Celebrating a new partnership – The Vino Geek Sam Watson, left, Judy Peterson, Colin Peterson, Minister for Regional Development John Barilaro, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Andrew Close (Treasurer New England Wine Association) Peter Sniekers (NSW Trade and Investment), Rolf Blickling of Banalasta Wines and Darryl Carter of Whyworry Wines.
To follow TheVinoGeek and learn more about New England Wines, visit: www.facebook.com/NewEnglandWine – @lovenewine on Twitter & Instagram – www.thevinogeek.com
SELF-CONFESSED wine nerd and blogger Sam Watson (aka TheVinoGeek) has signed up with the New England Wine Industry Association (NEWIA) in a deal set to boost the social media and online presence of the region’s fine wine and produce industry, Minister for Regional Development and Small Business John Barilaro announced today.
Mr Barilaro joined Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall at Petersons Armidale Winery to announce Vino Geek will provide a year of intensive social marketing to the industry across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“The Vino Geek business has grown into a strong position to offer a broader range of services to local wineries, from social media set-up and management, marketing, event management and more,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The new deal will help local wineries and producers lift their profile and promote the region’s premium cool climate wines to the rest of Australia and beyond.”
Mr Marshall said local entrepreneur Sam Watson was a New England resident and businessman and his passion for the local wine industry is what drove his early work as an amateur wine blogger.
“I am looking forward to seeing Sam bring the New England wine region into its own over the next few years and ensuring it becomes more well-known as a celebrated wine region,” he said.
Mr Marshall said the region’s wines recently made the headlines with Topper’s Mountain Wines winning four Gold Medals at the prestigious Berlin Wine Trophy, one of the world’s most important wine competitions.
“New England winery Topper’s Mountain entered the event for the first time this year with five wines and was awarded Gold medals for four of their entries,” he said.
“The remarkable win demonstrates the international quality and appeal of the region’s wines, and is a great example of the kind of success the region can share through social channels.
“The support from the NSW Government has provided a workable contract and agreement with NEWIA that will bring further business growth to our local businesses.”
The NSW Government is actively engaging with regional businesses to provide the support to make their engagement with government easier, simpler and more efficient.
** To follow TheVinoGeek and learn more about New England Wines, visit: www.facebook.com/NewEnglandWine – @lovenewine on Twitter & Instagram – www.thevinogeek.com