Dirty South Wine

Wine Bloggers Conference 2010: Who Stole The Soul?

 

Pants on the ground!

Looking over the proposed panel topics for The 2010 Wine Bloggers Conference, I'm scratching my head...

WHO STOLE THE SOUL?!?

Last year a large complaint was that people felt the conference was made weird by creeper, lurker, non-blogger marketers and PR (think the dudes with their clothes on at the nude beach).  So this year, though 79% of attendees are bloggers, oddly a lot of the top sessions seem to be about or focused on what? Wine marketing.

Maybe I'm a weirdo (scratch that, I am a total weirdo), but what is the most useful thing about WBC? (Besides the "hell-yeah" free jungle-juice passed out between sessions by wines of Aruba-stan? Wine served in a life-sized pineapple!) No- It is hanging out and talking with other bloggers and finding out what they are all freaking jazzed about, and what will take this whole medium one or two steps further.  It isn't about marketing or riding the S.S. Gravy Train... It is about how to make more killer content and continuing to move the dial. 

I also want to get some time and hang with people like Jeff Lefevre, and Remy Charest,  who I only see at WBC-- free from panels, tastings, excursions.  I want to taste some wines that bloggers are fired about, and find out why.  I want to meet people face to face that I only know online, and walk away learning a shiz-ton from peeps I don't even know (but who put me in a sleeper hold when I try to show off my deep south Karate at 4AM in the hotel hallway... "Go to sleep! Go to sleep!").  Is there a session for that?

Don't turn this thing into a bowl of milk-toast. This is your chance to ride this sweaty unicorn of blawg-someness this to another level.  And who doesn't need more sweaty unicorn?

We have to face it-- Critics taste way more goo, pro writers write more eloquently, and bloggers are here to prove that via blog / tweet / vlog /or some sweet nurgle,  that it doesn't matter!

Hats off to the organizers and sponsors, because putting this together is not as easy task, but when it comes to content and time that bloggers influence (whether sessions or 'tween time), We should leave Walla Walla so freaking pumped-up that our pants don't fit! 

This isn't a boon-doggle, this is SPARTA!

What do you want out of WBC10?

(Other than a room far away from my late-night, pants on the ground, kara-tay!)

Wine Bloggers Bite The Big One!

(example 1.  Money being wasted on Wine Bloggers who have zero influence.  What are those? Grilled veggies?)

"Wine bloggers that don't know anything have zero influence whatsoever on the wine industry-  They don't sell wine / move cases... In fact they have anti-influence!  So much that whatever plonk they talk about, taste, and shill, creates a negative, anti-sales energy / force field around your wines... They're journalistic doppelgangers that don't deserve your attention, time, and specifically your resources and ad dollars.  Can you hold one moment while I transfer you to sales?

See, winebloggers are trying to take all the spotlight, ad money, and a few of these rat-finks actually want to make an income, or even a living from writing online! Gawt danged cheese and RICE!!!!!  How do they expect to do this?  Combined, their reach barely extends to the other 6 wine bloggers that subscribe to their drivelous wine blog , but still we must talk about them regularly...  If we don't publicly address the problem of blogs, someone upstairs is going to get really pissed, and when they get pissed, it starts raining Poop and chainsaws....  I mean, it totally sucks to get hit by a chainsaw, but even more when you're covered in POOP!  Bloggers, blobbers, these little, tiny, droolers, keep us from talking about wine...

These Caesar salad-eaters have no right to just say anything online-  How dare they?  We have responsibilities, editors,sales and marketing departments, and advertisers!  We get paid so we can be ethical!!! Most bloggers just have their mom and a never-ending pack of hot pockets they use to chase down with free samples of "Smoking Chupacabra Pinot Blend" (These guys blend in all the Pinots! Perfect for Millenials!) sent to them boondoggle style from Wines of Uruguayistan...  Heck, I wouldn't touch that plonk with their mother's mustache!

(example 2.  More money being wasted on Wine Bloggers-- They even had oysters! How many cases did those freakin' bivalves sell?)

Down in their basement lair, next to boxes of old TSR games, these half-bred, twits, manically type nothing but positive notes to get more free wine (some even write every day!!!!). Occasionally they huddle in secret society-like tweetups where when they are not tweeting to each other, they talk about how they tweet, what samples they got, and who is going to #crushit or #ownit this year. When they take a break from ignoring real, meaningful human interaction, they mumble to each other about how to take down traditional media, and how many free pens and snacks they are going to get at the 2010 Wine Bloggers Conference.  Most of these pigtailed, blobbers have no idea and have never been on a real junket before...  but that may get in the way of them tweeting, blogging and doing social media bullshanks..."

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All this talk in the past months of wine blogger influence always comes back to "Does it sell wine? Does it move cases?"  But this sounds more like traditional media reinforcing that they deserve (and need) ad revenue.  You know what, they probably do.  If you've got the scratch to give, and it is historically proven effective for you, place an ad with them.  If they've been successful at moving your wine, how could you possibly think not to advertise with them?  That is their goal after all, to sell your wine?

Don't get me wrong, I like, respect, and have friends in traditional media.  The BEST writers  and palates are still in traditional media.  They deserve support, attention, respect and praise.

But let's call this recent noise what it is... A fight for your money and eyeballs.

Most bloggers don't care if they ever get a dime from ads, cases of samples of non-vintage sparking scuppernong, or a moment of your time.  They do it for fun, for the camaraderie, and most importantly- for love of wine.  Some are great writers, some have zero influence, some are skilled tasters, others not...  but type in a search in google looking for a wine, and chances are they (or something communicated via social media or a social network) are going to pop up high on the search results.

I encourage anyone to spend their money where it works (just don't think about spending it here)...

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About the author:

Hardy Wallace is the world's least influential wine figure.  His blog Dirty South Wine may reach an audience of 2 billion people online, but no one besides other bloggers read it.  Though he is a champion wine blender, experienced culinary judge, master of "the forbidden dance", and has personally fought off 2 species of giant cat from the comfort of his luxury automobile, he can't write or score wine worth a hoot. 

When not wine blogging, he is tweeting to others about wine blogging.  When not eating hot pockets, he is heating up hot pockets and preparing to eat them.

Dawn Of The Catfish: A Disturbance in The Wine Blogoshpere

Something has been bugging me since the Wine Bloggers Conference... A disturbance in the force, a feeling that we are being invaded by a combination of part giant catfish (bottom feeders), snake-oil salesmen, and that many in the industry are wandering like zombies looking desperately for brains.

Without a ton of time to flesh out my thoughts, here are two highlights....

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I encountered a few things over the course of the conference that left me shaking my head.  A few enthusiastic individuals with no prior connections to the Wine Blogosphere positioning themselves as "blog brokers" to wineries-- That will connect wineries to the right bloggers (for a fee).  In one conversation, I was told that they would get wineries products into the hands of bloggers that would right something "good" about their wine.  WHAT?!?!?!?!?  What sort of crazy catfish stuff is that?  I'm biting my tongue to refrain from vulgarities.

On the flip-side, I also heard some chatter from eager bloggers saying they need to market themselves to wineries?  Good lord, why?  For samples? Freebies?  Preferential treatment?  I don't think there is a short cut to industry recognition-- Continually produce great content, be part of the ongoing conversation, and grow your audience. 

I need to clarify--  These are all things on the fringe.  On a whole, there is a healthy core of people providing great services (PR, Social Media,consulting, online strategy) and tons of bloggers producing incredible content.  We've reached a point where near desperation meets opportunism and people need to do some quick homework before writing checks or incurring costs.

Thoughts on The 2009 Wine Bloggers Conference

Hahn Estates Lisa "I invented Wine and Social Media" De Bruin, St. Supery's Rick "The Bacon Hammer of Napa Valley" Bakas, and this guy who refuses to be caught in a photo with his mouth shut.

If the 2008 Wine Bloggers Conference was our Monterey Pop Festival--  An explosion of ideas, people, connections and excitement.  The 2009 was a different creature.  At its core, vibrant, raucous, and charged, but with an odd layer of observation and distance.

The number of wineries attending was enormous.  It was as if everyone in the industry knew they had to be there, but once there, was unsure of what to do.    Instead of engaging,  many lined the dance floor, huddled in packs, and did not interact.  When they did, it was an awkward dance.  As a participant (who is both an independent blogger, and now working for a winery) this was totally bizarre.  My Saturday night dinner experience at Antica had most of the participating wineries (except Judd's Hill)  huddled at a single table away from the attendees.  It was as if someone invited you to a lavish party at their house, but they stayed in the living room watching TV.  This was a crazy-spectacular event (a highlight of my trip), but I feel like the sponsors could have got way more ROI by interacting, building relationships, and sharing in the experience.

Why am I writing this?  Because in order for social media to work-  you need to interact, you need to jump in, you need to be part of the conversation.  Ears are perked, eyes are open, but its time to dive in-- sink or swim.

The Open Wine Consortium and Zephyr Wine Adventures pulled off a heck of an event.  Barry Schuler's presentation at the CIA was legendary.  He gets it! (Both Wine and Social Media)  His presentation was worth the trip alone. 

 

Video: 2009 Wine Bloggers Conference

(Please Watch in HD)

Wine Bloggers Conference 2009-- In A Few Pictures

Still trying to get my head above water, but here are some great shots from the 2009 Wine Bloggers Conference.  What a wild weekend.

Grilling out at Antica on top of Atlas Peak in Napa....

Natural wine goddess Amy Atwood rockin' The N.P.A. Chardonnay


Crowd at the Wine Bloggers Conference-- 250 Wine Bloggers talking social media and wine.


Friend and online wine legend- Mike Wangbickler, aka Caveman Wines.
(dang, I came to party!)

I have hours of videos, and tons of shots.  I'll be getting some more serious content up on Tuesday when I make it back to the ATL.

Quick Shots from Sonoma

Tasting through 90 Cabernet Sauvignon barrel samples with Dave, Ben and Randy.  I have tasted Cab barrel samples before, but never 90 in a single two and a half hour sitting.  Pretty wild.  The speed at which they can accurately taste blows me away. 

Jimmy, from Eat It Atlanta is in town for the Wine Bloggers Conference.  After a few Racer 5's at John and Zeke's, we hit the bar at Cyrus.  Man...  Paul Bara Rose to start us off.

Some serious Silken Tofu delivering the yang to my yin!  (paired with Sake)

A crazy weekend in store with the Wine Bloggers Conference in town--  More shots and vids coming...  I have yet to slow this train down.

Shots of My New Outhouse!

I have an outhouse!

I apologize for the lack of updates over the last day and a half.  To say it has been nuts would be an understatement.  No whining here, just running wild and trying to do everything and get my thanks out to everyone.

The house in Healdsburg is awesome.  It comes with a working outhouse!  I mean, C'mon!  That raises the game to a whole new level! 

This weekend will be wild.  I pick up Jimmy from Eat It, Atlanta tomorrow.  He'll be the 1st official guest in the house and we'll be attending the Wine Bloggers Conference this weekend.

After I grab Jimmy, I will taste through about 90 Cabernet Sauvignon's with Dave Ready Jr and some other wine makers--  Even with spitting, I am expecting to get a little woozy.  I need to back in practice.

I will be posting a lot more this weekend from the Wine Bloggers Conference.

Again, I apologize for the light content, I just have been in constant motion for the last 36 hours. (But joyful motion!)

They Put Dirty On A Panel??? Oh Snap! Here Comes the 2nd Annual Wine Bloggers Conference

Ahh Yeah!  10 days until the 2nd Annual North American Wine Bloggers Conference!

For 3 Days, Sonoma and Napa will be overrun with 250 tweetin', blobbin', flippin', streamin', guzzlin' and spittin' wine bloggers.

More than a three day social event, it is a three day social media event-- If you can believe it, there is a pretty rigid and serious agenda.

Going last year as an attendee, I'm proud to say that this year, I will be a panelist-- On Video Content...  Frightening, huh?

Beyond Words: How Video Content is Changing the Wine World:
The wine business has been slow to embrace video for blogging, branding, marketing, or entertainment.  In this panel we’ll assess the state of video content in the wine world with people in the know.  Then drawing on examples from other sectors, we’ll predict where we are heading. Panelists include Bob Asher, TV Producer and founder of ChilmarkMedia and DrinkThisTV.com; Lisa M. deBruin (Hahn Family Winery and www.hahnwine.tv); Hardy Wallace, Dirty South Wine; and John McWeeny, TurnHere.com. Sponsored by the Wine Growers of Dry Creek Valley.

Was it this one that made them say "We need Dirty!"????

Dirty South Wine Workout Video on 12seconds.tv

I'm a firm believer that video content is a key component in the future of wine media.  I'm from the school of thought where you don't need to be a filmmaker to produce great video (sometimes referred to the school of thought that has no talent)- You just have to do it, and be able to do it quickly (both in production speed and in short videos). 

As fast as blogging has changed the voice of wine criticism, I think video is going to change they way we blog.

Video has yet to take a firm hold in Wine Blogging.  Along with the epic Gary Vaynerchuk who has been doing video since day 1, here are two wine video blogs I view regularly and really enjoy.

Prince of Wine
Wine Chat TV

Also-- I'm playing with a new camera this week too. (Please watch in HD)

Old And In The Way? The Wine Advocate Gets Even Grumpier

Gawt damned! Is there a shortage of Geritol? Why are the old folk all so cranky?

The independent consumer advocate, market maker, and wine critic, Robert Parker (and staff) has taken some lumps and made some swings in the past few weeks-- Mostly surrounding ethics (his and others).

Like him or not, or agree with his palate or not, Robert Parker has earned my respect.  He was a pioneering, extremely successful, self-made, consumer advocate in an industry that pre-Parker was filled with some serious BS (not that we are now free from serious BS).  Parker is arguably the world's most influential critic in any market.  But-- disagree with his opinion (or that of his staff) and prepare for a low blow to your credibility and expertise.

On eRobertParker.com, (of which I am still a paid member of  actually just canceled tonight- This B is finally gettin' a TIVO!!!) his bulletin board the "Mark Squires' Bulletin Board" has long been critical of those who disagree or speak up. Threads deleted, dissenters kicked off, and questions and threads erased (some of my favorite bloggers have been booted for disagreeing with the Wine Advocate.  Some have never been heard from again.)

In the past few weeks, the transparency of the Wine Advocate has been questioned, and the responses have been quite entertaining (if watching seniors beat their chests is fun to you).  For a publication that declares transparency, and the highest of ethical standards, some trips, dinners, and cavorting have seem to have raised some eyebrows and and people have tried to ask if these are in violation of their high ethical standards.

Usually I keep my nose out of stuff like this, but some of Parker's recent comments on wine blogs and the upcoming Wine Bloggers Conference were offensive, hypocritical, and a sign that Parker, the independent consumer advocate, is perhaps primarily the Parker advocate.

In a thread attacking wine bloggers (which is fine with me, everyone is fair game), Robert Parker personally weighs in on the upcoming Wine Bloggers Conference, Wine Bloggers, and the wine industry buying favor of the sea of bloggers. 

What bothers me is not his criticism, but that he declares "blobbers" as misinformed, distorters of the truth, and spreaders of falsehoods all over the net.  But he says this  right after he falsely insinuates that the wine industry is picking up accommodations, travel, and providing even more than a "sloppy wet kiss" to throngs of unwashed at the upcoming Wine Bloggers Conference.  Then he knocks the bevvy hungry sponsors that have been snubbed by the Wine Advocate (who only reviews the creme de la creme of the wine world) and who must bottomfeed to find other outlets, and then also that wine bloggers must be in bed with the CA wine industry... But isn't this a distortion of the truth and the spreading of falsehoods to his paying customers to try and protect his value?  I guess Bob won't be the keynote at the conference this year....  (PS- I wish someone would pick up my travel, the Dirty South Wine revenue stream has all been going to charity).

Like it or not, no one has the influence of Robert Parker (today).  But--The market of consumers that is actually still growing, are less familiar with the Wine Advocate, and far more apt to listen to free commentary of Gary Vaynerchuk, Alder Yarrows, Alice Feiring, Lyle Fass and dozens of others before plopping down money for a subscription to Parker.

Are things coming unwound at the Wine Advocate? 

And does anyone who reads a wine blog really care?