We’re always happy to spread the word about someone pursing his or her passion – but especially if it focuses on our favorite subjects: travel, adventure and wine. Colin West, producer and host of WINERAM, is now working on his third season of the show. WINERAM is an online TV travel series about meeting winemakers and experiencing wine from its source combined with outdoor adventures and local culture. And it’s not just for in-the-know wine professionals. West takes the viewer through a country’s wine regions with a light-hearted approach as a curious enthusiast rather than an aloof wine snob.
Shooting WINERAM, West has covered New Zealand, Australia and shortly the U.S. as well. Check out this beautifully shot episode in Hunter Valley, Australia:
We caught up with him to find out what inspired him to take the entrepreneurial plunge. And since we’re headed to Australia in a few months, what insider travel tips he garnered while shooting season two there.
Where did the passion for wine ‘stem’ from?
Colin West: When I was in Italy studying abroad, I took a course on wine. I was astonished by the history and the culture, the science of making wine, the art of tasting wine and managing vineyards and overall just loved every aspect of wine.
What inspired you to start your show?
I did my Masters in Wine Business, managed wineries,etc. Wineram.com is a concept that came to me of my own personal version of the wine tourism experience. It incorporates more than wine tasting. It is wine tasting, mixed with travel in the beautiful wine regions, maybe some good beer as well, and of course, extreme sports and adventures. I like watching shows like Master Chef, then I realized there really wasn’t anything out there online or on TV. So, I set out to change that.
What’s your advice to others that want to follow the same path (ie, writing/producing a show on their passion)?
You never know when that check is coming or when your going to make a break if you decide to follow your passion and make something independent happen. It’s hard, but do whatever it takes and always remain positive, never giving up. In the beginning if you need to work a side job to get there, then do it. For me, I focused on the show during the day and worked nights at a restaurant. My mantra is: MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Most memorable wine-centric experience to date?
Drinking Pinot Noir on top of a mountain in Central Otago, New Zealand by way of a helicopter. Or drinking a glass of Clare Valley Riesling with Australia’s young winemaker of the year with our feet dangling in the water and two great white sharks swimming below us
Place in Australia you’d return to with your significant other and why?
Frazier Island for its natural beauty or possibly Margaret River as it’s such a cool laid back community secluded from the frenetic pace found in big cities in Australia.
What does travel bring to your life?
It is my life. It educates me, it makes me complete, keeps me entertained. I travel so much that I don’t have as many close friends and family, so for me travel really is my ‘partner’.
With unlimited funds, what wine would you splurge on and why?
1991 Petaluma Riesling form Clare Valley on Hanlin Hill in South Australia. I’m a big fan of aged bone dry white wines.
You’re now filming the 3rd season in the U.S. – what wine regions will you focus on and why?
The Woodinville wine district: It’s a fantastic wine region and so close to Seattle, Washington.
Willamette Valley in Oregon: Great Pinot Noirs and a beautiful destination.
Russian River Valley in Sonoma: Good pinots and more off-the-beaten path than the Napa hustle.
Paso Robles: I wanna learn more about Central California wines and drink some Zinfandel there.
Colorado: They have something happening over there despite how cold it is, (plus, it’s a hub for extreme sports in the winter time).
New York: Heard it is one of the top spots on the east coast for wine!
Advice for wine newbies on how best to begin the journey?
Just buy a bottle of wine that intrigues you. Think about it more than just the fact that its booze. What region is it from? What variety? Why does that variety taste different then a similar one (Cabernet vs Merlot, etc). Just have fun with it.
Favorite travel quote or motto?
WORK HARD. PLAY HARD.
More about Colin West
Twenty-five year-old Colin West is on fire, utilizing his passion for travel and wine to make his dream lifestyle a reality. Not only did he produce the wine TV series, WINERAM, but also Vintage, a wine-centric documentary. Vintage is about a naive cellar hand (assistant to the winemaker) who travels from America to Australia, enduring the trials and travails of harvest season. After watching Vintage, a nice bottle of Pinot Noir or Sancerre is going to taste that much better knowing the insane work of love it requires to make it.
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