REPLY ON RONDSTADT from Wente Vinyards

email | 7/29/04 | Carolyn Wente

[locochupacabra]

Thank you for sharing your views on politics from the stage. We couldn't agree more. When we hired Ms. Ronstadt many months ago, we had no inkling of her political views or that she would use our stage to voice them to our patrons. Certainly Ms. Ronstadt's political views are not a reflection of our own. We absolutely support our brave service men and women overseas and veterans of past conflicts; in fact my own father served our country during WWII and, while he was not in combat, my husband served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. As you know, the fact that Ms. Ronstadt was expected to make some political commentary was known to us and to our patrons early in the week, and we did consider asking her not to dedicate her song to Mr. Moore. In the end, we decided that that might incite more rather than less comment from the stage. In addition, we were fully prepared to cancel the concert if a significant number of our guests had requested refunds or exchanges prior to the event. You should know that 100% of those patrons who called to request exchanges or credits for their ticket purchases received them in advance of the event. There was absolutely no consideration of money over principle; it was a case of respecting every American's right to free speech---whether it is voiced at a time or place we wish to hear it or not. It was also a case of respecting our patron's right to make their own choice to attend or not. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to set the record straight.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Wente

[clintonh8r]

Thanks for posting this. I will definitely try Wente wines.

[Servant of the 9]

Good to see this.

We had discussed going to one of their concerts this summer and were glad we hadn't when we saw the Rondstadt mess.

SO9

[ridesthemiles]

This announcement took to 2 weeks to prepare and release?
Are they too used to fine wines taking time to create?

"No apology released before it's time"???

I won't buy a single product they produce. They had time between her antics in Las Vegas and their event to cancel her or to replace her with another performer. This is total garbage, IMO.

[N. Theknow]

There was absolutely no consideration of money over principle; it was a case of respecting every American's right to free speech---whether it is voiced at a time or place we wish to hear it or not.

Gee sounds as though Wente is "French" wine.

May their profits become "Gone With The Wente."

[mcg1969]

I would disagree with ridesthemiles here. I think this was a very balanced and appropriate response. I hardly think it would have been reasonable for them to cancel the entire concert in such a short time frame---they may not have even been able to contractually. I would argue that Wente's patrons also had ample time between the Vegas concert and this one to make up their mind whether to attend, burn their tickets, or seek a refund. And I think it is quite honorable for Wente to honor requests for refunds, since they would not have been obligated to do so.

[Voltage]

Freedom of speech? If a singer went on stage and instead of singing, just grunted for an hour would that be considered freedom of speech?

We also have freedom to destroy our careers, by doing a poor job, by displeasing our 'customers'. Is that a freedom to brag about? I guess they think it is.

[vetvetdoug]

She could have told you to shove it. I think the fact you have a positive response that gives her frank opinion of the situation is refreshing. Two weeks? That is pretty fast IMHO.

[Michael.SF.]

Wente sets the schedule for their entire summer series months in advance, as I am sure all of you realize. I agree with those that feel they are being responsive and forthright. You can also bet the Ms. Ronstat will not be returning.

For those who want to try their wines, their Chardonay is excellent.

[mcg1969]

Freedom of speech? If a singer went on stage and instead of singing, just grunted for an hour would that be considered freedom of speech?

Well, yes...

...but it would likely be grounds for a complete refund of all tickets :)

...and it would have been hailed by the NEA as performance art :)

[datakcy]

"We also have freedom to destroy our careers, by doing a poor job, by displeasing our 'customers'. Is that a freedom to brag about? I guess they think it is."

Good point. What if I as a network engineer and architect decided to share my political views openly via a pop-up screen when users logon? I think I'd be shown the door fairly quickly.

As a Sunday School teacher I don't think my political views during a Bible study would be appreciated by the ministry.

If Ms. Rondstadt wants to attend a political rally, sing, and share her perspective on the current state of affairs in America, God bless her. But if I am going out for entertainment and relaxation and am going to spend $$ dollars - I don't want to hear political rants from either the right, the left, or the in-between.

Let them give free concerts and use them as forums for their personal views OR make it clear when advertising that the PAID concert is going to be a political indoctrination harangue.

[Non-Sequitur]

They had time between her antics in Las Vegas and their event to cancel her or to replace her with another performer.

And you had time between her antics in Las Vegas and the date of the concert to request, and receive, a complete refund for tickets bought for the concert. Nobody forced anyone to attend.

[Redbob]

Oh, it was a "balanced" response, alright; one might even say it was "nuanced" or "carefully crafted."

The point of this response, if it can be said to have a point, was to avoid offending anyone, and definitely to avoid taking a stand or a position.

Do you see any criticism in it of Ms. Ronstadt?

Definitely French. No need for me to buy any Wente wines.

[Grampa Dave]

COMMUNITY LEADERS

The family isn't known to be particularly political, despite Carolyn Wente's former marriage to Democratic Rep. Pete Stark. They aren't big country club setters, preferring dinners at home and with friends to high society affairs.

We have known a woman who is a very close relative for decades. The Wente family has been a democrat family forever. The woman we know and her husband are old time democrats. Some of their children are the new rats.

[mcg1969]

I'm sure they'll miss your business. </sarcasm>

[Grampa Dave]

A quick search of campaign donations the past federal elections show that GW and the republicans got most of the money from Eric Wente.

Some money went to local rat and a rat congressit, Tauscher, Ellen.
.

http://www.opensecrets.org/indivs/search.asp?NumOfThou=0&txtName=Wente&txtState=CA&txtZip=&txtEmploy=Wente+Vineyards&txtCand=&txt2004=Y&txt2002=Y&txt2000=Y&Order=N

[clintonh8r]

Thanks for the inside info. Formerly married to Pete Stark....some things are beyond human imagination.

[Grampa Dave]

"Formerly married to Pete Stark....some things are beyond human imagination."

Yep, if a fiction writer came up with the reality of the liberals, we would laugh at the writer and call them a nut on drugs.

[JRios1968]

Actually, considering the area of the country that Wente Wineyards is located, Ms Wente's reply is tactful and timely. The wineyard is located less than 30 minutes drive from San Francisco, and Alameda County is just another hotbed of liberalism in N California.

I have been to a wedding at Wente, and the father of the bride praised Jean Francois Kerry during his remarks. The staff was very prompt in letting him know that such speech was unwarranted in their property.

That being said, I still like Sebastiani and Talus wines better than Wente.