Mrs. Vino considers herself to be a pretty easy-going person with a philosophy of “Live and Let Live.”  But there is one thing that I just cannot stand:   Bachelorettes.  Over the past 5+ years, Morovino’s tasting room has seen many Bachelorette parties.    In almost every case, Bachelorettes have been rude, whiny and obnoxious.  We’ve seen far fewer Bachelor parties than Bachelorette parties, but HANDS DOWN I’d rather pour for a group of tipsy bachelors than bitchy bachelorettes.  Even the bachelor party that insisted on paying for a wine tasting for the blow up doll and the bachelor party that offered to let me autograph the bachelor’s . . . appendage were preferable to 99% of the bachelorette parties I’ve worked.

Bachelorettes, I’m sorry if this post offends you (OK, actually I’m not really sorry).  But Mrs. Vino is here to help.  If you are a Maid of Honor, Bridesmaid or Friend planning a Bachelorette party at a winery or wine tasting room- here are a couple of suggestions and guidelines that will help make you a welcomed guest instead of a nuisance – resulting in a fun time for all!  Non-bachelorettes, these rules are also true for wine tasting with any group of over 6 people.

1.  Call in advance – if you are bringing 7+ people to a tasting room on a busy weekend afternoon, please call in advance to let them know you are coming.  In addition to this is just being good manners, the tasting room staff can then ensure that they are adequately staffed and prepared to give your group excellent service.    The follow up to this is please show up when you said you were going to show up.

2.  Many Wine Tasting Rooms are Family Venues – so please don’t put your penis-shaped wine charms on the glasses without asking first if it is appropriate.  And please don’t wear your penis-shaped tiara unless you check first to see if kids are present.

3.  Expect to Pay for Wine Tasting – in today’s challenging economic climate, many wineries are using complimentary or discounted tasting coupons to introduce their wines to new customers.  In general, tasting coupons are not intended to be used by large groups.  Don’t be bitchy if we expect you to pay for wine tasting.

4.  Don’t Bring In Your Own Food – without checking first.  You may want to take a cupcake break, but please don’t bring out food without the permission of the tasting room staff.

5.  Remember the Tasting Room is a Business – please keep your volume and your pitch down to normal social levels.

6.  Buy Wine - I understand that wine tasting is recreation for you.  But wine sales are my livelihood.  In the past 5+ years, more than 90% of the time bachelorette parties leave without making a single bottle purchase.  If you are paying less than $10 for a wine tasting, that fee does NOT cover the actual cost of pouring a tasting flight for you.  That’s right ladies, pouring for you actually loses me money.

And the exception:  Several weeks ago we had a delightful group of bachelorettes in the tasting room.  They were polite. They were considerate.  They were charming.  They expected to pay for their wine tasting.  Each of the seven bachelorettes walked out with a bottle and we were delighted to comp the tasting for the entire group.  Ladies, you know who you were and we appreciated you!

Mrs. Vino is sorry if she sounds bitter, but having 3 back-to-back unexpected bachelorette parties through the tasting room just did me in.  It’s so frustrating to watch wine buyers (carrying bags and boxes from other local tasting rooms) come up to my door, then turn away when they see the penis-bedecked bachelor girls taking over the tasting bar.