Rockfords discussion

[Buzzard]

Fabulous news @samh004

 

[RooFlyer]

How long had you been a member for?

It may not be the object of your query, but elevation to the Parthenon depends on a number of things, including 'engagement' (including beyond purchasing).

If they get a bunch of Stonewallers go off the list in a short time, or keep buying much less, then the time to membership may be shorter.

Post automatically merged: Feb 27, 2022

Well done @samh004

 

[samh004]

How long had you been a member for?

Since about 2015 I think as my oldest BP is 2013... I went on a @Buzzard tour one year but didn't sign up, then the following year I went on another tour and did sign up. I've purchased every year since, usually twice a year as different wines are released, and last year I also went to the Barossa Vintage Festival and did the Rockford Experience they offered – dining in the barrel cellar.

It may not be the object of your query, but elevation to the Parthenon depends on a number of things, including 'engagement' (including beyond purchasing).

I assume going to that experience helped.

 

[Annnnye]

Yes, first year for both in the new bottle.

I’ve had a case of the v16 RR in half bottles and it was a perfectly good. So it must be a different bottle and cork they had this year.

 

[Steady]

I’ve had a case of the v16 RR in half bottles and it was a perfectly good. So it must be a different bottle and cork they had this year.

Yes, a new bottle

 

[samh004]

That's an impressive mark-up!

 

[Mynameismynameis]

One of my mates went for lunch there during the week, he's not even a member, and they offered him 3 BP.

 

[Steady]

One of my mates went for lunch there during the week, he's not even a member, and they offered him 3 BP.

They release BP via the CD every year at the beginning of March and anyone who calls in can buy 3 (a day)

 

[Mynameismynameis]

They release BP via the CD every year at the beginning of March and anyone who calls in can buy 3 (a day)

Awesome, I may go for a drive with a mate and grab an extra 3-6.

 

[chylee]

They release BP via the CD every year at the beginning of March and anyone who calls in can buy 3 (a day)

I called in this week but was told no, it is only available if you pop into the cellar door in person if you're Bud Burst or general public. BP isn't open for phone or mail order. Let me know if anyone else had a different experience?

 

[Steady]

I called in this week but was told no, it is only available if you pop into the cellar door in person if you're Bud Burst or general public. BP isn't open for phone or mail order. Let me know if anyone else had a different experience?

My post wasn't clear sorry - when I said via the CD I was meaning by visiting the CD.

My experience as a Bud Burst member was that I was only able to phone order these after I had been a member for a few years and had a purchase history of buying a little from their range one or two times a year.

 

[WrenchHammerMcTool]

My post wasn't clear sorry - when I said via the CD I was meaning by visiting the CD.

My experience as a Bud Burst member was that I was only able to phone order these after I had been a member for a few years and had a purchase history of buying a little from their range one or two times a year.

I can't comment on availability of products as a Bud Burst member but yes, 1 March each year they release the BP to general public. In more recent times this has been limited to 3 per person, pick up only (assuming if you went back another day/time you could get more). Stonewallers visiting in person from that date, like/no difference to, gen public, can get 3 more in addition to their original allocation.

I was up on the weekend and there was a truckload of people walking out with nice little 3 packs.

 

[Matt_01]

I was up on the weekend and there was a truckload of people walking out with nice little 3 packs.

I was planning a visit last weekend but after speaking with Rockfords choose not to. Will most likely visit this weekend it is only an hour and a bit up the road from my place.

 

[samh004]

I'll be visiting on Thursday this coming week for any Adelaidians (or out of town folk) who'd like to join myself and a few others. There are 3 seats left in the coach to the Barossa. Get in touch if you're interested.

 

[Buzzard]

I'll be visiting on Thursday this coming week for any Adelaidians (or out of town folk) who'd like to join myself and a few others. There are 3 seats left in the coach to the Barossa. Get in touch if you're interested.

If I was home I'd join you but I'm in NSW until May.

 

[VPS]

Just to follow up on the 375ml Basket Press. They still don't know why some are good and some aren't. I had gifted some bottles for Christmas and shared my case with some others and after discussion we decided to return the whole lot. The staff on the phone were fantastic and said I could keep them and return them in 5 years if they were faulty but I decided that wasn't going to work for me.

They sent me a reply paid sticker and I just took them to the post office and the money was back on my credit card in less than 48 hours. This was interesting because I bought them under another AFFer account (and gave his name) but didn't have to give my CC details again so they must keep the details somewhere.

What prompted this was I finally joined last year and just got my bud burst order form so just about to put in an order.

 

[Buzzard]

Just to follow up on the 375ml Basket Press. They still don't know why some are good and some aren't. I had gifted some bottles for Christmas and shared my case with some others and after discussion we decided to return the whole lot. The staff on the phone were fantastic and said I could keep them and return them in 5 years if they were faulty but I decided that wasn't going to work for me.

They sent me a reply paid sticker and I just took them to the post office and the money was back on my credit card in less than 48 hours. This was interesting because I bought them under another AFFer account (and gave his name) but didn't have to give my CC details again so they must keep the details somewhere.

What prompted this was I finally joined last year and just got my bud burst order form so just about to put in an order.

Did you try a bottle or two or just return them?

 

[VPS]

Did you try a bottle or two or just return them?

I returned the whole case. I didn’t really want to drink them now and wanted to save them for a couple of years time

 

[QF WP]

I received a letter from Rockford's today (dated 17th Dec) advising they have had a lot of feedback about bottle variation with the '18 RR and BP - specifically in the 375ml format, encouraging members to contact them to arrange the return and reimbursement for the cost and effort

(my bolding)

wow I got a dozen 375ml and 3 x 750ml. I'll give them a call

Issue was only with half bottles according to the letter. My father in law purchased a bunch at the lunch we were at. He's opened a few and not had any issues.

I'm quite curious as to what the issue is. It must have either been something about the bottles or corks used (do they use different corks for half bottles?). Or perhaps some contamination in the bottling line, assuming they didn't do all half bottling in one day. I don't think it would be a wine issue given it's two different wines and the common factor is bottle size.

I saw that letter too. I had one of the 375's in December and it was great so I'll hang onto mine and drink them. If I come across any issues I'll let them know but probably no point jumping the gun and sending them all back. They're pretty good on returns/refunds from what I have heard.

The issue appears to be random oxidation, I gather these are a half-sized version of the proprietary Rockford bottle, made/used for the first time, so maybe some neck size/internal shape variation allowing air ingress due to poor sealing with corks, which I'm told are quite small.

@Buzzard, this is the earlier chat about the issues with the 375ml bottles. Hard to know what is the appropriate thing todo, if it's random bad ones adn you're only opening it 5 years + down the track, would they still honour the refund policy.

 

[Buzzard]

@Buzzard, this is the earlier chat about the issues with the 375ml bottles. Hard to know what is the appropriate thing todo, if it's random bad ones adn you're only opening it 5 years + down the track, would they still honour the refund policy.

When I last spoke to Rockford I was informed that if I return them in 5 years time that's fine. During the conversation I did mention that 5 or so years will probably be the drinking window.
In almost 40 years of dealing with Rockford I've never had an issue.