In May 2010, I recapped the Spring Hopland Passport in a piece here. I recognize I lack humility, but I really thought I wrote the best piece on the event – period.
As Secretary on the Board of Directors for Destination Hopland, the non profit responsible for putting on Hopland Passport and increasing tourism to Hopland, I reached out to fellow online wine writers last fall, inviting them to attend the 20th annual Fall Hopland Passport.
Funny how I went from writing about the event one year to helping put it on the next.
Surprising me, I have to hand my “best piece covering Hopland Passport” crown to someone else.
Where I visited all the wineries, tasted over 100 wines, wrote mini notes, and shared some pictures, all in one big post, our new recap champ visited all of our wineries, and shared some words, but her photography is better than my writing will ever be, and she gave each winery their full due, offering up a 16 part event recap.
Diane Davis, better known as Di to the industry folks in the area, posts her words and pictures at Winestyle Living; Sharing the Tales, History & Images of Wine Country. There were several pieces written after last Fall’s event, but Di’s posts stood out for me. I recognized in her work the passion I feel for the area I write about. This wasn’t a job, a gig, for Di, but an opportunity to put the wineries she loves in the best light. I can feel Di’s heart in her work.
Softening the blow of not having written the best Hopland Passport recap piece are the overly nice things Di wrote about me when covering McFadden Vineyard, “When you walk into the tasting room you are greeted by John Cesano, a combination of an exceptional wine talent and a seasoned entertainer. You will learn more about wine in the time you spend there than you will learn about wine in hours of internet searching. If John doesn’t satisfy your curiosity with his bits of wisdom, just ask, he can fill in the blanks.”
Di’s real artistry is in the terrific photos, capturing of the families of McFadden. There are pictures of Guinness McFadden, his lovely girlfriend Judith, his brother Tommy, and his daughter Fontaine. There are pictures of Ann, who works nearly every Second Saturday, and her husband Mark. In addition to pictures of me, there is a wonderful picture of my red haired son Charlie, who worked with Mark outside cooking while Ann worked inside with me pouring and selling wine. Lots of wine.
I know that every winery of Hopland had to smile as they read Di’s words and viewed the journal of photographic art she posted for each.
Here are the links to her pieces, written from November 2011 through January 2012, all in one place.
If I can’t write the best Hopland Passport piece, I can re-host it.
Rack & Riddle Custom Wine Services
Jaxon Keys Winery & Distillery
Di is putting on reverbcon, a social media conference in the hidden wine country of Hopland, April 10-12, 2012. By the time Di is finished, Hopland may not be so hidden anymore.
January 25, 2012 at 9:40 PM
Perhaps neither will John Cesano.
I am still not a dignified wine drinker, I actual have scaled back on anything alcoholic since I am a type II diabetic.
But I still am a fan of the works by Mr. Cesano. I must agree with Ms. Davis, whom I’ve never heard of till this reading that anything I know about Wine I’ve learned from my parents and John Cesano.
I said it before and will continue to utter this prediction as I think most have been slowly see it unfold before our eye’s and with each blog. Mr. Cesano will someday be a house hold name, at least when it comes to Wine’s of the Northern California.
Keep up the good work’s my friend and I’ll keep reading.
Sincerely
RK McLean poet
January 26, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Rob,
Thanks for your kind sentiment.
In spite of your prediction and support, I would not hold your breath waiting for me to become a household name in wine writing.
I have received lots of attention for a few of my pieces, been fark linked and have seen how to write to generate greater readership, but it is not for me.
I write because I like to write. I write about what I want, what I know, what I’m doing. This makes my posts very narrow in focus, and isn’t conducive to enormous numbers.
Sometimes, writing for myself, exercising my passion while exorcising my demons, I forget that I do have readership, in spite of my nearly willful lack of intent that this be so.
I had over 50,000 readers visit my blog each of the last two years – even last year when I chose to not write for a period, this year’s numbers are significantly up so far, and many people return multiple times to read what I write.
By contrast, the best read writers have over a million readers, and decent second tier online wine writers enjoy at least 100,000 yearly visitors.
I am quite comfortable being the guy who writes best about my industry and how it touches my life. That narrowing of focus will prevent my “brand” from exploding, and though I know how to write to explode, I really like things the way they are.
My minor celebrity caused me to be sought out by a television production company (more on that in a post next week), and has brought me several side writing projects within the wine industry.
Anyway, thanks for your constant support, but don’t be surprised if I continue to remain the go to guy for all things Hopland wine and keep my focus narrow.
Cheers,
John
January 26, 2012 at 10:41 PM
John,
Your welcome.
As I would never hold my breathe in waiting. I tend not to throw compliment’s around easily. I have seen your writing bloom from it’s humble beginnings to what it is now.
I was simply saying I believe the best is yet to come. I am not much of a blogger and people who read Poetry, read as I, more of the classic’s although I admit I try to read as much new as I can find.
50,000 readers each year impressive. If I had such a readership with my work perhaps I would visit more,lol.
All joking aside, Your following is your own recipe. I quote:
“I write because I like to write. I write about what I want, what I know, what I’m doing. This makes my posts very narrow in focus, and isn’t conducive to enormous numbers.
Sometimes, writing for myself, exercising my passion while exorcising my demons, I forget that I do have readership, in spite of my nearly willful lack of intent that this be so.” J.Cesano : end quote.
I also write because if I did not, well perhaps my sanity would be in jeopardy. Perhaps not, all I know is I’ve always had to write, long before I even realize it.
Sometimes, the future has its own plans. You’ve worked very hard getting to where you are. From nothing, doing something you love, I remember your original campaign for a specific job.
Momentum is not always in one’s control. Take the board as I believe you have and enjoy where the waves take you.
Looking forward to your next insight into the world of wine and industry.
Sincerely
RK McLean
your humble poet
January 27, 2012 at 2:47 AM
p.s.
John, my point is, people read your work, because you are focused, passionate and because you care about what you share in your writing.
That’s a a recipe anyone would want.
Sincerely