Steven Dowden

Review of California Host, Charles Krug ...

It's with regret to score a one star - the tour st...

It's with regret to score a one star - the tour started off so well but ended with bitter disappointment. My partner and I were part of the wine train tour, not a cheap way to see the vine yards but definitely the best and we'd do it again - 100%. However we'd insist not to visit Charles Krug, or just stay on the train and not disembark. The tour started by being greeted by our tour guide and given the first taster. Let's fast forward to the cellar part of the tour, we were given a cab sav to try and a little cheese and meat taster to enjoy with the wine thimble. Whilst the tour guide was giving the brief I walked round to the table to re-pour some more wine - after all we're wine tasting aren't we?? Whilst pouring the tour guide stopped talking and barked at me, what do you think you're doing? I explained the obvious and said I was trying another taste. It must be noted that I apologised and didn't ask as didn't want to interrupt their talking. The bottle was removed from my hand and told if I wanted more then everyone may want another taster. WTF - we're wine tasting aren't we?? But not to belittle the tour guide or cause a scene I kept quiet and walked away. We were then invited to go up stairs to try the executive cab sav, I noticed the tour guide returned the bottles we were thimbling in the cellar. One full bottle, one with a quarter still in the bottle. There were circa 16 on the tour, each couple had dropped $800 = $6,400.00. Yes there is costs for the train etc.

Once upstairs the tour guide had lost the respect of the group as no-one purchased anything from the vineyard, and this is all down the to tour guide being completely out of line. Whilst talking about the exec cab sav, people were looking around at the various paintings and history displayed. Reading some of the other reviews left I would suggest Charles Krug remember people are drawn by wine tasting - a good tasting will resort in sales.

The other 2 vineyards we visited, wine was plentiful - refills offered and everyone bought something.