This was what I was wondering this winter Wednesday night: whatever happened to Wine Blogging Wednesday?
Tonight I aim to find out and see what I could do to get the ball rolling again–while enjoying the wine of a fellow Wine Blogging Wednesday participant, Jeff Stai from Twisted Oak’s El Bloggo Torcido!
So here’s the back story:
When I started wine blogging back in 2007 (yes!), I poked around the web to find out who was doing what and discovered Wine Blogging Wednesday posts.
And then I was offered a job doing social media and other wine writing (a job which unfortunately went down with the economy in 2008–before I even started–for a company that is now in bankruptcy proceedings–ouch!) But I went to the first Wine Blogger’s Conference in 2008 anyway where I figured I’d find out the secret to participating in Wine Blogging Wednesday (and more, of course!)
On the last morning of the conference, I joined a table of men who were all 5-15 years younger than me. Why? Because they all had their laptops and smartphones out–AND they had bottles of wine on the table.
I didn’t know it then, but I was sitting with the Young Turks of wine blogging and social media: Continue reading →
I’ll be thinking about my “pinot moment” and sharing pinot love stories at the CSUCI Art Gallery today from 3-8pm where I will be participating in the Women’s Economic Venture’s Holiday Boutique and Soiree to sell my poetry books and broadsides and to network. Afterward, we plan to cross the street to the Wine Rack wine bar.
Join pinot lovers and share YOUR pinot moment at a Holiday Soiree and Boutique fundraiser for Women’s Economic Ventures at the Cal State Channel Islands art gallery in downtown Ventura on the corner of California and Main and across the street from the Wine Rack.
Wine will be served with donations going to WEV. You can also bring a bottle of your favorite pinot to share. We’ll be there form 3-8pm then we’ll head over to the Wine Rack for a little after soiree soiree.
Downtown Ventura was quite the happening holiday scene last Saturday night.
As the streets cleared of vendors following the Holiday Street fair, the Main street as well as side streets stayed closed. Near California and Main, “snow” fell to the delight of many while down California at Santa Clara at the corner park, carolers sang amongst newly lit trees.
And amongst all this holiday cheer, the 1500 people who bought $40 bracelets and tickets to sell out the first Winter Wine Walk packed participating stores and swarmed sidewalks carrying plastic glasses filled with wine!
Last spring, I received a substantial scholarship to participate in a Women’s Economic Ventures 14 week Self Employment Training Class. I wrote a business plan for The Write Alley Coaching and Writing Strategies and graduated with honors; at our graduation, I was voted class speaker. Subsequently, I was selected to speak at the 2010 Women’s Conference.
Now WEV is experiencing a severe budget shortfall and has turned to its graduates asking for them to help raise funds to support other women to go into business for themselves. Among other activities including a holiday boutique on Thursday that I’m participating in, Jade Restaurant is holding a Women’s Winemaker Dinner with net proceeds going to WEV. Continue reading →
This Saturday night, celebrate winter and wine by talking a walk around Ventura’s cultural district!
The Ventura Winter Wine Walk December 4th lets you sample fine wines and delicious appetizers in Downtown Venturaās restaurants and stores from 5-9pm.
Tickets are $40. You’ll receive a map and 12 sampling tickets; each ticket is good for a two ounce sample of wine and a food sample at select locations but you can only use 2 tickets per location (which means you can’t hang out at the same place all night and use up all your tickets there!)
MAKE IT A WEEKEND! In addition, enjoy carolers, a Christmas tree lighting at 6pm, and even āsnow.ā During the day, the Holiday Street Fair takes over downtown and covers the streets with plenty of gift ideas. The previous evening is First Friday where many shops, galleries, andĀ art studios are open from 6-9pm and offer special events including music and art demonstrations. There’s even a SantaCon ArtRide–join a convoy of Santas and ride around downtown from gallery to gallery!
As a special gift, here’s a code to get 1 hour “free” parking until Jan 1: 1563297. Put it in your wallet so you’ll have it when you need it!
For more information and tickets visit www.venturawinterwinewalk.com or call 805.765.4294. WARNING! Tickets are almost sold out!
For weeks now, the wine bloggosphere has been dizzy with recommendations for wines to pair with Thanksgiving meals, especially how to find wines that will work with everything from appetizers to turkey to pecan pie!
The answer is: bring a bunch of different wines!
As you can imagine, I am the wine person in our gatherings. I usually bring Continue reading →
To celebrate Global #Zinfandel Day, I decided to open something special, something unusual–something from Australia to toast the 47th birthday of my Australian friend and fellow blogger Paul Squires who had a heart attack and died July 28, two days before my mother died of heart failure.
Paul was one of my strongest supporters as a blogger, as a writer, and as a poet. He was my online buddy with whom I could plot and scheme and strategize. We shared links and ideas and gave each other feedback on many elements of social media and writing.
This was what I was wondering this winter Wednesday night: whatever happened to Wine Blogging Wednesday?
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 