The January meeting of the Finger Lakes Chapter of the Academy of Wine Communications is set for Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at Ravines Wine Cellars on Keuka Lake in Hammondsport, NY. The monthly meeting agenda will be discussed from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM followed by a collaborative, interactive Twitter Basics Immersion from 12:00-2:30 PM. We will work through the fundamentals of Twitter for wineries including best practices for engaging in conversations, keeping up the momentum, explanation of symbols including hashtags, and how to use applications to manage conversations and engage more effectively. We’ll answer questions with a goal of helping members become more comfortable and confident on Twitter.

RSVP for the meeting and seminar is greatly appreciated by Monday, 1/25/10 to Melissa Dobson at (917) 816-5424 or melissa.dobson@avantguild.com.

The Academy of Wine Communications was founded with the express goal of supporting food & wine writers and the art of wine writing. That goal hasn’t changed, but the methods by which they operate have evolved over time. New tools and techniques continue to develop and the AWC embraces them whenever possible. Members of the AWC see the emergence of wine blogs as an exciting new medium and, to show our support, we’ve contributed to the Wine Bloggers Conference Scholarship fund.

You can find out more information about the scholarship fund, by visiting http://wbcscholarship.wordpress.com/.

Heron Hill Winery will host the first informational session for wine public relations and marketing professionals interested in developing a chapter of the Academy of Wine Communications in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. The session is on Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 12:00-1:00 pm and includes lunch and wine. The agenda for the informational session: a brief overview of the Academy of Wine Communications (AWC), it’s vision and collaborative discussion on the benefits, goals and hot topics of a local chapter. The rapidly changing new media landscape has made keeping up with the latest best practices in wine PR and marketing quite challenging. As an emerging wine region garnering increased attention, wine public relations and marketing professionals in the Finger Lakes would greatly benefit by working together within a local chapter and through exchanging ideas with national members of AWC.

To register to attend this event, please contact Melissa Dobson at (917) 816-5424 or melissa.dobson@avantguild.com.

Internet entrepreneur and wine retailer extraordinaire Gary Vaynerchuk will talk about his new book CRUSH IT! Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In On Your Passion and sign copies in his only wine country appearance this fall, at V. Sattui Winery on Saturday, October 24. V. Sattui Winery is located at 1111 White Lane off Highway 29 just south of St. Helena. The book is published by HarperStudio and retails for $19.99.

From 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Gary will talk about the book, answer questions and sign copies for the public. The event is free and all are welcome. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at $19.99. A range of lunch/picnic options are available at a range of pricing, from bbq to pizza to sandwiches, cheeses, salads and more.

In honor of Gary’s visit to Napa Valley, V. Sattui Winery will be making a donation to Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School in St. Helena.

Interactive site will be valuable resource wine PR and marketing professionals

Napa, California (October 1, 2009) – The Academy of Wine Communications (AWC), the organization of wine public relations and marketing professionals, has launched a new interactive website. With an updated look and upgraded functionality, it will be a valuable source of information for all those involved in wine communications.

Created by Napa-based print and web design firm designthis!, the new AWC website offers comprehensive information about the organization and offers several new tools. The sections include:

• An ABOUT section stating the history of the organization, its mission and general principles, as well as a listing of officers. Future functionality will include a list of all AWC members.
• A JOIN section where prospective members can learn about the benefits of membership and fill out a form to join.
• The NEWS & EVENTS section contains current AWC activities and what people are saying about the organization.
• Continuing the efforts to further the art of wine writing, the AWARDS section now includes the new awards process, a list of current and past winners, as well as a place to nominate potential future honorees.
• Perhaps the greatest addition to the site is a RESOURCES section which has a wine PR directory where anyone involved in wine communications may add their name; a user forum where members can discuss key issues and topics; a job board where wineries and agencies can post current openings; useful links to key publications to trade organizations; images of current and past AWC activities; and relevant videos of AWC activities and productions. Future functionality may include whitepapers, case studies, and a blog.
• A CONTACT US section with all methods of contacting AWC officers.

The new AWC website was created using the leading blogging software, WordPress. Overall, this has given the site more functionality and interactivity, incorporating social media tools and techniques.

“Over the past few months, we have been working hard internally and with designthis! to bring the website up to date,” said Michael Wangbickler, Executive Director for the Academy of Wine Communications. “In addition, we’ve included additional functionality with the hopes that members and others involved in wine communications will find it a useful source for information exchange.”

To experience the newly launched website, please visit www.academyofwine.org.

To find out more about the new website of the Academy of Wine Communications in general, contact Michael Wangbickler at (707) 255-7667 or mwangbickler@balzac.com.

The Academy of Wine Communications, the organization of wine public relations and marketing professionals, will host its first meeting since the group relaunched earlier this year at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California on June 30, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The event will take place at the CIA’s Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies and include a wine reception and short presentation on the new direction of the Academy of Wine Communications (AWC).

“I am very excited that the CIA has generously offered to host the first event of our new era at the Rudd Center,” said Michael Wangbickler, Executive Director for the Academy of Wine Communications. “It is the perfect venue for us to relaunch our endeavor. I will enjoy making the acquaintance of members I haven’t met in person and reconnecting with members I haven’t seen in a while. It should be a very enjoyable and productive evening.”

Attendees to the first meeting will be treated to a selection of member-donated wines and delicious nibbles supplied by the exceptional CIA kitchens. A short presentation in the Napa Valley Vintners Tasting Theatre will kick off the evening with a review of the AWC mission and intended direction of the organization. The presentation will be webcast for members who are unable to attend in person.

“Times of challenge bring new reasons to come together as a community and act collectively on behalf of the wine-related businesses we represent,” notes Cate Conniff, CIA Greystone’s Marketing Manager. “There’s a lot we can accomplish together that might be harder to do as individuals under the current economic climate.”

AWC members participating in the event are asked to pay a nominal fee of $15 per person. Non-members are also welcome to attend for a fee of $30 per person. Individual membership in the Academy of Wine Communications is $100 per year.

Attendees that choose to stay for dinner at the Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant following the meeting will receive complimentary corkage on any bottle of wine, as well as a round of the restaurant’s signature Temptations, an array of small bites prepared by their chef, to be shared by all at the table. To make reservations, please call 707.967.1010 and ask to have your attendance at the AWC meeting put in the reservation notes.

To register to attend this event, or find out more about the Academy of Wine Communications, visit the Academy website at www.academyofwine.org or contact Michael Wangbickler at (707) 255-7667 or mwangbickler@balzac.com.

About Academy of Wine Communications
The Academy of Wine Communications was founded in 1994 by wine communications pioneers Paul Wagner, Harvey Posert, and Sam Folsom. The original concept was to lend support to wine media through its awards program and provide education on media relations to its members. Since that time, the organization held regular meetings until a hiatus in 2007.

Napa, CA (March 30, 2009) — The Academy of Wine Communications, the organization of wine public relations and marketing professionals, is broadening and refocusing its mission to reflect the changing nature of wine communications. Michael Wangbickler of Balzac Communications has been named as Executive Director and Lisa Adams Walter of Adams Walter Communications as Assistant Director. Both will be responsible for reviving the association, expanding its scope, and growing its membership

“Despite the falloff of wine coverage in traditional media channels such as major newspapers and magazines, the number of individuals writing about wine has never been greater,” said Wangbickler. “Blogs and Online Magazines are quickly becoming an influential source of wine information. In addition, there is a burgeoning community of individuals using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, to communicate about wine. Because of this the public relations function is evolving and the Academy will create a forum for wine PR professionals to discuss these issues, while continuing to lend support to both media and wineries.”

The Academy of Wine Communications will continue to provide a public forum for wine PR professionals to exchange ideas, solve problems, set policy, and meet with media. New emphasis will be on leveraging new media, such as websites and blogs in addition to traditional media channels, such as newspapers and magazines. The Academy has traditionally been focused on the regions of Napa and Sonoma, but will now actively seek to include wine PR and marketing professionals from regions throughout the country and the world. As the organization grows, they may launch affiliate chapters in major wine growing areas to support local events.

Those interested in joining the Academy or who would like more information should visit the Academy website at www.academyofwine.org or contact Michael Wangbickler at (707) 255-7667 or Michael Wangbickler.

About Academy of Wine Communications
The Academy of Wine Communications was founded in 1994 by wine communications pioneers Paul Wagner, Harvey Posert, and Sam Folsom. The original concept was to lend support to wine media through its awards program and provide education on media relations to its members. Since that time, the organization held regular meetings until a hiatus in 2007.