Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/123973
– Altieri launched "Wine Channel TV with Just Jess," a fun, creative series of online videos focused on wine lifestyle. In 2010, Altieri added to her platform a series of consumer-targeted wine events sponsored by winery clients, trade associations and government agencies. Now she's adding a wine competition to her outreach efforts. In September, Altieri and Vineyard & Winery Management will team up to host the Wine Channel TV Wine Competition (formerly the Next Gen Wine Competition), which will be judged by sommeliers, wine educators and retail wine buyers from around the nation. Through the power of social media, the popularity of Wine Channel TV has continued to grow. As a result, the website's videos and content have been viewed by more than 15 million people and, at last count, the channel's Facebook page had 32,000 fans. But with success comes work. During her short stay in Sonoma County in early January, Altieri was busy filming new shows with winemaker Daryl Groom and proprietor Jean-Charles Boisset of Boisset Family Estates, as well as judging the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Then it was off to New Zealand to film one of her latest episodes of "Just Jess." We caught up with Altieri during her visit to Sonoma to discuss her passion for wine and wine lifestyles, and her new projects for 2013. [ V&WM] I've got to ask you if there's a story behind the title of your show, "Just Jess." Jessica Altieri [ JA ] Actually, my grandmother came up with that name. She always envisioned one day seeing my name somewhere as Just Jess. When I started my company, I always remembered her saying that. [ V&WM ] What was the business concept behind the TV channel? [JA] The No. 1 goal is to create a worldwide wine channel TV network to connect consumers around the world to wine both online, on w w w. v w m media.com cable and through our exciting new project focused on working with the hospitality industry. [ V&WM] What does the hospitality project involve? [JA] The Wine Channel TV Hotel Channel launched this past December, with a focus on original wine lifestyle programming. It's current- ly in selected Hyatt, Marriott and Sheraton hotels, as well as Napa and Sonoma area resorts such as the Silverado (Resort and Spa). Affluent business travelers are the target wine consumers. Having a wine brand promoted during their stay in the hotel or resort is a great way to engage business travelers © 2012 StaVin Inc. Twenty years ago, we opened our doors for business. And while some years have been better than others, we can't complain. Our innovations have far exceeded our original hopes and changed for good the way winemakers approach their craft. But that's not what we're most proud of. It's the people who work with us. They've bought their own homes, sent their kids to college and genuinely love coming to work. Which, in our book is what you'd call a dream come true. ® StaVın Inc, P.O.Box 1693, Sausalito,CA 94966 (415) 331-7849 f (415) 331-0516 stavin.com M a y - J u n e 2 0 13 | V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T 99