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Wine Harlots Revealed; The Nannette Eaton Interview

There are occasions in wine’s social media universe when the star’s align perfectly and real people of great interest emerge as brands/stars in their own light.  Vaynerchuk, obviously, but others play very large roles as well.  Wine Harlots must surely be included in that illustrious group.

For those among us not engaged with Twitter, Facebook and the wine blogosphere, Wine Harlots is an almost ubiquitous flow of Tweets containing euphemisms, ironies, profundities, engaging dialogue and assorted non-sense, often with a wine theme to tie it all neatly together.  And getting into the flow of all this content, one cannot help but wonder who was behind it.

“I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

“There is in every true woman’s heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.” – Washington Irving

So just who is the brains behind this brand and it’s prolific output?

To find out, we initiated a series of emails asking for permission to do a profile/interview.  After several attempts and a period of time had passed, we finally received a very gracious response from a certain Ms. Nannette Eaton.  We learned then that it is she who is responsible for bringing all of this very intelligent content with the witty wine motif into our handhelds and desk tops every day.  Very cool stuff.  We were further delighted when she agreed to talk with us not simply as the anonymous and mysterious Wine Harlot, but as the sincere, self deprecating and charming woman that we learned she is.

Alright, who came up with the name?

I take full responsibility for the name. It was the outgrowth of lots of market research and development, focus groups with a heavy emphasis on statistical analysis and scientific inquiry. Who am I kidding? It was many, many months pouring over the dictionary and thinking up hundreds of lame brand names and having them rejected during our group brain-storming sessions (i.e. drinking copious amounts of wine on the patio). But my presentation strategy was honed very quickly. I learned that my friends were much more tolerant to listening to pathetic ideas after the second bottle of wine.

It was a definitely a eureka moment. I knew I liked it, but everyone else who heard the name had the same reaction. “Yes, that’s it. You are a total Wine Harlot. Now, stop bogarting the champagne.”  There is still the snootiness-factor in wine appreciation. With the name Wine Harlots, you get a clear understanding that we’re not your daddy’s old-school wine review. We bring a little sass and a whole lot of attitude with our wine commentary.

The tagline “the virtue of vice” was an outgrowth of the name Wine Harlot. There is an undercurrent of puritanical belief about intoxicants in America. I wanted to play with that idea, embrace the duality of something or someone can be desirable and wicked at the same time.

We love the Wine Harlots avatar. It speaks to empowerment and self-reliance. In some ways it seems a throw back to World War 2 and the way women kept the nation going while the men were at war. Was that intentional?

The logo that Wine Harlots is using now (J. Howard Miller’s “We Can Do It”) is the product of a happy accident. I had an artist who was going to do a logo for us, but it never came to fruition. I was using another logo I found as a temporary placeholder, but when it became clear we wouldn’t be getting original art anytime soon, I had to scramble to find another logo that would be free of copyright issues.

The image has always been a favorite of mine. Graphically the image is striking. And the image still has a contemporary feel, even after 70 years.  It’s an iconic image, a strong reflection of a can-do attitude, roll-up-your-sleeves and get it done world. I’m all about self-sufficiency and independence. Learned helplessness sends me into a rage. You may not have to use your skills, but know how to rescue yourself. Its empowering knowing how to change a tire. (Even if I have AAA on speed-dial. Girls, let’s be pragmatic here, I don’t need to ruin my manicure if I don’t have too.)

I love that the image is wholly feminine. Although she’s going to work in the factory dressed in a denim work-shirt, she has her make-up on and her nails are manicured. It’s a powerful image, and I think it resonates.

Gary Vaynerchuk has said America has a “wine self-esteem issue.” And I think that goes doubly for women, we purchase the majority of wine, but I see a lot of insecurity about buying wine and sheer terror at the prospect of ordering it in a restaurant. Wine Harlots aims to change that. Don’t agonize over your choices. Relax girls, it’s just grape juice. Stop freaking out about food and wine pairings. Sure, there a few basic guidelines, but really, there are very few food pairing disasters. It’s just juice. Don’t panic, just pour. Wine drinking should be fun. If it’s not an enjoyable experience, you’re doing it wrong.

Ron Washam wrote that you may have a wine blogging addiction. Given the prolific output of your content, is the HoseMaster on to anything here?

That  HoseMaster is a mean old bastard. Funny as hell, and insightful, but a nasty curmudgeon.  The writing isn’t really an addiction. It’s actually the opposite. I do everything thing I can not to write. My work avoidance techniques are legendary. The writing component is really challenging for me. The act of writing is physically and mentally painful; it is an agonizing, laborious, monotonous, frustrating, lonely task. Conversely, it’s wonderfully satisfying; but like exercise, you hate it when you’re in the process, you only feel good after you finish.

The social media part of the equation is another story; I’m clearly addicted to Twitter. I started off as a casual user, now I’m mainlining several hours a day. A year ago, a social media virgin. Today a used up Twitter-whore. An abject lesson in social media capitalism. Kids, don’t try this at home.

The anonymity of Wine Harlots is a great part of what you do. Did you have reservations about talking with us as Nannette Eaton and perhaps dent the allure of the secret identity?

Hell yes! We are fully aware of the dichotomy and dynamic tension between having a public persona versus a private life. Once information is out, you can’t put the genie back into the bottle. As much as the brand name might suggest to the contrary, I’m really not that big of an attention-whore.

It’s striking the balance between authenticity and mystery. It’s not that I’m being dishonest or hiding the truth, it’s just that I not comfortable letting everything hang out. I think part of the fascination is not sharing every aspect of your life on the first date. I think part of the charisma comes from the not knowing. A little ambiguity feeds the allure. And makes you want to come back for more. An on-going relationship, not a one night stand.

More importantly, Wine Harlots isn’t really about me. It’s about you, the reader, the wine drinker. It’s about letting your inner wine harlot make a mark. If I let my ego get in the way, it detracts from the main mission of inclusiveness: to expand the base of wine drinkers, both in sheer numbers and to extend the knowledge and comfort-level of social drinkers, so that they’ll be confident in their wine choices.

Almost 11,000 Twitter followers, (and growing) several thousand Facebook fans and a wildly popular blog. Did you imagine this kind of popularity when you began?

You mean besides my ulterior goal of world domination from the Wine Harlot Revolution?  I can’t even conceptualize the success I’ve had in social media. When I first started, my goals were that by the end of 2009 I would have 365 followers on Facebook and Twitter. Clearly, I exceeded that projection by a mile. Naïveté and boundless enthusiasm win the day. I’m amazed everyday about the response I’ve gotten. I have a Sally Field moment a couple of times a week, “You like me. You really, really like me!” It’s kind of unreal sometimes.

I have a heartfelt appreciation for everyone who reads, comments, follows and supports Wine Harlots. It’s very gratifying knowing someone is enjoying your work.

What wine does a Harlot drink when no one is watching?

Everything. Seriously. I don’t discriminate. I get asked a lot about what my favorite wine is. The stock answer is the last one I drank! (I guess it really should be the next wine I’m going to drink). As a harlot, it’s bad business to play favorites.

When I was younger, my first love was zinfandel, and I made all those silly pronouncements that I only drank reds, and wholly participated in the ABC (anything but chardonnay) backlash. I mocked rosés, which I equated with white zinfandel. Which, in retrospect, was totally stupid pose, and I missed out on a lot of great wine experiences. We advocate drinking as many wines as you can (perhaps not all in one sitting) so you can see what pleases you.

That said, I always love bubbles, whether it be a Champagne, crémant, or a domestic sparkler, it’s always festive when you have a flute. This year I really got into Viognier, and dry rosés were amazing during the dog-days of summer. The Chilean carménère has made a strong play, and in Virginia they are doing some amazing things with cabernet franc, norton and tannat. But you never forget your first love. Big kisses to California zinfandels. Call me! Once a Wine Harlot, always a Wine Harlot.

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