Hannah, what inspired your interest in wine and encouraged you to set up your Instagram account to share your journey?
HS: I am a Bay Area native. Some of my earliest childhood memories involved picking out picnic food in the deli at V.Sattui with my grandmother while my parents did a tasting. It was only fitting that, when I moved back to the Bay Area after college, I grew an appreciation for wine and spending weekends up in wine country.
What do you hope people take away from your Instagram content?
HS: Wine tells a story. Branch out and look for hidden gems vs sticking to the stuff you can find on the shelves at Whole Foods or Costco. I love small production wineries where I can get to know the owners and really learn about what led them to the business. There are people behind the bottle you enjoy with your weekend BBQ or on your couch binging your favorite Netflix show.
What are your favorite varietals and why?
HS: Everyone who knows me knows I’m a die-hard pinot noir fan. I drink all of it – Sonoma County, Willamette Valley, Anderson Valley, Sta Rita Hills, Burgundy, New Zealand…wherever there is Pinot, you’ll find me. Beyond pinot, Gruner Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc for whites and Zinfandel for another red.
The most memorable bottle you’ve had as of yet?
HS: For my boyfriends’ birthday this year, we went to Saison in San Francisco. Over a veal dish, we were able to enjoy a 1992 Paradigm Cabernet from Napa Valley. It was amazing to taste a wine almost as old as myself and truly see its aging potential. I am a naturally very impatient person, so this showed me how patience can pay off.
What advice would you give wineries or wine companies looking to use the Instagram social media platform to grow their brands’ image?
HS: There is so much good wine out there – social media and influencers are a great way to showcase what differentiates your wine and, ultimately, your brand from others. Figure out what you offer your target audience that no one else does and really double down on this. Do you have a beautiful tasting room? Do you offer unique food and wine experiences? We all look to Instagram as a quick distraction and escape from the daily grind, often only glimpsing at pictures for a few brief moments. You need to make what you post interesting and captivating – it’s no longer enough to just post a bunch of pictures of bottles.
What is your favorite travel destination and why?
HS: Ironically, my top travel destinations is Bali, which has nothing to do with wine. I went for a wedding earlier this year and was obsessed with the island’s beauty, culture, and people. For wine, my top travel destination so far was Willamette Valley, but I am super excited to explore both Rioja and Santa Barbara this year.
The greatest lesson you’ve learned in this business is…
HS: You are not on an island by yourself. I am lucky to be surrounded by friends and family that have supported me through this and a boyfriend who has grown accustomed to spending his Saturdays driving me up to wine country. I have also met so many amazing people via Instagram who I now consider friends that have coached me every step along the way. Do not be afraid to ask for help from those around you!
On a personal note, what are some of the most important things in your life?
HS: Family, friends, travel and, let’s be honest, food and wine because they accompany the other three. I am a self-proclaimed workaholic, so the time I do have away from work I like to spend with loved ones (preferably in wine country or other interesting places.)
We absolutely love your photos on Instagram. Do you have a tip for other influencers when it comes to photography for their gram or their blogs?
HS: Don’t overthink it and just post what you like! There is no secret sauce when it comes to what content is going to do well and it’s all about putting things out in the world that make you happy. I take all my photos on an iPhone, have no training in any sort of photography and just kind of fake my way through the whole Instagram thing. Learning on the job, in this case, has been key.
What do you think is the most important quality for the influencer to possess?
HS: Authenticity. Even since I created vinoforbreakfast, there are SO many new wine bloggers on the scene (which is awesome!) Because of this, there is a need even more than ever to be authentic and build your own brand people with which people can connect. I figured out that people follow me for different reasons than they follow other people and I need to double down on the things I actually care about vs things I think I should be doing. Do I get more likes when I post photos of myself? Sure, everyone wants to see the face behind Instagram. But, if I really want to post a photo of a glass of rosé, I am going to just do it and be proud of what I am putting out there.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
HS: Remember why you’re doing this and do not lose sight of that. For me, I created vinoforbreakfast to share things I love with others. It can sometimes feel like a rat race to grow the account and I end up taking it WAY too seriously and I have to just remind myself this was all supposed to be fun. Life is short, drink the wine, take the trip and snap some pictures along the way.
