@jasminehirsch

@Sassodoro (Sassodoro): In 35 minutes! RT @keepercoll: Have u met Hirsch Vineyards @jasminehirsch? She’ll join us for #SommChat [today] 11 AM CST! …

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @keepercoll I’ll be at #SommChat today at 11am CST.

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Welcome to #SommChat everyone! Tell your friends to join us to learn from Jasmine Hirsch #WineWednesday #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): We’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Hirsch @jasminehirsch #SommChat #WW

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): We’re about ready to dive in w/questions, so shout out to Jasmine to say hello & so she knows you’re here! #WineWednesday #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Don’t forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order for everyone to see it! #WW

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Let’s start talking #wine with @jasminehirsch #WineWednesday #SommChat

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew CSW): Ready for #SommChat on this Wonderful #WineWednesday!

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @StephanieMiskew – Hi Stephanie! Hope you are enjoying #WineWednesday ! Tasting anything special later? #SommChat

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew CSW): @demilove Hey, Doug! So far #WineWednesday is off to a fabulous start:) #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): Morning, Douglas! Thanks for joining RT @demilove: Good morning all! Hello Jasmine! – #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): Hi Stephanie! Welcome to #SommChat RT @StephanieMiskew: Ready for #SommChat on this Wonderful #WineWednesday!

@enjoielife (Judia Black): Good morning! @keepercoll: We’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Hirsch @jasminehirsch #SommChat #WW

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch What got you interested in the #wine industry? What fueled your passion once you “caught the wine bug”? #WW #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll I wish I had an “ah ha!” wine moment, but it was always part of my life b/c of my father #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): Hi @enjoielite @ronga! Great to connect on #SommChat! #WW

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): .@jasminehirsch Excited to get started at #SommChat today! @keepercoll

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): Hey Davis! RT @MDSmitty2488: .@jasminehirsch Excited to get started at #SommChat today! @keepercoll

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch You are known for having an very refined palate- do you think people are born with or can it be acquired? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll Ha! Not sure that’s true. But I do think a palate is built, not born. You have to taste a lot, think, talk, learn. #SommChat

@WineTheory (Justin Harriman): @jasminehirsch Thanks for doing #SommChat Do you have some current fav under the radar regions that you’re enjoying right now?

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @WineTheory Definitely Roussillon. I’m particularly digging Thomas Teibert’s wines – Domaine de l’Horizon. BD wines, super yummy. #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): @jasminehirsch @WineTheory Definitely Roussillon. …digging Thomas Teibert’s wines, Domaine de l’Horizon. BD wines… #SommChat TY noting

@invino_buzz (invino): Morning Jasmine! It’s a great day for #SommChat. Look forward to hearing your expertise #WW

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @invino_buzz @marz8 Welcome to #SommChat! Great to connect. #WW

@WineTheory (Justin Harriman): @jasminehirsch What has been your fav vintage of late and why? #SommChat @keepercoll

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @WineTheory I am so excited about 2010 on the Sonoma Coast. Very difficult vintage, but the wines are lean, mean acid machines. #SommChat

@brunoherndon (Stephanie Bruno): Good morning @jasminehirsch excited about your #SommChat today!

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @brunoherndon Good morning, Stephanie! Great to see you on #SommChat

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis): .@jasminehirsch how important is it for Hirsch to be a family owned business in an era of corp consolidation in the wine industry? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @MattMcGinnis Being family-owned (as well as estate!!) is 100% integral to who we are, how we farm and how we make wine. #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @jasminehirsch I’m moving to the Bay Area in 6 weeks to do somm/vineyard work. Where do you suggest I start? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @MDSmitty2488 Find people / projects you believe in and work with them. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch What is the biggest influence on Hirsch #wines? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll No question it’s the site. We are a vineyard first & foremost, & everything we do is driven by the site. When we… #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll (cont) have a question about what to do (whether farming, winemaking, marketing) my father always says “ask the site” #SommChat

@ENOontheMagMile (ENO): @jasminehirsch @keepercoll A palate is built, not born; can it also be torn down with high alcohol, over extracted “point wines”? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @ENOontheMagMile Difficult ?. I suppose everything can be corrupted But once you go acid & balance, I think you never go back! @SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): Well said! @alawine: RT @jasminehirsch “…once you go acid & balance, I think you never go back!” #SommChat #winewednesday

@enjoielife (Judia Black): @jasminehirsch: Luv the lyrical description of your wines as a “harmonious resolution of opposites.” Can you elaborate? #SommChat! #WW

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @enjoielife I think all great wines are that. Balance of earth/fruit, heat/light, etc. #SommChat

@enjoielife (Judia Black): I agree! @jasminehirsch: @enjoielife I think all great wines are that. Balance of earth/fruit, heat/light, etc. #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): RT @jasminehirsch “I think all great wines are that. Balance of earth/fruit, heat/light, etc.” #SommChat @enjoielife

@brunoherndon (Stephanie Bruno): @jasminehirsch which of your 2010 wines are u most excited about and why? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @brunoherndon No single wine; I love the fruit expression in the 10 pinots. It’s restrained, elegant. Not a sweet Cali fruit vintage. #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): Q. @jasminehirsch what are your favorite sub AVAs in Sonoma? What grapes are they suited to? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @MDSmitty2488 Sonoma Coast of course! Pinot, chard & Syrah (which we don’t grow). I love the cool climate Syrahs from Peay, Failla #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): #SommChat started without me haha… jumping in to chat with Jasmine Hirsch @jasminehirsch

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @alawine Hey Ken! Welcome! Great to see you here on #SommChat.

@ENOontheMagMile (ENO): @jasminehirsch @keepercoll Q- Not to put you in a corner, but what is your favorite market to work? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @ENOontheMagMile Easy, Chicago! #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): @jasminehirsch hi Jasmine! loved meeting u last week! How do u describe ocean proximity effect on your wines’ taste profile? #SommChat @keepercoll

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @CaravelleChamp The ocean brings a wonderful coolness, of course, but it can also bring incredible challenges – like in 1998, 2005 #SommChat

@MattMcGinnis (Matt McGinnis): .@jasminehirsch What exactly do you mean by “ask the site”? How does it express itself in the wine? #SommChat #WW

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @MattMcGinnis Listen to the vineyard/place, as opposed to imposing our ideas on it. Accept the complexity, not try to dumb it down. #SommChat

@ENOontheMagMile (ENO): @keepercoll @jasminehirsch Q- Are there cities/markets that you find appreciate the style of @HirschVineyards wines more? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @ENOontheMagMile There are markets that are more interested in terroir-driven, acid-driven wines than others, for sure. #SommChat

@trouty (Jon Troutman): #SommChat @jasminehirsch What 3 words best define “balance” for you? cc: @balancedpinot

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @trouty Hey Trouty! Three words: restraint, wholeness (completeness), elegance.

@alawine (Ken #wine): @jasminehirsch how much notice do you need for a winery visit? are you usually there? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @alawine The more notice the better, as we tend to book up fast. Especially in the summer. #SommChat

@drooln (Nathan Yap): @jasminehirsch Q. What, if any, challenges did you face with the 2011 growing season and harvest? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @drooln 2011 was super cold, but unlike 2010, there was lots of sunshine. We think it could be our best vintage ever. #SommChat

@WineLibrary (Wine Library): #SommChat has been very fun and interesting these past couple of weeks. This week @jasminehirsch from Hirsch Vineyards is live

@brunoherndon (Stephanie Bruno): @jasminehirsch another Q: Is working a harvest worthwhile for someone not in industry but excited about wine? If not, other recos? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @brunoherndon Absolutely. If you love wine, then understanding how it’s made will only increase your passion and excitement! #SommChat

@brunoherndon (Stephanie Bruno): @jasminehirsch sounds great, would you say your ’10 pinots are more old world style then? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @brunoherndon Yes, absolutely. I don’t normally like to use that term in describing Cali wines, but in 2010 it’s definitely valid. #SommChat

@wolfeswines (Jeffrey Wolfe): Sending IPOB love to @jasminehirsch #SommChat see you in NYC in a few weeks @HirschVineyards rocks & Miami loves her dad!

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @wolfeswines Thanks Jeffrey! Looking forward to see you at #IPOB! #SommChat

@jennanorth (Jenna North): Great conversation following #SommChat w/ @jasminehirsch #IPOB #WW cc @keepercoll #balance #wine

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): AGREED! Keep the Q’s coming RT @jennnorth: Great convo following #SommChat w/ @jasminehirsch #IPOB #WW cc @keepercoll #balance #wine

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch How would you describe Hirsch #PinotNoir (in 140 characters or less)? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll New world fruit, old world structure. Site-specificity. Elegance over power. Acidity,complex aromatics,silky tannins #SommChat

@invino_buzz (invino): Q. @jasminehirsch #SommChat – are Hirsch grapes as tasty off the vine as they are in the bottle? Even the idea’s got our mouths watering.

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @invino_buzz The grapes are delicious of course, but I have to confess that I’m partial to the finished wine! #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): #SommChat as lively and info-packed as it gets w @jasminehirsch Thanks @keepercoll !

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @keepercoll – Jasmine, many sommeliers visit us here at #SommChat – have you ever been or wanted to be a sommelier?

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @demilove I have a propensity to spill wine on people, so I would probably make a terrible sommelier! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch And how about Hirsch #Chardonnay in 140 characters or less? WineWednesday #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll My father says chardonnay should be a lens into a site. That’s our goal: transparent, site-specific, elegant chard. #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): @jasminehirsch what are the biggest advantages of ‘growing’ Sonoma Coast wines? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @alawine Control over every aspect of the farming (at least the little bit of control that mother nature allows us!). #SommChat

@mattreiser (Matt Reiser): @jasminehirsch are there plans for Biodynamics @hirschvineyards? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @mattreiser Hey Matt! Yes, we are starting the process of converting the entire property (1000 acres, 72 planted) to Biodynamic. #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): Q. @jasminehirsch How do you judge quality in a #wine? What makes it great for you? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @MDSmitty2488 Deliciousness (often overlooked) is so important. Energy (=acidity), character/site-specificity, honesty in winemaking #SommChat

@ENOontheMagMile (ENO): @jasminehirsch @keepercoll What are some of the other Pinots you find follow the site driven style of @HirschVineyards ? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @ENOontheMagMile Littorai is one. Ted Lemon once said, “I don’t want to make great pinot, I want to make great One Acre, Savoy, etc” #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch What is your opinion on biodynamic/organic #wine? #WineWednesday #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll Anything that encourages a farmer to spend more time in his fields is a beautiful thing. #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): RT @jasminehirsch Listen to the vineyard/place as opp. to imposing our ideas on it. Accept the complexity, not try to dumb it down #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch Tell us about co-founding the newly created In Pursuit of Balance #IPOB #WineWednesday #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll @rn74 & I founded #IPOB to celebrate balanced California Pinot & Chardonnay. We promote wines & winemakers we believe in #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch What are your hopes/goals for future In Pursuit of Balance events? #IPOB #WineWednesday #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll That consumers/critics/somms will come away with a greater & more nuanced appreciation for Cali Pinot & Chard #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): RT @jasminehirsch re: define balance: “Three words: restraint, wholeness (completeness), elegance” #SommChat @trouty

@mattreiser (Matt Reiser): Only 20 mins. left to ask @jaminehirsch of @hirschvineyards q’s for #SommChat …@keepercoll what a great turnout #sonomacoast

@drooln (Nathan Yap): @jasminehirsch @mattreiser Q. How long do you expect the conversion process to take? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @drooln We are doing it in stages: 7-10 years for all 72 acres. But for the entire property, decades. #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @drooln The conversion of the entire property is important – there’s no such thing as a “Biodynamic vineyard”, only a BD farm. #SommChat

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew CSW): Love it -> @jasminehirsch My father says Chard should be a lens into a site. Goal: transparent, site-specific, elegant Chard. #SommChat

@ridesmith (jaime smith): “@jasminehirsch: A. @keepercoll “chardonnay should be a lens into a site” That is an awesome sentiment for all grapes ms jasmine! #SommChat”

@alawine (Ken #wine): @jasminehirsch interesting, looking forward to that… @drooln #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @mattreiser time flies when you are having fun at #SommChat – will need bubbles tonight:)

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): I just may have a bottle in the cellar #SommChat RT @mattreiser: @keepercoll perhaps serveaux pm…talk about balance!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch Gotta ask the classic #SommChat question: most memorable #food and #wine pairing? #WineWednesday

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll 79 Cristal Rose Champagne with uni/lobster/shiitake chawan mushi at Ame in SF. It was an accidental perfect pairing #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): @MDSmitty2488 great pairing question = thanks #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch Another fav #SommChat question: name your go-to white, red, and bubbly under $50 retail? #WW

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll White: German riesling, of course! Also Roulot Bourgogne Blanc. Red: Mascarello’s dolcetto. Bubbly: Vilmart Rubis #SommChat

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew CSW): @jasminehirsch @keepercoll What’s a personal favorite food pairing with one of your Pinot Noirs? #SommChat #WW

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @StephanieMiskew It’s classic, but I love duck with our pinots. The acid cuts through the fat, and the flavors are great together #SommChat

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew CSW): @jasminehirsch Duck + Pinot Noir = Delicious! Couldn’t agree more – thanks for sharing! #SommChat #WW

@drooln (Nathan Yap): @jasminehirsch Q. so during that time will you be bottling the converted areas separately or blend them in until full conversion? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @drooln Great question. We are not segmenting based on Biodynamic/non-Biodynamic. We always focus on the vineyard blocks, and segment in that way. #SommChat

@demilove (Douglas Trapasso): @keepercoll , @jasminehirsch – Anyone can jump in-How can I teach myself to identify and really appreciate those terroir nuances? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @demilove That’s a ? for a somm, but I guess taste, taste, taste. Visit the vineyard, understand the wine in the context of the place. #SommChat

@1337wine (Mark V. Fusco, CSW): @demilove taste, taste, and more taste. Just when I think I’m getting somewhere I blind taste & realize I’m not there yet. #SommChat

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): @1337wine @demilove On top of taking copious tasting notes. Easier to recognize patters that way. #SommChat

@VinoKeno (Kenan): @keepercoll thanks for the invite again! Sad I missed the first half but let’s see if I can squeeze in a Q for @jasminehirsch #SommChat

@dalecruse (Dale Cruse): @jasminehirsch On Twitter, we see what you eat every day. How do you not weight 500lbs & have gout? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @dalecruse Ah, the million $ question! Well right now I’m on a juice cleanse after a pork-fueled week in ATL. Gotta have balance! #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Q. @jasminehirsch What is your overall #wine philosophy? Do you and your father share the same one? #SommChat #WineWednesday

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): A. @keepercoll It’s all about place. #SommChat

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

@MDSmitty2488 (Davis Smith): Gotta head to work to taste! Thanks @keepercoll and @jasminehirsch for the great #SommChat!

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): last Chance for qs to @jasminehirsch right now #SommChat

@ccollinsms (Craig Collins, MS): @keepercoll @jasminehirsch #SommChat Outside of France and US what is your favorite spot for Pinot Noir?

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @ccollinsms I must confess I’m not well-versed on New Zealand pinot, but the examples I’ve had have been lovely #SommChat

@ENOontheMagMile (ENO): A sincere thank you to @jasminehirsch! Hope to see you in Chicago soon. #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @MDSmitty2488 Great chatting with you, Davis! #SommChat

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): gr8 indeed, thanks Jasmine! RT @keepercoll gr8 2 have @jasminehirsch join us 2day 4 #SommChat. We hope every1learned as much as we did! #WW

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @CaravelleChamp Nice to see you here, Rita, and great meeting you the other day! #SommChat

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

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): If any1 missed some of the chat today, remember we’ll post an archive soon to http://bit.ly/ikBrJx for you to review later #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): Hope to see you soon too! RT @ENOontheMagMile: A sincere thank you to @jasminehirsch! Hope to see you in Chicago soon. #SommChat

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): Mark ur calendar! #SommChat Wed 4.11 at 11 AM CST Geoff Kruth, MS @guildsomm will be our featured guest to answer your questions! #CantMiss

@keepercoll (Keeper Collection): If u want to be 100% sure ur #SommChat Q for Geoff Kruth, MS @guildsomm gets answered, post it to FB! http://on.fb.me/hjQDBL Happy #WW!

@1337wine (Mark V. Fusco, CSW): @keepercoll very cool. Been listening to their/his monthly podcasts. #SommChat

@1337wine (Mark V. Fusco, CSW): @keepercoll always enjoyable reading all the tweets. #SommChat

@VinoKeno (Kenan): @keepercoll @jasminehirsch When is it appropriate to make a single vineyard Pinot Noir versus a cross site or appellation blend? #SommChat

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @VinoKeno When that vineyard has true character and can produce a stand-alone wine. Otherwise blend! #SommChat

@ccollinsms (Craig Collins, MS): @jasminehirsch @keepercoll #SommChat caught up with work this morn but looking fwd to reading thru later tonight. Cheers!

@jasminehirsch (Jasmine Hirsch): @ccollinsms Thanks, Craig! Welcome home!! #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): still reading tweets from today’s #SommChat with @jasminehirsch @keepercoll @enjoielife @mdsmitty2488

@1337wine (Mark V. Fusco, CSW): Besides the great questions and convo, being here exposes me to more peeps to follow/interact with! #SommChat

@alawine(Ken #wine): @jasminehirsch Thank you so much for a great #SommChat today! …

@StephanieMiskew (Stephanie Miskew CSW): @1337wine Word! Love it:) #SommChat

@WarrenBobrow 1 (Warren Bobrow): #SommChat I listened and learned much today!

@CaravelleChamp (Rita Jammet): Yes! @jasminehirsch @keepercoll RT @1337wine: Besides gr8 questions & convo, being here exposes me 2 more peeps 2 follow/interact w #SommChat

@guildsomm (Guild of Sommeliers): Great #SommChat today w @jasminehirsch! Next week, WE’RE ON! Ask us anything about GuildSomm, wine, sommeliers…MS Geoff Kruth will rep us!

@WarrenBobrow1 (Warren Bobrow): @StephanieMiskew I used to focus on food, then wine.. now cocktails. Cheers for your follow Stephanie! wb #SommChat

@alawine (Ken #wine): reading more tweets from @stephaniemiskew @demilove @caravellechamp @enoonthemagmile @brunoherndon from today’s #SommChat

@1337wine (Mark V. Fusco, CSW): Time to finish lunch here @maxssanantonio Kobe burger with a nice tempranillo. #SommChat

@ericawinetrips (Erica Landin): @jasminehirsch nice #SommChat and good to see you are on twitter! Greetings from Sweden.

@ericawinetrips (Erica Landin): Hirsch converting all 72 acres to Biodynamic. Laudable @jasminehirsch @drooln #SommChat