KEYNOTE TALK AT MEADOWOOD NAPA VALLEY
I had the pleasure of opening this year’s Wine Writers Symposium, hosted by the estate of Meadowood Napa Valley. It’s my first year in attendance, though I was graciously reminded they tried to get me here a couple years ago. We are a mix of veteran, mid-career, and emerging writers and editors, columnists and content creators, marketing and business ops leaders, hospitality professionals, retailers, and more. I’m grateful that timing aligned this go-round.
As one part of a three-part keynote address, my talk was followed by winemaker Dan Petroski (Massican), and Elaine Chukan Brown, author of Wines of California. We managed to deliver distinct, but connected messages about wine’s relevance, which was our only guidance as speakers.
Dan spoke about the historic production cycles and viability of wine as a business being tied to our economic standing as a country. And Elaine channeled her work as a self-proclaimed “recovering academic philosopher” to discuss the need to talk about wine to people who don’t think they care about wine. It sounds funny, but it’s a sharp approach to most effective storytelling.
I began by framing wine and the stories we tell about the people who make it as a result of our shared relationships and collective genius. I heard from many attendees about how much they enjoyed the talk as a fueling way to open the conference. Several folks told me they cried from a sense of recognition. I loved sharing this perspective in a room of celebrated colleagues, many of whom are charting new paths. I hope it leaves you similarly reflective and revved up for whatever changes you have on your horizon.