Beats Vines and Life

Latest Episodes:

LIVE from Walla Walla, It's The Black Wine Guy Experience! Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

In this bonus episode, MJ's guests are Winemakers Ashley Trout, Matt Austin, George-Anne Robertson, Kelsey Itameri, and Josh McDaniels.

MJ also talked with graphic wine novelist, Stacy Buchanan, The Walls Vineyards Retail Sales Director, Kathryn Padberg, and Sommelier James Darden.

Make sure you follow all of my amazing guests!

@troutashley @vitalwines @brookandbull

@mattaustinwine @grosgrainvineyards

@itawinery @kcalbro

@ga.j_robertson @yellowhawkwallawalla

@thejoshmcdaniels @doublebackwine @bledsoefamilywinery @bledsoe_mcdaniels

@bloodofgodszine

@thewallsvineyards @bergolabergola

@wallawallasomm

Special thanks to Mike Martin, Carrie Alexander, and the entire Walls team!

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

Subscribe and 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.

Parlez-Vous Francais? How Greg Brewer gets his French on by crafting exquisite Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the American Riviera. Nov 21, 2022

Show notes

MJ’s guest today is the Co-Founder and Winemaker of Brewer Clifton Wines, Greg Brewer. Greg also makes wines under the Diatom and Ex Post Facto labels. In this episode, MJ and Greg discuss the advantages of growing up bi-coastal and how Greg went from being a professor of French to becoming a cellar rat. What the “Parker Effect” did for Brewer-Clifton and his endless pursuit of precision in his winemaking.

A huge thank you to Greg Brewer!

Follow him on IG at @gregbrewerwines and @brewerclifton

Check out his website: https://www.bygregbrewer.com/brewer-clifton

This episode’s in studio wines:

2008 Brewer-Clifton Sandford & Benedict Sta, Rita Hills Chardonnay

2020 Brewer-Clifton Machado Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

2021 Diatom Chardonnay Santa Barbara County

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

Don’t forget to subscribe and 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.

Funny girl. How Morét Brealynn is Having Fun Making Serious Wines. Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

MJ’s guest today is the Owner and Winemaker of Morét Brealynn Wines, Morét Brealynn. A boutique winery in Sonoma County with a focus on Pinot Noir and supporting animal shelters. In this episode, MJ and Moret discuss growing up in the Central Valley. Work-life in the non-profit sector. Animal rescue and Catceanera's. Tina Fey, Pete Buttigieg, and making world-class Pinot Noir along the California Coast.

A huge thank you to Morét Brealynn!

Follow her on IG at @moretbrealynnwines

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

This episode’s in studio wines:

2021 Morét Brealynn Russian River Valley Sonoma County Pinot Noir

2021 Morét Brealynn Lakeview Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

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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

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

Where’s The Sheeraz!? How Brad Hickey is Brashly Bringing The Thunder Down Under! Nov 07, 2022

Show notes

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

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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

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

Alice in Winederland. Wine Through Alice Feiring’s Looking Glass Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

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

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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

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

Eyes Of The World. Sam Coturri on Family, Farming and Life on The Mountain. Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

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)

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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

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

Blue Collar Barolo! The hard work, hustle, and humility of Thomas Cuni. Oct 17, 2022

Show notes

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

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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

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

Rocket Man. Oscar Henquet’s Meteoric Rise Through Luxury Hospitality’s Stratosphere. Oct 10, 2022

Show notes

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

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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

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

From Jalisco to Hollywood. Ruben Solorzano's Real Life American Dream. Aug 08, 2022

Show notes

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

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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. 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.

NSYNC! How 4th Generation Wine Importer Jake Taub Builds for The Future While Honoring His Family's Past Aug 01, 2022

Show notes

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

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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. Learn more at www.taubfamilyselections.com

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.