Welcome back to another episode of "Beats Vines & Life" with your host MJ Towler. Today, we're honored to have the legendary winemaker Donald Patz joining us. From his early days as a wine salesman in Oregon to establishing the renowned Patz and Hall winery in California, Donald has experienced the wine industry's evolution firsthand. 

After parting ways with his former business for personal and estate planning reasons, he's now pioneering new ventures like Maritana and Secret Door, focusing on wines that reflect his family's preferences and his current tastes.

Donald will share his insights on the diversity of Sonoma's vineyards, the significance of single vineyard designate wines, and the intriguing stories behind his collaborations with wine legends like Francois Villard from the Rhone Valley. We'll also discuss the intriguing historical connections of Beckstoffer’s vineyards, the spiritual experience of visiting historic sites, and the challenges winemakers face in balancing traditions with innovations.

Whether you're a wine aficionado or just curious about the winemaking process, this episode is packed with valuable insights. So, pour yourself a glass of your favorite vintage, sit back, and join us as we journey through the life and craft of Donald Patz on "Beats Vines & Life." Cheers!

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A Massive THANK YOU to DONALD PATZI!!! 

Follow Donald on IG!

For more information about Maritana Vineyards click the link!

Follow Maritana on IG!

For more information about Secret Door Winery click the link!

Follow Secret Door Winery on IG!

For more information about Terminim Wines click the link!

Follow Terminim Wines on IG!

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Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Thank you to our sponsor, GrenacheFest. The Second Annual Grenache Festival in Walla Walla, Washington, will be held on November 8th, 2024. It will feature a seated comparative seminar, followed by live music, food, plenty of Grenache wines, and tons of fun.

For more information, go to GrenacheFest

Follow GrenacheFest on IG GrenacheFest

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to another insightful episode of "Beats Vines & Life!" This week, we're diving deep into the world of winemaking, marketing, and the evolving landscape of the wine industry with our special guests, Barbara Gorder and Brian Baker.

We'll discuss niche market strategies, the critical importance of finding and bonding with your customer tribe, and the essential role of marketing in an industry often stuck in traditional methods. Barbara and Brian will share their vast expertise, from innovative wine promotions like Stella Rosa's Pineapple Chili to the shifting perceptions of sweeter wines and Rieslings. 

We also shine a light on the impactful "Free the Grapes" movement, aiming to open up wine shipping laws across all states, and the fascinating historical context behind America's complex wine distribution systems. Finally, expect insights about modern marketing tactics, the competition from cannabis and craft spirits, and the generational shift impacting wine sales.

Tune in for an episode packed with valuable lessons, from creating scarcity and authentic advertising to leveraging storytelling and embracing innovative outreach strategies. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or a marketing professional, this episode is a treasure trove of information you don't want to miss. Let’s raise a glass and dive in!

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A Massive THANK YOU to BARBARA GORDER & BRIAN BAKERI!!! 

For more information about Project Wine: Lifting All Boats click the link!

Brian Baker

Cultivar Marketing

Website: https://cultivarmarketing.com/

Email: brian@cultivarmarketing.com

Phone: (707) 363-5931

Barbara Gorder

Undisclosed Location

Website: www.unlo.com

Email:Barbara.gorder@unlo.com

Phone: 312.972.2833 (PT)

Direct to Consumer Wine Symposium

Join us for the best DTC Wine education and networking in the business.

https://dtcwinesymposium.com/

January 21-23

Hyatt Regency Monterey, CA

Early Bird Tickets on Sale now until November 1, 2024

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Thank you to our sponsor, GrenacheFest. The Second Annual Grenache Festival in Walla Walla, Washington, will be held on November 8th, 2024. It will feature a seated comparative seminar, followed by live music, food, plenty of Grenache wines, and tons of fun.

For more information, go to GrenacheFest

Follow GrenacheFest on IG GrenacheFest

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back, everyone, to another exciting episode of Beats, Vines & Life. I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we have a truly inspiring guest joining us – Jordan Harris, the phenomenal winemaker at Heron Hill Winery in the Finger Lakes. 

Jordan's journey into the world of wine is nothing short of fascinating. From initially avoiding chemistry to winning a prestigious sommelier competition, and from Canada to the cool climate of Virginia and now the Finger Lakes, his story is a testament to passion and perseverance

. 

In this episode, we dive into Jordan's path from the restaurant industry to becoming an influential winemaker, crafting wines that have put the Finger Lakes on the map. We'll talk about his love for various wine styles, his approach to non-interventionist winemaking, and the exciting future of the Finger Lakes wine region.

Plus, we'll hear about Heron Hill Winery's unique wine program and the community efforts Jordan is involved in. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or just love a good success story, this episode has something for everyone. So, pour yourself a glass and join us for an enlightening conversation with Jordan Harris. 

Let's get started!

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A Massive THANK YOU to JORDAN HARRIS!!! 

For more information about Heron Hill click the link!

Follow Heron Hill on IG!

____________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at 

blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Thank you to our sponsor, Finger Lakes Wine Country. The following episodes are brought to you by Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York State’s world-class wine destination producing the most award-winning wines in the Northeast, just a short drive away.

For more information about Finger Lakes Wine Country click the link

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MJ’s guest today is Co-owner and Winemaker of the McLaren Vale’s Brash Higgins Winery. Brash Higgins is committed to producing wines from little-known or outre varietals. In this episode MJ and Brad discuss his journey from being a world traveling couch-surfer to the working in some of the finest Michelin starred restaurants in NYC. And how that led him into pushing boundaries and redefining the terroir of one of South Australia’s premier wine regions.

A huge thank you to Brad Hickey!

Follow her on IG at @brashhiggins

Check out their website: https://www.brashhiggins.com/

This episode’s in studio wine:

2021 Brash Higgins ZBO Ricca Terra Farms The Riverland Zibibbo 

2020 Brash Higgins CINS Lennon Vineyard McLaren Vale Cinsault

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is James Beard Award winning wine journalist and author Alice Feiring. Alice was proclaimed “the queen of natural wines” by the Financial Times. She publishes the authoritative natural wine newsletter, The Feiring Line. And Alice has recently released her 6th book,  To Fall in Love, Drink This: A Wine Writer’s Memoir. In this episode they discuss why there’s no place like NYC, the “Parkerization of Wine” and MJ finally gets a working definition of “Natural Wine.” Grab a glass of something Natty and enjoy!

A huge thank you to Alice Feiring!

Follow her on IG at @alice.feiring

Check out her website:https://thefeiringline.com/

This episode’s in studio wine:

2021 Bichi “Como vino al mundo” Red Wine Tecate-Cuchuma

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is Proprietor of Sonoma’s Winery Sixteen 600 and co-host of the highly regarded The Winemakers Pod Sam Cotturi.

In this episode, MJ and Sam talk about Sam’s early days growing up in the Moon Mountain District of Sonoma County. His life as the son of an organic farming pioneer. Joining the family business and launching a boutique label with an industry legend. They discuss everything from Hippies, Hip-Hop and Podcast Host Life. Go ahead and grab a glass and get ready to see grapes from a different view.

A huge thank you to Sam Cotturi!

Follow him on IG at @grapeswithaview and @sixteen600 @winemakerspod

Check out his website: https://www.winerysixteen600.com/

Check out his podcast: https://radiomisfits.com/podcasts/thewinemakers/

This episode’s in studio wine:

2018 Á DEUX TÊTES Rossi Ranch Sonoma Valley Grenache

2021 Sixteen 600 Mixed Whites (Cans)

2021 Sixteen 600 Primitivo Rosé (Cans)

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is the Brand Manager at DAMILANO Barolo Thomas Cuni. In addition to his focus on the US Market, Thomas is also in charge of worldwide export. He is a graduate of the University of Bologna where he studied Food Science and Oenology. Thomas moved to the US in 2006 and began his career in luxury wine. 

In this episode MJ and Thomas discuss his journey from the son of hardworking blue-collar parents in Emilia-Romagna to running one of the most historic estates in all of Italy.

A huge thank you to Thomas Cuni!

Follow him on IG at @thomas_cuni and @damilanobarolo

Check out Damilano’s website: http://cantinedamilano.it/ 

This episode’s in-studio wine:

2004 Damilano Barolo Liste 

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is the Managing Director of Napa Valley’s Rudd Estate Oscar Henquet.

In this episode, MJ and Oscar talk about how he found his passion for the luxury hospitality industry at a very young age while working with his family’s hotel business in The Netherlands. The importance and value of understanding various cultures. Life as a 6’4 European living in China. His first week on the job in NYC. Monkey Bar, and how he came to work with Richard Gere.

A huge thank you to Oscar Henquet!

Follow Rudd Estate on IG at @ruddestate

Check out the websites of The Rudd Portfolio: http//www.ruddwines.com https://www.crossroadsbyrudd.com/ and https://www.pressnapavalley.com/

This episode’s in studio wines:

2018 Rudd Oakville Estate Red

2018 Rudd Oakville Estate Samantha’s Cabernet Sauvignon

2020 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Sauvignon Blanc

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is described as the “always theorizing and experimenting Vineyard Manager” at Stolpman Vineyards since 1994, Ruben Solorzano! 

Ruben was crowned “the Grape Whisperer” by Wine Enthusiast (Journalist Matt Kettmann). Through Ruben’s vineyard management company - Coastal Vineyard Care Associates - he controls several of the best sites from the Western edge of STA Rita Hills through Happy Canyon. Ruben focuses on innovation throughout his viticultural empire. His partnership wine brand with the Stolpman family is named in honor of his wife, “Para Maria” - For Maria.

Ruben shares stories of his childhood growing up as the youngest of eleven children in Mexico. His early years working outdoors shaped his future as he tells MJ of following his older brothers to California  - harrowingly crossing the border - to begin his incredible career in wine. And what a career it has been! Grab a glass and get ready to drink in Ruben’s beautiful story of finding your calling in the vineyards of California! 

A huge thank you to Ruben Solorzano! 

Follow him on IG at @ruben_solorzano_ruelas_

Keep up with his Para Maria wines: https://www.stolpmanvineyards.com/Wine/Para-Maria

This episode’s in studio wines:

2019 El Padrino de la Cuadrilla 

2018 Sun & Earth  GSM

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Grapes The Wine Company. Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is the fourth generation of his family to play an instrumental role in the fine wine and spirits realm in the United States. He's Director of Business Development at the Taub family’s NYC-based wholesale business, Independence Wine & Spirits (IWS), Jake Taub! In 2020, Jake joined IWS as a key account manager and was quickly promoted to director of business development. Jake has increased national sales at his family’s proprietary California wineries, Saracina in Mendocino and Taub Family Vineyards Napa.

On this episode, MJ and Jake discuss The Taub Family business, dating back to prohibition. Jake reveals the story behind his grandfather bringing Pinto Grigio over to the states, and how the family business got its name. This episode takes you behind the curtain on a family-run dynasty that’s impressive and tres magnifique. À ta santé!

A huge thank you to Jake Taub! 

Follow him on IG at @jaketaub 

🍷 @drinkiws

🇺🇸 @taubfamilyselections

🍇 @saracinavineyards

🌎 @palmbayinternational

Check out the IWS website: https://independencewine.com/ 

Taub Family Selections website: https://www.taubfamilyselections.com/

This episode’s in studio wine:

2013 Travaglini Nebole Metodo Classico 

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth-generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high-quality, terroir-centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Grapes The Wine Company. Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine-driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is today is Alma Rosa’s winemaker, Samra Morris. Samra was born in Sarajevo Bosnia. She grew up during the Bosnian war of 1992-95. Samra is the first woman from Bosnia to make wines in California. She completed a viticulture internship at St. Supéry during the 2014 harvest as well as working with Rivers Brown’s Mending Wall for three harvests. Samra formerly served as quality control manager for Free Flow Wines. She was recruited by General Manager Debra Eagle to join Alma Rosa as an Assistant Winemaker in 2018. Within less than a year, she was promoted to winemaker. At Alma Rosa, Samra has a focus on Burgundian and Rhône varieties

On this episode, MJ and Samra discuss Samra’s childhood in Bosnia and growing up during wartime. Samra talks about how she went from brewing beer to making wine and why she fell in love with Santa Barbara. She even spills her secret to success: taking every opportunity!

A huge thank you to Samra Morris! 

Follow her on IG @samra_morris

Check out Alma Rosa Winery at: https://almarosawinery.com/

This episode’s in studio wines:

2020 Alma Rosa Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills

2020 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills

2019 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir Rancho La Viña, Sta Rita Hills

2020 Alma Rosa Pinot Noir Barrel Select, Sta Rita Hills

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Grapes The Wine Company. Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

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MJ’s Guest today is music producer, fashion designer, foodie and DJ, Skinny Pablo! Based out of Long Beach, California, Skinny Pablo was born and raised on the island of Guam. He has recording credits including Lee "Scratch" Perry, Cypress Hill and Public Enemy. Skinny Pablo DJs events such as RieslingStudy, and started his own party called Riesling & Reggae in Los Angeles. His favorite wine is Mosel Riesling. He loves to read Bukowski and do art in his spare time.

On this episode, MJ and Skinny Pablo discuss the many layers of creativity in Skinny’s artist’s heart. His innate talents for DJing started with his Chamorro roots, growing up on Guam in a family that loved to host parties. Skinny describes how his palate for marajuana  - a big influence in his life - taught him to develop his palate for German wines. Packed full of stories from inside the recording studio with Skinny’s hero and mentor, B Real of Cypress Hill, to rolling huge joints for Mike Tyson and a deep dive into the beautiful bottles of Stein he brought to the studio  - this episode is one “Buddha-fied funky” trip. 

A huge thank you to Skinny Pablo! 

Follow him on IG @ skinny.pablo

Keep up with all his projects at: skinnypablo.com 

Buy his custom clothing at: https://www.mosaigalleria.com/skinnypablo

This episode’s in studio wine:

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Grapes The Wine Company. Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ and Jermaine Stone get together for an impromptu cipher to discuss their upcoming battle at the Wine and Hip Hop “Pass The Aux Sessions” NYC on July 23rd in Brooklyn. If you don't know... now ya know...

For more information go here: https://bit.ly/PassTheAuxNYC

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to another exciting episode of "Beats Vines & Life"! Today, we have the pleasure of diving deep into the fascinating journey of Jeb Dunnuck, a renowned wine critic who transitioned from an aerospace engineering career to become one of the most respected voices in the wine industry. 

Our host MJ Towler sits down with Jeb to discuss his multifaceted career path, from working at leading companies like Lockheed Martin and Ball Aerospace to the grueling, solitary life of a professional wine critic. 

They touch on the evolution of wine criticism, the controversy surrounding natural wines, and the ongoing development of the global wine market. We'll also explore Jeb's personal experiences, from his humble beginnings in rural Indiana, his passion for rock climbing, and the family dynamics that shaped him. 

Get ready for an insightful conversation about dedication, industry insights, and the sheer joy of discovering great wines. Whether you're an oenophile or simply love a good story, this episode is packed with knowledge and inspiration that you won't want to miss. 

Tune in now!

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A Massive THANK YOU to JEB DUNNUCK!!! 

Subscribe to Jebdunnuck.com!

Follow Jeb on IG!

Follow Jeb on X!

____________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at 

blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Thank you to our sponsor, GrenacheFest. The Second Annual Grenache Festival in Walla Walla, Washington, will be held on November 8th, 2024. It will feature a seated comparative seminar, followed by live music, food, plenty of Grenache wines, and tons of fun.

For more information, go to GrenacheFest

Follow GrenacheFest on IG GrenacheFest

[SPECIAL THANK TO BOBBY STUCKEY AND THE FRASCA FOOD GROUP]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest is artist, an art historian, a wine collector, a salesman, an importer, and the founder of Vom Boden, Stephen Bitterolf. Stephen came to NYC in the early 00s to get his PhD in Northern Renaissance painting - during which time his fascination was born. In 2005, he landed a job as a salesperson at the newly opened Crush Wine & Spirits, one of New York City’s sleekest wine stores at the time.

In 2012, he became an importer of German wines which led to his founding of Vom Boden. Vom Boden is a small company, focusing on small growers. He later founded Rieslingfeier, an annual event that seeks to celebrate German Rieslings, to provide a greater context for this incredible history of winemaking – to re-emphasize the historical importance of terroir.  

Stephan, self proclaimed German wine “dork” take listeners (and MJ!) on a deep dive into the wines he’s so passionate about. From the Kabinett to the Spätlese to the Auslese. Stephen’s personal journey from art history to German wine importer is as fascinating as the wines he loves. 

A huge thank you to Stephen Bitteolf! 

Follow Vom Boden @vomboden

Follow Rieslingfeier on IG at @rieslingfeier

Check out Vom Boden’s website: https://www.vomboden.com/

Get more information about Rieslingfeier at their website: ​​https://rieslingfeier.com/

This episode’s in studio wine:

Schloss Reinhartshausen

1969 Erbacher Brühl

Riesling Kabinett

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Grapes The Wine Company. Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is former banker turned wine importer, and founder of VOS Selections, Victor O. Schwartz. Victor initially worked in the banking sector on loans, stocks and bonds, before transitioning to the wine industry. His upbringing was steeped in an intense culinary culture. In 1986, Victor moved to France to jump start his wine career. VOS Selections has been a staple in the wine industry for over 35 years. 

In this episode MJ and Victor talk about his journey from banking to learning the language of terroir in the country of France, where he received hands-on experience in the wine business. The duo also discuss the money that drives the wine industry vs. the farming that drives it; whether we’re “there yet?” with non-alcoholic wine, the lost art of handwritten letters and its effectiveness (Thank you, Steven Spurrier), and ultimately how Victor O. Schwartz became VOS Selections. Pull up a chair, and a sharp one, this is a fast paced, laugh out loud good time with Mr. VOS!

A huge thank you to Victor O. Schwartz!

Follow him on IG at @vosselections 

Check out his website: www.vosselections.com 

This episode’s in studio wine:

2006 Raven No. 5 California Syrah - Sine Qua Non

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Napa Valley Wine Academy. It’s no secret that everyone's wine education journey is unique. You deserve a wine School that not only delivers top-notch content but also guides you on the learning path that's right for you. Whether you're looking to earn your WSET certification or just get the basics the Napa Valley Wine Academy is the place to be. 

To learn more about NVWA go to: https://napavalleywineacademy.com/

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2 of MJ’s live chats from Hospice Du Rhône’s flagship event in Paso Robles, California.  

This bi - annual event brings together an international community to celebrate Rhône wines and winemakers. 

The 2022 event featured over 120 international Rhône producers, seminars on the forefront of Rhône thinking, an exclusive live auction and delicious meals paired with Rhône wines .. and MJ was there recording live with many of the brilliant winemakers and other prominent wine folks attending this year. 

These conversations are lively, poignant and full of the energy that happens when winemakers convene to drink and celebrate the wines they love dearly.  Cheers! 

___________________________________________________________

A huge thank you to Hospice du Rhône for inviting us to record!  

For more information on upcoming Hospice du Rhône events https://www.hospiceduRhône.org/

Very special thanks to all our guests: 

Wine Critic, James Suckling 

Keep up with his reviews and wine tastings at https://www.jamessuckling.com/

Follow him on IG: @james.suckling

Frédéric Chaudière of Château Pesquié 

Keep up with his wines at: https://chateaupesquie.com/

Follow them on IG: @chateaupesquie

Dave Miner of Miner Family Wines

Keep up with his wines at: https://minerwines.com/

Follow them on IG: @minerfamilywinery

Mikael Sigouin of Kaena Wines

Keep up with his wines at: https://www.kaenawine.com/

Follow them on IG: @kaenawines

Guillaume Fabre of Clos Solène

Keep up with his wines at: https://www.clossolene.com/

Follow them on IG:@clossolene

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Huge thanks to Jeremy Leffert and Melissa Burns for their generous support in bringing you these special episodes.

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 MJ brings his listeners a front row seat to the Hospice Du Rhône’s flagship event in Paso Robles, California.  

This bi - annual event brings together an international community to celebrate Rhône wines and winemakers. 

The 2022 event featured over 120 international Rhône producers, seminars on the forefront of Rhône thinking, an exclusive live auction and delicious meals paired with Rhône wines .. and MJ was there recording live with many of the brilliant winemakers and other prominent wine folks attending this year. 

These conversations are lively, poignant and full of the energy that happens when winemakers convene to drink and celebrate the wines they love dearly.  Cheers! 

___________________________________________________________

A huge thank you to Hospice du Rhône for inviting us to record!  

For more information on upcoming Hospice du Rhône events https://www.hospiceduRhône.org/

Very special thanks to all our guests: 

Anne-Charlotte Mélia Bachas of Château de la Font du Loup

Keep up with her wines at: https://lafontduloup.com/

Follow her on IG: @anne_charlotte_lafontduloup

Russell P. From of Herman Story Wines

Keep up with his wines at: https://www.hermanstorywines.com/

Follow them on IG: @hermanstorywines 

Christophe Baron of Bionic Wines

Keep up with his wines at: https://bionicwines.com/

Follow them on IG: @bionicwines

Don Burns of Turtle Rock 

Keep up with his wines at: https://www.turtlerockvineyards.com/

Follow them on IG: @turtlerockvineyards

Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Critic 

Stay up on all things Rhône at: https://jebdunnuck.com/

Follow him on IG: @jebdunnuck

Jordan Fiorentini of Epoch Estate Wines

Keep up with her wines at: https://epochwines.com/

Follow them on IG:@epochwines

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Huge thanks to Jeremy Leffert and Melissa Burns for their generous support in bringing you these special episodes.

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is esteemed Châteauneuf-du-Pape vigneron and winemaker, Isabel Ferrando! Isabel has been cultivating vines and making wine in Chateauneuf-du-Pape for 18 years. Her wines have been dubbed by critics as “some of the most profound wines on the planet” (Jeb Dunnuck). Drawing inspiration from the Burgundian tradition of single vineyards, Isabel produced three different cuvées from Saint Prefert’s estates from 2003 to 2019: Classique, Réserve Auguste Favier and Collection Charles Giraud.

In this episode, MJ and Isabel discuss how Isabel went from working for a bank to making wine in her own vineyard in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Isabel shares details of her organic and biodynamic vineyard practices, her revolutionary new approach to making wine in a glass vat, and her daughter’s recent decision to follow in Isabel’s footsteps.

A huge thank you to Isabel Ferrando!

Follow Isabel on Instagram: @isabelferrando_stprefert  

Check out her website here: www.st-prefert.com

This episode’s in studio wine: 

2021 Famille Isabel Ferrando Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

2018 Colombis Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine Isabel Ferrando

_____________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is a 5th generation winemaker of Azelia, an historical and small family-run winery founded in 1920, in Castiglione Falletto in the heart of the Barolo region in Piedmont, Italy. Lorenzo attended the Oenological School in Alba, the most prestigious wine school in Italy. Lorenzo graduated summa cum laude with the title of Oenologist. Lorenzo works full time alongside his father Luigi at Azelia participating in every step of the process, from the work in the vineyards to the winemaking and sales management in Italy and around the world. 

On this week’s episode, MJ and Lorenzo discuss the pressure and joys of being the 5th generation, only child, to grow up in the wine business, working the vineyards and still not having the pleasure of tasting a 1932 vintage that his father holds so dear!! Lorenzo also shares how the Scavino family hid hundreds of bottles from the Germans during World War II; green harvesting to reduce the yields, Piedmont cuisine and more!

A huge thank you to Lorenzo Scavino! 

Follow Lorenzo on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lorenzo_scavino_azelia/ 

For more information on Azelia visit https://www.azelia.it/en/

This episode’s in studio wine:

• 2019 Azelia Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco Dell'Oriolo
• 2017 Azelia Barbera d'Alba Punta
• 2020 Azelia Langhe Nebbiolo
• 2010 Azelia Barolo Riserva Bricco Voghera 

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is a renaissance man! He comes from an executive background, a wine importer, a business owner, and is dedicated to global humanitarian support, a Lehigh graduate, Peter Morales. His career began in retail and operations management at Johnson & Johnson, Grand Metropolitan (now Diageo), and Peerless Importers. In 1998, Peter opened his own worldwide business consulting company, Peter Andrew LLC, which specializes in international beverages. After taking on a project with South Africa, where he successfully developed plans to market wines to the United States, Morales jumped into the importing business, and started his company, 57 Main Street Imports. Peter's latest venture is Black Hawk Imports founded in 2014. 

On this week’s episode, MJ and Peter discuss his childhood in the Caribbean, getting an education in the sciences, his trips to Africa, and how everything is marketing. 

A huge thank you to Peter Morales! 

Check out his Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-morales-8106325/

This episode’s in studio wine:

• Smoke Eater All Hands White Pinot Grigio 2018 
• Peramo Anniversario Bianco 

• Vergelegen DNA 2019 

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is one of a select few 100-point winemakers in Washington State and winemaker with Force Majeure, Holocene, Weathereye Vineyards, PASXA, and The Walls: Todd Alexander. Previously, Todd was the Winemaker for acclaimed “cult” winery Bryant Family Vineyard in Napa Valley. He began his career in the Napa Valley at esteemed wineries including Cade and PlumpJack. Todd holds a winemaking certificate from UC Davis and has worked with some of the best and brightest in the wine industry, including vineyard manager David Abreu and winemaking consultant Michel Rolland. He has a passion for single vineyard and terroir-driven wines.

In this week’s episode, hear Todd and MJ discuss Todd’s family history in the restaurant and agriculture industries, how Todd’s brother got him hooked on wine, and Todd’s journey to wine-making in Washington.

A huge thank you to Todd Alexander!

Follow Todd’s IG @metodd

Check out Force Majeure on IG @forcemajeurevineyards and at https://forcemajeurevineyards.com/wp/ 

Check out Weathereye on IG @weathereye_vineyards and at https://www.weathereyevineyard.com/ 

Check out PASXA Wines on IG @pasxawines and at https://pasxawines.com/

Check out The Walls on IG @thewallsvineyards and at https://www.thewallswines.com/ 

This episode’s in studio wine: 

2013 La Petite Chapelle HERMITAGE PAUL JABOULET AÎNÉ

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is a California native, a Georgetown graduate,  a fine wine specialist, a former retail worker, businessman, and a managing partner at Stolpman Vineyards, Pete Stolpman! 

On this week’s episode, MJ and Pete talk about his dad’s movie-esque life before the inception of Stolpman Vineyards, Pete’s time in Australia, working retail, and working alongside the most talented man he’s ever met! 

A huge thank you to Pete Stolpman!

Follow Pete’s IG at ​​@peter_stolpman

Follow Stolpman Vineyards on IG @stolpmanvineyards 

Check out the Stolpman Vineyards website: https://www.stolpmanvineyards.com/

This episode’s in studio wine:

• The Great Places 2019 August James Syrah
• Stolpman Vineyards Sangiovese Ballard Canyon 2019 
• Stolpman Vineyards Love You Bunches 2021 
• La Cuadrilla 2020 

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is an industry changemaker, a leader for diversity and inclusion in the hospitality / food and beverage industries, a professor, a philanthropist, a mentor, a sommelier, and wine director, Tonya Pitts! 

This week MJ and Tonya discuss her time in San Francisco, her fierce commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as her need to dig deep and pull things apart! 

A huge thank you to Tonya Pitts 

Follow her on TW and IG at @noirsommelier

Check out her website: https://www.tonyapitts.com

This episode’s in studio wine:

2004 Napa Valley Havens Merlot _____________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Looking to special order that bottle you had on vacation? Need to find a bourbon your boss has never tried? How about wrapped bottle gifts for teachers, coaches or your salesforce? Grapes The Wine Company can provide all this and more! Zoom tastings, winemaker dinners, wine driven charity events, cellar consultations, stellar suggestions… they do it all. To learn more about GTWC go to: https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Thank you to our sponsor: It’s no secret that everyone's wine education journey is unique. You deserve a wine School that not only delivers top-notch content but also guides you on the learning path that's right for you. Whether you're looking to earn your WSET certification or just get the basics the Napa Valley Wine Academy is the place to be. 

To learn more about NVWA go to: https://napavalleywineacademy.com/

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Beats Vines & Life"! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we have an extraordinary guest, the multi-talented Billy Bollotino. Billy, known for his remarkable 25-year career with Conan O'Brien, takes us on a compelling journey through the vibrant music and nightlife of downtown New York, his days at Fordham University, and his early foray into television with "Rocker Room."

We'll dive deep into the gig economy in the entertainment industry, featuring fascinating anecdotes about working with Deon Cole, the ups and downs of Conan's early years, and Billy's unforgettable stint on SNL with Lorne Michaels. From high-profile criminal cases to video tape editing at ABC, and even directing and teaching at Cal State Northridge, Billy's diverse experiences have shaped an incredible career.

In this episode, Billy shares his stories of discovering bands like the Goo Goo Dolls, discussing the indie music scene, and reflecting on the success dynamics of iconic bands such as Blondie and the Ramones. We'll also hear about his unique TV project, "Chow Line," the rise and fall of TV shows, and his ongoing passion for teaching and creating new content.

So, sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the life and career of Billy Bolotino, a true testament to versatility and resilience in the world of entertainment. Don't forget to check the show notes for links to Billy's Instagram and more details on today's discussion. 

Let's get started!

---

A Massive THANK YOU to BILLY BOLOTINO!!!

Watch The Chow Line on YouTube!

Follow Billy on IG!

Follow The Chow Line on IG!

____________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at 

blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Thank you to our sponsor, GrenacheFest. The Second Annual Grenache Festival in Walla Walla, Washington, will be held on November 8th, 2024. It will feature a seated comparative seminar, followed by live music, food, plenty of Grenache wines, and tons of fun.

For more information, go to GrenacheFest

Follow GrenacheFest on IG GrenacheFest

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two Hosts - One Podcast!

On this special bonus episode MJ joins host Adam Montiel live from Paso Robles! Coming straight from the airport MJ and Adam meet up at Josh Klapper's winery,Timbre for a lively discussion covering the beginnings of MJ's IG feed, then the podcast, his early days of working wine auctions and so much more!

Adam even manages to coax Lani, MJ's producer on the mic for even more insights on how his popular show came to life!

Big thanks to Adam and Josh for the great conversation!

Paso Wine presents the Where Wine Takes You podcast, exploring the people, places, and wines of Paso Robles Wine Country. Explore Paso Robles wineries and wines.

https://pasowine.com/where-wine-takes-you/

https://www.timbrewinery.com/about

@adamontheair

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enjoy a special episode as MJ joins the Wine Makers podcast live!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

There was a lot of energy going into this show, not only were we all excited to be back in Paso Robles for Hospice du Rhone but we were also getting to meet our friend M.J. Towler "The Black Wine Guy Experience" IRL... 

Add to the mix The.Grenachista, the one and only Kevin Burns, Jeff Cohn and M.J. brought his good friend Jeremy Leffert from Tooth & Nail Wine Co. If it sounds like a train wreck, well, let us just say we all survived. 

What a great weekend let us all plan on heading to Hospice du Rhone in 2024.

Cheers

www.toothandnailwine.com

@toothandnailwinery

@jeremyleffert

www.hospicedurhone.org

@hospicedurhone

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today comes from a family of winemakers, the President of the Long Island Wine Country, and the man you want to know at Paumanok Vineyards, Kareem Massoud. Paumanok has been recognized with numerous accolades over the years including Wine Spectator's Critic's Choice Award, NY Wine & Food Classic's "Winery of the Year" Award and "outstanding" reviews in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. Outside of Paumanok, Kareem serves on the Riverhead Farmland Preservation Committee and on the Executive Board of Long Island Farm Bureau as Treasurer.

This week MJ + Kareem discuss the beginning of  Paumanok, what it’s like working with family, and why Long Island shouldn’t be counted out as a big time contender in the wine world! 

A huge thank you to Kareem Massoud! 

Follow Kareem on IG at @kmassoud11931

Follow Paumanok Vineyards on IG @paumanokvineyards

Follow Palmer Vineyards on IG @palmervineyards

Check out their websites: 

Paumanok: https://www.paumanok.com/

Palmer: https://www.palmervineyards.com/

This episode’s in studio wines:

Paumanok Assemblage 2015 

Paumanok Cabernet Franc 2019 

Paumanok Petite Verdot 2013 

Paumanok Minimalist Chenin Blanc 

Paumanok Minimalist Chardonnay

Paumanok Chenin Blanc 2014 

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is owner and founder of Adrian Chalk Selections, NY-based purveyor of fine wines, Adrian Chalk. 30 years ago, Adrian helped build a new winery in Provence as a sweat-equity partner of Chateau Routas. He went on to work for Lauber Imports for 17 years, a job which took him around the globe visiting wine-growing regions. In 2015, he launched his own portfolio, Adrian Chalk Selections.

In this episode, Adrian talks about growing up in Ontario, Canada, and making wine with his family in their basement in Toronto. Adrian shares details of his travels to wine regions around the world, from Europe to the Middle East, to Australia, to South America. 

A huge thank you to Adrian Chalk!

Find him at: https://adrianchalkselections.com/

Follow him on IG at @adrianchalk

This episode’s in studio wine: 

2015 Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Rouge Red Burgundy Wine

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Super Somm! Bobby Stuckey IS a Hospitality Superhero.

MJ’s Guest today is award-winning Master Sommelier, co-founder of Frasca Food and Wine Group, Pizzeria Locale, and Scarpetta Wine Company, and leader in the hospitality industry: Bobby Stuckey. In 2000, Bobby worked with world-renowned chef Thomas Keller at The French Laundry in California, and led the restaurant’s team to earn the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Wine Service award. That same year, San Francisco Magazine recognized Bobby as "Wine Director of the Year.” Bobby went on to open a number of award-winning restaurants of his own, including Frasca, which received the 2019 James Beard Award in Outstanding Service.

In this episode, Bobby tells MJ about getting kicked out of private school, landing his first restaurant job, and becoming a Master Sommelier and restaurant Owen. Plus, Bobby and MJ discuss the hospitality industry in the wake of the pandemic, and how Bobby’s been working to help restaurants during this time.

A huge thank you to Bobby Stuckey! 

Follow him on IG at @bobbystuckeyms

Check out The Independent Restaurant Coalition: https://www.saverestaurants.com/

Check out Bobby’s Restaurants:

https://www.frascafoodandwine.com/

https://www.pizzerialocale.com/

https://www.tavernettadenver.com/

https://www.sundayvinyl.com/

This episode’s in studio wine:

Ronco del Gnemiz Friuli Colli Orientali Chardonnay 2017

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Ross Knoll Vineyard Wines is a female owned company which produces handcrafted wines with winemaker, Justin Seidenfeld, made from Pinot Noir grapes sourced from exceptional vineyards in the Russian River Valley.

Go to rossknollvineyard.com and discover their rare production of 2021 vintage Mount Eden White Pinot Noir and 2021 vintage Rosé of 667

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today has been named by The New York Times as the “foremost authority on hamburgers,” and “America’s biggest burger name,” by Eater LA; he’s a well-traveled Emmy Award-winning freelance filmmaker, author, and photographer - George Motz. George shot, produced, edited, and directed his documentary, Hamburger America which was nominated for a James Beard Award and recognized by the US National Archives as an integral part of American food history. In 2016, George authored his first cookbook, “The Great American Burger Book.” He hosted and co-executive produced Travel Channel’s Burger Land, based on his book “Hamburger America, a State-by-State Guide to Great Burger Joints.” You can watch George on his show Burger Scholar Sessions on Complex Media’s First We Feast, now in its 5th season.

In this episode, MJ and George discuss his time at Catholic University, his career in commercial photography and filmmaking. George gives us a history lesson in the origins of the original burger, and talks about some of the best burgers (without playing favorites) in the Midwest and out West, including In-N-Out Burger’s Double-Double to the Triple Double. George discusses his documentary Hamburger America, his Motz Burger pop-up, wherein 2 hours he sold over 150 burgers from his burger window slide at his Brooklyn home; his Niche Niche pop up where Jean-Georges stopped by and why he started The Food Film Festival. Grill or pan-fry a burger your way and grab a cold one because this is a juicy one! 

A huge thank you to George Motz! 

Follow him on IG at @motzburger

Check out his website: georgemotz.com 

Watch his current episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0AH7h9zZ_4 

This episode’s in-studio wine:

Garnier et Fils Chablis 2019

Ragtime Rye - New York Straight Rye Whiskey

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up-and-coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004.

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is Founder and President of Fass Selections, Lyle Fass. Lyle has over 25 years of experience in the wine business, and has served as the founding wine buyer at Crush in New York City, as well as the German wine buyer at Chambers Street. He founded Fass selections in 2013 and has grown it to be one of the leading importer retailers in the United States. Fass Selections specializes in wines from France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. 

In this episode, MJ and Lyle talk about Lyle’s early days growing up in NYC, his long career in the wine industry, and everything in between. Lyle shares his early fascination with wine, particularly his initial desire to discover what makes some bottles more expensive than others. Lyle and MJ also discuss sneakers and hip-hop, as Lyle is an aficionado of both! 

A huge thank you to Lyle Fass!

Follow him on IG at @grapeylyle and @fassselections

Check out his website: http://www.fassselections.com/ 

This episode’s in studio wines:

2016 Thörle Hölle Spätburgunder Trocken

2019 Domaine Rebourgeon Pommard 1er Cru "Les Pezerolles" 

2020 Domaine Partage (Gilles Berlioz) Chignin-Bergeron "Les Christine" 

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at: Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ: @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com 

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest today is owner of Ross Knoll Vineyard, Co-founder and Board Member for SommTV, and executive producer for SOMM Films, Diane Carpenter. In 2017 Diane and her husband David of 34 years cultivated their own vineyard in Sonoma County, California and planted 3000 Calera Clone Pinot Noir vines. Two years later, Diane and her colleagues created SommTV, where Diane has been an Executive Producer on Somm: Into the Bottle and SOMM 3. Diane is also Co-Founder and Board Member of Forgotten Man Films, where they produce the ongoing SOMM series. 

In this episode, MJ and Diane discuss her upbringing in England, meeting her husband, and moving to America. Diane details her journey through wine, from the glass that sparked her passion to getting her hands dirty in wine country for the first time to starting SommTV. She shares how she has balanced raising a family and pursuing a career.

A huge thank you to Diane Carpenter! 

Check out her website and join her mailing list: www.dianecarpenter.org

Follow her on IG at @yourwinestylist

This episode’s in studio wine:

2020 Ross Knoll Rose Cuvee Chelsea 

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com  

Thank you to our sponsor: Ross Knoll Vineyard Wines is a female owned company which produces handcrafted wines with winemaker, Justin Seidenfeld, made from Pinot Noir grapes sourced from exceptional vineyards in the Russian River Valley.

Go to rossknollvineyard.com and join their waitlist for the 2021 vintage Pinot Noir which will be released early 2022.

Thank you to our sponsor: SOMM TV. SOMM TV is a streaming network focused on the world of wine, food, and travel. Many call it the "Netflix" of wine & food!

Use code MJ60 at checkout and get your first year of SOMM TV at 60% off! That's only $20 for the whole year!

Checkout Link: http://watch.sommtv.com/checkout?code=mj60&plan=yearly

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MJ’s guest today is radio and music industry powerhouse, Sharon Dastur. Sharon served as SVP of Programming for the World Famous iHeartRadio’s Z100 New York radio station for 20 years. She is 1 of 5 people that have held this position in the history of the station, and the only woman. She has transformed brands, created popular culture, and has helped guide the careers of some of the biggest artists in the world including Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Jonas Brothers, Ariana Grande and more. She has won accolades across the entertainment industry including the prestigious annual Billboard Women in Music List (for the last 10 years), ELLE Magazine’s Women in Music Power List and Women in Music: The 50 Most Powerful Executives in the Industry, just to name a few. 

In this episode, MJ and Sharon discuss her childhood in Texas and her early beginnings as an intern at her favorite local radio station in Houston. Sharon shares how she went on to become a top leader in the music industry. She talks about her first forays into wine; from early tasting events to what she calls her “New York City Wine Crew.” She and MJ discuss their love for wine, and their love for learning more about wine every day!

A huge thank you to Sharon Dastur! 

Follow her on IG at @sharondastur and @thegrapegram 

This episode’s in studio wine:

2019 Sea Smoke Sta Rita Hills Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard - Chardonnay

2020 Raen - Cuvée Royal St. Robert Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com  

Thank you to our sponsor: Ross Knoll Vineyard Wines is a female owned company which produces handcrafted wines with winemaker, Justin Seidenfeld, made from Pinot Noir grapes sourced from exceptional vineyards in the Russian River Valley.

Go to rossknollvineyard.com and discover their rare production of 2021 vintage Mount Eden White Pinot Noir and 2021 vintage Rosé of 667.

Join their waitlist for the 2021 vintage Pinot Noir which will be released early 2022.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is a serial entrepreneur, wine critic, author, social media mogul, the Chairman of VaynerX, the CEO of VaynerMedia and the Creator & CEO of VeeFriends, and self-proclaimed future owner of the NY Jets, Gary Vaynerchuk. Known as “Gary Vee,” he is considered one of the leading global minds on what’s next in culture,relevance and the internet. He is a prolific angel investor with early investments in companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Venmo, Snapchat, Coinbase and Uber. 

On this episode, MJ and Gary discuss the importance of educating yourself on your passion, his early career in wine, how NFTs and the blockchain will intersect and disrupt the wine business, and turning your life around at any age. 

A huge thank you to Gary Vaynerchuk! 

Follow him on Twitter and IG at @garyvee

Check out his website: https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/

Take part in the conversation with Gary at garyvee.com/discord 

This episode’s in studio wine:

2015 Domaine Jean-louis Chave L'Hermitage

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com  

Thank you to our sponsor: Ross Knoll Vineyard Wines is a female owned company which produces handcrafted wines with winemaker, Justin Seidenfeld, made from Pinot Noir grapes sourced from exceptional vineyards in the Russian River Valley.

Ross Knoll Vineyard Wines focus on select Mount Eden, Calera and 667 clones of Pinot Noir.  

Go to rossknollvineyard.com and discover their rare production of 2021 vintage Mount Eden White Pinot Noir and 2021 vintage Rosé of 667.

Join their waitlist for the 2021 vintage Pinot Noir which presently is aging in barrels and will be released early 2022.

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another exciting bonus episode of Beats Vines & Life! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we're broadcasting live from the vibrant Vinexpo in New York City. We're diving into the world of wine and spirits with a stellar lineup of guests, all shining lights in the industry.

Join us as we chat with Sylvain Faureau, the Director of Marketing & Communications for Vineposium, about organizing global business-to-business events that connect buyers and producers. We'll explore emerging markets, the expansion into the spirits industry, and their ambitious focus on Latin America.

We'll also meet Christoff, sharing insights into the intricate world of French wines, and Guillermo, who brings stories from Spain’s top wine regions. Don't miss our deep dive into Georgian winemaking with Alexander Mackvishili, a fascinating discussion on Rhone Valley wines with Claude Chabran, and a taste of Slovenia with our guest Tatjana, who brought a 1971 Pinot Blanc.

From the dynamic culture surrounding events like Vinexpo to unique winemaking techniques and the passion driving the industry forward, this episode is packed with valuable insights and delightful anecdotes that will enrich your appreciation for wine. So grab a glass and let's toast to another enriching episode!

---

A Massive THANK YOU to VINEXPO AMERICA

For more information about upcoming Vinexposium events click the link!

Thank you to Sylvain Faureau, Christophe Tassan, Tatjana Puklavec, Alexandre Margvelashvili, Claude Chabran, Guillermo Planas, Manilay Saito, Benoît Fitte and Theotime Serant.

____________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at 

blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is the Owner-Manager of Domaine Bertagna, in Nuit-Saints-Georges, France, Eva Reh. Coming from a family of winegrowers in the Moselle valley in Germany, Eva Reh grew up in the vineyards discovering a love for the land and a passion for wine passed down from one generation to another. 

Her family’s wine love story began after World War II with Eva's grandfather who bought wine in bulk from Burgundy. Being a Francophile and lover of great wines, in 1954 he acquired his first vines Chambolle Musigny-Village in Burgundy. In 1982, Eva's father had the opportunity to own Domaine Bertagna in Vougeot. 

In this episode we learn how Eva, the youngest of her five siblings, came to run Domaine Bertagna. She will share the story of her early years, wanting to run off to live in Paris, but how the lure and passion to build upon her family's legacy in France was too great to ignore. In true pioneer spirit, Eva shares how she managed to work alongside her father while also paving her own way as a woman in wine in the 1980’s. 

A huge thank you to Eva Reh! 

Follow Domaine Bertagna on IG at @domaine_bertagna

Learn more about the wine and winemakers at: https://en.domainebertagna.com/

This episode’s in studio wine:

2017 Bertagna Hautes Côtes de Nuits Blanc 

________________________________________________________________

To order your bottles of 2017 & 2018 Bertagna Hautes Côtes de Nuits Blanc from Domain Bertagna text Eva 351-444-WINE (351-444-9463).

You will instantly get a text back with the details about the wine, price, shipping, all of it! 

After that, just sit back, relax and know that this hidden gem is on its way. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is Joe Bembry, Owner of 56 Degree Wine. Joe came to the wine biz from a deep love of all things vinous. He graduated from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust’s Advanced Certificate with Distinction in 2003 and subsequently began his wine career as the opening Wine Director of 56 Degree Wine in 2004. Joe has also worked on the wholesale side of the business, when in 2012 he left 56 Degree Wine and began representing the great portfolios of Juan Prieto Wines, BNP and Grand Cru Selections. Returning to 56 Degree Wine in 2014 as President & General manager, Joe has now become the outright owner of the store as of January 2021.

Joe has been a consultant to hundreds of private clients and has been hired as a featured speaker for many corporations like Wells Fargo, JP Morgan, Sullivan & Cromwell, Bank of America and many others. Traveling to Europe over 30 times to visit various wine regions, he has made over 15 trips to Burgundy, his favorite region. An avid golfer and 30+ year professional musician, he is the father of two and husband to Kerin Auth Bembry of La Luz Selections.

In this episode MJ and Joe discuss the early days of Joe’s music career, his band Hyperactive, and his eventual foray into wine. From Joe’s first glass of Pinot Noir (he used to only drink white) to owning 56 Degree Wine, Joe tells the story of his journey in the wine business. 

A huge thank you to Joe Bembry!

Follow 56 Degree Wine on IG at: @56wine

Follow Joe Bembry on IG at: @lemonstreduvin 

Check out 56 Degree Wine at: https://www.56degreewine.com/

This episode’s in studio wines:

• 2012 Domaine Bzikot Bourgogne Blanc
• 2010 Domaine Joseph Voillot Volnay 1er Cru Les Champans

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is the President, Owner-Manager of the Mastroberardino winery estate Piero Mastroberardino. Piero is the tenth generation to run the Mastroberardino family winery, the oldest winery in the Campania region. Piero took over the winery after his father Antonio, a leader of modern winemaking in Italy and instrumental in preserving the ancient native varieties of the Campania region, retired in 2005. 

Piero is a true scholar of his family’s history and shares many incredible stories - including one from the early 1920’s which involves the Mastroberardino wines, pirates, a ransom and the famous Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio! MJ and Piero discuss the importance of developing new ways to farm while also preserving the legacy and winemaking style of his father. This conversation is an exploration and celebration of The Mastroberardino family who have lived in the socio-cultural context of wine for over two centuries. 

A huge thank you to Piero Mastroberardino! 

Follow him on IG @pieromastroberardino

Follow Mastroberardino Winery on IG at @mastroberardinowinery

Learn more about the wine and winemakers at: www.mastroberardino.com

This episode’s in studio wine:

2016 Radici Taurasi DOCG

____________________________________________________________

To to order your bottles of 2016 Radici Taurasi DOCG from Mastroberardino in Campania, Italy

Simply text: PIERO (74736) to 351-444-WINE (351-444-9463) that's PIERO (74736) 351-444-WINE

You will instantly get a text back with the details about the wine, price, shipping, all of it! 

After that, just sit back, relax and know that this hidden gem is on its way. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guests are American journalists, authors, and wine critics, Dorothy J. Gaiter (Dottie) and John Brecher. They are the wife and husband duo who jointly wrote the successful Wall Street Journal wine column "Tastings" and created the beloved “Open That Bottle Night.” Dottie and John both began their careers at the Miami Herald, meeting each other at 9am on their first day there: June 4th, 1973. It was love at first sight, they have said. Since then, Dottie has worked at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. John has worked at Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg News. They’re also authors of books on wine, including Love by the Glass: Tasting Notes from a Marriage (2003), Wine for Every Day and Every Occasion (2004) and several editions of The Wall Street Journal Guide to Wine. They’ve appeared regularly on TV, from Martha Stewart to the Today Show. Currently, they are senior editors at Grape Collective and co-author of the bi-weekly column; Love by the Glass.

Dottie, John, and MJ talk about everything from Dottie and John’s love story, to their career, to the evolution of their love for wine. Dottie shares how she went from writing about race to writing about wine, and what it’s been like to be a Black woman in the wine industry. John talks about the first bottle of wine they ever shared and the first case of wine he ever bought.   

A huge thank you to Dottie Gaiter and John Brecher!

Follow Dottie and John on IG @dottieandjohn and on Facebook and Twitter @winecouple, and check out their column at www.grapecollective.com.

This episode’s in studio wines: 

• 2018 Camins 2 Dream Sta. Rita Hills Syrah Spear Vineyard

______________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s guest was executive producer and writer for the Emmy Award-winning TV series “Cheers,” a published author, co-founder of the podcast network Ricochet and host of the weekly podcast, Martini Shot, Rob Long.  A graduate from Yale University, Rob also spent two years studying at UCLA School of Film, Theater and Television. Rob began his career writing and producing TV's long-running series, "Cheers," and served as co-executive producer in its final season. During his time on, “Cheers,” the show received two Emmy Awards, and two Golden Globe awards. Rob has been twice nominated for an Emmy Award, and has received a Writers Guild of America award. Rob’s podcast network Ricochet, garners 4 to 5 million downloads per month! He writes regularly for The Washington Examiner and Commentary Magazine, and has been a Contributing Editor at National Review since 1993. Rob’s most recent book, Bigly: Donald Trump in Verse, is a comical string of Trump’s most popular quotes arranged in poetry form! He serves as co-president on the Board of Directors of My Friend’s Place, an agency for homeless teens in Hollywood and is on the board of the American Cinema Foundation. Rob is also an active and passionate member of the Southern Foodways Alliance.

Rob and MJ discuss everything from New Haven pizza and fried donuts, writing and producing Cheers, behind the scene stories from Fraser and Friends to vapers and reality TV. This is a trip down memory lane. Buckle up and enjoy the ride. Cheers! 

A huge thank you to Rob Long!

Follow Rob on IG at @rcbl

Check out Rob’s Martini Shot podcast at https://martinishotpodcast.com. 

This episode’s in studio wine: 

• 1998 Cos D'Estournel

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Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com  

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

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This week’s guest is Recently named as one of “the 50 most influential women in the wine trade,” and as “a leading woman in wine,” Lisa Granik MW entered the field following an earlier career as a lawyer and law professor.  Having worked in wine production, retail, import and distribution channels, she has worked with both small and large wholesalers and importers around the United States. Her writings on wine have appeared in publications such as Sommelier Journal, The World of Fine Wine, and The New York Times. Lisa became a Master of Wine in 2006. She has a BS and MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, a JD from Georgetown, her LL.M and doctorate from Yale Law School. 

Lisa and MJ discuss her unconventional path to becoming a Master of Wine, imposter syndrome, how wine is like people, where to get the best steak in Philly, Lisa’s time in the Soviet Union, and why she left litigation behind. 

A huge thank you to Lisa Granik 

Follow Lisa on IG at @lisagranikmw

For more information, check out Tastingworks website at http://granikmw.com/

This episode’s in studio wines: 

• Kapistoni Tavkveri
• Kapistoni Chinebuli 
• Zulal Areni Vayots Dzor 

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Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Taub Family Selections. Taub Family Selections is a dynamic fourth generation, family-owned wine import company with a truly enviable portfolio of fine wines from 11 countries. They are proud to represent an exceptional portfolio of high quality, terroir centric and historic producers from around the world, including Italy and France - where they have an exciting roster of burgeoning vignerons from Burgundy coming your way soon. 

Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

Thank you to our sponsor: Independence Wine and Spirits - or IWS. IWS is one of the hot up and coming distributors of fine wines and spirits headquartered in New York City. Like Taub Family Selections, IWS is owned by the Taub family, who have re-entered the NY wholesale market, bringing the family back to its roots in distribution where they held court from 1951 – 2004. 

To learn more about IWS go to: https://independencewine.com

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest is seasoned sommelier, wine educator and founder of Volcanic Selections, Jeff Porter. Jeff has been featured in numerous major food and wine publications, such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Eater and The Financial Times. Jeff’s sommelier career began in Napa Valley, where he worked at Tra Vigne Ristorante in St. Helena. He joined the Bastianich Hospitality Group in 2009 at Osteria Mozza under the auspice of James Beard Award winning chef Nancy Silverton. 

Jeff is back! On this week’s episode, he and MJ talk all about turning a passion for wine into a successful career. Jeff details making the move from LA to NYC, and the differences in wine culture that he discovered once he arrived. Jeff shares about the process of making Sip Trip, his web series about wine life and culture that aims to show anyone can get be passionate about wine. He reflects on starting an import and distribution business just before the pandemic hit, and opens up about what’s next for him and his business. 

A huge thank you to Jeff Porter! 

Follow him on IG @jeffporterwine

Check out Volcanic Selections

https://volcanicselections.com/ 

Follow them on IG @volcanicselections 

This episode’s in studio wine: 2019 Natte Valley Stellenbosch Cinsault

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Paso Robles Wine Country. Paso Robles is a region with so many diverse microclimates that allows for a stunning array of grapes to thrive in. It’s made up of over 200 family-owned wineries, making a beautiful variety of wines.

Learn more at https://pasowine.com/

Tune in to their podcast Where the Wine Takes You - which explores the people, places and wines of Paso Robles Wine Country! 

https://pasowine.com/where-wine-takes-you/ 

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest is Founder of Booker Vineyards, one of Paso Robles Legendary Artisanal Cult Wineries, Eric Jensen. Eric and his wife Lisa Jensen purchased 100 acres of  property in Paso Robles, CA in 2001 with the intent of growing the best fruit for some of the best wineries in the area. After making wine with Justin Smith (of Saxum) for five years and Stephan Asseo (of L'Aventure Wines) for two years, the Jensens decided it was time to create their own expression with Booker Vineyard. The 2005 Vintage was Booker Vineyard's first release with the wines being made by Eric himself. The vineyard received organic certification in April of 2021. 

In this episode, Eric is fresh in the studio after a big night of celebrating in NYC  - and he and MJ quickly jump into discussing the bottles. This conversation is unscripted and full of heart. The opinions about wine and winemaking are candid and real. From Eric’s humble beginnings in San Dimas, CA to his early days of cold calling to his absolute love of Paso Robles and its winemakers - make sure your ear pods are charged, you don’t want to miss a minute of this one! 

A huge thank you to Eric Jensen 

Follow him on IG at @bookerbadger

Keep up with all he has going on at Booker Winery: 

https://www.bookerwines.com

Follow them on IG @bookervineyard

This episode’s in studio wine:

2016 Booker White 

2015 Booker Oublie 

______________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Paso Robles Wine Country. Paso Robles is a region with so many diverse microclimates that allows for a stunning array of grapes to thrive in. It’s made up of over 200 family-owned wineries, making a beautiful variety of wines.

 Learn more at https://pasowine.com/

Tune in to their podcast Where the Wine Takes You - which explores the people, places and wines of Paso Robles Wine Country! 

https://pasowine.com/where-wine-takes-you/ 

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest is JJ Redick, the famous Duke University basketball player, where he still holds several records including “all time leading scorer.” JJ’s professional basketball career began in 2006 when the Orlando Magic selected him with the 11th pick overall. Over the course of his 15 year NBA career he has played with Milwaukee Bucks, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Orleans Pelicans, and finally the Dallas Mavericks. He is the creator and host of the podcast The Old Man and the Three. In 2020, he founded the podcasting company ThreeFourTwo Productions. He is an enthusiastic wine collector, JJ has assembled a cellar of diverse vinous selections, which he recently discussed in “All Starts Uncorked” a digital event sponsored by Acker Wines. JJ is a devout Christian, husband, and father, an ESPN sports corresponder and… a household name. 

On this week’s episode, MJ and his guest discuss in detail JJ’s legendary journey from an uneven backyard basketball court full of obstacles to numerous records at Duke University, his spectacular professional career, and of course, his love affair with wine. JJ reminisces on his earliest athletic experiences, balancing baseball and basketball before ultimately embarking on the path that would seal his place in basketball history. He reflects on his decision to complete his four years of college, where he was just hours before the draft, the contract celebration that sparked his curiosity about wine, what it was like to bond over a bottle during the NBA pandemic bubble, and what it means to be a compassionate human being.

A huge thank you to JJ Redick

Follow him on IG at @jjredick

Check out his podcast, The Old Man and the Three, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and his website www.threefourtwo.com

This episode’s in studio wine:

2019 Joseph Drouhin Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru

______________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Paso Robles Wine Country. Paso Robles is a region with so many diverse microclimates that allows for a stunning array of grapes to thrive in. It’s made up of over 200 family-owned wineries, making a beautiful variety of wines.

 Learn more at https://pasowine.com/

Tune in to their podcast Where the Wine Takes You - which explores the people, places and wines of Paso Robles Wine Country! 

https://pasowine.com/where-wine-takes-you/ 

Huge shout out to our sponsor: 56 Degree Wines. Are you looking for extraordinary new wines that have been tasted and approved by professionals with over 40 years combined experience? Then you have to check out 56degreewine.com. Joe Bembry and his grand crew at the shop do all the heavy lifting for you by vetting every wine on their shelves. Authentic, Artisanal wines. Use the Code:MJ when you checkout to get 10% OFF your first oder.

https://www.56degreewine.com/

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest is a cellar’s worth of degrees and experiences in wine, and service, and is currently the wine director of Gary’s Wine and Marketplace, please welcome Brooke Sabel. Brooke has been featured in Real Simple Magazine, Travel + Leisure Magazine, Forbes Magazine, CondeNast Traveler Magazine, SOMM Journal and More! Along with the James Beard Foundation, Brooke has participated in Star Chefs Somm Slam, New Jersey Wine & Food Festival and is one of sommelier luminaries for Nantucket Wine & Food Festival. Brooke was Assistant Wine Director for Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa where she developed wine lists for culinary masters Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, and Michael Mina. Brooke also developed a wine program for Sir Richard Branson and New Jersey developer Bob Wojtowicz to develop the wine program at Natirar and its award-winning restaurant Ninety Acres, where she held the position of opening Wine Director. It was her focus on sustainable, organic, biodynamic and small-production wines that garnered high accolades amongst her peers and the press.

On this episode, MJ and Brooke pull back the curtain on what’s nothing less than an amazing career that started in college! Brooke dishes on her initial foray into wine during a wine class; leaving a potentially lucrative job with the PGA Tour to drink and eat her way through Spain with her class; being recruited to Borgata after just 3 months with 56 Degrees Wine where she worked as the top Sommelier working alongside Bobby Flay (and one particular special night, where he never let her out of his sight again!). Phone call, after phone call, changed Brooke’s career path again and again, and each time, for the better. From Sir Richard Branson to Robin Williams and Billy Crystal - Life doesn’t get much sweeter than this, Kid. Grab a long stem and a cabernet sauvignon, and get ready for a good time. 

A huge thank you to Brooke Sabel! 

Follow her on IG at @brookesabel

Follow Gary’s Wine and Marketplace @garys_wine

Get more of Gary’s Wine at garyswine.com  

This episode’s in studio wine:

1989 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon

______________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Paso Robles Wine Country. Paso Robles is a region with so many diverse microclimates that allows for a stunning array of grapes to thrive in. It’s made up of over 200 family-owned wineries, making a beautiful variety of wines.

 Learn more at https://pasowine.com/

Tune in to their podcast Where the Wine Takes You - which explores the people, places and wines of Paso Robles Wine Country! 

https://pasowine.com/where-wine-takes-you/ 

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Beats Vines & Life! Today we are revisiting our milestone 50th episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, where I sat down with none other than former NBA star, podcasting powerhouse, NBA Analyst and new head coach of the Los Angeles Laker sJJ Redick!

Welcome to Beats Vines & Life! Today we are revisiting our milestone 50th episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, where I sat down with none other than former NBA star, podcasting powerhouse, NBA Analyst and new head coach of the Los Angeles Laker sJJ Redick!

From growing up in Roanoke, Virginia, with a backyard hoop and a passion for both basketball and baseball, to shining as Duke University's all-time leading scorer and becoming an NBA standout, JJ's journey is nothing short of inspirational. We'll dive deep into his career highs and lows, the pivotal moments that shaped him, and his love for wine, especially his preference for Northern Rhone over Bordeaux. 

JJ opens up about the pressures athletes face, the importance of mental health, and how a visit to Napa ignited his wine passion. Plus, we'll explore his new ventures in the world of sports media and podcasting, and his thoughtful takes on NBA players, teams, and storylines. 

Pour yourself a glass and tune in for an insightful and personal conversation that blends sports, life, and the joys of wine. 

Cheers!

A Massive THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS to JJ REDICK!!!

This episode’s in studio wine:

2019 Joseph Drouhin Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru

Follow him on IG at @jjredick

Check out his podcast, The Old Man and the Three, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and his website www.threefourtwo.com

____________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at 

blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Thank you to our sponsor, GrenacheFest. The Second Annual Grenache Festival in Walla Walla, Washington, will be held on November 8th, 2024. It will feature a seated comparative seminar, followed by live music, food, plenty of Grenache wines, and tons of fun.

For more information, go to GrenacheFest

Follow GrenacheFest on IG GrenacheFest

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s Guest today is one of the most influential and widely-read American voices on wine and food and Managing Editor of RESY, acclaimed journalist and author, Jon Bonne. In Jon’s 20 + years as a journalist he has been a Senior Contributing Editor for PUNCH. He spent nearly a decade as the Wine Editor and Chief Wine Critic of The San Francisco Chronicle, where he co-edited its Food & Wine section, and won two James Beard awards and numerous other accolades.He is also author of The New California Wine and The New Wine Rules, and is currently finishing his next book, The New French Wine. 

In this episode MJ and Jon discuss his early beginnings in media at MSNBC where he first pitched the idea of doing a wine column. From that momentum he eventually landed in California, as wine critic at the SF Chronicle which jokingly Jon calls “not awkward” as big California wines had not “been his thing”. MJ and he discuss his journey of discovering California wines “that spoke to him”, writing now iconic books, the love story of meeting his wife and his deep appreciations of Burgundy, the wine and the region. The opinions are strong and the wines are delicious! Cheers! 

A huge thank you to Jon Bonne! 

Follow him on IG at @jbonne

Check out his website: jonbonne.com

Read his current writings @resy.com 

This episode’s in studio wine:

2018 Domain De La Pepiere Planquette

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Paso Robles Wine Country. Paso Robles is a region with so many diverse microclimates that allows for a stunning array of grapes to thrive in. It’s made up of over 200 family-owned wineries, making a beautiful variety of wines.

 Learn more at https://pasowine.com/

Tune in to their podcast Where the Wine Takes You - which explores the people, places and wines of Paso Robles Wine Country! 

https://pasowine.com/where-wine-takes-you/ 

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest is writer and research journalist J’nai Gaither. She has worked vintages as a cellar hand at Ferrari-Carano Winery in Geyserville, CA, and Indevin New Zealand Winery in Gisborne, NZ. She has done WSET Level 3 and is currently studying for her Master of Champagne through the Wine Scholar Guild. Additionally, J’nai was one of four research journalists working on Karen MacNeil’s upcoming third edition of The Wine Bible. 

In this episode J’nai has literally just returned from Burgundy after receiving the Becky Wasserman scholarship. MJ and she discuss her early days growing up in Chicago and how her innate ability to “zig while other people zag” has defined her journey to become a celebrated food and wine author. The discussion touches on everything from her new discoveries in Burgundy to California cult wines. J’nai shares her past experiences with racism in the tasting rooms of Napa Valley and her current  joy of being an editor at Wine Enthusiast magazine. The humor, the realness and the wine banter is all at 100. Enjoy!  

A huge thank you to J’nai Gaither 

Follow her on IG at @champagneandreservations

Read her writings at: winemag.com 

This episode’s in studio wine:

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers! 

Don’t forget to subscribe and be sure to give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show sign up at 

Blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy 

Thank you to our sponsor: Paso Robles Wine Country. Paso Robles is a region with so many diverse microclimates that allows for a stunning array of grapes to thrive in. It’s made up of over 200 family-owned wineries, making a beautiful variety of wines.

 Learn more at https://pasowine.com/

Tune in to their podcast Where the Wine Takes You - which explores the people, places and wines of Paso Robles Wine Country! 

https://pasowine.com/where-wine-takes-you/ 

Huge shout out to our sponsor:  56 Degree Wines.  Are you looking for extraordinary new wines that have been tasted and approved by professionals with over 40 years combined experience?  Then you have to check out 56degreewine.com.  Joe Bembry and his grand crew at the shop do all the heavy lifting for you by vetting every wine on their shelves. Authentic, Artisanal wines. 

https://www.56degreewine.com/

Love this podcast? Love the cool content? Get a producer like mine by reaching out to the badass team at Necessary Media. 

www.necessarymediaproductions.com

@necessary_media_

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MJ’s guest is a winemaker and the founder of Massican Wines, Dan Petroski. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where he went on to play football at Columbia. He went on to work for Time Inc. while also studying for his MBA at NYU, both ingredients for a promising future in magazine publishing. Dan began his wine education literally winning and dining clients around Manhattan’s best restaurants. He set off for Sicily, where he interned at Valle dell’Acate for a year. Dan originally intended to return to NYC to sell wine, but later received a harvest invitation in 2006 in Napa Valley. Not long after that, Petroski was hired as cellar master, ultimately claiming the Larkmead winemaker title in 2012. In 2009, Dan launched his own wine business called Massican, which specializes in Italian inspired white wines. Massican is a one-man operation where Dan manages all winemaking, sales and marketing. In July of 2020 Dan went back to his digital media roots launching Massican Magazine online. Petroski's approach and ability to craft wines as diverse as Cabernet Sauvignon and Tocai Friulano has earned him the recognition as San Francisco Chronicle’s Winemaker of the Year in 2017

On this episode, MJ and Dan enjoy a beautiful bottle of Fiorano Boncampagni Ludovisi, while discussing Dan’s unlikely start to a decorated and fulfilling career in wine, his once in a lifetime winemaking education in Sicily, his time at Larkmead, starting his own business at Massican, and fighting climate change on the front lines! Period. Cheers!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.