Projects

I do many different things.

As an editorial strategist and designer, I’ve led teams in diverse industries on projects small to grand. Sometimes the work is architectural, focused on content strategy, data, and big ideas. Sometimes it goes all the way down to the copy edit. (For the record, I’m Team Oxford Comma.) More recently I’ve added illustration and visual narratives to the quiver.

As a wine expert, I’ve helped launch four new publications and served as editor and freelance writer. I’ve also lectured about wine communications strategy and tactics, and about the nature of wine writing itself, and I’ve mentored newer writers. I routinely travel to research and develop features for my own publication, Terroir Review.

Regardless of scope or domain, I like to partner with others to learn how a project will benefit both the organization and its constituents, then design a right-sized, usable, useful, delightful result.

Below are some recent projects:


For the consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, I illustrated and wrote a series of Instagram posts about the sparkling wines of this UNESCO World Heritage region. You can find them on the consorzio’s Instagram profile.

Pix logoFor Pix, a wine discovery platform, I developed back-end taxonomy and nomenclature to support user searches. I also partnered with the editorial team on the design and development of a brilliant new wine magazine, The Drop.

The DropFor The Drop, I penned a series of Wine Science Explainers that used plain language to enlighten readers about some of the more fascinating and vexing topics in wine. The series was Finalist for Beverage Focused Column in the IACP Food Writing Awards.



Terroir ReviewFor Terroir Review (my own publication), I’m especially proud of two recent visual essays on wine people and regions — The Gravner Notebook, and Whither Port? — and a video, Vermont Terroir Cider: A Moment in Time. But there are also thousands of other features and wine reviews, and production is ongoing. Some people have said nice things about that work.

TulaneFor Tulane University, I was a co-instructor in an interdisciplinary course about climate change. I lectured and helped students learn how to use expressive writing to convey their complex ideas and feelings about solutions to the crisis.

Wine wordsFor various outlets, including Unified Symposium, Sheffield Hallam University, and the Circle of Wine Writers, I’ve spoken about the evolving nature of wine language and efforts to decolonize wine. My work on these issues has been noted in The Washington Post, Jancisrobinson.com, and Winebusiness.com.



Wine2WineFor Wine2Wine Verona, I delivered my original research and survey results on ways wineries can improve their websites to make them more functional for journalists seeking stories. I subsequently presented these materials to other wine and cider professional organizations.

AVA GalleryFor AVA Gallery and Arts Center, I developed and taught a course for fine artists on writing the Artist’s Statement. I also served on the Board of Directors and chaired the Marketing Committee. And I attend weekly 3-hour life drawing sessions, too.

TuckFor Tuck School of Business, I rebooted the Executive Education web presence, developing copy, imagery, and video to showcase offerings. I also migrated their legacy CRM to Salesforce and redesigned their marketing and sales workflow.



Bonny Doon VineyardFor Bonny Doon Vineyard, I refactored the wine club to retain members while reducing costs, and I introduced e-commerce innovations to move more wine through the Direct channel. Working for a small family winery was one of the most educational experiences of my wine career.

DartmouthFor Dartmouth, I revamped the university’s news web presence, designing back and front ends for news stories, events, announcements, and e-newsletters. I’ve also consulted to Admissions, Alumni Relations, Development, Library, Learning Center, and other teams.


 

 

There’s more.

You can browse a longer list on my LinkedIn profile or peruse my CV. If you’d like to discuss partnering on a project, please get in touch.