sdrealtor, you are right about relationships with the merchants, I am a huge supporter of drinking your way inside. The independant merchants as well as the independant winemakers have a passion for their wine, once they see you share it, they treat you differently. Those after hours tasting events are great for finding what you like.

I’m pretty blessed for living within 5 miles of 30 wineries. They all have a wine club and for a local it makes sense to join, for about $180 a year, you get 2 bottles every other month and you and a guest drink free all year, plus they always have a variety of events. I maintain 2 memberships at all times and rotate them every six months to a year, before going to dinner or if anyone is visiting from out of town, a tasting trip is an absolute must. Weekdays at the wineries is a whole different ballgame, tip the pourer big at the onset, develop a rep and they break out the winethief (a turkey baster like contraption) and hit the barrels in the back.