@cathycorison

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): Big day today. #SommChat with @keepercoll at 9 a.m. PST and #WW at 1313 Main in Napa tonight http://t.co/I7KL5GKx

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Excited for @cathycorison to talk #Wine in just an hour and a half! #SommChat 11 AM CST Be there!

@wineguy06 (Lawrence Lee): @keepercoll almost time for #SommChat ! What’s on the menu for today?? #wine

@drooln (Nathan Yap): Looking forward to today’s #SommChat!

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): Getting ready for #SommChat. Hoping to avoid any auto-fill pitfalls

@wolfeswines (Jeffrey Wolfe): @keepercoll @cathycorison Twatching the feed! #SommChat

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew): Looking forward to #SommChat today on this fabulous #WW – Cheers!

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @keepercoll – Good morning all! Nice to join you again at #SommChat !

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew): #SommChat about to start featuring winemaker @cathycorison – hope to see you there! #WW

@Sassodoro (Sassodoro): @keepercoll @cathycorison Ready for #SommChat !

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): My first ? for Ms. Corison is “When did you first realize Napa Valley had something special to contribute to the wine world?” – #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): In mid-70′s Napa was the only wine region with any reputation at all. #SommChat

@alawine (Ken): Check out #SommChat …right now! …today we’re talking with winemaker Cathy Corison @cathycorison #wine

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @cathycorison Q: What style of #wine you make and what is your philosophy in regards to winemaking? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @MDSmitty2488 Goal is wine that speaks of place, is powerful and elegant, graces the table and enjoys long, distinguished life. #SommChat -

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew): Love! Goal is wine that speaks of place, is powerful & elegant, graces the table & enjoys long, distinguished life. #SommChat @cathycorison

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @cathycorison What made you decide to pursue a career in #wine? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll Studying Biology @pomonacollege, early ’70s, took wine appreciation course. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll Fell in love w/ wine as series of living systems. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @cathycorison How/where did you learn how to make #wine? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll MS from UCDavis was a sound technical foundation but mostly learned by making wine. It’s more intuitive every day. #SommChat

@RachelVoorhees (Rachel Voorhees): @cathycorison What #wine that you make are you most proud of? @keepercoll #SommChat #WW

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @RachelVoorhees My estate Kronos Vyd. I’m also most proud of the difficult vintages. #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): Wine most proud of @cathycorison: @RachelVoorhees My estate Kronos Vyd. I’m also most proud of the difficult vintages. #SommChat

@alawine (Ken): @cathycorison Why Benchland vineyards? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @alawine Very well-drained alluvial soils. Bit of a gravel pit. #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @cathycorison Q: What would you say separates you from the rest of the winemakers in Napa? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @MDSmitty2488 Every winemaker thinks they have the answer. I’m no different. Been pretty stubborn stylistically. #SommChat

@scottota (Scott Ota): @cathycorison, Your wines have always had great balance. In your opinion, how did Americans sway towards wines with +15% ABV? #SommChat #WW

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @scottota Wine fashion comes and goes. I’ve seen the cycle 3 times now. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @scottota The best vintages in Europe have historically been the ripest. I think we need a different paradigm in Napa. #SommChat

@alamosawineguy (Jim Johnson): @keepercoll @wolfeswines @cathycorison Yeah, not a fan of wines you have to eat with knife and fork #SommChat

@alamosawineguy (Jim Johnson): @CathyCorison @wolfeswines We’re becoming almost French that way. #SommChat

@tirebouchon (Vittorio Rusinà): @cathycorison ciao from Italy! are your wines from organic grapes? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @tirebouchon I have farmed my estate Kronos Vyd organically for 17 years! #SommChat

@alawine(Ken): @cathycorison btw,

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @alawine Thank you! I think is is a very special piece of dirt. #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @cathycorison Q: Where do you think #wine reaches its full potential? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @MDSmitty2488 Depends. We drink wine for so many reasons. #SommChat

@drooln (Nathan Yap): @cathycorison What are your thoughts on “Rutherford Dust” #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @drooln Another term for Rutherford Bench- Combination of soil and climate a gift to Cabernet Sauvignon. #SommChat

@COWinePress (Kyle Schlachter): @cathycorison you obviously use Twitter. How has social media affected/changed how you do business? #SommChat (can’t forget the #hashtag)

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @COWinePress Nothing you can put your finger on, but after 2+ yrs something important happens almost every day. #SommChat

@ATXFoodnews (Kay Marley-Dilworth): Hanging out in the #BloggerLounge at #SXSWedu, chatting, blogging, tweeting, following #SommChat and drinking @DrinkNeuro Bliss. Yay, Wed!

@tricerapops (Jesse): @cathycorison – if you could convey one message to somms re: Napa, what would it be? (related to a need for a new paradigm) #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @tricerapops Keep the faith! #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): @cathycorison hello! who would you consider your “wine mentor”? #SommChat @keepercoll

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @CaravelleChamp Too numerous to count. Anyone that makes wines that speak of place. #SommChat

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew): @cathycorison Why Gewurztraminer as your white wine? @keepercoll #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @StephanieMiskew Love the wines of Alsace for Germanic fruitiness made w/ French winemaking sensibilities. GREAT w/ food. #SommChat

@awanderingwino (Shawn Burgert): @keepercoll @wolfeswines @cathycorison Q do you think 14% or less is pushed from industry or consumer? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @awanderingwino From critics mostly. It’s important to remember that there is room (and need) for all sytles. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @awanderingwino We all have different moods and eat different foods. #SommChat

@wolfeswines (Jeffrey Wolfe): @awanderingwino Industry at the moment ..Miami wine snobs still want 16-18percent #SommChat

@wineandsake (Rachel Macalisang): Hi @cathycorison other than Napa what other regions or styles do you admire? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @wineandsake I can’t think of a wine region in the world I don’t appreciate. Again, different moods and different foods. #SommChat

@StevieStacionis (Stevie Stacionis): @CathyCorison: @keepercoll How do “regular” guests cruising down the 29 for their Napa tasting afternoons respond to your wines? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @StevieStacionis I hope they all enjoy the wines. Everyone is always learning. #SommChat

@alamosawineguy (Jim Johnson): @CathyCorison @elloinos You wrote an article a numbr of yrs ago about managed scarcity as mktg plan. Still viable 4 small winery? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @alamosawineguy It sure helps. There are so many great wines in the world these days. #SommChat

@COWinePress (Kyle Schlachter): @cathycorison so you’re more of the @1winedude view than the @SteveHeimoff view #SommChat

@guildsomm (Guild of Sommeliers): If you haven’t checked out #SommChat with @keepercoll, you should! They are chatting with @cathycorison right now. Great insight.

@lisasharahall (Lisa Shara Hall): @cathycorison How do you make such understated elegant wines Cathy? In a sea of heavy cabs, yours stands out. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @lisasharahall Grow the grapes right in the right place. Pick them right. I pick on the early side because I value firm balance. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @lisasharahall I also value the red and blue end of the Cabernet fruit flavor spectrum. In best yrs those flavors there w/ purple. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @lisasharahall and black flavors too. #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @keepercoll – I hope you won’t censor this admittedly controversial #SommChat ? – Do you think Napa wines have become too overpriced?

@alamosawineguy (Jim Johnson): @demilove @keepercoll Uh oh. Now you’ve done it. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @demilove It’s VERY expensive to make top Napa Cabernet. Many places in the world great, age worthy wines are expensive. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @demilove Place matters. There aren’t too many places in the world that can make truly great Cabernet. Need hot days, cool nights. #SommChat

@lisasharahall (Lisa Shara Hall): @cathycorison Whatever you do, you are doing it right. #justsaying #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @cathycorison Q: How do you know you’ve succeeded in making a #wine that speaks of its place? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @MDSmitty2488 Experience with the place. Snapshots are not very meaningful. #SommChat

@UncorkdMenus (Uncorkd Wine Menus): @cathycorison How do you see new technology changing wine production, sales and consumption? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @UncorkdMenus I’m not much interested in new technology. Great grapes that speak of place make great wine. #SommChat

@wineandsake (Rachel Macalisang): @cathycorison what specifically on your journey led to success? and how did it feel to break through? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @wineandsake Time on the ground. (A lot of it!) I think it’s been a process, not an “arrival”. Just put 25th Corison Cab in barrel #SommChat

@awanderingwino (Shawn Burgert): @cathycorison Q: Thoughts on Organic vineyards vs Organic #wine in marketing? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @awanderingwino I’ve never been much of a marketer. It’s all about the wine for me. I farm organically because it’s better. #SommChat

@drooln (Nathan Yap): cathycorison What were some of the wines that influenced you to make the wine you produce today? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @drooln For their power AND elegance w/ great aromatics, St. Julien in Bordeaux and Riservas from Tuscany. #SommChat

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis): .@cathycorison How did you get started in the wine industry? What is your favorite part about the wine industry? #SommChat #WW

@sonomawineguy (Jim Morris): .@cathycorison Advice to a winery moving from organic farming to sustainable farming practices as it pertains to marketing? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @sonomawineguy I don’t farm organically for marketing reasons. I do it because think it’s the right thing to do for people & wine. #SommChat

@StevieStacionis (Stevie Stacionis): @cathycorison Agree! My exp w/ “newbies” 1st trying ur wines is they’re VERY impressed… can recognize something special. #balance #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @steviestacionis Thanks! #SommChat

@SkurnikWines (Michael Skurnik Wine); .@cathycorison If you were to choose a bottle of Corison to open right now, which vintage would it be? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @SkurnikWines That’s easy. 2001. #SommChat

@redvinman (Simon Jackson): @CathyCorison @keepercoll I’m here following #SommChat struggling to find time to type.

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew): cathycorison Which wine is your pride and joy – that most exemplifies your vision of winemaking? #SommChat @keepercoll

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @StephanieMiskew 2001 Corison Kronos Vineyard Cabernet. Sadly it’s sold out in 750′s. #SommChat

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew): @cathycorison Sorry to hear that but thank you so much for your reply! #SommChat @keepercoll

@drooln (Nathan Yap): @CathyCorison @StephanieMiskew So are you saying they’re still available in large format bottlings? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @drooln We have a few mags. Will release 3-liters soon. #SommChat -

@mattreiser (Matt Reiser): @cathycorison TY will keep a look out at auction #SommChat

@trouty (Jon Troutman): cathycorison How radical is @dirtysouthwine? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @trouty I don’t think of him as radical. Just fun. We’re far too serious @corisonwinery for “radical” #SommChat

@mattreiser (Matt Reiser): @cathycorison what was your most challenging vintage, but turned out grand? #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @mattreiser 1988. Rain during flowering, uneven ripening. Required serious green fruit thinning @ veraison. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @mattreiser Then aggressive selection at blending time. #SommChat

@delectable (Delectable): In mid-70′s Napa was the only wine region with any reputation at all. #SommChat via @cathycorison

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @delectable Sonoma might take umbrage. Napa certainly had the biggest profile in those days. #SommChat

@SAHMmelier (SAHMmelier): #SommChat @cathycorison How do you think the wines of 2011 will fare because of the weather you had?

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @StephanieMiskew No broad brush will serve. Very glad I pick early and grow grapes on an early site. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @StephanieMiskew It was to cold in some sites in Napa to ripen Cabernet. Mold was also a challenge. Sorting was key. #SommChat

@alamosawineguy (Jim Johnson): @CathyCorison @mattreiser Worse than ’89, the Tropical Storm Octave yr? #SommChat Might have been a two in a row event.

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @alamosawineguy Both vintages huge challenge for different reasons. Lots of rain during ripening season in ’89. #SommChat

@grapefriend (grapefriend): @cathycorison any grape variety not suited for your vineyards but you wish you could make a wine out of? (oops forgot the #SommChat)

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @grapefriend Grenache. Maybe in my next life? #SommChat

@alamosawineguy (Jim Johnson): @CathyCorison @grapefriend Grenache grows well in a limited number of places, Texas not one of them #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @cathycorison What are some of the biggest changes you have seen in the #wine industry in the last 10 years? #WW #SommChat -

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll When I moved to Napa 37 years ago, was truly rural. Went to SF for black-tie attire and bought jeans in St. Helena. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll Now it’s the reverse. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll Family wineries have been mostly pushed right out of the 3-Tier system of wine distribution. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll Wine criticism has become more democratic. There are many more voices. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll Food and wine have become part of the fabric of American life. #SommChat

@alamosawineguy (Jim Johnson): @CathyCorison @keepercoll Napa now wall to wall vnyd, Sonoma still has some ag diversity. Sad for Napa. #SommChat

@redvinman (Simon Jackson): @cathycorison How much earlier do you pick than the 15%+ guys #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @redvinman Depends on the season (weather) but often weeks! I’ve never de-alc’d a wine either. That figures into the equation too. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @cathycorison What is your favorite part of being a #winemaker? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll Being plugged into life. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll Making something that gives people pleasure and something to think about. #SommChat

@jennanorth (Jenna North): @StephanieMiskew There was a great article on the #Napa harvest (challenges etc) from @chapsholic @palatepress cc @cathycorison #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q.@cathycorison The most challenging part of being a #winemaker? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): A. @keepercoll Shuffling too many papers and sales. Girl just wants to make wine. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Time to wrap up! Hope you enjoyed this hour of #wine chat with Winemaker @CathyCorison #WineWednesday #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): It was great to have Cathy join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WineWednesday

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Please join us in thanking Cathy for her time #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): If any1 missed some of the chat today, remember we’ll post an archive soon to http://t.co/USHowBAw for you to review later #SommChat

@alamosawineguy (Jim Johnson): @CathyCorison @52perfectdays Roger Boulton once told me that “UC Davis is not a trade school for winemakers”. We all OJT the job. #SommChat

@MarciaMacomber (Marcia Macomber): @keepercoll Thanks for the #SommChat w @cathycorison

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @keepercoll Phew! That was a blast. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Mark ur calendar! #SommChat Wed 3/14 at 11 AM CST w/Doug Krenik, MS @drloosenwines will be featured guest 2 answer your questions! #CantMiss

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): If u want to be 100% sure ur #SommChat Q for @drloosenwines gets answered, post it to FB! http://t.co/Njd5opH4 Happy #WW!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Keep in the loop for upcoming guests & archives & sign up for our email list at http://t.co/UpM2UPqt #SommChat

@tattoodsomm (Eric Hastings): @keepercoll @cathycorison #SommChat great again this week, like all others. Thanks!

@alamosawineguy (Jim Johnson): @CathyCorison @keepercoll Thanks for being here, Cathy. It’s been fun. #SommChat

@alawine (Ken): @CathyCorison Thank you so very much for your wonderful #WineWednesday #SommChat today! …some great information @keepercoll

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @alamosawineguy I’ve always been grateful for the technical foundation but it was just a start. #SommChat

@CathyCorison (Cathy Corison): @alamosawineguy A wine’s first job is to be sound. After that we can ask what’s it’s got. #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): @CathyCorison @keepercoll thank you for a great #SommChat today

@tirebouchon (Vittorio Rusinà): @CathyCorison @keepercoll thanks for a great #SommChat I’ve learned many things