A Modern Fairy Tale

Okay...Take an ordinary fellow like Hardy Wallace from Atlanta, Georgia, with a passion for the wine business and a knack for the social networking space...add a brilliant idea by Murphy-Goode winery to create more of an awareness for their brand by creating a contest. The winner of the contest (think 'American Idol' for the wine industry) is to be awarded a six-month Public Relations post with the winery. Ah, but there is more! The winner also gets a paycheck of $60,000.00, plus free accommodations in a two-bedroom Victorian in Healdsburg. Hardy beat out 2000 contestants and is the author of the 'Dirty South Wine Blog' (why him and not me, you think?). Wineries are having to deal with a 'new order' of doing business in a world all too familiar to the hip youth of our culture, and the rules of engagement have changed! Yes, this means 'war' so to speak. A winery that is marketing it's brand in the "business as usual" way is missing the boat! As small wineries struggle for new paths of distribution and as all wineries have seen the demand for higher priced 'reserve' wines crumble, there is one thing that begins to stand out...social awareness through media can be a useful tool if used properly! I have most recently struggled with the Facebook/Twitter of it all and now understand that my Blackberry has more use than just making calls. I have come to terms with all of this and I am forcing myself to get with it and keep up with the times. Mobile devices can play an important role in the branding of a winery and helping to expand and build interest not just from those that are loyal subscribers, but also in making new friends! It is interesting to note that mobile marketing was barely a blurb in last years wine symposiums in Napa and Sonoma, but this year it was at the top of the agenda with much discussion devoted to this topic. With all of the attention being paid, it seems that there is a huge opportunity here for winery marketers to find potential customers with a low commitment to cost! As for Hardy Wallace, he got a glimpse of the good life and that is sure to continue as he filters through his options. We have long been fans of Murphy-Goode wines and I was particularly glad to see them think a little out side the box with this contest:

Murphy-Goode
Minnesota Cuvee Chardonnay 2008
This wine is aged in white oak barrels from Caledonia, Minnesota for flavors of toasted nut mixed with hints of mango and orange
$20.

Murphy-Goode
Snake Eyes Zinfandel 2005
The Snake Eyes designation is used to recognize their grower's best Zin lots of each vintage with pure black fruit flavors and well-integrated tannins.
$35

Murphy-Goode
Terra A Lago Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
This Cabernet will have an impact on your palate with rich and mouth filling dark fruit, blackberry, bay and thyme flavors.
$45