when i see a production # on a bottle that i have purchased (or have been given to me as a gift) this gives a sense of satisfaction... i know it sounds weird but i like opening up bottle that has a number to it. I have always wondered why this isn't done more often especially when it could be even more specific and say bottle # so and so out of a production of so many bottles or cases.

I like these too. I once had a Robert Karl cabernet from their first year of production with the number 00002. An email to the winemaker confirmed my suspicion that they snagged bottle #1 off the line for themselves.
I later gave it to a friend as a gift.

This was something that Paul Masson used to do back in the day. Several Santa Cruz Mountains wineries still do it, including Cooper Garrod, Hallcrest and Sarah's Vineyard.

I agree, it's a nice touch. It highlights the fact that every bottle is unique.

Plus it's consistent with the spirit of the Patriot Act.

Heitz Cellars does this as well.

DRC does it. Also Rottlan Torra.