When I ventured out on social media, I never imagined it would lead me to become so passionate about wine that I would write a blog. Looking back at nearly 15 years of writing Dallas Wine Chick, I’m filled with gratitude, memories, and amazement at how a simple idea blossomed into a passion that has defined a significant part of my life.
It all began with a desire to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape. As a vice president of a large marketing conglomerate, I was determined not to become the next “Sleepy Bill” – an elder colleague known more for his Wall Street Journal reading habits than his contributions to the company that I worked with early in my career.
Initially, I focused on marketing, which is what I do for a living, on Twitter (now X), but I quickly realized that the only people who followed me worked for me. Since the whole concept of social media was being social, I decided to pivot to a subject close to my heart: wine.
The switch felt natural, and suddenly, I found myself engaged with the supportive Twitter wine community. I jokingly told my husband that when I hit 1,600 followers, I’d start a blog. As I got closer to that number, my dear friend Bruce Felps, the editor of a neighborhood paper, further encouraged me to write. Though Bruce is no longer with us, having passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm, his spirit lives on in every word I write. His cat, Bogart, became mine, and he helped me for 13 years to “write” mostly by standing on my computer.
When I hit the decade mark,I wrote a retrospective about lessons learned. As I look back on the last 15 years of Dallas Wine Chick, I’m humbled. From those first tentative posts (without pictures) to now being ranked among the top 25 global wine bloggers, it’s been a remarkable adventure. From the amazing people I’ve met in the industry to the press trips I’ve been invited to attend to each friend I’ve made along the way, it’s been a way to connect with people, tell amazing stories, take a stand on issues I care about and realize that I still have so much to learn. And for someone who still has no formal training in wine I’m proud I’m still standing.
To everyone who has been a part of this journey – my readers (many of whom have become friends), fellow writers, winemakers, and industry professionals – thank you. Your support, engagement, and shared enthusiasm have made these past 15 years truly special.
