After two decades of wine tasting in Washington State, I happily found myself working for a local winery in 2005. Full immersion into the business of selling wine at one of Washington’s largest family owned production wineries, had my head full of new insights into wine and a plethora of wine and customer interactions. After a year of working in the tasting room and following much deliberation, I decided to start this wine blog in December 2006.
While I no longer work at a winery, you'll find I remain passionate about Washington wine. I enjoy sharing the story of Washington wine and talking about our regions wines, wineries, winemakers, vineyards, climate and history. Washington winemakers are crafting truly superior wines. This is why I blog about Washington wine and why I remain "pleased and purpled". After all, I live in the heart of Washington Wine Country.
*Sometimes I venture outside my box, so don't be surprised to see the occasional review of wine from outside of Washington State. I am available for guest blogging and consulting and if you'd like to send me a bottle to evaluate, you can email me at: william@wild4washingtonwine.com. I am presently employed by ANR Group Inc.
- 2011 Wine Bloggers Conference - North America! (#WBC11) Charlottesville, Virginia (read post).
- 2011 Taste Washington Seattle - Greeter at the Grand Tasting (read posts).
- 2010 Wine Bloggers Conference - North America! (#WBC10) Walla Walla (read post).
Assisted with setup, greeting, presentation monitoring, pouring and interacting with guests and presenters. I had a great time. - 2009 Out of the country most of the year + lost my palate (read post on when I recovered palate in 2010).
- Bottling Line at Hightower Winery, Red Mountain, August 2008 (read post) This was my first experience on a bottling line, helping with bottling. Very physical and a little heat stroke.
- Taste Washington Seattle – Grand Tasting, Seattle, April 2008 (read post) Helped at the Washington Wine Commission booth.
- Washington Wine Industry Foundation – Annual Fundraising and Friendraising Auction – Unity Banquet of the WAWGG Annual Meeting, Convention and Trade Show, Kennewick, March 2008 Volunteer assisting with the auction items.
- Veraison, Two Mountain Winery in Zillah, Washington, September 2007 (read post)
- White Wine Sensory Workshop, presenter at Barnard Griffin Winery, 2007 I addressed, sight, smell, taste, feel, varietal characteristics, wine faults, serving, temperature, decanting and storage.
- Palate Training: Sensory Evaluation and Development, WSU Tri-Cities, July 2007, Carolyn Ross. Isolate individual elements of wine, acidity and tannins, and identification.
- Savor the Art – Wine and Art Auction, Terra Blanca Winery 2007
Meet and greet at check-in, cashed-out winning bids, accepted check and credit card payments. - Washington Liquor Control Board Showcase, Barnard Griffin, 2007
Meet and greet event at the Barnard Griffin Winery. - Washington Wine Country Grand Gala, Yakima 2007 (read post) Poured Barnard Griffin wines at the reception for the Grand Gala.
- Sunshine and Wine, Yakima 2007 Poured Barnard Griffin wine at this event.
- Summer Thinning, Two Mountain Winery in Zillah, Washington, July 2007 (read post) Spring Barrel Weekend, Barnard Griffin Winery 2007 Poured Barnard Griffin wines at this event.
- Washington Wine Commission, Florida Marketing, Barnard Griffin 2006 Meet and greet, dinner and excellent conversation at this event.
- Sunshine and Wine, Yakima 2006 Poured Barnard Griffin wines at this event.
- Spring Barrel Weekend, Barnard Griffin Winery 2006 Poured wines at this event.
- Washington Wine Ambassador 2006 - 2009
- Living in Washington wine country since 1986. (read post)
Winery Employment
2005 – 2007 Barnard Griffin Winery Richland, WA
2005 – 2007 Barnard Griffin Winery Richland, WA
Tasting Room Hospitality
Enthusiastic and customer driven employee. Loved the wines, loved sharing the wines with customers.
Responsibilities included: Being gracious and welcoming, while assisting customers with wine tasting, selection, product presentation, stocking and shipping. Managed shift schedules for tasting room employees. Assisted with wine club orders and shipments. Opened and closed the tasting room. Used Vin Balance POS (point of sale), exceptional customer service, growing wine knowledge (how Washington wines are unique, wine tasting 101, wine faults). Conversant on Washington wine industry, including: varietals, appellations, climate and soil.
Enthusiastic and customer driven employee. Loved the wines, loved sharing the wines with customers.
Responsibilities included: Being gracious and welcoming, while assisting customers with wine tasting, selection, product presentation, stocking and shipping. Managed shift schedules for tasting room employees. Assisted with wine club orders and shipments. Opened and closed the tasting room. Used Vin Balance POS (point of sale), exceptional customer service, growing wine knowledge (how Washington wines are unique, wine tasting 101, wine faults). Conversant on Washington wine industry, including: varietals, appellations, climate and soil.
