The goal of this series is to connect with wineries and wine business that use Social Media (Twitter and Facebook) effectively. Meet Everett winery, Sojen Cellars and see how they’re using Social Media to connect with new and old friends. These interviews can serve as a catalyst to help other wineries and wine businesses to see the benefits (and pitfalls) of joining the social revolution.

SoJen on Web ** On Twitter ** On Facebook

How long have you been using Twitter?

Sojen Cellars has been on Twitter through Max or I for about six months.

What prompted you to dive in?

Max started tweeting and was creating new contacts and meeting people in the industry. I began tweeting and we were connected with Russell Lowell, a very old friend from our DiStefano days. Twitter showed us that this media opens a door to create relationships with people in our industry and possible business opportunities.

What type of strategy or approach do you use when posting content?

We post information to give tweeters the chance to see what is going on in our business life; from events at the winery or winemaker dinners at a restaurant as well as club information or how people can participate in the winery.

What have been the benefits of using Twitter/Facebook? (Increased traffic, increased brand awareness, customer connection, etc)

We have met new people and created new relationships that have brought new faces to SoJen Cellars as well as connected Max and I with people who want to help promote our business.

Is there a single success story that you can point to with using Twitter/Facebook? 

Max starting tweeting with @SeattleWineGal and @DivaTink and those ladies opened up the door to meet them at Russell’s Dining in Bothell. Max and I knew who the owner was and that we hadn’t seen him in a long time but when we walked in the door, the General Manager recognized Max and hadn’t seen him in almost 10 years. That connection reconnected Max and I with some old Woodinville friends (Max was former winemaker at DiStefano Winery for many years). It also allowed us to reconnect with Russell and have the amazing opportunity to have a winemaker dinner there and invite new and old friends to attend. Social media allowed us to access people that we didn’t have access to by phone or email.

What do you think is the single biggest barrier to why we don’t see more wineries actively using Social Media tools?

TIME! It takes time to read tweets and think about what you really want people to know about you and your business.  Many of us have other jobs or started out having other jobs. Managing two to three jobs and then finding time to peruse Facebook or tweet is a lot to swallow.

What advice would you give to wineries joining the stream or getting back into the stream?

Meet as many people as you can in your field, have meaningful conversations; be intentional about what you post and then revel in the results!

Briefly tell us about your winery, a new release, or something unique about you?

Max and I own SoJen Cellars in Everett after 5 years of making wine in the garage in Lake Stevens and a decade of experience in the field.  We are a true husband and wife team with both of us winemaking and managing the tasting room. We focus on blends that are versatile to be paired with food and can stand alone to be enjoyed. We also have the capacity to do custom blends for restaurants and private events. Our story is unique since both of us have a passion for wine in different capacities. Max and I met 12 years ago on AOL (before there was a charge for internet dating) I was working in Sonoma County at a wonderful restaurant that provided me many opportunities to work with wine and food pairing and catering. Max was a cellar rat at Silver Lake and then was introduced to Mark Newton and joined his staff at DiStefano. Through the love of food and wine, Max and I were somehow brought together. It was one email from me to him that started it all. His AOL screen name was Winos3. I loved it! I wrote to him “I like your screen name” That was the email that changed me life forever.

What is your favorite rock band and why? 

The Beatles because no matter how old you are, you love them!