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10 Commandments of Winery Blogging!

Started by Ryan Opaz · 9 months ago

Ideally, we try to limit our posts to the subject of Iberian wine. That said, our small consulting company has gained traction over the past year, giving us hope that it will continue to develop and excel well into the future. With growth, however, comes welcomed attention from both Spa ... Continue reading »

51 comments

  • Robert

    1 year ago

    excellent post, as always, and very useful. I also happen to agree pretty much 100% (although I'd suggest saying Search Engine Optimisation rather than SEO in point 6)


    why is it that the best consultants also manage to somehow combine their work with dispensing great free advice as well? I guess this is the demonstration, proof in the pudding and all that.



    thank you
    reply
  • Melissa A. Dobson

    1 year ago

    I LOVE this advice. Much needed and appreciated from this wine blogging beginner!


    For my number 10 (X): Show your personal side. Share stories from your day-to-day vineyard life, let us get to know (and love) your family, staff and customers.
    reply
  • Avi

    1 year ago

    Great post. How can bloggers writing on specific regions (*as opposed to just wineries) improve their blog and improve awareness of their wine region? Should wineries in non-English speaking countries be writing in English?


    I write about Israeli wine (<a href="<a href="http://israelwine.wordpress.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://israelwine.wordpress.com) "><a href="http://israelwine.wordpress.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://israelwine.wordpress.com) and am always looking for ways to improve? Do you guys have any suggestions? The work you're doing for Spanish wine is incredibly inspiring for someone trying to do the same with eastern Mediterranean and Israeli wines.
    reply
  • Avi

    1 year ago

    Great post. How can bloggers writing on specific regions (*as opposed to just wineries) improve their blog and improve awareness of their wine region? Should wineries in non-English speaking countries be writing in English?


    I write about Israeli wine (<a href="<a href="http://israelwine.wordpress.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://israelwine.wordpress.com) "><a href="http://israelwine.wordpress.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://israelwine.wordpress.com) and am always looking for ways to improve? Do you guys have any suggestions? The work you're doing for Spanish wine is incredibly inspiring for someone trying to do the same with eastern Mediterranean and Israeli wines.
    reply
  • Avi

    1 year ago

    Great post. How can bloggers writing on specific regions (*as opposed to just wineries) improve their blog and improve awareness of their wine region? Should wineries in non-English speaking countries be writing in English?


    I write about Israeli wine (<a href="<a href="http://israelwine.wordpress.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://israelwine.wordpress.com) "><a href="http://israelwine.wordpress.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://israelwine.wordpress.com) and am always looking for ways to improve? Do you guys have any suggestions? The work you're doing for Spanish wine is incredibly inspiring for someone trying to do the same with eastern Mediterranean and Israeli wines.
    reply
  • Avi

    1 year ago

    Great post. How can bloggers writing on specific regions (*as opposed to just wineries) improve their blog and improve awareness of their wine region? Should wineries in non-English speaking countries be writing in English?


    I write about Israeli wine (<a href="<a href="http://israelwine.wordpress.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://israelwine.wordpress.com) "><a href="http://israelwine.wordpress.com) " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://israelwine.wordpress.com) and am always looking for ways to improve? Do you guys have any suggestions? The work you're doing for Spanish wine is incredibly inspiring for someone trying to do the same with eastern Mediterranean and Israeli wines.
    reply
  • winehiker

    1 year ago

    I'd have to say that my 10th Commandment would be "Thou shalt not require thy readers to log in to leave a comment."


    Speaking hypothetically, if I have to register on your site just so I can comment on your posts, I won't be happy about giving you information that you shouldn't require from me. Plus, I may even forget what it was I was going to say in my comment by the time I'm done registering or logging in. But by then, I will have probably decided that it's not worth my time to spend any more brain cells on your site anyway. If you want people to comment on your posts - and you should - then make it easy for them to do so quickly.
    reply
  • Robert

    1 year ago

    excellent post, as always, and very useful. I also happen to agree pretty much 100% (although I'd suggest saying Search Engine Optimisation rather than SEO in point 6)

    why is it that the best consultants also manage to somehow combine their work with dispensing great free advice as well? I guess this is the demonstration, proof in the pudding and all that.

    thank you
    reply
  • Melissa A. Dobson

    1 year ago

    I LOVE this advice. Much needed and appreciated from this wine blogging beginner!

    For my number 10 (X): Show your personal side. Share stories from your day-to-day vineyard life, let us get to know (and love) your family, staff and customers.
    reply
  • Ryan

    1 year ago

    AVI, ask a lot of questions, interact with others, and record your journey. We all love to follow others as they experience something first hand. Oh and remember blogging is 2-way not 1-way


    Winehiker - Right now, In fact if you have to register you really are commiting a sin against commandment number 2, since this is not the idea of comments!



    Thanks Robert and Melissa for the kind words.



    anyone else have a number ten?
    reply
  • Avi

    1 year ago

    Great post. How can bloggers writing on specific regions (*as opposed to just wineries) improve their blog and improve awareness of their wine region? Should wineries in non-English speaking countries be writing in English?

    I write about Israeli wine (http://israelwine.wordpress.com) and am always looking for ways to improve? Do you guys have any suggestions? The work you're doing for Spanish wine is incredibly inspiring for someone trying to do the same with eastern Mediterranean and Israeli wines.
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    I think there is a very important number 10 that Avi alluded to: Thou ought to challenge thyself to think outside of the box. Turn to others for inspiration and see what sparks you. We all get stuck writing the same tasting notes, climbing on our same soapboxes, and generally, doing what is most comfortable for us. Why not do something different, a touch outside of your comfort zone?


    Have your readers help you name your<a href="" target="_blank">http://www.pinotblogger.com/2005/11/22/update-on-winery-name/">next label!



    Do a <a href="video " target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ7nlV6MGic">video tasting note



    Or find a fun way to include your customers in spreading the word about your wines..like a <a href="rubber " target="_blank">http://www.elbloggotorcido.com/2008/06/take-your-rubbe.html">rubber chicken!



    Whatever it takes, use your imagination!
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    I think there is a very important number 10 that Avi alluded to: Thou ought to challenge thyself to think outside of the box. Turn to others for inspiration and see what sparks you. We all get stuck writing the same tasting notes, climbing on our same soapboxes, and generally, doing what is most comfortable for us. Why not do something different, a touch outside of your comfort zone?


    Have your readers help you name your<a href="" target="_blank">http://www.pinotblogger.com/2005/11/22/update-on-winery-name/">next label!



    Do a <a href="video " target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ7nlV6MGic">video tasting note



    Or find a fun way to include your customers in spreading the word about your wines..like a <a href="rubber " target="_blank">http://www.elbloggotorcido.com/2008/06/take-your-rubbe.html">rubber chicken!



    Whatever it takes, use your imagination!
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    I think there is a very important number 10 that Avi alluded to: Thou ought to challenge thyself to think outside of the box. Turn to others for inspiration and see what sparks you. We all get stuck writing the same tasting notes, climbing on our same soapboxes, and generally, doing what is most comfortable for us. Why not do something different, a touch outside of your comfort zone?


    Have your readers help you name your<a href="" target="_blank">http://www.pinotblogger.com/2005/11/22/update-on-winery-name/">next label!



    Do a <a href="video " target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ7nlV6MGic">video tasting note



    Or find a fun way to include your customers in spreading the word about your wines..like a <a href="rubber " target="_blank">http://www.elbloggotorcido.com/2008/06/take-your-rubbe.html">rubber chicken!



    Whatever it takes, use your imagination!
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    I think there is a very important number 10 that Avi alluded to: Thou ought to challenge thyself to think outside of the box. Turn to others for inspiration and see what sparks you. We all get stuck writing the same tasting notes, climbing on our same soapboxes, and generally, doing what is most comfortable for us. Why not do something different, a touch outside of your comfort zone?


    Have your readers help you name your<a href="" target="_blank">http://www.pinotblogger.com/2005/11/22/update-on-winery-name/">next label!



    Do a <a href="video " target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ7nlV6MGic">video tasting note



    Or find a fun way to include your customers in spreading the word about your wines..like a <a href="rubber " target="_blank">http://www.elbloggotorcido.com/2008/06/take-your-rubbe.html">rubber chicken!



    Whatever it takes, use your imagination!
    reply
  • winehiker

    1 year ago

    I'd have to say that my 10th Commandment would be "Thou shalt not require thy readers to log in to leave a comment."

    Speaking hypothetically, if I have to register on your site just so I can comment on your posts, I won't be happy about giving you information that you shouldn't require from me. Plus, I may even forget what it was I was going to say in my comment by the time I'm done registering or logging in. But by then, I will have probably decided that it's not worth my time to spend any more brain cells on your site anyway. If you want people to comment on your posts - and you should - then make it easy for them to do so quickly.
    reply
  • Ryan Opaz

    1 year ago

    AVI, ask a lot of questions, interact with others, and record your journey. We all love to follow others as they experience something first hand. Oh and remember blogging is 2-way not 1-way

    Winehiker - Right now, In fact if you have to register you really are commiting a sin against commandment number 2, since this is not the idea of comments!

    Thanks Robert and Melissa for the kind words.

    anyone else have a number ten?
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    I think there is a very important number 10 that Avi alluded to: Thou ought to challenge thyself to think outside of the box. Turn to others for inspiration and see what sparks you. We all get stuck writing the same tasting notes, climbing on our same soapboxes, and generally, doing what is most comfortable for us. Why not do something different, a touch outside of your comfort zone?

    Have your readers help you name your next label!

    Do a video tasting note

    Or find a fun way to include your customers in spreading the word about your wines..like a rubber chicken!

    Whatever it takes, use your imagination!
    reply
  • David McDuff

    1 year ago

    Thoughtful post, Ryan. Just about all of the commandments could be just as easily applied to wine and food blogging in general. For a winery blog in particular, my tenth would be:


    Don't be afraid to let your readers know when one of your own wines didn't live up to your hopes or expectations. It may not seem like the greatest sales technique but, in the end of the day, those that really care about your wines will respect you for your honesty and humanity.
    reply
  • Ryan

    1 year ago

    David I love your #10 Totally right on! Admitting you are human and that not all wines are created equal is very important!


    Also this could be applied to almost any industry to some degree...the real thing is honesty. THanks for the contribution!
    reply
  • Iris

    1 year ago

    '10: not far from David's advice:


    Don't be afraid to talk about the difficulties, you meet during a year in the vineyard - every year is not a "millésime du siècle" (at least not outside Bordeaux:-)), so if you have to struggle with too much rain, if pests are threatening, hail has come down on your wines or (like often in our case), wild boars are quicker than you to harvest your best grapes, talk about it, not to make people cry with you, but to show them, that - like in any other profession, you have to deal with uncertainty, go ahead after a defeat and always have to count with "mother nature", who is not always only a loving creature....
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    David, speaking of admitting the truth, whether it be about your wines or your vineyard, check out La Gramiere's recent posts on Mildew: <a href="http://www.lagramiere.com/blog/2008/06/battling-t..."><a href="http://www.lagramiere.com/blog/2008/06/b...It's a great example of wineries standing up telling it like it is!
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    David, speaking of admitting the truth, whether it be about your wines or your vineyard, check out La Gramiere's recent posts on Mildew: <a href="http://www.lagramiere.com/blog/2008/06/battling-t..."><a href="http://www.lagramiere.com/blog/2008/06/b...It's a great example of wineries standing up telling it like it is!
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    David, speaking of admitting the truth, whether it be about your wines or your vineyard, check out La Gramiere's recent posts on Mildew: <a href="http://www.lagramiere.com/blog/2008/06/battling-t..."><a href="http://www.lagramiere.com/blog/2008/06/b...It's a great example of wineries standing up telling it like it is!
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    David, speaking of admitting the truth, whether it be about your wines or your vineyard, check out La Gramiere's recent posts on Mildew: <a href="http://www.lagramiere.com/blog/2008/06/battling-t..."><a href="http://www.lagramiere.com/blog/2008/06/b...It's a great example of wineries standing up telling it like it is!
    reply
  • David McDuff

    1 year ago

    Thoughtful post, Ryan. Just about all of the commandments could be just as easily applied to wine and food blogging in general. For a winery blog in particular, my tenth would be:

    Don't be afraid to let your readers know when one of your own wines didn't live up to your hopes or expectations. It may not seem like the greatest sales technique but, in the end of the day, those that really care about your wines will respect you for your honesty and humanity.
    reply
  • Melissa A. Dobson

    1 year ago

    David, I think that your #10 offers valuable advice. Like Ryan said, honesty in business and acknowledging your shortcomings or missteps lends to credibility. We all learn from the experience and I think it's better to acknowledge a less-than-ideal wine yourself, or someone else almost certainly will.
    reply
  • Ryan Opaz

    1 year ago

    David I love your #10 Totally right on! Admitting you are human and that not all wines are created equal is very important!

    Also this could be applied to almost any industry to some degree...the real thing is honesty. THanks for the contribution!
    reply
  • IrisLisson

    1 year ago

    '10: not far from David's advice:

    Don't be afraid to talk about the difficulties, you meet during a year in the vineyard - every year is not a "millésime du siècle" (at least not outside Bordeaux:-)), so if you have to struggle with too much rain, if pests are threatening, hail has come down on your wines or (like often in our case), wild boars are quicker than you to harvest your best grapes, talk about it, not to make people cry with you, but to show them, that - like in any other profession, you have to deal with uncertainty, go ahead after a defeat and always have to count with "mother nature", who is not always only a loving creature....
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    David, speaking of admitting the truth, whether it be about your wines or your vineyard, check out La Gramiere's recent posts on Mildew: http://www.lagramiere.com/blog/2008/06/battling.... It's a great example of wineries standing up telling it like it is!
    reply
  • Melissa A. Dobson

    1 year ago

    David, I think that your #10 offers valuable advice. Like Ryan said, honesty in business and acknowledging your shortcomings or missteps lends to credibility. We all learn from the experience and I think it's better to acknowledge a less-than-ideal wine yourself, or someone else almost certainly will.
    reply
  • Cindy Boney

    1 year ago

    Thank you soooooo much for the 10 commandments. I am a new blogger and I love to blog about Texas wines and wineries--but actually, I blog about any wine I love to drink. Your commandments have not only confirmed that I'm on the right track, but it inspires me to press on. Thanks again!!


    Boneygirl





    cab
    reply
  • Cindy Boney

    1 year ago

    Thank you soooooo much for the 10 commandments. I am a new blogger and I love to blog about Texas wines and wineries--but actually, I blog about any wine I love to drink. Your commandments have not only confirmed that I'm on the right track, but it inspires me to press on. Thanks again!!

    Boneygirl
    cab
    reply
  • JIKvig

    1 year ago

    X: Thou shall use social networking for what it's worth.
    Word to mouth is really important, and social networking is the new way to make your brand more known. It's free, and it can help you reach a bigger audience.



    Great post by the way!
    reply
  • JIKvig

    1 year ago

    X: Thou shall use social networking for what it's worth.
    Word to mouth is really important, and social networking is the new way to make your brand more known. It's free, and it can help you reach a bigger audience.

    Great post by the way!
    reply
  • Enobytes

    1 year ago

    Great top 10! I agree with Winehiker's #11 comment, "Thou shalt not require thy readers to log in to leave a comment.” Its an extra step most are not willing to take, so its always good to make it easy for users to comment.
    reply
  • Enobytes

    1 year ago

    Great top 10! I agree with Winehiker's #11 comment, "Thou shalt not require thy readers to log in to leave a comment.” Its an extra step most are not willing to take, so its always good to make it easy for users to comment.
    reply
  • Ignacio Segovia

    1 year ago

    I enjoyed your article about the 10 commandments. I believe that that I do not meet them all, but maybe I will in a short time following your advice.


    You're riding something very interesting this summer. I hope that the experience is very positive and represents a major push for the wine blogging in Europe.



    I hope to continue in touch with you.



    Regards,





    Ignacio Segovia
    reply
  • Philip James

    1 year ago

    I actually thought #10 should be, as you said: "Blog Readers Please Contribute". ie. the blog readers should contribute by commenting.
    reply
  • Robert

    1 year ago

    Funny! I thought that too at first. I think it works.
    reply
  • Ignacio Segovia

    1 year ago

    I enjoyed your article about the 10 commandments. I believe that that I do not meet them all, but maybe I will in a short time following your advice.

    You're riding something very interesting this summer. I hope that the experience is very positive and represents a major push for the wine blogging in Europe.

    I hope to continue in touch with you.

    Regards,
    Ignacio Segovia
    reply
  • PhilipJames

    1 year ago

    I actually thought #10 should be, as you said: "Blog Readers Please Contribute". ie. the blog readers should contribute by commenting.
    reply
  • Robert

    1 year ago

    Funny! I thought that too at first. I think it works.
    reply
  • Enobytes

    1 year ago

    Number X "Thou shall integrate a search mechanism on thy site". If users are forced to open a separate window to search on content from your blog, tis annoying! I won't name names, but several wine blogs don't incorporate a search mechanism. Shame on them!
    reply
  • Enobytes

    1 year ago

    Number X "Thou shall integrate a search mechanism on thy site". If users are forced to open a separate window to search on content from your blog, tis annoying! I won't name names, but several wine blogs don't incorporate a search mechanism. Shame on them!
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    Additionally, please provide all information about a wine on the wine page. There is nothing more annoying than my not finding any information about your product other than a small thumb-sized picture or having to fumble with PDFs to get the basic details about your wine.
    reply
  • Philip James

    1 year ago

    Gabriella - if thats the case, then i'd like to add "dont remove pages for wines that are sold out". Just because they are sold out, doesnt mean they no longer exist!
    reply
  • Gabriella

    1 year ago

    Additionally, please provide all information about a wine on the wine page. There is nothing more annoying than my not finding any information about your product other than a small thumb-sized picture or having to fumble with PDFs to get the basic details about your wine.
    reply
  • PhilipJames

    1 year ago

    Gabriella - if thats the case, then i'd like to add "dont remove pages for wines that are sold out". Just because they are sold out, doesnt mean they no longer exist!
    reply
  • Cindy_Boney

    11 months ago

    Thank you for this post. I have it as a separate link on my toolbar so I can refer to it often. I read this about a month ago...started blogging away...and have returned to check myself. I feel I can give myself a 9 at least. The main think I know is I'm having a blast, and I'm finally doing something I've wanted to do for a long time...journal/blog about things dear to me. Thanks for your sharing your passion and your heart!!
    reply
  • ryan

    11 months ago

    Cindy thank you for the great comment. This is the type of comment that makes blogging worth while. One tip, please tell us where you are blogging, so that we may com check you out! Cheers, Ryan
    reply

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