tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-304945378109682963.post4636197140410698887..comments2023-10-31T07:50:55.973-07:00Comments on The Grumpy Winemaker: Wine Boogers Conference aka Wine Bloggers Conference (WBC to insiders)The Grumpy Winemakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904163526794950194noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-304945378109682963.post-71501222529461188262010-07-09T07:32:46.964-07:002010-07-09T07:32:46.964-07:00Thanks, Gail! Don't make too much noise...Nap...Thanks, Gail! Don't make too much noise...Napa used to be quaint and laid-back.<br /><br />Sad that we don't get much distribution in Atlanta (esp. for such a big market), but I understand that much is small production, and why sell at a wholesale price when one can sell at a retail price to visitors and club members, while not risking shipment damage, etc. (shame on us for recognizing this as a business, right?).<br /><br />Would love to come by. Too much to see and too little time. But, have had family in Kennewick for 35 years, so I should probably pop by and say hey.<br /><br />JoeJoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11188665746443591632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-304945378109682963.post-42166287924504206222010-07-08T10:40:21.248-07:002010-07-08T10:40:21.248-07:00Thanks Joe, nice to see someone reads this - well,...Thanks Joe, nice to see someone reads this - well, lots of people read this, they just don't comment. Google Analytics knows who you are. <br />You are right about Wine Yakima Valley shelling out the dough. With over 50 members, they have some. The Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail www.rattlesnakehills.com only has 17 and most of our bucks go to the directors salary. Come visit us some day. Quietly making fine wine for 25 years.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18105286406593549915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-304945378109682963.post-72165527756169635012010-07-07T10:19:54.624-07:002010-07-07T10:19:54.624-07:00I think you have some good arguments here. Many (...I think you have some good arguments here. Many (most) bloggers are (hopefully) not trying to be professional wine writers. Many just love wine, like to write, and would consider themselves "hobbyists". <br /><br />While I think doing the research and not putting blatently false information out on one's blog is critical, any sort of conversation about Washington wine is good press, right? I agree the omission of a visit to the Rattlesnake Hills AVA was a shame, and I'd be naive to think that the vintners' organization who shelled out the dough got the publicity, but where I live (Atlanta), it's shocking to think that some people don't even realize that Washington makes wine (and good wine at that).<br /><br />I hope my readers (most who comment are other bloggers, but there's a bit of a local following) have at least been exposed to the notion that the Evergreen State can easily match wits with California in quality wine production. Even if just a few seek out something other that Ch. Ste. Michelle/Columbia Crest/Hogue, isn't that a bit of a victory in the battle for awareness? That's marketing 101, and I totally agree that wine is a BUSINESS (something some folks seem to forget). I imagine the investment in bloggers is minimal as well, so hopefully the ROI is justified.<br /><br />Anyway, I can certainly ramble. Just wanted to let you know that I think you make some good points, but I disagree that at least experimenting with some social marketing is a complete waste of time. I think it's overdone and misunderstood and misused in many cases, but- if like any marketing effort- using SM is calculated and measured, it can be beneficial, and the blogging community can be part of that success.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />Joe Herrig<br />www.suburbanwino.comJoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11188665746443591632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-304945378109682963.post-13379430342911622612010-07-07T10:19:11.080-07:002010-07-07T10:19:11.080-07:00I think you have some good arguments here. Many (...I think you have some good arguments here. Many (most) bloggers are (hopefully) not trying to be professional wine writers. Many just love wine, like to write, and would consider themselves "hobbyists". <br /><br />While I think doing the research and not putting blatently false information out on one's blog is critical, any sort of conversation about Washington wine is good press, right? I agree the omission of a visit to the Rattlesnake Hills AVA was a shame, and I'd be naive to think that the vintners' organization who shelled out the dough got the publicity, but where I live (Atlanta), it's shocking to think that some people don't even realize that Washington makes wine (and good wine at that).<br /><br />I hope my readers (most who comment are other bloggers, but there's a bit of a local following) have at least been exposed to the notion that the Evergreen State can easily match wits with California in quality wine production. Even if just a few seek out something other that Ch. Ste. Michelle/Columbia Crest/Hogue, isn't that a bit of a victory in the battle for awareness? That's marketing 101, and I totally agree that wine is a BUSINESS (something some folks seem to forget). I imagine the investment in bloggers is minimal as well, so hopefully the ROI is justified.<br /><br />Anyway, I can certainly ramble. Just wanted to let you know that I think you make some good points, but I disagree that at least experimenting with some social marketing is a complete waste of time. I think it's overdone and misunderstood and misused in many cases, but- if like any marketing effort- using SM is calculated and measured, it can be beneficial, and the blogging community can be part of that success.<br /><br />Cheers!<br /><br />Joe Herrig<br />www.suburbanwino.comJoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11188665746443591632noreply@blogger.com