Originally Posted by
zebranz
I would have informed the restaurant of a vertical tasting and requested the additional glasses -but I would pay something or ask if an extra tip for the wait staff would be appropriate.
And 1 additional setting for the sommelier!
I agree, offer to the owner or restaurant host to pay for the additional glasses.
Alternatively, you could have discreetly told your guest that corkage fees were waived only because you knew the owner of the restaurant and you didn't want to take advantage of his generosity. The success of that plan depends on how well you know your guest and if he would be sympathetic -- and either back down or offer to tip, etc.
You could try the alternative first and have the first (and best) plan as your backup.