A History of Social Networking and Its Influence on Social Media

          In the early morning hours of March 4, 1971, I was born.  The same year saw the birth of email - two computers sitting side-by-side communicating for the first time.  Not as Earth-shattering as the first images of man walking on the moon two years earlier but the implications of this seemingly insignificant moment would prove to be the spark that ignited the launch of social networking and, ultimately, social media as we know it today.

Photo Credit: Jackie's Page

Social Media & Social Networking Defined

Many argue as to whether this moment in history truly was the birth of social networking. To answer this, we first need take a look at what the term “social networking” means and why it isn’t synonymous with “social media”. Social networking is the act of engaging with like-minded people with the purpose of sharing knowledge, while social media provides the vehicle for us to share this information. Confusing? Here’s another distinction between the two: try to view social networking as a verb, denoting what we do online, and social media as a noun, the network of online platforms that enable us to do what we do online.

Reaching Out Through Faceboook: How Peloton Cellars uses Facebook to "Keep in Touch"

“I'd say the majority of those who attended our Grand Opening were informed through FB (Facebook). That made a huge impact. I can reach out to those who I don't see nor communicate with on a regular basis.”

Trish Kesselring

Peloton Cellars

Avila Beach, CA 

Why the name Peloton?

French for “group”, how does a winery get the name Peloton? Founded by four friends who share a love of wine rivaled only by their love of cycling, Peloton Cellars marries the two worlds in creative ways.  Using the winery’s tasting room as a canvas, Peloton Cellars brings its love of wine and cycling to the forefront of its operation, providing décor to please the eye while the palette feasts upon its wine. From the winery's name, French for a close-knit pack of bicyclists, to the cycling quotes found on each finely-crafted bottle of wine, you are sure to appreciate Peloton’s passion for wine and cycling.

"In the Land of Lynfred": How Lynfred Winery shares its personality through blogging

Lynfred Winery, Roselle, Illinois

“My entire blog ‘In the Land of Lynfred’ (a word play on ‘In the Land of Lincoln’ since we are in Illinois ) is really about the lifestyle that comes with working at and being a patron of your local winery – we’re fun, a little kooky and very approachable.”

Christina Anderson-Heller, Marketing Director
Lynfred Winery
Roselle, Illinois 

A True “Mom-and-Pop” operation becomes a nationally renowned winery

             A pioneer of the Illinois wine industry, Fred Koehler made his debut batch of wine in the basement of his Roselle home in 1975.  With his ingenuity along with the creativity and encouragement of his late wife, Lynn, Fred continued to craft quality wines in their renovated basement for four more years. When the “Mom-and-Pop” operation outgrew the couple’s basement, Fred and Lynn opened up Illinois’ first official winery, Lynfred Winery. A clever play on the couple’s names, Lynfred ensured the legacy of its founders would live on for years to come.

Twitter and the BC Wine Industry



Tinhorn Creek

Tucked away in the rolling hills of British Columbia, Tinhorn Creek stays “Mainstream” through “Twitter-stream”

Desert vineyards provide a unique terroir for Tinhorn’s wines

            One wouldn’t expect to see regal grapevines mingling with desert-dwelling sagebrush, but at Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, the two flourish side-by-side like old friends.  Set atop a hillside in the middle of British Columbia’s famed Golden Mile wine-growing district, Tinhorn Creek Vineyard and Winery crafts quality wines from grapes harvested from their 150-acre vineyards.  Planted on two distinct benches, the Diamondback Vineyard and the Tinhorn Creek Vineyard produce grapes of both the red and white varietals, allowing the vineyard’s winemaker, Sandra Oldfield, to harvest only the best fruit for the winery’s esteemed Pinot Gris, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Gewürztraminer vintages.  Each of Tinhorn Creek’s wines boasts the unique terroir of its desert topography.

Twitter & the Wine Industry: How Fix St. James crafts stories for its Twitter Community

Wine Selection at Fix St. James

Small on Space but Packed with Personality

 Located in the central business district of Sydney, Australia, Fix St. James provides its patrons with more than just wine.  Through its diverse selection of wine and modest but modern ambience, this intimate wine bistro offers a true wine lovers experience.  At Fix St. James, every one of their 200-plus bottles of “juice” has been carefully chosen to express the bistro’s eclectic tastes.  The owner of Fix St. James, Stuart Knox, stocks his wall to wall shelves with little known varietals crafted by the “hands-on makers, small growers, crazies and fanatics”. 

Six Benefits of a Successful Social Media Campaign

Social Media evens the advertising and
marketing playing field.

Through my most recent work, I have not only uncovered just how deeply social media has rooted itself in the wine industry, I have also accumulated quite an arsenal of reasons why all businesses, not just vineyards and wineries, need to implement a consistent social media campaign.
While the benefits are immeasurable, I have narrowed my findings to those that have surfaced and resurfaced consistently throughout my research. 

Here are my top 6 reasons why all businesses should establish a social media presence:

YouTube's impact on Jordan Vineyard & Winery

My final installment of how Jordan Vineyard & Winery uses YouTube highlights its impact from a business standpoint.

Jordan Vineyard & Winery

How YouTube has impacted Jordan Vineyard & Winery

Reflecting on the impact YouTube has had on Jordan Vineyard & Winery, from a business standpoint, Lisa says, “It’s truly brought a face to the winery. Many faces, in fact. That’s so important to consumers nowadays. They really want to know the people behind the wines—and how the wines are grown, the events created, the recipes developed, etc. The videos have demonstrated our ability to be an established elegant winery of the 1970s and a modern, approachable brand.”