THANKS
People humble me with their words. It’s fun for me to keep the collection of those thoughts here, for moments when I need to know that I matter.
After my meeting with delegates from Eurasia, as organized through the US Department of Commerce (3/3/2012)
At the feedback session, everyone rated the meeting with you very highly and, in fact, it was one of the highlights of the whole program! It was very eye-opening for the delegates to see that they can promote a specific varietal wine , in addition to their regions/countries.
Barbara Keck ~ Sierra Foothills Wineries (2/2/12)
It’s not cricket to start a blogpost with a diversion, but I have to tell you how much I admire Jo Diaz. There’s more than one blogger with a stick up their derriere, but she is not one of them. Among other things, she is a tireless supporter of the varietal Petite Sirah, and she is simply wonderful at that.
The latest lauded Petite Sirah tasting in Alameda, “Dark & Delicious”, was by all accounts a great success….
Jay Walman ~ Walman Report ~ (2/1/12)
Congratulations on your new clients. You do the best PR.
Peter Witham ~ Wines & Vines ~ Can Pinot Gris Get a Grip on Oregon? (1/20/12)
California-based wine publicist Jo Diaz might be called the éminence Gris behind the initiative. She has spent a decade championing Petite Sirah through PS I Love You Inc., an incorporated entity that started with 10 members and claimed 90 members in its 10th year.
Paul Gregutt ~ paulgregutt.com (1/18/12)
State-wide marketing in Oregon has been essentially rudderless until recently. Jo Diaz’s small but important, privately-funded effort to promote Oregon pinot gris strikes me as not only focused but sensible. It has a clear goal, a reasonable objective, and the chance to break the state out of its one trick pony image.
Monica Turner ~ Stark Insider (1/4/12)
If you don’t know much about Pinot Gris from Oregon, brace yourself; it’s about to get Real in the West Coast vineyards. Well known and even more respected wine guru Jo Diaz has spearheaded the launch of a wine marketing group focused on the white wine grape variety.
Rick Backas ~BackToBakas (12/21/12)
On Facebook: Happy birthday to Jo Diaz – one of the wine industry’s best and brightest. She’s a friend to many!
Paul Gregutt ~ paulgregutt.com ~ (6/11)
Jo Diaz, on her Juicy Tales blog, announces the long-awaited follow-up to last summer’s Oregon Pinot Gris symposium, for which I was the keynote speaker. Diaz, certainly one of the most successful and savvy wine marketers on the west coast, is launching a group whose mission will be “to better define Pinot Gris in Oregon” (see previous posts in my blog for more on the symposium).
Marlene Rossman to Charlie Olken ~ Wine writers, both (5/31/11)
Charlie, after all these years, I am sure you know Jo Diaz, who is one of the leading proponents of Pets in California. Check out her blog: http://www.wine-blog.org/Jo is not only a very knowledgeable wine-o but she wrote a very flattering and humbling piece on moi…
Charlie to Marlene: Do I know Jo Diaz? Am I breathing? Have I been writing about wine for several decades? Jo Diaz is my model for persistent enthusiasm. Love her.
Rich Mauro on the People’s Palate and Gabby Gourmet~ Wine Writer (5/25/11)
Wineries up and down the state [California] now are making varietal Petite Sirah wines. And a promotional organization, P. S. I Love You (www.psiloveyou.org), which was founded in 2002 with 39 charter members, has more than doubled to 81 winery members in 2011. I think it’s fair to say that organization and its founding director, Jo Diaz deserves much of the credit for the grape’s growing popularity.
Sondra Barrett PhD ~ Wine artist and writer
Jo is a supportive and creative writer and marketer. Her enthusiasm and integrity are stellar. She’s got a long-time view of the wine industry and knows how to connect with people. Her wine blog is like none other and it’s been a real treat working with her.” Top Qualities: Expert, High Integrity, Creative
Marlene Rossman ~ Manhattan Wine Seminars, in a comment on my story: Top 11 Things I’ve Learned as a Wine Industry Publicist (4/26/2011)
Jo, if ANYONE can do the job, it is you!
Steve McIntosh ~ Winethropology ~ How Much Does It Cost To Make A Bottle Of Wine? (12/17/10)
Jo Diaz, wine publicist extraordinaire and the brains behind PS I Love You, writes a wine blog simply titled ‘Wine Blog’. Not only is she an industry veteran, she’s smart – and a really nice lady.
Edward Deitch ~ Vint-ed: Sips: Portugal’s Enoforum creates wines for export with some exciting releases (8/25/2010)
In wine, as in other areas of journalism, we sometimes get our ideas – or germs of ideas — from savvy PR and marketing folks who know when they have an interesting story to tell on behalf of their clients and have a good sense when writers might be interested. One of the more diligent and delightful of them is Jo Diaz, who runs her own communications company in Windsor, California in Sonoma County.
When Jo asked recently if I cared to meet a new client, a principle in a relatively new Portuguese wine company, I quickly took her up on her offer even though I don’t usually meet individually with winemakers or executives because I tend to shy away from being a captive audience of one. What happens if I don’t like the wines? In any event, I had a hunch that Jo was on to something unusual. And so we sat down for dinner last week at The Modern, one of my favorite New York restaurants, with her client (who picked up the bill, I will disclose right off the bat).
Why Wine Blog ~ joeshico, Links Page
Wine-Blog – Juicy tales by Jo Diaz ~ sometimes serious often hilarious and always informative.
WE Magazine ~ 101 More Women Bloggers to Watch for 2010 (8/17/2010)
This list of inspiring and aspiring bloggers is one of our best yet…I am sure you will enjoy reading about these women and checking out their blogs as much as WE had putting this list of Women Bloggers to Watch… Wine Blog with Jo Diaz – An easy way to expand your wine palate and your knowledge base
Steve Heimoff ~ Getting it right: the Petite Sirah story (6/8/2010)
In 2002, the P.R. company, Diaz Communications, began their effort to resurrect Petite Sirah on behalf of the then 60 growers and producers who still stood by it. Through relentless promotion, Jo Diaz and her husband, Jose, broke through the public’s and the critics’ indifference, and put Petite Sirah back on the map.
So what wine blogs, in addition to WineBizNews, of course, should you follow if you want to delve into the wine world more thoroughly. That is to say: which of the 13,000 wine blogs are worth your time? The list below is highly subjective and cut-to-the-bone for this column. I follow 50-60 wine blogs, and it is a rotating and constantly changing list.
Juicy Tales by Jo Diaz: http://www.wine-blog.org/
Robert Whitley (Wine writer, publisher, and wine competition organizer) Savoring Wine Through Social Mediums (4/28/10)
Jo Diaz (www.wine-blog.org) is from the wine public relations field, yet she is as free and independent as any wine journo! Jo would do her blog, even if she wasn’t in the biz because she simply loves wine and the culture of wine as a lifestyle. She is a good source for information about issues related to wine, and she champions those causes she truly believes in. Well worth a visit!
Paul Gregutt of Seattle Times and Wine Enthusiast
Top picks for navigating the sea of wine on the Web (4/26/10) ~ Wine-blog.org. PR veteran Jo Diaz, founder of PS I Love You, which promotes petite sirah, runs this excellent blog, subtitled “Juicy Tales.” Lots of blogger interviews and commentary with a marketing focus.
Laura Ness of My Vine Space
“You’re the Princess of Petite Passion and Major Fun!”
Ken Payton, Reign of Terroir, when asked if he would attend the Petite Sirah Symposium of 2009,
“…knew I would be away on vacation in the San Juan Islands of Washington State on that date but the draw of event proved irresistible. That, and the simple fact you don’t turn down an invite from Jo.”
Personal favorite, from my first born daughter (Facebook), who’s very much like me in many regards…
“To my neighbors who witnessed my mother raking the front yard today, we did not, I repeat, DID NOT ask for nor encourage her help with that task. She thought it would be good exercise. Those of you who know and love her know that she grabs hold of an idea and doesn’t let go. She’s unstoppable.” (November 12, 2011)
Wine Business ~ Regarding Jo Diaz blog: Juicy Tales by Jo Diaz ~ Wine industry publicist Jo Diaz’s musings… (with the launch of Wine Business’s Blog page, 2006)
Jo,
I’ve found your blog in a roundabout way through, although I hate to admit it, a quick Google for the correct spelling of my publisher, Elliott Mackey! I love your approach and what I’ve read so far, and will be reading more.
I wanted to commend you on your testimonials, which I always think are important and say a lot about a person. Your personal favourite is also mine – your daughter’s protestations on FB about your need to attack the yard without help! Wonderful!
Happy Holidays!
Deborah,
Thanks so much for you comments. I really appreciate them… In some ways, it’s hard to post testimonials. They seem so self serving, on one hand; on the other, this is the only kudos that i get, as a private contractor. My clients, as long as they’re willing to pay the invoices, do say a lot; but, it’s silent and I’m always guessing.
So pleased that my favorite is your favorite. Who better than one’s own child to tell you if you’re doing right by him or her. LOL
Happy holidays, to you, too!
Also, just yesterday I was asked if I could direct someone to a resource for how to import wines. Kismet! I’ll send her to your blog and suggest that she buys your book. Actually, you’re a great candidate for an interview… I’ll Email you.