There is so much going on at a Wine Bloggers Conference that it would be impossible to report on everything.
- Loads of keynotes and conferences
- Fair bit of wine tasting
- And more importantly a lot of sharing and meeting with the wine world’s blogosphere.
This year, I was the lucky recipient of the EthniFacts Diversity Scholarship.
This scholarship aims at encouraging ethnic, gender, and cultural diversity in the North American Wine Bloggers Conference attendees. I wasn’t the only male, or the only white man there, but the fact is that I was the only Frenchman, and one of the very few Europeans there too (I counted 3 of us).
I am therefore feeling even more thankful to the scholarship committee and Ethnifacts for supporting my long trip from the sunny South of France to the hot plains of Lodi wine country where the conference was held. Find out more about the WBC sponsors and my thankfulness to them in …
But what is the Wine Bloggers Conference all about?
This is what it was all about for me in Lodi 2016 edition:
Loads of Conferences about How to Blog about Wine Better
The WBC runs over 2.5 days filled with many conferences and keynotes on various topics.
I attended quite a few, and reported particularly on the 2 following ones via blog posts, I learnt about making better videos, and even got a chance to interview a Master Sommelier.
Click on the images or links below to read more:
How to Become a Successful Wine Blogger? Introductory Keynote by Andrea Robinson MS
Zinfandel Blending Workshop at 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference #WBC16
Making #wine videos with Smartphone by Mary Orlin
Find Mary Orlin aka @WineFashionista on Twitter
Great keynote about making#wine videos ?? at #WBC16
Thanks much @winefashionista ??? pic.twitter.com/RtFh7uTglC— Julien Miquel #Wine (@JMiquelWine) August 13, 2016
Quick Interview with Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson MS at #WBC16
Lots of Tasting Wines
One of the highlights of the 2016 Wine Bloggers conference were the ‘Live Wine Blogging’ workshops, or as many called it the ‘Speed Tasting’.
The principle is simple, 5 minutes to:
- be introduced to a wine by its producer
- Taste and review the wine
- Post about it on social media
And this is repeated about 10 times in a row with different wines.
Hectic, but fun! Here are a couple of wines I liked and shared about on social:
Smooth Fruit-Bomb Malbec from Oregon
With a characterful edge
Nice Unexpected Discovery #wdc16 by @TroonWines #wine pic.twitter.com/vz6yIvbKGI— Julien Miquel #Wine (@JMiquelWine) August 13, 2016
Enjoying a nice delicate surprisingly-fresh Chardonnay #wine from @lodiwines by @peiranowinery at #WBC16 #California pic.twitter.com/Airx4WHqQQ
— Julien Miquel #Wine (@JMiquelWine) August 12, 2016
There was also great opportunities for tasting and reviewing wines at and around the event.
Here are three wines from WBC supporters I thoroughly reviewed for Social Vignerons.
2013 Cultivar Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
2015 Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc
2014 Estate Crush Colarossi Family Vineyard Old Vine Wine Blogger Reserve Zinfandel
Plenty of tasty networking and fun opportunities
Because when you put a bunch of wine bloggers and lovers together…
There has to be some sharing and laughing involved:
Such a joy to meet these awesome people at #wbc16 @JMiquelWine @damewine @talkavino @jamesonfink @thegourmez #wine pic.twitter.com/hpNQ8m92tS
— Michelle Williams (@Fiery01Red) August 15, 2016
Keeping the #WBC16 #selfie patrol rolling w/ @TheWineHub & @jmiquelwine! Missing #Lodi alr… https://t.co/piyd9cXTHf pic.twitter.com/EOM6GSTB8I
— Wine Antics (@WineAntics) August 19, 2016
So great catching up at the @RameyWineCellar & @rsvineyards #WBC16 after party! @travelwinechick @JMiquelWine #wine pic.twitter.com/5bQRrMyXC3
— The Fermented Fruit (@TheFermtdFruit) August 12, 2016
2013 @Cultivarwine Cabernet $29. #WBC16 approachable but serious with a price point that excites. Solid effort! pic.twitter.com/ma2PntdZBL
— The Drunken Cyclist (@masi3v) August 13, 2016
Amazing and stunningly friendly dinner party at Bokisch Vineyards in the Lodi wine countryside
One of the absolute highlights for me was a wonderful dinner set up by Markus Bokisch in the wonderful Californian landscape of Bokisch Vineyards.
His wines are wonderful, all of them really. And his hospitality has no equivalent!
#California Features AMAZING Vineyard Sunsets
Had a Wonderful Time #WBC16 in @lodiwines at Bokish Vyrds
#WineLover pic.twitter.com/5lpGsQLpGT— Julien Miquel #Wine (@JMiquelWine) August 18, 2016
Fun & Tasty Dinner at #WBC16 with the great team of Charles Communications
Thanks for the awesome company and fun times guys!
Image below featuring delicious young lady Kimberly Charles, Sommelier Christopher Sawyer, Chad of UncommonGrapes, Nathan Haberkern of St Amant Winery, and two other delicious young ladies I forgot the name of (sorry girls, loved your company though ;-).
Best Dinner Table at #WBC16
Best bunch of people to share #wine with ??????@cbrulee + @CharlesComm Team = ????? pic.twitter.com/DkTorurwFL— Julien Miquel #Wine (@JMiquelWine) August 14, 2016
Award Winning Blogs & Bloggers
The 2016 Wine Blog Award Winners were introduced to the conference’s audience. They generously shared insights on how they blog so well and successfully.
2016 Wine Blog Awards Winners are:
- Best Blog Post of the Year:HENRI BONNEAU, LE DERNIER ADIEU by Jerry Clark
- Best Original Photography or Video on a Wine Blog:Vindulge
- Best Winery or Industry Wine Blog: Berry Bros. & Rudd Wine Blog!
- Best Single Subject Wine Blog: Provence Wine Zine!
- Best Writing On a Wine Blog: L’Occasion!
- Best New Wine Blog: Dionysian Impulse!
- Best Overall Wine Blog:L’Occasion!
Thanking WBC Sponsors & Ethnifacts Scholarship Program
Getting to and going to the Wine Bloggers in Lodi was a great experience, that wouldn’t have been possible to live for me without the support of the scholarship committee and sponsors, hence a dedicated ‘thank you’ post.
Please let me know your thoughts