Josh Orr @Somm_Moor

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We’d like to introduce you to Master #Sommelier Josh Orr @Somm_Moor, of Broadbent Selections Importer! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: We're about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to Josh Orr MS @Somm_Moor! Make sure to say hello so he knows you're here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Don't forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it!

BartholomewBroadbent @BollewBroadbent: #SommChat hi Double MS Josh. I'm excited to hear what you have to say today

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: Thanks for the support Bartholomew! Glad to see you checking out #sommchat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Let's start talking #wine with Master #Sommelier Josh Orr @Somm_Morr, of Broadbent Selections Importer @BroadbentWines! #WineWednesday #SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: Thanks for having me on #SommChat I've been looking forward to it. Excited to chat wine with everyone.

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: @Somm_Morr What is the best advice you can give to anyone studying for #wine exams on how not to get burned out and to keep trying despite setbacks? #SommChat @keepercoll

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: Having a plan is a big one for me. Knowing what you are shooting for and being realistic with your expectations. As you get into higher level certifications the time commitment is immense, so knowing what you are getting into and sticking to that is important. Also having an attitude of rolling with the punches helped me. Knowing you aren't going to go through a process like this without some sort of adversity. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @CharlesComm great to see you back on #SommChat today - keep those great questions coming!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @Somm_Morr What sparked your interest in joining the #wineworld and becoming a Master #Sommelier ?

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: During college I got interested in wine because I went to #CalPolySLO which is very near several wine regions on the central coast. It was very easy to catch the wine bug there as everyone is excited about it. The sommelier part came from a suggestion from my dad as he had read about the Master #sommelier certification and told me to research it. I knew I really enjoyed wine and the culture/history associated with it. So that is where it all started for me. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: .@Somm_Morr When did your journey begin at Broadbent Selection Importers @BroadbentWines? #SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: I started with @BroadbentWines fairly recently actually. I came on board in January of this year. It was a huge opportunity for me to work for a great company that I had admired. #Sommchat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm why did you choose to work on the importing side of the biz @Somm_Morr and what skills do you think are needed to succeed to work in that area?

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: Working on the import side attracted me because I have a #sommelier 's mentality and like to explore the world. So to have a book as diverse as this one with great & historical producers across the board was a big draw #SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: I also have a personal interest in cultures and food of the world and importing definitely allows me to explore that interest. For skills that are needed, definitely passion and patience as the sales world is constantly full of challenges #SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: You also need to be self-motivated as a lot of the work is on your own. So, you are directly responsible for successes and failures as well as the image of the winery's you represent in your market. For me it is great to be able to share the wines of Broadbent with SoCal #SommChat

Charles Comm PR @GYYGY: @Somm_Morr Out of all the places you have lived (Burgundy, Las Vegas, San Diego, ect,) which one has most inspired you learn about #wine? #SommChat @keepercoll @SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: I think I would have to say #sanluisobispo as well as #Burgundy we the most inspiring. I moved to Vegas because the inspiration was already there. The central coast of California has an infectious joy associated with wine and that got me hooked initially. #SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: Burgundy just added major fuel to the fire. I chose to live in Burgundy because I wanted to have first-hand knowledge of that wine region. I was actually working as a language assistant in the schools and studying wine on my own time. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm what are your duties in your job @BroadbentWines and what has been your biggest learning curve? What has been the easiest @Somm_Morr ?

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: I am a regional sales manager at Broadbent for Southern California and Southern Nevada (Vegas). So I am responsible for all facets of sales in those markets. I work directly with our distribution partners as well as go out on my own and sell directly to accounts. #SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: So far the biggest learning curve has been gaining a thorough understanding of the three tier system and how it affects pricing in each state. Understanding how that affects a products ability to be sold and have consistent movement from us all the way to the to the end consumer has been eye opening. I am still very much learning the in's and out's of the job but I love that part of it. It is an incredibly complex side of the business to be involved in. The easiest part has been the relationship side of it. I was already working in SoCal for our distributor @EpicWines and had good relationships with each of the teams for Epic as I was in charge of internal wine education for them. It made a huge differences that the managers and reps already knew me and trusted me. #SommChat

Charles Comm PR @CharlesComm: @Somm_Morr Out of all of the positions you have held in the #wine industry, which one prepared you the most for earning the title as a Master Sommelier? #SommChat @KeeperColl @SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: For the MS specifically, it would be my time as a wine director for the @MarriottMarina in San Diego. I believe that each position as well as the people associated with that time played a big role in my journey but the Marriott helped me to be able to handle a lot of the situations that are presented at the MS exam. I also got to build the list from scratch as well as ran the program from bottom to top. So I had to know costing, I had to source wines from all over. I had to deal with guests and staff in a variety of situations. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm how would you describe the #Sommelier world in #SoCal @Somm_Morr ? Also the consumer base tin #SoCal?

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: SoCal is separated into 3 or 4 areas really. I know the #SanDiego community very well as its my home town. There is an awesome culture there. Lots of somm's running very progressive programs. The Orange county community is a little more spread out and has some heavy retail presence there. It is a little more old-school wine culture. Where as, LA for example has both the new school pushing every envelope possible and the old school established wine crowd. LA is a wild world for wine. You can do a lot of things in LA with the right relationships and audience. The central coast is the 4th section and is one that is near to my heart. I have been lucky enough to be a part of the somm team for @WorldofPinot multiple times and have become good friends with a lot of somms from up there. They have to be smart about their selections because they have pressure from the local wineries to carry local wines but they also get asked for international selections. You forget how big and diverse #California is until you have sit in traffic driving up and down it. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @Somm_Morr how many #wines do you represent in the @BroadbentWines portfolio? Do you have access to all of the #wines for #SoCal? #SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: @BroadbentWines represents ~37 wineries from all over the world. California is one of the lucky ones that has access to basically the entire portfolio. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm I work in a resto setting N the #US and wish that my reps would do a better job of studying my list to present #wines relative to my needs. Do U have any suggestions on how to improve this process with #wine reps @Somm_Morr ?

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: I feel you on that. I think having honest conversations with the reps as well as possibly at the manager level would be beneficial. I know reps change frequently so the manager might be a good call. That way they can convey that info about your account to their reps before they even come into the account. The relationship side of this is important to me. I try to always approach accounts/buyers as I did tables. Listening to their needs and trying to provide what they are looking for. My hope is that if I can give them what they need then they would be more inclined to help me out if I needed something moved. It is finding that elusive balance of give and take that is important to me. #SommChat

Sandy Wasserman CS @SandyWasseman: Good morning @Somm_Morr How did you get your start in the #wine biz and who are your mentors? Thanks #Sommchat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: A big one for me would be Willie Sherer MS who helped me get my foot in the door in Vegas and has been there for me along the entire journey. Steve Pagano is another. He is not a somm but a from the hotel side of things and is an incredible chef. He taught me a lot about the business side of things and about making a program that sells and is not just geeky. #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Q fr #SommChat #Somm @Somm_Morr Congrats to you on your Master #Sommelier and to @BroadbentWines for having 2 MSs, you and Max Kast. What is the value if any to the importer?

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: I think it shows @BroadbentWines employees commitment and passion for the industry. Max wasn't an MS when he was hired. I think that it is also a sign of all that @BollewBroadbent did to set up an amazing import book and then surround himself with talented people. #SommChat

Christopher Lavin @madwino: @keepercoll Q for @Somm_Morr #SommChat what has been the most exciting wine you have launched this year? @BroadbentWines

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: We just picked up a new producer from the #Barossa in Australia An Approach to Relaxation who make some beautiful grenache as well as a Semillon blended with a little Sauv Blanc. I also just had Bruce Tyrrell from the legendary @TyrrellsWines in town which was amazing and further solidified by love of Hunter Valley Semillon. That is some serious juice that more people should be enjoying! #SommChat

BartholomewBroadbent @BollowBroadbent: Being Some talk, you might want to say who the new Barossa wine is from. It is relative

Christopher Lavin @madwino: @keepercoll Q for @Somm_Morr #SommChat you represent wines from 12 countries (soon 13) in the @BroadbentWines portfolio - where do you want to go next? You’ve already been to CHILE @DeMartinoWines & Argentina @BodegaWeinert earlier this year

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: It would probably be #SouthAfrica I used to hate studying for South Africa until I ran into wines from the likes of @SadieFamilyWine @AABadenhorst @Beauwine & @beeslaarwine among many others. These wines blew my mind in terms of quality and made studying easier #SommChat

Christopher Lavin @madwino: @keepercoll q for @Somm_Morr #SommChat do you think everyone should be drinking Muscat & Corinto blends? @DeMartinoWines #itata #granite #oldvines #Gallardia @BroadbentWines

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: Umm YES please! I will always make time for muscat and Corinto from #Itata #SommChat

Christopher Lavin @madwino: @keepercoll q for @Somm_Morr #SommChat @BroadbentWines you represent the great wines of @chateaumusar - is there a particular vintage that you are very excited about? A vintage you’d love to taste and have not...yet?

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: I love the wines from 2003. Both the white and the red are at a beautiful point right now in terms of their maturity. The red is driven by the Cabernet in the blend but with a little Rhone like character filling it out. The white is exotic white Bordeaux with age. #SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: I think the vintage I would most like to taste would be my birth year of 1983 #sommchat

Christopher Lavin @madwino: we might find a bottle of that for you at you can hang with @matthewjkaner as I believe that is his vintage too!! @chateaumusar

Matthew Kaner @matthewjkaner: sure is!!!

Christopher Lavin @madwino: @keepercoll Q for @Somm_Morr #SommChat you represent wines from 12 countries (soon 13) in the @BroadbentWines portfolio - where do you want to go next? You’ve already been to CHILE @DeMartinoWines & Argentina @BodegaWeinert earlier this year

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr; It would probably be #SouthAfrica I used to hate studying for South Africa until I ran into wines from the likes of @SadieFamilyWine @AABadenhorst @Beauwine & @beeslaarwine among many others. These wines blew my mind in terms of quality and made studying easier #SommChat

Christopher lavin @madwino: @keepercoll great job by @Somm_Morr #SommChat we look forward to hearing about all your adventures...and #Cheninagins @BroadbentWines

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: @Somm_Morr of @BroadbentWines is so popular on #SommChat today that we may run a few minutes over answering the questions already in the queue!!!! Will sign off soon while he continues to answer the questions Way to go Josh!

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine talk with Master #Sommelier Josh Orr @Somm_Morr, of Broadbent Selections Importer @BroadbentWines #WineWednesday #SommChat

KeeperCollection @KeeperColl: It was great to have Master #Sommelier Josh Orr @Somm_Morr, of Broadbent Selections Importer join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday

Charles Comm PR: Thank you @Somm_Morr for answering #SommChat questions today! It was great to get your insight on the #wine industry. Cheers! #SommChat @keepercoll @SommChat

Josh Orr @Somm_Morr: @keepercoll so great to be here today for #SommChat looking forward to sharing some @BroadbentWines wines in the very near future. Thanks again and #cheers