Comments on: The Problem With Gary Vaynerchuk

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 20:41:13 +0000

Maybe Gary has responded in kind because the episodes im watching this year seem to contradict some of what our author here claims. In the past 3 dozen episodes i’ve watched, any mention of Cali Pinot I can recall has been favorable or neutral, certainly not derogatory. As for big brands, sure we all want to knock on their wall. Their marketing enormity begs for that, its fundamental to american DNA to shoot Goliath, and big brands typically lose quality control and its probably justifed. Thats just the nature of business growth.. But I do recall Gary giving props to Penfolds, so hes not altogether socialist.

Im not the hugest fan, but i do give Gary huge credit for a few mantras in his show: 1) He continuously reminds us that his opinion is just his opinion, and to cultivate your own palate, 2) He’s not afraid to shoot down a wine in front of a guest who brought it on his show, ( can you think of any television personality with that kind of brutal honesty) 3) “..with just a little of me, together we’ll change the wine world”

Wine critics across the board are too often arrogant prigs with self inflated sense of worth. Glad to see Gary is still keeping it in check. After all, we’re not saving babies in Darfur here. Its just wine.

By: Someone Whose Work You Should Be Following

Someone Whose Work You Should Be Following — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:54:59 +0000

[...] to Robert Mondavi (!) and Lebron James (!!) in his talk. I’m a fan of Gary’s as well, my previous reservations not withstanding, and Dave makes important points about being realistic about your chances of monetizing social [...]

By: Paul Conway

Paul Conway — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:34:20 +0000

City boy from Philly here. Just want to thank Gary for highlighting some diamonds in the rough for me. Love that he ‘keeps it real’!

Note: Unfortunitly, the only way to truly ‘keep it real’ is to do only blind tastings. Would anyone actually do that?!!? Hmmm?

By: David Cole

David Cole — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:52:59 +0000

Your blog on Gary was a good read, however the great thing about Gary’s show is he brings more and more folks into wine! That helps you and me and any other wine brand! Including the big ones! The other great thing is we all have out own taste and I don’t always agree with Gary, but he has forced me to try wines that I probably would not have, if I hadn’t seen them on his show.

Keep up the great blogging and I agree with you, your just adding to the conversation!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:28:35 +0000

I have to say, I’m a HUGE fan of Gary’s show. Of all the things in the wine industry to criticize, I would have though Gary would be at the bottom of any wine seller’s list b/c he has thousands and thousands of people like me buying more and expanding our wine horizons. If it wasn’t for running across his video blog, I’d still just be buying my same old favorites at the grocery store and would never even think of buying wine from Capozzi. No one is free of ‘problems’, but gosh, give the guy a break.

By: Dr. Horowitz

Dr. Horowitz — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:20:10 +0000

This was fun to read.

I have noticed lots of KJ bashing in past episodes, but every rock star needs to be rebelling against something. Is it enough to rebell against the Parker-esque ratings, or is a stronger message necessary to resonate with the mainstream? Regardless, it’s fun to watch free content and get free wristbands. If only the vino were free…

Doesn’t every business person have an agenda? I do think Gary’s move to Twitter is getting a little too ADD for me. There’s gotta be a point where people start to think they’re spending too much time obsessing over Gary’s most recent bowel movement and realize that the people around them are interesting and important as well. But, I guess Gary tell us that message too. I give up my attempt at arbitration.

By: Gary Vaynerchuk

Gary Vaynerchuk — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:54:22 +0000

Understood Dude, I honestly just probably got excited at google and I am sure at some point I put it in context and in the Conn Valley email, I meant it, it was better then those Plus Conn Valley is a big brand LOL, Anyways dude U rock, stay well and cant wait to spend more time together!

By: Josh

Josh — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:11:19 +0000

Hi Gary,

Thanks for the comments. I’ve watched quite a few of the 440. You’ve given lots of love to all kinds of wines. It’s what made me a fan.

It’s just lately, and Google was a biggie, you’ve were changing to a more negative, region and producer bashing message. I’m not talking about bad reviews. I think it’s great you call it like you see it.

I’m talking about, instead of saying “this wine is good, you should try it” you’re saying “Don’t drink that wine, it’s lame.”

Glad you didn’t take the comments personally. Everyone I know who’s met you has good things to say about you as a person. We met briefly when we both spoke at WITS last year, and I dig what you were doing. I just hope you bring it back tot he positive sooner rather than later.

Thanks again for the comments.

By: steven

steven — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:06:29 +0000

I tink a lot of people fall into my category: more than a casual wine drinker but not an expert. I have stuck to the “big” brands because I don’t know about other wines and the whole scene can be intimidating. Maybe the greatest asset that gary provides to guys like me is to educate by demystifying and introducing us to other things we can try. It may be self serving but I doubt it. Remember the sign off to every WLTV episode “you, with a little bit of me”, I think he makes it abundantly clear that you should trust your own palate

By: Derick Platt

Derick Platt — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:34:22 +0000

As a casual Vayner viewer, you have to take him for who he is and to simply cast judement on sombody who keeps wine real for real people is simply exasperative. I think the key to Gary’s attraction is that he’s not like most wine snobs out there blogging about big name brands that rule the wine shelves from coast to coast, where as he will speak of interesting finds that will intrigue you palate at a good price point. While I may not agree with every point Gary makes on his tastings, I do agree with most and like his cut loose approach.