Teddy let us kick things off with you telling us about yourself.
TT: My name is Theadora Thompson, I go by Teddy. My Mom’s side of the family is Greek, hence the long first name. That is where I got the inspiration for the name _thewinegoddess. I am 33 years old. I currently live in my hometown, Spokane Washington where I moved during the pandemic. In the past 4 years I lived in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Maui.
Where have been the most magical places for the best food and wine, or just a breathtaking view with a nice bottle of wine?
TT: The most magical places for food and wine have been the Lahaina Grill on Maui and 71 above in Los Angeles. I love restaurants that have tasting menus and they pair each dish with a wine. Some memorable tasting dinners have been at Sitka and Spruce (Seattle), The Herb Farm (Woodinville), and The Commerson Building (Seattle). When it comes to having a bottle with a breathtaking view, I shared a bottle of sparkling with one of my best friends at the top of Haleakala, a volcano on Maui, sipping above the clouds.
Everyone on the wine journey started somewhere drinking 2 buck chucks. How did you get into wine? And is it true, that sometimes a $10 wine can be better than a $150 bottle of wine.
TT: I got into wine by accident. I was 21 and looking for my first job. I saw an ad for a Tasting Room Manager position in my hometown. I knew nothing about wine and applied. I immediately fell in love. I was drinking all estate Washington red blends and varietals and loving it. I never went through the 2-buck chuck phase lol.
What advice would you give wineries or wine companies looking to use the Instagram social media platform to grow their brands image?
TT: Advice for wineries and companies looking to use social media to grow their image. Wonderful idea! It is time to get on the bandwagon as we evolve with technology the people it can draw in is unlimited. Partner with people who align with your brand image. Are you traditional, or fun and innovative? Look for the people in social media who follow your theme. I have followed a few winemakers who have really utilized social media to their advantage in the pandemic and had a booming response (example: Ian Devereux from Smith Devereux Wines).
The greatest lesson you have learned in this business is….
TT: The greatest thing I have learned in this business is it is small and making partnerships will serve you well during your time in the industry. I love that in wine I find people to be supportive of one another.
2020 has brought a lot of misery to the world. But what do you think personally the year has taught you and with those lessons what do you plan to do differently in the years to come?
TT: What have I learned in 2020? You never know what life will bring you, live every day in the moment (as much as possible), do not wait for the special event to happen. Make today special. You realize you miss things when they are taken away, learn to shift your thinking to appreciate what you have now.
What are some of your favorite varietals?
TT: Favorite varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo, Sauvignon Blanc to name my main staples but I love trying new wines and branching out.
What makes your heart sing?
TT: What makes my heart sing? Wine, puppies, cheese, sunshine, the beach/lake/ocean!
Most memorable bottle you have had as of late.
TT: The most memorable bottle as of late was a Jeroboam of Pascal Redon that I drove across the state to pick up for my Mom’s wedding this last Summer. It was delicious, the perfect shade of pink and we had guests sign the bottle for a momento!
Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
TT: I started working on my wine page during the pandemic (prior to that I seldomly posted, I used it more as a wine journal). I use the page to bring happiness and excitement to my life. I have enjoyed connecting with other wine lovers from around the World. I want to share my love for wine through my personality on my page.
