I just learned about Patricia Latimer as an author. Prior to her being a writer, I knew her as the founder of Patricia Latimer Associates, a public relations and strategic planning company, located in Cleveland, with a presence in San Francisco. When I knew her, she was based in San Francisco. Her dad’s ailing health brought her back to her roots in Ohio, where she’s been since, but she still maintains her presence in San Francisco.

In her career, she was the Director of the Sherry Institute of Spain, advocating for Spain and Sherry in the Western United States, representing the Asociacion de Criadores de Sherry, S.A., in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

Today, she’s the author of Ohio Wine Country Excursions, which I recently read and reviewed on Wine-blog. Earlier, she authored California Wineries of Sonoma & Mendocino, Vintage Image Publishers, St. Helena, CA. She was also a one-time political writer and a scriptwriter. Over the years, Latimer has been published in over 100 national and regional magazines and newspapers such as Connecticut, Colorado Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle. She was a columnist on wine for the Nob Hill Gazette, Bayviews and Coast, and a columnist on women in business for the San Francisco Examiner. She began her career in New York as an editor for one of the Hearst Corporation Magazines.

Once I read her book, I realized that she belongs on my wine writer page, too, and sent her my Q&A. It follows:

[Q]  Many wine writers also have a day job. If wine isn’t your job, what is and for whom?

[PATRICIA]   I’m the principal, CEO, and senior account executive, for Patricia Latimer Associates, a public relations and strategic planning company, established in San Francisco in the early eighties. Today, Patricia Latimer Associates is located in Cleveland, with a presence in San Francisco, working with national and international businesses in food, beverage, hi-tech, arts, architecture and other areas. I melded my talents as a writer, author, journalist and scriptwriter with my business consulting skills. Latimer Associates does public relations consulting for branding, image, strategic planning, tools of the trade, electronic and traditional press kits, digital photos, media placement, media campaigns, events, and press trips. Clients include food and beverage, hi-tech, tel-com, art, architecture and other businesses.

[Q]  When did you start writing about wine?

[PATRICIA]    I started writing about wine in the early-mid seventies after working as an editor for one of the Hearst Corporation Magazines in New York.

[Q]  What prompted you to start writing about wine?

[PATRICIA]    At the height of the California wine revolution, I was offered several wine business opportunities in California, then later Spain, that truly welcomed women and inspired a can-do attitude.

[Q]  What aspect(s) of wine do you most enjoy covering?

[PATRICIA]  I enjoy writing about professional people from all over the world who are highly educated, well-traveled, diverse, successful, curious, challenged, personable and visionary. There is a sense of excitement and “anything is possible” about these people. My work has been published in national and regional magazines and newspapers and I’ve authored five wine books.

[Q]  How has your job changed since you’ve started?

[PATRICIA]   I’ve increased responsibilities that encompass many new skills. Storytelling, narrative and content remain at the foundation of my work.

[Q]  What’s the most memorable wine you’ve ever tasted?

[PATRICIA]    A 1947 Cheval Blanc.

[Q]  What’s your favorite variety?

[PATRICIA]  Malbec from Argentina.

[Q]  Do you believe that there are better quality, lower priced wines today, than in past vintages?

[PATRICIA]  There is always that possibility in today’s economy, but I don’t really know the answer to this question.

[Q]  What’s your favorite innovation in the wine industry over the past few years?

[PATRICIA]  The integration of technology that brings new learning, a fresh perspective, real action, and a positive outcome.

[Q]  What’s your favorite food and wine pairing?

[PATRICIA]  One of my favorite food and wine pairings is fresh, grilled wild Alaskan salmon with a well-made, bone dry California white wine.

[Q]  What are your interests outside of the wine business?

[PATRICIA]  Family, friends, travel, walking/hiking, sailing, gardening, the environment, art, theatre, film, books, and music.

[Q]  Who inspires you (wine business or outside of it, doesn’t matter)?

[PATRICIA]  People of any age or background who have stepped out in the world with the ability to create, change and give back to humanity.

[Q]  For what would you like to be remembered?

[PATRICIA]  I’d like to be remembered as a person who embraced and showed great compassion, the best protection and the source of all healing.

Patricia Latimer
Patricia Latimer Associates
216-591-0353/415-289-6904
patricialatimer@hotmail.com

Related articles

• The Ohio Wine Industry ~ I Laughed Until I Got There (wine-blog.org)