***The official France 2020 thread: Week of March 23, 2020

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Sep 27, 2019 1:41 am

We have nailed down the week of March 23, 2020 for BWE France 2020.

Right now the attendance is 22, which is the maximum number for the lunch we have indicated to Alfred Tesseron at Pontet-Canet on Thursday, March 26, 2019. This does not mean that we cannot entertain more, we are just going to have to try to nail down final numbers sooner rather than later, I think. [Edit: We are up to 22 as of 10/02/19.]

Very soon we will be seeking refundable deposits PER PERSON so that we can get a better count of the number of likely attendees.

The following is a list of the "definite" attendees who responded in the other thread.

Sincerely,
BD

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BWE France '20 attendees (updated 10/02/19):

1. Jim
2. Stefan
3. Lucie
4. Patrick
5. Ian
6. Michael-P
7. Nalan
8. Harry
9. Tony
10. Jennifer
11.Tom
12. Gail
13. Mark
14. Wendy
15. Brendan
16. Danny
17. Danielle
18. MEK
19. Marcus
20. Alex

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Sep 28, 2019 9:13 am

MEK will be joining us!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BWE France '20 attendees:

1. Jim
2. Stefan
3. Lucie
4. Patrick
5. Ian
6. Nicola
7. Michael-P
8. Nalan
9. Harry
10. Tony
11. Jennifer
12.Tom
13. Gail
14. Mark
15. Wendy
16. Brendan
17. Danny
18. Danielle
19. MEK

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Sep 28, 2019 6:40 pm

Timmy McCracken will be joining us!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BWE France '20 attendees:

1. Jim
2. Stefan
3. Lucie
4. Patrick
5. Ian
6. Nicola
7. Michael-P
8. Nalan
9. Harry
10. Tony
11. Jennifer
12.Tom
13. Gail
14. Mark
15. Wendy
16. Brendan
17. Danny
18. Danielle
19. MEK
20. Tim

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Sep 28, 2019 6:43 pm

Latest update:

We have a team of people working hard off-line on putting this together.
We'll have more updates soon. It'll be important to check in regularly in this thread.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Oct 01, 2019 11:39 pm

We are really making great progress, we've got some very exciting estates lined up.
One thing we are having to do is provide the names and nationalities of attendees at some of the estates.
I think I know just about everybody's last names except for 3 on the list, I'll contact you privately.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Oct 02, 2019 11:24 pm

Update as of 10/02/2019:

We have been doing a LOT of work on BWE Bordeaux 2020 off line, and are extremely excited by the itinerary that is developing.
Right now, with the addition of Marcus, who has now moved from maybe to "Definite," we are at 22 attendees by my count.
We are now moving into the range where we are going to have to develop a "waiting list."
This should not be a deterrent because every year we have a small number who drop off the list.
The problem is that we are finding that various properties are fixing limits...
Lunch with Alfred Tesseron is limited to 18, for example, but we know that if we beg him enough we could probably get up to 19-20.
Chateau Lafite is willing to expand their normal limit from 15 to... 20. Just for us!
Mouton has a limit of 15 but they are willing to break us into two groups to accomodate us....
Etc., etc...
Ian has been pulling in some big time connections on the right bank, announcements coming soon.

It is shaping up into an epic week.

The bottom line is that, seriously, we really need to start coming up with some realistic numbers.
Which is tricky, still six months out.
Soon we will be requesting deposits, in hopes that we can sort out those who are TRULY serious about attending.

Right now, our list looks as follows. If you want to be added to the list we need to know like... immediately.
I hope we can provide our schedule soon but, trust me, it is very impressive so far....

Mark, is Wendy a "definite" or not?

SF Ed, HM$, are you possibilities, or not?
I'm just asking. We are pretty much at max, now is the point where the rubber hits the road....

BWE France '20 attendees:

1. Jim
2. Stefan
3. Lucie
4. Patrick
5. Ian
6. Nicola
7. Michael-P
8. Nalan
9. Harry
10. Tony
11. Jennifer
12.Tom
13. Gail
14. Mark
15. Wendy
16. Brendan
17. Danny
18. Danielle
19. MEK
20. Tim
21. Marcus
22. Alex

SF Ed · Post by **SF Ed** » Wed Oct 02, 2019 11:36 pm

Lisa and I will not be attending - but thanks for asking!

SF Ed

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Oct 02, 2019 11:39 pm

Thanks for replying Eddie, we will toast you and Lisa noetheless!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 12:45 am

So unless HM$ responds soon I will assume that the number for BWE France '20 is 22.

We will soon be seeking deposits.
Michael-P is the director of the trip.
Tom in DC (Colorado) is our treasurer!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:07 am

This is our list of our BWE 2020 attendees. I have addred Greg and Wendy in the list, although I have not heard confirmation of their attendance.
If anyone else wants to join please let us know as soon as possible.
We will soon be asking for deposits, which will be forwarded to our esteemed treaurer, Tom in DC (Colorado).
Tom, do you have information as to where/how money should be sent to you?
Event Coordinateor Palmieri, do you have any additional information you would like to add.

BWE France '20 attendees:

1. Jim
2. Stefan
3. Lucie
4. Patrick
5. Ian
6. Nicola
7. Michael-P
8. Nalan
9. Harry
10. Tony
11. Jennifer
12.Tom
13. Gail
14. Mark
15. Wendy
16. Brendan
17. Danny
18. Danielle
19. MEK
20. Tim
21. Marcus
22. Alex
23. Greg

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:37 am

Jim, given the caps we’re hearing from the chateaux, I’d vote for locking in the 22 as the limit and start a waiting list from there. Just my 2 cents.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:46 am

Totally agree, Blanquito.

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 6:40 am

Well for some notable estates 20 is an absolute hard ceiling. I would be in favour of capping at 20, and as with booking of airline seats there are bound to be one or two cancellations.

Blanquito · Post by **Blanquito** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:39 pm

Comte Flaneur wrote:Well for some notable estates 20 is an absolute hard ceiling. I would be in favour of capping at 20, and as with booking of airline seats there are bound to be one or two cancellations.

This makes sense. MichaelP, should we impose a cap of 20 and start a waiting list for the above and beyond?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 2:46 pm

Agreed. I think 20 is pushing it from the interactions we are having with the estates.
I'm sure that at least 2-3 will drop off of this list.

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:36 pm

I am OK with being wait-listed if necessary, I "joined" the list later than others.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Oct 03, 2019 10:41 pm

I'm not worried about it, Marcus, these things have a way of working themselves out.
I think the wait list is going to be determined by who gets their deposits in on time.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Oct 04, 2019 2:53 am

I guess I’ll take Alex off the list.
For some reason we haven’t heard from him either publicly or privately, despite repeated requests.
I’m just trying to determine as accurate a list as possible as we continue to communicate with the estates.

BWE France '20 attendees:

1. Jim
2. Stefan
3. Lucie
4. Patrick
5. Ian
6. Nicola
7. Michael-P
8. Nalan
9. Harry
10. Tony
11. Jennifer
12.Tom
13. Gail
14. Mark
15. Wendy
16. Brendan
17. Danny
18. Danielle
19. MEK
20. Tim
21. Marcus
22. Greg

Claudius2 · Post by **Claudius2** » Fri Oct 04, 2019 1:55 pm

Happy to put up a deposit to make the date. Sounds like a great trip.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Oct 04, 2019 1:57 pm

Great! Is that for two of you, Claudius?

Comte Flaneur · Post by **Comte Flaneur** » Fri Oct 04, 2019 8:39 pm

BWE is a broad church and forgiveness is one of its abiding traits

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 2:55 am

Someone commented on the passive-aggressive nature of the organization of this event, with people offering to organize and attend and do things, and then disappearing. We'll have to make some final decisions very soon.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Sun Oct 06, 2019 11:53 pm

I think we should cap it at 20.

We can keep adding to the list (and if anyone in the top 20 drop out the list moves up) but there should be some priority to the 20. Perhaps:

Whomever is already in the 20? or
Anyone that went to 2015?
The people that have been to the most annuals?

In any case, the deposits will need to be collected soon to start narrowing the list.
There will also be a cut off date for refunds since we will need to start paying for things like buses and chateaux lunches and dinners.

Michael-P

CJD · Post by **CJD** » Mon Oct 07, 2019 2:04 am

Not sure who needs to line up for Fr. Flaneurs confessionals or who incurred the wrath of JH on the passive aggressive front.

I was super hyped to join the group on this bdx trip but not realizing the fellowship extended to so many long timers.
So, should any of the top 20 dropout and I could be added to the waitlist that would be mighty fine.
For the record I only joined the site a few months ago, have never met any of the fine patrons here. I am a self educated bdx consumer and have never contributed to any other wine group or forum. I do like the dynamics of this group despite the occasional spat or wobble.
Either way I should be able to make the DC 2020.

CJ

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Mon Oct 07, 2019 3:42 am

Jim, a practical suggestion: you might want to maintain the list of attendees by updating your first post in the thread. Otherwise it can get confusing, especially once the thread gets longer than one page.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Oct 07, 2019 3:35 pm

Yeah I need to fix that.
We'll miss you in France, David, thinks are rounding out into quite a spectacular week.

Claudius2 · Post by **Claudius2** » Tue Oct 08, 2019 9:47 am

Jim
Yes, Wendy has told her boss that she is out of town second half of March.
She is quite keen on the visits to top estates.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Sat Oct 12, 2019 10:11 pm

I think we need to probably limit it to 20 but let's see where things develop, especially once we reach the date where the $1000 deposit becomes non-refundable.......

Michael-P

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:38 am

Sounds like a good idea, MichaelP.

Claudius2 · Post by **Claudius2** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 2:37 pm

Folks
What is the likely date for deposits?

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Sun Oct 20, 2019 8:35 pm

Michael,

Agree with a firm count topped out at 20. Both lunch at Haut Bailly and visit Pape Clement that I've arranged state clearly they cannot accommodate more than 20.
I've asked Tom to pay a deposit for Pape Clement who requested 50% deposit to hold date and time due by Nov 16th. I've asked if they'll extend that deadline to Nov 30th but if not a non refundable payment will have to be made before deposits collected with that date rapidly approaching. Suggest deposit due date any time soon as I don't think when more confirmations start firming up then payment will also be due and Tom should have funds on hand to deal with transfers.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 12:09 am

Max for lunch at Pontet Canet is 18, so, I agree, 20 should be the limit.
If we have more than 18 I'll try to finesse in two more.
I think we had 18 or 19 in 2015, what was the exact count, Timmy?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 12:11 am

Off the top of my head, I'm remembering 17 from 2015:

Jim, Stefan, Lucie, Nicola, HM$, Tony, Jennifer, Danny, Danielle, Michael, Nalan, Greg, Harry, Timmy, Ian, MEK, Alex.

Am I missing anybody?

dstgolf · Post by **dstgolf** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 2:27 am

One more Jim....My brother Larry was on both 2005 & 2015 trips. Count 18.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Oct 25, 2019 11:05 am

But of course. A good sized group.

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Mon Oct 28, 2019 12:39 am

Please let me know if anyone wants to be on the list for France so we can make sure no one that wants to attend is considered.

So even though you might be number 25 on the current list, we may assign some priority for folks that have been to BWE Annuals, BWE France trips, BWE Offlines, postings, etc. A frequent flyer system with priority to those with more miles.

Hopefully we don't need to cut anyone but if we need to, that's how we'll do it.

Michael-P

Claudius2 · Post by **Claudius2** » Mon Oct 28, 2019 2:46 pm

Michael
Do you really mean that no one who wants to make it France 2020 will not be considered??
Mark

Tom In DC · Post by **Tom In DC** » Mon Oct 28, 2019 9:27 pm

Not Michael-P, but I'm sure he meant "...so we can make sure that *anyone* that wants to attend is considered."

marcs · Post by **marcs** » Mon Oct 28, 2019 9:56 pm

We should settle the wait list by the end of November so people can buy tickets well in advance. (Speaking as someone currently on the wait list at #21).

Michael-P · Post by **Michael-P** » Thu Oct 31, 2019 4:30 pm

I meant that anyone that wants to come will be considered based on their score.

So if you are now number 25 on the list, and we do need to go to a points system to rank priority, the person listed as number 25 today could end up as number 7 and number 7 could end up being cut out of the trip.

Only if we have more people that want to come than our limit of 18 (maybe 20) that we will need to resort to this ranking process.

See my similar comment on the deposits.

Michael-P