I once had a calendar populated with doctors appointments and social gathering. Now, it’s Zoom meetings. I offered a three-part education series on wines in exchange for a donation to a food bank. Together we raised more than $800. But, other than that, the calendar is loaded with Zoom meeting with several winemakers, among them Chris Benziger of Benziger Family wines, Kathy Inman of Inman wines, Maggie Kruse of Jordan Winery.

I could easily double the virtual meetings, but Zoom takes its toll when you add dinners with friends, gatherings with family and endless emergency meetings with non-profit groups whose boards I sit on. Still, the COVID-19 crisis has pushed the wine writing world into a new future that isn’t bad.

I get to the West Coast wine regions about once every three or four years. I’m due to return this year, but may have to put it off. In the course of writing my weekly wine column, I’m often interviewing winemakers on the phone. So, why not bring the experience to our homes and save the travel? Tasting a wine together doesn’t have to be in person. I think winemakers should do continue to host these meetings.

Benziger gave me a virtual tour of the vineyards — he spared me the tour of his stainless steel fermentors. Although it’s not the same as actually standing in the vineyards and feeling the influence of weather, it’s not a bad alternative. Kruse had three other wine journalists in the program — talk about making our visits more efficient!

Not only are wine writers involved, but many of the winemakers have done their programs for members of their wine clubs and often anyone who buys the wine in advance of the virtual tastings. Driving direct-to-consumer wine sales is helped with an invitation to meet with the winemaker, even if it’s a virtual meeting.

These ideas — born from a crisis — should be just as valid for the crisis ends.