Get to know Georgie, the classy lady behind @winingawaytheweekend on Instagram.
Georgie, please tell us a little about yourself and how you found yourself immersed in the world of wine.
GF: I have always been a writer, starting from a very young age. I used to enter all the Newspaper competitions and I’d win things like TVs and £1000 towards my school. For some reason, it wasn’t until after university that I realized maybe I should pursue writing. I started my wine blog because it made me feel less guilty about all the bottles I was recycling after the weekend, and to share my love for wine!
Why did you start your Instagram account?
GF: I had been sharing my wine blog (www.winingawaytheweekend.com) on my personal Instagram page, plus Twitter and Facebook too. It was doing really well so I thought I’d start a wine specific page on Instagram so I could be more immersed in the wine community on there.
What has been your most memorable wine experience thus far? and most memorable wine bottle?
GF: Probably when I visited Verona and went on a bit of an Amarone tour, which just so happens to be my favourite wine! Most memorable wine, well that’s a tricky one because I remember all the good ones. A special wine would have to be from Zyme winery, made by the fantastic Celestino Gaspari it was called Harlequin. I tried the 2009 vintage; it’s made from 15 different varieties.
What is your stance on influencers being paid to post about brands? Should influencers be transparent regarding payment for posts?
GF: I haven’t given it a huge amount of thought, it doesn’t really bother me what other people do and don’t do on Instagram, as long as they’re mentally okay. I like the content I like, if I don’t like it, I don’t follow it. If people are getting paid but they’re creating great content, what’s not to love, good for them. I think it’s pretty obvious if people are getting paid sometimes, as long as there is some unbiased content in the mix too then it’s all good.
If you had to pick one wine today, price not an issue, which wine would you go with and why?
GF: Ooo, that’s a good one. I’m big into Californian wine at the moment. I think there is some fascinating wine over there, and their big reds are what I’m all about. A friend of mine, Tatiana, is the brand ambassador for Perus wines. I tried a dribble at 67 Pall Mall once and it was delicious. They’re a bit out of my price range so maybe I’d stock up on them if price wasn’t a problem. A recent wine that blew my mind was Sami-Odi’s Mahe & Ribo 2015, a Syrah from the Barossa Valley, that’s quite pricey but worth every single penny.
What advice would you give wineries or wine companies looking to use the Instagram social media platform to grown their brands image?
GF: Invest in a good camera or mobile phone and never ever post average images.
What are your favorite varietals and why?
GF: That’s a tricky one, I love all varietals, they all have something to offer depending on what you need at the time.
The greatest lesson you’ve learned in this business is….
GF: To not judge a rose by its colour.
On a personal note, what are some of the most important things in your life?
GF: I have a lot of responsibilities at home, from my house to dogs and horses. It means a lot to me to find a balance, I have a job which thankfully enables me to enjoy a lot of the things that I love.
We absolutely love your photos on Instagram. Do you have a tip for other influencers when it comes to photography for their gram or their blogs?
GF: Thanks. I think just go for it, don’t hold back and be confident. Also, never be embarrassed to ask someone to take a photo of you! If they say no, ask someone else, it’s not a big deal.
When it comes to region or origin of wine, does one country dominate all others? or would you say each producer has their own qualities that allow them to compete on the global stage?
GF: Yeah, I’d agree that each producer has to work with what they’ve got. You only have to look at the wine we are creating here in the UK to see how a climate opportunity can be seized at the right time. A lot of people hate the word passionate, but I think it takes a certain type of person to create an extraordinary wine.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
GF: I just think in this industry, there are so many lovely people out there on Instagram so if you’re interested in what they’re doing, then just drop people a message, you literally have nothing to lose. Also, there are a lot of negative people out there too, just block & ignore. Finally, wine is for everyone, you like what you like, champion that, and don’t let people make you feel silly for enjoying what you enjoy.
