The Evolution of Wine Public Relations and Social Media

This past June, I had the good fortune of attending the Wine Bloggers’ Conference in Walla Walla, WA. Over the course of three days, many of my long held beliefs about wine PR were turned upside down, as well as most of my public relations plan (both short and long-term) for Dry Creek Vineyard. Let me explain.

Future of Chardonnay, ‘Drinkable’ and ‘Balanced’

En route to the first Chardonnay Symposium the city of Santa Maria appeared in all its incarnations. Hosted at Bien Nacido Vineyards’ historic Adobe, the morning began, like most in this winemaking region, wrapped in tangible veils of fog.

Prop 8: What Are You Drinking?

Judge Vaughn R. Walker, a George H.W. Bush appointee and Chief Judge of the Northern District of California, issued his ruling on Perry v. Schwartenegger, better known as “the Prop 8 case.” Arnold Schwarzenegger was the named defendant as Governor of California. As an interesting side-note, he celebrated “his” defeat, saying the ruling “affirms the [...]

An Ode to Rosé

A fine rosé is a wonderful thing. Not only does it massage the palate, but it’s also an intellectual exercise, a philosophical study, and a work of art. That’s a lot of gravitas for what’s often dismissed as a lightweight pink wine.

Tasting Méthode Champenoise Sparkling Wine from Long Island and the Finger Lakes

In some ways, New York’s wine regions are ideal for making sparkling wine. The generally cool weather—combined with lake effect in the Finger Lakes and ocean breezes in Long Island—allows grapes to ripen slowly with gorgeous aromatics and natural acidity.

A Glimpse of Suisun Valley’s Diversity

For my 40th birthday I took a much-needed get away to Napa. We visited my friend Jeff Miller and his wife Beryl. Jeff lives in Napa and grows and makes wines in the Suisun Valley AVA under several labels: Seven Artisans, Sly Dog Cellars, and Red Côte.

The Next Generation of Rhône Rangers

For three days every May, winemakers and wine enthusiasts gather in Paso Robles, California, for the largest international celebration of Rhône wines in the world. Now in its nineteenth year, the Hospice du Rhône’s seminars, exhibits, and large- scale wine tastings attract throngs of eager attendees.

New Packaging Materials As Diverse As Wine Inside

Wine labels used to be as austere as fine Chablis, and bottles as heavy as one of Babe Ruth’s bats. The aura was highly classical, with labels displaying coats of arms, Renaissance-style lettering, and lines as fine as those inscribed by monks wearing dark robes and wielding goose-quill pens.

And then came the wind-down of the 20th century.

32 Days of Natural Wine: An Interview with Cory Cartwright

Today Cory Cartwright of Saignée launches 32 Days of Natural Wine, his second annual series celebrating natural wine. We asked Cory to tell us about the project.

Three ‘Second Cities’ Host Dinners with Iconic Italian Winemakers

“Second city” tours and “unprecedented access” are the keys and keywords employed by high-profile Italian winemakers to meet the challenges of a tough market.

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