I just got my first allocation- 2 each of 2 of their Pinot's. I can't even tell which were allocated as I now get this message when I tried to click through to the order form. The response must be overwhelming to their system!

Opinions on purchasing? I think I'm going for it.

"Thank you very much your interest in Kosta Browne Winery! Because of the overwhelming response to our offering announced earlier today, we need to take this section down temporarily for maintenance. If you have an allocation, please know that the availability of that allocation is guaranteed until February 26, 2007. We apologize for the inconvenience and request that you please check back with us tomorrow."

quote:

Originally posted by Jamie:
I just got my first allocation- 2 each of 2 of their Pinot's. I can't even tell which were allocated as I now get this message when I tried to click through to the order form. The response must be overwhelming to their system!

Opinions on purchasing? I think I'm going for it.

You should definitely pass

Got my email. First time on the list.

Brutal though. As I got 5 emails the last 2 weeks for different spring mailers $$$

You should pass too, Hunter.

(two down, several thousand to go...)

quote:

Got my email. First time on the list.

Brutal though. As I got 5 emails the last 2 weeks for different spring mailers $$$

Same here. I also received the "down temp for maintenance" response. Too bad it looks like only 4, but you gotta start somewhere

Any idea what the newbie allocation is? Two of what? One of their prior releases or their 'growth' wine?

quote:

Originally posted by Redfan:

quote:

Got my email. First time on the list.

Brutal though. As I got 5 emails the last 2 weeks for different spring mailers $$$

Same here. I also received the "down temp for maintenance" response. Too bad it looks like only 4, but you gotta start somewhere

Any idea what the newbie allocation is? Two of what? One of their prior releases or their 'growth' wine?

You also should WIML.

In fact, WIML should WIML.

quote:

Originally posted by Redfan:
Any idea what the newbie allocation is? Two of what? One of their prior releases or their 'growth' wine?

Two each of the 05 RRV, 05 Sonoma and the 06 Rose. No Syrah. That's the lowest allocation I've heard of.
I bought last time around and that was what I got.

I received mine yesterday - hit the website quickly and was able to place the order. My first time allocation was 2 Rose, 2 Sonoma.....but better than nothing. They also give you the option to request more if people don't take their allocation - I'm sure that will happen!

I got 2 russian, 2 sonoma, but the syrah and rose weren't available. I don't care though, I haven't even been on the list for a year, so I'm glad to get anything.

Same story here.

quote:

Originally posted by *lizardking*:
I got 2 russian, 2 sonoma, but the syrah and rose weren't available. I don't care though, I haven't even been on the list for a year, so I'm glad to get anything.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Tong:

quote:

Originally posted by Redfan:
Any idea what the newbie allocation is? Two of what? One of their prior releases or their 'growth' wine?

Two each of the 05 RRV, 05 Sonoma and the 06 Rose. No Syrah. That's the lowest allocation I've heard of.
I bought last time around and that was what I got.

This is our third year of buying (since the '03 vintage) and we got the same allocations as first timers. I am not very pleased but will be buying of course. Guess we did not make a good enough impression when we visited in October. Boo hoo.

2 RRV and 2 SC - no rose or syrah which is fine, wouldn't be buying those anyways

All right you lucky SOBs that are on the mailing list , does anybody know when those of us that are on the waiting list can submit their requests? The email I received last month stated that a "wish list request" for leftovers can be submitted on February 6th but I have not received a follow-up email instructing me to do this.

edited to add the following:

Right after I posted my message above I checked my email and had the following message:

Thank you very much for your interest in Kosta Browne! Because of our very limited production, you are currently on our Waiting List to receive an allocation of wine.

However, so that we can move you up the list more quickly should wine become available, we invite you now to place a "wish list request" by clicking here. While making a request will not guarantee that you receive wine from our Spring Release, we will use these requests to re-allocate any wine that may be left over after our ordering deadline of February 26th, 2007.

We will let you the final status of your request on or before March 2nd.

Thanks very much again for your patience and continued interest!

Sincerely,


Kosta Browne Winery

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Altaholic,

This was the first time I was able to purchase from Kosta Browne. I took my full allocation - 2 Russian River and 2 Sonoma Coast. It is nice to finally join the people on "the list." Is there a secret handshake?

I got the not-on-the-list "offer", too... I "ordered" two syrahs, one rose, and two each of two pinots.

Chances of getting any of them? likely zero. Oh well... it's fun to pretend I'm on the list and practice order.

But if Hunter doesn't take his allocation.... Hmmmmm....

anyone needing help in "buying out" their allocation, let me know.

I placed my order earlier today:

6 RRV
6 SC
3 Rose
3 Syrah

..and placed a wish list for extras of each!

quote:

I got 2 russian, 2 sonoma, but the syrah and rose weren't available. I don't care though, I haven't even been on the list for a year, so I'm glad to get anything.

Ditto for me... I'm excited to finally taste what all the ruccus is about

My name came up for the first time to receive an allocation (2 Russian River, 2 Sonoma Coast, no Rose or Syrah).

It seems that there are a boat load of us who are getting our first allocations this year. Why so many newbies this time? Did they suddenly double the production or something? I know that we are not all making it onto the allocated list because others are dropping off, since no one I know is doing so.

Any one know what the case volume is this year versus last year? If volume is higher, are they sourcing from new vineyards, or just getting a bigger share from the previous vineyards?

I'd definitely be willing to make the drive and do tastings. Has anyone caught them at a time that they are making appointments?

quote:

Originally posted by Peer Gynt:
I'd definitely be willing to make the drive and do tastings. Has anyone caught them at a time that they are making appointments?

MLV and I (and her parents) tasted at Kosta Browne in late October - We spent most of the time with Tony (who has since left) but chatted with Michael Browne a little. We were there for a few hours and barrel tasted everything. It was fabulous.

I may be wrong, but I thought that in '05 the volume of grapes were waay high, but the quality is stil supposed to be good. I think this has made a problem for a lot of the bulk wineries mostly in central california that extended into '06. If this is the case, this could be why so many newbies are getting the allocation, but what's going to happen in '06 when the crop goes back down?

Or, they could just be sourcing from more vineyards.

quote:

Originally posted by *lizardking*:
.....what's going to happen in '06 when the crop goes back down?

This may be a factor with some vineyards but is it really a factor with wineries such as KB that keep tight control on their tonnage per acre?

re: Yields & Subsequent Volume

i remember reading on the KB website that they are continually increasing vineyard sources & tonnage from these sources... i believe for the 05' vintage they added Keefer Ranch & Rosella's Vineyard for the 1st time... an example is the 02' Sonoma Coast (2 vineyards) versus the 05' Sonoma Coast (4 vineyards)...

Kosta Browne test charged my credit card, so it looks like I might get some from my fantasy non-allocated order.