Catavino - Latest Comments in Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Justin Roberts — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:30:47 -0000

On a positive note. Just been to pick up the sherries for the EWBC 2008 from the friendly people at Alvaro Domecq. They have just opened a shop! Very nice looking too... Open normal office hours. It's still very new, so there are a few things to round off (like installing a fridge), but in the future they will let you try before you buy. I will take photos and blog about it as soon as I'm back in Jerez.

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

ryan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:42:40 -0000

Zero to do with August, this is a perpetual problem in Sherry country and many other places. As to the Priorat, well, it's not the easiest, but you should give these guys a call: <a href="http://www.ficariavins.net/ " target="_blank">http://www.ficariavins.net/ great personalized wine experiences.

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

ryan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:42:40 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

ryan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:42:40 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

ryan — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:42:40 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Tom Clarke — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:37:35 -0000

Sorry if someone else has already said it, but... could this not just be a combination of the usual sloppiness of Spanish customer service and the month of August? In my experience, getting anything done, particularly down south, in August, is pretty hard work. BTW: best Priorat wineries to visit? Any tips?

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Justin Roberts — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:34:36 -0000

We will, eventually!

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

ryan — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:07:45 -0000

Sadly most of them have no clue that Social media exsists or how to access it...I wish we could change that

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Milton — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:02:27 -0000

Interesting comments and evaluation on the Portuguese and Spanish winery sites philosophy… In the benefit of the Iberian wine and tourism I hope the people responsible for those sites as also read your comments!

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Gabriella Opaz — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:43:44 -0000

I would suggest that we have a LONG way to go on "customer service" in both Portugal and Spain. I say this because I have persistently tried to contact many of these regional websites through email to get the same information Justin is asking for, and I have been ignored - totally and completely. It is not to say that some aren't extremely generous with their information, but too many regional websites in both Spain and Portugal don't see good customer service as direct key to regional wine sales. They think if they can provide some basic info, that's as far as they need to extend themselves. But what they don't realize is that people aren't going to call, they're going to search the website for information and then email, most likely in English, to get whatever info they're missing. Clearly, providing all the information first would be key, but second would to make yourself available for any and all questions in more than one language. Because in the end, it is not only the individual wineries that gain exposure from this, but so will your regional hotels, restaurants, etc.

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Justin Roberts — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:11:20 -0000

I've been checking out the links you posted above with interest. Some of the sites are really good, and others are just pointless. Vinho Verde just freezes up. I will try again later. Ribatejo is great. Useful map. All the information a visitor needs about the adegas is there, except costs. Oeste website looks very nice, but it is a waste of time. No map. Individual adega pages have no information about visits. Some adega links don't even work. What is the purpose of this website? Alentejo is good to a point. Good map of each route. On individual adega pages (I tried all on São Mamede) "Offered Services" (should really be "Services Offered") has all sorts of lovely things, but nowhere can I find times or costs. Setúbal looks really nice. Useful "mapa da região" even if you can only look at one square at a time. However José Maria da Fonseca is the only adega regularly open to the visitors. Every other adega "com marcação prévia". Friendly website, but not very friendly ruta! All tourists want to know is where, what time and how much...

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Milton — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:31:56 -0000

I think that every wine region in Portugal has a wine route ("Rotas dos vinhos"). In each one of those "Rotas do Vinhos" you can find wineries that are prepared to welcome visitors and show them theirs wines. For example: Vinho Verde <a href="http://rota.vinhoverde.pt/ " target="_blank">http://rota.vinhoverde.pt/ Ribatejo <a href="http://www.rotavinhoribatejo.pt/ " target="_blank">http://www.rotavinhoribatejo.pt/ Oeste <a href="http://www.rotavinhooeste.com/ " target="_blank">http://www.rotavinhooeste.com/ Alentejo <a href="http://77.91.200.110/~vinhosdo/index.php " target="_blank">http://77.91.200.110/~vinhosdo/index.php Setúbal <a href="http://www.rotavinhospsetubal.com/index.php?secti..." target="_blank"><a href="http://www.rotavinhospsetubal.com/index.... Bairrada and Dão also have "Rotas dos Vinhos" sites but right now the access is denied.

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Milton — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:31:56 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Milton — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:31:56 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Milton — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:31:56 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Justin Roberts — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:51:51 -0000

For example: Finding information about wineries on the Ruta del Vino de Jerez, Andalucia, Spain <a href="http://www.rutadeljerezybrandy.es/ " target="_blank">http://www.rutadeljerezybrandy.es/ vs Finding information about the Geelong Wine Route in Victoria, Australia. <a href="http://www.winegeelong.com.au/ " target="_blank">http://www.winegeelong.com.au/ I challenge you to find times and details for visits on the first website in less than two clicks. Just check out the "Plano de La Ruta" for some REALLY useful information, and the translation for the english version of the site teeters on the edge of being a joke. For the second site I challenge you to find any dead links. (I love my new IT, finally I can get involved without having to wait ten minutes for a page to refresh!)

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Justin Roberts — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:51:51 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Justin Roberts — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:51:51 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Justin Roberts — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:51:51 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

ryan — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:48:44 -0000

No actually many locations are very professional, though finding out that there are places to visit can be hard. The Alentejo has always been a great place to visit and the regions offices in Evora are always very welcoming and helpful when I've wanted information about the area. The mess part is finding out where to go, what's open, and who to talk to. If your not in the BIZ, it can be hard. Fortunately Charles Metcalf's new book is a great way to start exploring. <a href="http://www.catavino.net/portugal/book-review-the-..." target="_blank"><a href="http://www.catavino.net/portugal/book-re...

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

ryan — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:48:44 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

ryan — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:48:44 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

ryan — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:48:44 -0000

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Milton — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:05:18 -0000

As far as I know in Portugal it's not difficult to visit a winery but the only place were you can have a professional reception is with Port wineries. In your opinion Ryan, when you say the rest of Portugal is a bit of a mess you mean that they are not that professonal or they lack something else?

Re: Wine Tourism in Sherry Country and a Lesson from Portugal

Anna — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:50:01 -0000

I think Spanish wineries in general should take advice from the portuguese. Getting into a winery can be very difficult, buying wine even more difficult...There are ofcourse exceptions but nevertheless there are lots to learn.