Kelly Mitchell, aka The Wine Siren, is relatively new to the wine blogging scene but she has brought a wealth of experience in various industries to the task, leading to an emerging success in this sphere.
After 36 years living in Hawaii since she was a teen, Kelly Mitchell realized her dream of living in wine country and is now living in Napa. From her California base, Mitchell’s blog clearly states its mission: “To share and demystify the complex processes in making world class food and wine and the people behind them.”
Serial entrepreneur, expert interviewer, and contributor to the Huffington Post, The Wine Siren is also ranked among the 2017 Top 40 Wine Influencers on Social Media.
So you too can get to know Kelly, in a quick Q&A interview, I’ve asked her to tell us more about herself and her blog.
Meet Kelly Mitchell:
Q: Can you summarize who you are and what your wine blog does?
A: TheWineSiren.com is designed to share insights on wine, food and tastemakers to those who don’t have access to these amazing people. I am all about the story and learning about what makes people tick. Finding out how they got started and the impetus for their success is so intriguing. It’s fascinating to learn people’s stories and experiences because we can all grow from them. My career involves having a top acclaimed podcast for 5 years, being top in my industry in 4 consecutive industries and I am an entrepreneur many times over. I always had careers I really didn’t enjoy and was determined to take my proven track record and apply it to a field I loved!
Q: When did you start your wine blog and why?
A: Beginning my wine/food/travel blog was not a question of why, but more when. When you do something you love, everything comes naturally. I’ve always felt in every vertical I was involved in, people take themselves too seriously. My favorite interviews are with people who are very successful and at the same time down to earth. This landscape has something to offer everyone in the way of learning.
Q: What topic(s) does your blog cover and how do you generally describe the angle to your writing?
A: The Wine Siren blog covers food, wine and lifestyle from Napa to Provence. Regarding my writing, I am an authentic storyteller sharing insights & experiences. Shoulders down, feet firmly planted in reality with no bs. I do a lot of video interviews so you can hear straight from the tastemaker’s mouth, their perceptions on their business, why they do what they do and how they do it. I am also a firm believer in sharing inspiration. You won’t find me dissecting wine from a technical standpoint or using flowery words to confuse people. I want people to enjoy wine and the experiences surrounding the lifestyle.
Q: What are your favorite wine events? In other words: if fans would like to meet you in person someday, where are they sure to find you
A: My favorite wine events change because the events change. I’d have to say a few of my favorites are Auction Napa Valley (I attended the Barrel Auction this year the Coppola Family at Inglenook put on) and Pebble Beach Food and Wine. There’s also the Yountville Live event that brings musicians, people, food and wine together. I loved January’s Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux with the 2014 Vintage. It was an opportunity to taste so many of the Bordeaux wines and prep me for my visit there in May. I love to travel so France and Spain were wonderful opportunities for me to learn more about the regions this year and tell stories about my experiences. So many fascinating ones I am still covering as we speak.
Q: What are your favorite social media channels, the ones you like most to exchange and engage around your content?
A: My Favorite Social Media Channels are Instagram and Facebook. I do spend time on Twitter and LinkedIn as well and just starting to get a little more involved in Pinterest. Instagram would have to be #1.
Q: Finally, what do you do to relax outside of wine?
A: To relax outside of wine? I really am immersed in wine as part of my life. I’ve taken up Bocce, which I love. Many of the people in it are in wine. Meditate. Run. Spin. Stand Up Paddle Board. Kayak and Write… I also love to travel.
In closing I want to share, the most important thing I have learned about this industry. In wine, you can never know it all. This I learned from those who I thought after 50 years in the business would be sure to know it all. It’s a fascinating business as are many of the people in it. Initially I wanted to be a Sommelier. During the level one course, I learned it is very difficult to get to the top of that field unless you have a photographic memory. Also I did a lot of waiting on tables in high end restaurants early in my career. That path wasn’t as intriguing to me. So I decided to stick with what I know. Bringing the stories of tastemakers to the people who can’t be in front of them. Food Wine & Fab. That’s how I roll.
Read more about Kelly Mitchell on her website TheWineSiren
Or check out those two of Kelly’s lastest articles about The Rhapsody of Provence Rosé and Drew Barrymore Vintner.
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