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Gary Vaynerchuk: Walla Walla Thanks You and Farewell

Catie McIntyre Walker — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:40:06 +0000

Last Tuesday, August 23, 2011 many “Vayniacs” watched Gary Vaynerchuk bring to his audience his final goodbye.

Gary came onto the wine scene through Wine Library TV in February 21, 2006 and from there he held us captive. This was a significant and controversial time in wine journalism as we watched, not only Gary come onto the scene, but many wine bloggers, as well. After 1,000 episodes of Wine Library TV, the show was retired in March 2011 and we followed him to his new video project called “The Daily Grape” for 89 episodes.He was his own human infomercial with his strong enthusiastic New Jersey accent as he shrieked at his audience like a used car salesman or a mattress king, and those of us who were fortunate enough to meet Gary in person we found him to be soft-spoken, sweet and rather humble. He left us with the impression that he truly did care about his fans – - his “Vayniacs.”

Gary had the ability to break those “snooty” wine barriers for novices and younger generations of wine lovers like no other wine critic could do. The proof that he really cared about wine and his fans was when he told his audience, with conviction that there was always going to be a wine bully and he wanted to “punch them in the face.”

“The one person who did read the Wine Spectator, who tells you what to drink and why the ’97 is better than the ’98. I want to punch the wine bully in the face,” he says. “I want to make sure this generation of wine drinkers isn’t élitist and snotty. I want it to be about family and bringing people together.”

Gary taught us a new set of wine vocabulary such as: sniffy-sniff, oak monster, and pop-pop-pop. He improvised wine tasting as we were introduced to non-traditional sensory and flavor profile names such as: sheep butt, road kill (dead deer on road …cut off flesh), old dirty socks, sweat, rocks, dirt, Nerd candy and Big League Chew gum. He even went as far as to sniff armpits, lick rocks and eat dirt to get his point across.

Those of us who didn’t know a thing about football, would soon be kept up on the scores and schedules of the New York Jets as, not only would he wear the Jet jerseys, but even his spit bucket was adorned with hunter green and white decals of his beloved football team.

“Gary Vay! Ner! Chuk!,” as he often introduced himself at the beginning of his videos, inspired many of us wine geeks to film our own talking head videos, to author books, grasp social media and to seize the opportunity to become entrepreneurs. In August 06, 2008, I was thrilled to be able to interview Gary in Four Wine Questions For: Gary Vaynerchuk

We watched Gary on main stream TV such as “Ellen” and also “Conan.” We kept up on his new books and we all awaited the birth of his first child in 2009 – a girl. His audience followed him around the world and he never forgot about Washington State Wine Country and even reminded his audience in one video with a handwritten poster behind him that said “Wash St. is REAL”.

In one of the many videos he would eventually do about Washington State, Gary even filmed in front of the Qwest Field in Seattle in a smack down of Washington State vs New York Riesling (you’ll have to watch to find out who the winner was).

Gary once said, “Walla Walla, Washington is the most exciting thing happening to wine in the country.”

And Gary proved it with his many videos about Walla Walla wines, in particular Finding Walla Walla, Walla Walla College Cellars in Five Colleges Battle it Out and A Very Cool Winemaker – our very own Charles Smith.

Thank you Gary for blazing a trail for many of us wine bloggers, vloggers and pod casters. Thank you for giving wine lovers, and especially new wine lovers, the confidence to learn, to enjoy and the ability to express themselves about wine. No doubt, we will see you again. Best wishes in the next chapter of your life.

Spring Release Weekend dos and don’ts

Catie McIntyre Walker — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:50:42 +0000

It’s that time of year again, when we make our lists and we check them twice, trying to find out which wines are naughty or nice. That’s right. It’s Spring Release in Walla Walla!

We love our wine tourists from near and far. We want you to get the most of your Spring Release Weekend. Now, you have probably heard all of these tips from me before, but here are some easy Do’s and Don’ts to ensure a great weekend for you and everybody.

Do hydrate-hydrate-hydrate. Drink lots of water and your head will thank you for it.

Do eat a big breakfast. This isn’t the time to be all dainty and munch on a granola bar. You are going to need some fuel to contain the wine so make it a biscuits-and-sausage gravy-kind of breakfast. Okay, if you insist, make it a Kobe beef striploin, foie gras hash browns and quail eggs paired with espresso. But you get my point.

Do step away from the fragrance. You may not be able to smell yourself, but everyone in the tasting room can, making their Merlot taste like grandpa’s “Old Spice.”

Don’t forget a designated driver. And seriously, even if you have a designated driver, what is the point of visiting 15 wineries in one day? Even after five wineries the palate begins to fatigue after several tastes and you become obnoxious. So pimp the ride, but un-pimp the ‘tude.

Do keep your cell phone ring off and if you must keep it on so your Secret Service people can keep track of you (because we know how important you are), at least keep it on vibrate. And if you must talk on your phone, please take it outside so your call doesn’t distract from the tasting room ambiance. Nobody wants to hear about how many poo-poos Johnny made in his diaper.

Do keep an open your mind to wine. Seriously. Don’t be turning your nose up at the tasting room staff when they ask if you would like to try a chardonnay, riesling or a pretty pink rosé. Taste it. Who knows? You might even like it. And it’s okay for real men to drink rosés. Really.

Do join a wine club. There are many great wine clubs in the Walla Walla Valley offering affordable memberships with discounts and special one of a kind releases. It’s also a great way to get in on some fabulous wine club events that will leave long lasting memories.

And one more thing. In the words of Robert Fulgham’s All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten : Share everything, play fair, don’t hit people, put things back where you found them, clean up your own mess, don’t take things that aren’t yours, hold hands when you cross the streets, say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody, wash your hands before you eat and flush.

Have a great time in the Walla Walla Valley!

WINO Magazine shares 21 reasons to visit Walla Walla

Carlos — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:04:04 +0000

The folks over at WINO Magazine give Walla Walla some love and share some of the things they think make our region great.

1. The Winery Incubator
2. Sleight of Hand Cellars
3. Waterbrook Winery
4. Sweet Valley Wines
5. Ash Hollow Winemaker
6. Merchants Deli
7. Vintage Cellars
8. Silence is Golden
9. Petit Creek Cellars
10. Tamarack Cellars
11. Five Star Cellars
12. Va Piano
13. Sapolil Cellars
14. The Inside Scoop
15. K Vintners
16. Walla Walla Sweets
17. Basel Cellars
18. Trust Cellars
19. Saviah Cellars
20. Fuel
21. Juniper Guest House

Read the full article here.

Feast Walla Walla Live

Carlos — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:53:07 +0000

Streaming live video from Feast Walla Walla taking place in beautiful downtown Walla Walla. We’ll be talking to talented local winemakers and chefs. And we’ll also be grabbing random visitors to find out what they think about the wine and food on display. Tune in starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 11. And don’t forget to join in the chat below.

Live video by Ustream

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