

"Black Friday" was a busy day here at the winery, and we had a wonderful time! Christmas music filled the tasting room and the spirit of the holiday season was all around.

I cannot tell you how many wonderful and interesting people I have met this weekend, but there was a group whose story stood out.

Coming here with her family, a young lady came into the tasting room and over to the bar. I could tell she was excited to be here, and that we were going to have a good time. We started tasting wine and chatting right away. I asked her where her group was from and why they chose RHW as the place to be this Friday.

I have to tell you, there are a variety of reasons people choose to come to a specific winery, but most are along the same line. Someone recommended it to them because they like your wine, or maybe that person has tried your wine before and liked it. It usually comes back to the wine in some way. I have heard many reasons but this was definitely a first for me.

This young lady had tried our wine with some of her friends. The catch was none of the group had any idea whose wine they were trying. It's called a "Blind Wine Tasting Party", and they are becoming more and more popular.

Here's how it works:
A host or hostess makes arrangements for their friends and fellow wine lovers to come over and each brings a bottle of wine.
Everyone brings there bottle concealed in a bag, and gives it to the host.
The host uncorks, fully wraps and numbers each bottle.
Glasses are handed out, and the wine starts flowing.
One at a time each wine is tasted by the group and then the votes are cast.
Each person puts the bottle numbers in order of their favorite to their least favorite.
The host tallies up the votes and the winner is decided.

In this case the winner was our 2007 Robert Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. After meeting up with her family, they came to see the winery that ranked #1 on the wine party list.

After hearing the story I was so excited that I decided on the spot to host my very own blind wine tasting party! I am really excited to hear more stories like this one, so if any of you have had one of these parties, please post a comment and let me know how it was. If you would like more info on hosting a party, or if you would like ideas for appetizers for your party, leave me a comment and I will e-mail you.

Happy Holidays,
Teresa Zagala