la.foodblogging

The first report about the HBO Wine Giveaway has rolled in. Commenter Brad tells us:

I got the half bottle at the Stinking Rose last night. There where no cards on the table, I had to ask for the wine, the sever wanted to know how I knew about it. From the looks of it they where only giving it out to select people. We only saw one other couple the whole night get one, there must have been 10 tables that we saw leave without one. I wonder what the profile is on who they give it to? You are not allowed to drink the wine at the resturant.

First of all, GO BRAD! Good for you for having the gumption to ask for the promo. Second, I wonder what the giveaway criteria is for the vino, who do they offer it to?. Third, lame that you can’t drink the wine at the restaurant, my apologies to anyone who thought they were getting free wine with dinner.

Now I’m curious, what are the rules of the giveaway? Is it like McDonald’s Monopoly game? Can I write my name and address on a 3×5 inch index card and get a bottle in the mail? You can ship wine in California right?

Hmm, a little more digging finds this article which explains that:

HBO, a premium TV network, is targeting 21- to 55-year-olds with high incomes through the promotion.

Interesting. If you want to ensure yourself a half bottle, perhaps you should bring along a paystub and recent credit report. Or tip the valet and have him tell the waiter that you pulled up in the Black Austin Martin outside.

“In all, 11,460 bottles will be handed out.”

If you want to go try out your own luck, Eater LA does have a list of the participating restaurants, however I don’t know where they got it or how accurate it is, use at your own risk. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t reuse the list without implied oral consent.

By Jonah (see more of his posts). Jonah is the founder of la.foodblogging and also created Digesty, a food blog aggregator and Cheww.com, a spam free foodblog search engine.