By Luke Chavez
The Times 

A new approach to wine journalism

 

January 13, 2022

paulgwine.com

Local wine critic and musician Paul Gregutt launched his new website on January 10, 2022.

While the world of winemaking is often defined by its strict adherence to time-honored techniques and traditions, its survival has always relied on embracing new trends. Perhaps no one knows this better than long-time Waitsburg resident and acclaimed wine writer Paul Gregutt.

Writing about wine since 1985, his career includes time as the wine columnist for the Seattle Times, Contributing Editor and Northwest wine reviewer for Wine Enthusiast magazine, and author of several books. Always at the forefront, he was writing about the blossoming Northwest wine industry at a time when few in American viticulture looked beyond the confines of California wine country.

Having built trusting relationships with winemakers across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, Gregutt is able to beautifully shine a light on the people and places behind each bottle he reviews. His superb tasting palate, mixed with a deep understanding of geologic and atmospheric differences across the Pacific Northwest, has made him a trusted authority on a dynamic and still growing wine region.


With the new year, Gregutt has announced an exciting next chapter in his esteemed career, taking his reviews and insights to his new website, http://www.paulgwine.com. Stepping down from his role at Wine Enthusiast, and focusing on a digital-only platform, will widen his scope while giving him the ability to share his tasting notes on wines closer to their release dates. He will also attach links to his reviews so his readers can buy directly from the winemakers, a practice many labels have relied on during the pandemic. Going independent, he has also decided to stop blind tasting and scoring wines in the rigid numerical system, which often leaves smaller makers out of the conversation. "I intend to make this site a place where differing points of view are welcome," he says in his mission statement, "where anyone who loves wine may weigh in without fear of getting a bad score or review in return. "


Following significant shifts in media and journalism, this move allows Gregutt to have a much more engaging experience with his readers, one his friends and neighbors in Waitsburg are already familiar with. On top of his new website, you can find him on Instagram @paulgwine. Also on the horizon, he has a proposed book on Oregon wine in the works, which his newfound freedom will surely allow more time for. Cheers!


 

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