There are moments in this crazy wine journey where the glass in my hand is only half the story. The other half is the people—the storytellers, the swirlers, the passionate souls who have embraced wine. Some as a career, some as a hobby, some as a calling. This week, at the Wine Writers Education Tour (WWETsoco) in Sonoma, I was reminded just how much this community means to me.
It’s been years — years! — since I’ve hugged some of these friends in person. Zoom calls and social media comments are great, but nothing compares to the real thing: The laughter, the hugs, the inside jokes, the way a shared bottle can unlock stories you didn’t even know you needed to tell. Hanging out with this group I felt a rush of joy that I can only describe as coming home.
This year, our reunion was bittersweet. The absence of two beloved members of our wine writing family—Liza Swift and Tom Riley—was deeply felt.
Liza Swift was a force of nature in the Northern California wine community. Many of you knew her as the founder of BrixChicks, a blog that captured her boundless curiosity and love for wine adventures. By day, she was a corporate marketing executive, but her true passion was sharing stories from her explorations across Greece, Istanbul, London, Mexico, and every corner of the U.S. where food and wine brought people together. Liza was my long-time running buddy and roommate, and I miss her madly.
Tom Riley, too, left an indelible mark on our community. Based in Alameda, Tom was a writer, educator, and the voice behind The Grape Belt. He had a gift for making wine accessible and for championing the convivial, supportive spirit that makes the East Bay wine scene unique. Tom’s writing celebrated not just the wines, but the people and the sense of community that binds us all together.
As I looked around the room in Sonoma, I felt the presence of Liza and Tom in the laughter, the hugs, and the stories that flowed as freely as the wine. Their passion, generosity, and joy continue to inspire me—and all of us—to keep telling the stories behind the glass, to support one another, and to savor every moment together.
What struck me most wasn’t just the incredible lineup of wines (though, let’s be honest, Sonoma never disappoints). It was the warmth. The support. The community of writers, farmers, and winemakers. The sense that, no matter how much time has passed, we pick up right where we left off. Lots more to come on the conference, but I felt this was a great way to introduce it!
We tasted, we learned, we debated the merits of varietals and the magic of old vines (more to come). But above all, we celebrated each other. This group has cheered me on through every post, every adventure, and every new discovery. After so many years, we are a little older, a little wiser and we still have a passion for this industry. They’ve inspired me to keep asking questions, to keep telling the stories behind the labels, and to remember that wine is about connection as much as it is about terroir.
Leaving Sonoma, my heart (and, let’s be honest, my suitcase) was full. Full of gratitude to Fred Swan and the Sonoma County Wine Growers for such an amazing conference, full of ideas, and full of the kind of joy that only comes from being with your people. Here’s to the friends who make this journey so much richer—and to the next glass we’ll share, wherever in the world that may be.
