Why Do Winery Instagram Feeds Suck So Much?

Published on May 19, 2019

Okay guys, let’s sit down and have a heart-to-heart here for a moment. I’ve been breaking up with a lot of you via Instagram by unfollowing your winery accounts. And, yeah, it’s you and not me. Simply put, a lot of your winery Instagrams aren’t worth a damn following. Now I’m not saying that my own personal IG is gold. Don’t bother going there looking for inspiration or ammo. But I’m not selling anything. I…

Published on May 19, 2019
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60 Second Wine Review — Arthur Metz Cuvee Prestige

Published on May 17, 2019

A few quick thoughts on the Arthur Metz Cuvee Prestige Cremant d’Alsace. The Geekery Founded in Marlenheim in 1904, Arthur Metz was an early pioneer of sparkling Cremant d’Alsace. However, he wasn’t the first with Julien Dopff of Dopff au Moulin likely beating Metz by a couple of years after being inspired by the wines of Champagne while visiting the 1900 Paris Universal Exposition. However, there is some evidence that Alsatian winemakers were making sparkling…

Published on May 17, 2019
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Fake Wine and Real Boobs

Published on May 16, 2019

Does sex still sell? It used to be hard to argue against appealing to one of humanity’s most basic instincts. In many marketing campaigns–after hunger and security–a little titillation was the salt that added spice to a brand’s identity. But recent trends suggest that we are slowly moving away from these Cro-Magnon conventions.  Several studies have shown diminishing returns for ad campaigns that focus on overt sexual imagery. In some cases, they can even promote…

Published on May 16, 2019
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Sculpting Soapstone in Napa

Published on May 11, 2019

I wrapped up my week-long press tour of the Stags Leap District yesterday. You can look forward to me spending the next couple months working through my notes in between other writings and reviews. For those that want a sneak peek of some of the insights and themes that I’ll be writing about check out the SpitBucket Instagram page. There I’ve posted pictures and thoughts from many of the wineries that I’ve visited. Before the…

Published on May 11, 2019
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min read 60 Second Reviews, Napa Valley

60 Second Wine Review — Hunt & Harvest Picpoul

Published on May 9, 2019
by  in 60 Second Reviews, Napa Valley
A few quick thoughts on the 2016 Hunt & Harvest Picpoul from Rutherford in Napa Valley. The Geekery Hunt & Harvest is the new label of Chris Hall of Long Meadow Ranch fame. Along with Dan O’Brien (formerly of Larkmead and owner of Gail Wines in Sonoma), Hall created the label to produce varietal wines from various vineyards in Napa Valley. In addition to the Picpoul, they also produce a Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet…
min read Millennials, Napa Valley, Wine marketing

Napa Valley — Boomer or Bust?

Published on May 6, 2019
by  in Millennials, Napa Valley, Wine marketing
I’ve entered the lion’s den. This week I will be in Napa assisting Kenneth Friedenreich, author of Oregon Wine Country Stories, with research on the Stags Leap District for the sequel in his Decoding the Grape series. Surprisingly, no one has written a dedicated book about the district yet. With 2019 being the 30th anniversary of the AVA’s establishment, a deep dive into the legacy and future of this influential region seems long overdue. That…
min read Millennials, Wine critics, Wine marketing

The Folly of Price-Blind Scoring

Published on May 2, 2019
by  in Millennials, Wine critics, Wine marketing
Walk into a grocery store or wine shop and take a look around. You’re going to see tags–lots of tags–with wine scores. Usually, they’re at least 90 points because, these days, getting 90 points is akin to spelling your name right on the exam. Good job, Johnny. Gold star for you. Now I’m not going to dive into another drivel about the scourge of score inflation or the silliness of points. Instead, let’s talk about…