Meet David White

By day, he’s the co-owner and COO of Keybridge Communications, a boutique public relations firm. By night, he runs one of the country’s most popular wine blogs, www.Terroirist.com. The blog celebrates its first anniversary today.

He was nice enough to spend a few minutes with us for a FamousDC Famous 5 interview.

1. Tell us about Terroirist.com. What made you want to launch the site?

Until four years ago, I knew nothing about wine. But when I visited Napa Valley in October 2007, I became obsessed – and soon found myself planning more trips to California, visiting Oregon and Argentina just to taste wine, taking classes (I have my advanced certification from Wine and Spirit Education Trust), reading books, you name it.

I also started visiting lots of wine blogs, and began to wonder why there wasn’t a group blog offering a daily, comprehensive look at the wine world. I launched Terroirist to fill that void.

And it’s been quite a ride. It was just awarded the “Best New Wine Blog” at the 2011 Wine Blog Awards, and has been highlighted by the New York Times, Washington Post, and other publications. And I just returned from South Africa, where I delivered the keynote address at the 2011 Nederburg Rare South African Wine Auction, the New World’s oldest wine auction.

2. You’ve been in DC for 8 years. What is your favorite thing about the nation’s capitol?

I love DC because just about everyone here made a choice to live this city. So it’s full of smart, dynamic, interesting people. It’s also a charming place — full of great neighborhoods, excellent restaurants, fun bars, and some incredible history.

3. The Speaker’s Office calls and says that Speaker Boehner wants hang out tonight. Where are y’all going?

We’re staying on The Hill. I’ve lived by Eastern Market since June 2009, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else in DC.

We’d start the night at Schneider’s and pick out a bottle of Napa Cabernet to enjoy with dinner at Charlie Palmer, which offers free corkage on domestic wines every night of the week. Before sampling the Cab, though, I’d ask the sommelier for something fun to start — perhaps a Finger Lakes Riesling.

I’ve heard that the Speaker enjoys the wine, so after dinner, we’d head to Barrack’s Row for a beer at Belga Café. After that – if we were up for it — we’d head to Cava for one more cocktail and some more grub.

4. Who has the best wine list in DC?

Hands down, Bourbon Steak. The restaurant takes its wine very seriously — it has three full-time sommeliers on staff, and they’re exceptionally knowledgeable and helpful. The list has everything it’s supposed to — First Growth Bordeaux, “cult” Napa Cab, and the like – but it also offers dozens of offbeat wines from obscure regions. And this is where you can have some fun. Next time you visit the bar there, don’t buy a glass of wine — purchase a bottle off the  “Secrets of the Sommelier” list. You’ll end up with something you’ve never had before, and it won’t cost you very much. 

5. What would people be surprised to know about you?

I’m the guitarist in a local cover band — Sick Feed – and we played a rager at the White House a few years ago.