The servers in a tasting room are, de facto, the faces of the winery. They explain the background of the label, the vineyard(s) and often the owners. In Europe, there is often a distinguished history of both wines and nobles that goes back centuries; the serve seems like little more than a vassal. In the US, especially in California, ancient history often began in 1976, so the current ownership gets more attention. What you don’t hear much about is the winemakers for that winery.
From our point of view, the winemakers are the stars of the show. They are the ones who actually create what winds up in our glasses and in many cases they oversee the growth of the grapes that made the wine. For the most part, they are behind the scenes for actual tastings. But on occasion, the winemaker happens to be in the room or, in the case of smaller wineries, he or she is also the owner and the server, as well as the lead salesperson and the bookkeeper.
If you should happen to meet a winemaker, the conversation might be limited to “I like your wine” and “Thank you”. But such a meeting is a rare learning opportunity. You should really make the most of it in the few minutes you’re likely to have.
- A little praise goes a long way. The winemakers don’t often have direct customer feedback, so if you can say more than the fact that you liked their wine, their ears will perk up. For example, if you can truthfully say, “We opened your 2018 Pinot Noir last week and it’s drinking real well, with heavy raspberry flavors” the person who made it will be rightly appreciative. That will open the door for a more in-depth conversation.
- If you’re just discovering their wines, discuss what you’re tasting at that moment. A simple question such as, “How do you think this Merlot will change with age” will indicate that you’re interested in learning and might lead to a sale. You should get a fairly detailed answer.
- Modern winemakers love sustainability. Climate change and water shortages are threats to their profession, so they are all becoming ecologists. If you ask what they are doing to sustain their vines and deal with changed weather conditions, you’re likely to get a brief lecture on the subject.
- Ask for recommendations. Especially in the US, winemakers may be responsible for a wide range of red and white wines. They are all their babies, and it would be a little rude to ask which of their wines they prefer. But asking which wines are the best values or the best years for a certain grape indicate that you want to buy some. And it lets them speak to the specifics of what they have created, not the generalities.
- It shouldn’t have to be said, but be polite. If you don’t care for the Sauvignon Blanc, you’d better keep it to yourself. And there’s no reason for you, an amateur, to be giving your opinion on any winemaking issues you may have to a trained professional.