So, what is this? Essentially, what I do, is take pictures of a portion of our guests at Ruby Hill Winery, for what I’ve named the “Facebook~Guestbook.” I collect their names, find out whether they’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary, or learn if they are visiting from another place in the world, and then upload the pictures on Ruby Hill’s Facebook page with names and welcoming comments. I see this as currently co-existing with, but eventually replacing, the hardcover book/journal-style of guest books people use ink pens to write their names in.

I came up with the idea because I promised General Manager Craig Chan during my interview, that once I felt comfortable in this new environment, I would probably offer a new idea of one kind or another, but with no clue at the time, what that idea would be.

It has very organic roots. I love to take pictures, and I love facebook, and so, true to my nature, I had my camera with me at all times. At first I was just taking pictures of the gorgeous tasting room, and my co-workers, and the beautiful landscape outside, but our customers wanted pictures taken of themselves on their wine tasting adventures, and so I started taking pictures of them with their camera, and then extra pictures with my own camera, and –right away- it became clear to me...“a Ruby Hill Facebook Guestbook!” It’s been going strong now for over 5 months.

You can’t quantify the return on investment in social media the same way you can measure wine bottle sales, for example. But obviously, this is an excellent relationship building vehicle, a wonderful marketing tool, and it is as of great a value to our customers/guests, as it is all of us at Ruby Hill. It’s an excellent conversation-starter in the tasting room, and encourages us to connect more deeply with our guests while they enjoy their tastings; inspires us to learn a little extra about them. And our guests love being included, tagged, and then share their facebook-guestbook pictures with friends and family around the world. It’s very fun, actually. And none of it possible without Mark Zuckerberg, so I often send him personal “thank you’s!” in my prayers.

I see this as the launch of a beautiful new trend on facebook and within social media in general. Facebook-Guestbook is perfect for our industry, perfect for tasting rooms, and it can easily be adopted by any industry dealing directly with the public.

Any business, any place which currently has a guestbook to sign is a natural facebook-guestbook candidate. In fact, in my dreams and visions, Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook team create a specific button that reads: facebook-guestbook. That way, there can exist an easy visual distinction between a given businesses product promotions, news, event calendar and guests.

I have been involved in the wine industry for many years as an appreciative customer. I have so many wonderful memories of visiting tasting rooms with friends and family for birthdays, special occasions, mother’s day. A long list, actually. But in truth, I never invested any time in learning about the wines I was tasting; I just enjoyed them.

I officially entered the industry in December 2010 with Ruby Hill Winery. I pour their gold and silver flight tastings to customers. My official title when I was hired, was “hospitality attendant” but I prefer “wine goddess” because, “hospitality attendant” has too many syllables, and seems a little boring. Now, all the women are wine goddesses, and the men, wine lords. (Wine God was vetoed). But this opportunity also represents the beginning of my becoming a true student of wine. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. It is an amazing, highly collaborative and wonderful industry. I can’t believe we have over 50+ wineries here in our own backyard!

I have been collecting personally inscribed books by authors I love for several years. Since becoming employed by Ruby Hill, I’ve started collecting personally inscribed wine bottles by the winemakers.

This creates an extra incentive for me to visit all of our local wineries. It has turned the Livermore Valley Wine Country Brochure into a treasure map. I hope my quest and collection inspires other people to do the same.

I’ve lived in Pleasanton 15+ years, and am guilty of visiting only about nine or 10 of our over 50 wineries. Already, with the idea and purpose of collecting personally inscribed bottles, I’ve visited five more in one month. I want to encourage everyone to get out and enjoy all that is right here - so many great experiences are just a few minutes away. So that may not be a trend I originated, but one I find very exciting: One personally inscribed wine bottle by every winemaker in Livermore/ Pleasanton Wine Country.

And of course I invite everyone to Ruby Hill for a personally inscribed bottle of wine, by our winemaker extrordinare, Chris Graves, and would be happy to take your picture for inclusion in our facebook~guestbook.