Arts
**Beats Vines and Life**

MJ Towler aka the Black Wine Guy went from a totally obsessed wine newbie to the world’s first-ever African-American fine and rare wine auctioneer in less than 3 years.

These days, he is a podcaster and journalist who travels the globe, having conversations with the movers, shakers, and disruptors in the worlds of food, wine, music, and more.

This show pairs his passion for complex, interesting wines with complex, interesting guests. These are deep thinkers and Mavericks talking about their passions, life lessons, and inspirations – while drinking a bottle of something listeners will definitely want to savor for themselves.

Sit back, listen, learn, and laugh. This is Beats Vines and Life.

For more information and exclusive content, go to beatsvinesandlife.com

Follow MJ on IG

@blackwineguy

@beatsvinesandlife

Podcast produced by Marvin J. Towler

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

Latest Episodes:

I Just Want to Fly: Landon Patterson's Journey from the LBC to DRC Oct 18, 2021

Show notes

MJ’s guest today is Sommelier, Wine Sales and Marketing Phenom and Chief Revenue Officer for Hundred Acres Wine Group, Landon Patterson. A native of Southern California, Patterson began his wine career as a Sommelier in Las Vegas, working with the venerable Wolfgang Puck at his signature restaurants on "The Strip". While there, he built a passion and a strong platform of knowledge focused on international luxury wines, with a specialty in wines from Italy and Spain. Patterson’s love of wine and natural ability to impart that passion to consumers, especially luxury customers, quickly lead him into the world of sales and marketing. Over the last 20 years, his deep knowledge of international and luxury wines seamlessly translated into working as a sales and marketing leader with small, US family-owned wine producers. Landon Patterson became a member of the Hundred Acre team at the beginning of 2013. Over the past eight years, he has managed all aspects of sales and marketing, which work hand-in-hand in driving revenue, and expanded the Hundred Acre portfolio of wines into 35 countries on 4 continents. When he’s not traveling the world for work - He’s also dog daddy to his beloved French Bulldog, Sigmund.

MJ and Landon discuss Landon’s unconventional upbringing that ultimately cultivated his hustler mentality, ability to take a punch and get back up, and why he prefers to work with the passionate, the eccentric, and the manic. Landon outlines his unorthodox journey from being a Las Vegas waiter with no experience to being the best at what he does in the industry. Sharing some insights into Jayson Woodbridge’s philosophy with Hundred Acre Wine, MJ and Landon discuss the importance of patience and the benefits of not playing by the rules.

A huge thank you to Landon Patterson!

Follow him on IG @iatewhat

Check out Hundred Acre Wine: https://www.hundredacre.com/

This episode’s in studio wines:

2018 Hundred Acre

Ark Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Hundred Acre

Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.

BEFORE THE POUR SEASON 2, PART 1 - BONUS EPISODE! Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

Who would Audrey Frick most like to drink a bottle of wine with and what did MJ learn from her answer? What turns John Kapon on - besides his wife? Pascaline Lepeltier’s favorite cartoon? Lyle Railsback’s least favorite word? (hint, there are two of them and yup, we totally feel him!) Bruno Almeida curses in Portuguese and Eric Asimov’s work out routine makes him a triple threat.

This is Before the Pour, Season 2, Part 1 - a super fun BONUS EP that is a mixed tape of candid moments with guests from the first half of Season Two. A perfect anecdote to a stressful day - kick back, relax and listen to MJ and your favorite guests warm up and cut loose before each show. Cheers!

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.

Been Around The World. Jeff Porter's Sips and Trips. Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

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. In 2011 he moved to New York to become the wine director for Del Posto. In 2014, Jeff became the Beverage Operations Director, overseeing the beverage programs for Babbo, Del Posto, Esca, Lupa, Otto, Babbo Pizzeria and more. In 2019, Jeff left the Bastianich group and began his consulting career and a web series about wine, life, and culture called Sip Trip. And in 2020, Jeff opened Volcanic Selections, an import and distribution business. Outside of beverages, Jeff is an avid at-home cook, doting father, passionate traveler, and a lover of all things barbecue.

Jeff’s passion for food and wine comes through, literally, in this episode. Jeff is the first guest to bring a meal - burger and fries - to accompany his wine selection of A 2019 Dolcetto D’Alba and a 2013 Henskens Rankin of Tasmania Brut Rose’. Neither disappoint. Originally from Texas, Jeff understands a good meal, and it wasn’t until his college days - working at a German restaurant as a dishwasher - did he start to understand wine and all its beauty and complexities. MJ and Jeff have only just begun with this conversation, tackling items one by one such as how Jeff went from a small suburb north of Dallas to the inner city of Los Angeles working as a teacher for Teach for America, right out of UT-Austin. Jeff talks about the inspiration he gained from his father who gifted him WINE by Hugh Johnson; his time at Tra Vigne Ristorante and how he learned he had one job: make people happy; essentially throwing a party each and every night. It’s Part 1 with Jeff Porter, and it’s a juicy one.

A huge thank you to Jeff Porter!

Follow him on IG @drinkeatlove

Check out Volcanic Selections

https://volcanicselections.com/

Follow them on IG @volcanicselections

This episode’s in studio wine:

2013 Henskens Rankin of Tasmania Brut Rose’

2019 Bartolo Mascarello Dolcetto d'Alba

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.

New Sensation! From Chef to Somm to Coveted Wine “Fixer”- Thatcher Baker-Briggs is Just Getting Started. Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

MJ’s guest is wine expert, sommelier and founder of Thatcher’s Wine Consulting, Thatcher Baker-Briggs. He has made a career of stepping outside his comfort zone, always pushing himself to learn and master something new. His professional trajectory boasts key positions in kitchens and dining rooms of some of the most influential restaurants in the world including: then three-Michelin starred Saison under Chef Joshua Skenes the highly regarded Takazawa in Tokyo, and at two-Michelin starred COI in San Francisco. It was in these distinguished training grounds that he gained the knowledge, tools and the reach to curate highly specialized wine services for collectors around the globe. And in April of 2019, he launched Thatcher’s Wine Consulting, an advisory and cellar management service for wine collectors and enthusiasts.

In addition to sourcing rare wines, he takes great care in helping clients fill, refine and organize their cellars. With his consulting business based in the United States, Switzerland and Asia, Thatcher’s clients are leaders in a wide range of industries including technology, publishing, finance and politics and sports. MJ and Thatcher start unpacking his passion for all things culinary at the beginning with his expansive spice collection (while still in grade school!). Thatcher shares how pure focus, (bordering on obsession!) and determination got him his start in fine dining. From there, talent, drive and a deep understanding of the importance of relationships shaped Thatcher into the ultimate Ray Donovan of wine. A role that he channeled perfectly into his very successful wine consulting business, TWC. From Windsor to San Francisco to Tokyo and all stops in between Thatcher’s thirst for greatness is sure to inspire.

A huge thank you to Thatcher Baker-Briggs!

Follow him on IG @thatcherbakerbriggs

Check out his consulting services and learn more about his wine club: https://thatcherswineconsulting.com/

Follow them on IG @thatcherswineconsulting

This episode’s in studio wine:

Keller

Abts Erde

Riesling 2016

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.

The Heat is On! Stories from Inside Some of New York’s Hottest Kitchens with Chef and Media Personality Michael Colameco. Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

MJ’s guest is chef, author, radio, and TV host and restaurant expert Michael Colameco! Michael is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, class January '82. After graduating from CIA he worked at the Four Seasons Restaurant, Windows On The World (Cellar in The Sky), The Maurice, Tavern On The Green and at the age of 31 he was the Executive Chef of The Ritz Carlton, New York City. Mike was also the Chef and Owner of Globe restaurant in Cape May, NJ for many years. He was host of “Mike Colameco's Real Food'' which was one of the most popular and enduring cooking shows in the history of NYC's iconic PBS Channel 13WNET.

In addition, he was the host/producer of the live call-in radio program Food Talk on New York's iconic radio station WOR710AM for six years. Mike is the author of Mike Colameco's Food Lover's Guide to New York City, published by John Wiley & Sons in 2009 and has written for Saveur, Guitar Aficionado, Edible Manhattan and Edible New Jersey. In this episode Michael shares how a kid from Philly who aspired to be a jazz guitarist ended up cooking in and running some of NYC’s most iconic kitchens. Mike tells of the high’s and lows of running his own restaurant in Cape May, NJ - hint, the movie Big Night (with Stanley Tucci) was a bit too real for him at times. The story of his transition to on camera host will make you a believer in the magic of serendipity. He and MJ are both fans of great stories and this episode is jam packed!

A huge thank you to Mike Colameco!

Follow him on IG @mikecolameco

Keep up with all he’s up to at: https://www.colameco.com/

Watch his show “Mike Colameco’s Real Food” here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MikeColamecosRealFoodShow/channels

This episode’s in studio wine:

AKUTAIN

Cosecha 2018

Rioja

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.

Manifesto! The Life and Times of Paul Greico Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

MJ’s guest is acclaimed sommelier, restaurateur, entrepreneur and owner of Terroir Tribeca Wine Bar in New York City, Paul Greico. Originally from Toronto, his family owned and operated the iconic La Tosca restaurant, which Paul worked at for many years alongside his father and grandfather. In 1991 he arrived in New York City and began his restaurant career. By 1994, he was working at Gramercy Tavern and by 1997 he had taken over the wine list and beverage program. In 2003, Paul and Chef-partner Marco Canora opened Hearth in the East Village; Insieme followed in 2007. The duo’s first and second wine bars, Terroir, opened in 2008 and 2010. Today, Paul runs Terroir Tribeca, which has been described “As much an outpost for wine lovers to experience terroir-driven wines as they are platforms for Paul to preach the attributes of his carefully curated wine list.”

Described as “Sommelier Punk,” influenced by: villains and heathens and revolutionaries and indigenous peoples,” Paul Greico is not your everyday fine dining Somm. His passion for a Summer of Riesling and a sharp wit and tongue to match, get ready to be schooled not just on Riesling but the world of wine.

MJ and Paul have an exhilarating and thought-provoking discussion on what “Riesling ain’t,” how Paul is first and foremost a restaurateur, his life-changing experience at Gramercy Tavern, his infamous Summer of Riesling and more! You aren’t ready for this one! Grab a Trocken and let’s go!

A huge thank you to Paul Greico!

Follow him on IG @spitpaul

Follow Terroir Tribeca on IG @terroirny

This episode’s in studio wines:

2013 Melsheimer 'Lentum' Riesling

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.

Don't Sleep. How Michael Juergens became The Most Interesting Man in the World of Wine. Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

MJ’s guest today isan author, senior partner at Deloitte, a Certified Sommelier with the Guild of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Specialist of Wine, and a Master of Wine Candidate with the Institute of Masters of Wine - Michael Juergens. Michael has written a number of books on wine, and runs the wildly popular Drinking & Knowing Things wine blog which was adapted into a book that provides 52 specific wine recommendations. He is the founder of the Bhutan Wine Company, and is leading the development of the wine industry in the magical Himalayan country. He owns the award-winning SoCal Rum company, which was recently awarded the highest point score in history for any Silver Rum. Michael is a professor at the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of CA, Irvine. He lives in Southern California, where he spends his time blind tasting and doing extreme sports.

Born and bred in SoCal, Michael quickly adapted to anything he came in contact with, whether it be sharks (Great Whites!), economics or becoming a sommelier in record time. MJ and Michael discuss the first taste of wine with pops in the garage, his journey from econ to wine, deciding to be a sommelier on a whim (!!) and tells MJ why he decided to start growing wine in Bhutan!

Grab a glass, and prepare for this one. It’s a good time!

A huge thank you to Michael Juergens!

Follow him on IG @drinkingandknowing

This episode’s in studio wine:

Cantalpiedra la Otea Verdejo

Illaria Irouleguy

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.

Tell Me All Your Thoughts on God and Wine... Patrick Cappiello on Dogma, Opinion, Religion and Wine. Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

MJ’s guest is owner and winemaker of Monte Rio Cellars, Patrick Cappiello. Patrick got his start in restaurants, starting his wine career in 2002 as a Sommelier at Tribeca Grill. As time progressed his roles changed to Wine Director and restaurant owner over the next 15 years. Through connections with countless winemakers and after meeting his current business partner Pax Mahle, the transition to Winemaker was a natural progression for Cappiello. He still serves as Wine Director of Walnut Street Café in Philadelphia. He is Food & Wine host for Playboy and founding member of Winemakers & Sommeliers for California Wildfire Relief.

His 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, and Sommelier career has given him access to four of the world's greatest wine cellars. All have been recipients of Wine Spectator's "Grand Award"; TriBeCa Grill, Veritas, GILT, and Pearl & Ash. Mr. Cappiello was named "Sommelier of the Year 2014" by Food & Wine Magazine, "Wine Person of the Year 2014" by Imbibe Magazine, and "Sommelier of the Year 2015" by Eater National. Once described as the first “punk sommelier” Patrick is still determined to disrupt the wine status quo. MJ and Patrick have a lively discussion on everything from the highly debatable definition of natural wine to Patrick’s current devotion to making amazing wine at affordable prices in Lodi, California. The passion runs high and the conversation is deep in this one friends.

A huge thank you to Patrick Cappiello!

Follow him on IG @patrickwine

Follow Monte Rio Cellars on IG @monteriocellars

Keep up with all things Monte Rio Cellars and purchase his wines at @ https://www.monteriocellars.com/

This episode’s in studio wines:

MRC

Skull “White Wine”

2020

Monte Rio Cellars

Lodi

Mission

Monte Rio Cellars

Mendocino

2020 Chardonnay

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.

Nevertheless She Persisted... Andrea Robinson on Wine and Life Lessons Learned Working at Ground Zero. Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

MJ’s guest today isMaster Sommelier, Award-winning TV host and Author, Andrea Robinson. Andrea is one of only 28 women in the world to hold the title of Master Sommelier. Andrea is the first woman designated as Best Sommelier in the United States by the Sommelier Society of America.She is the author of four top-selling books on wine and food, a 3-time James Beard Award winner and award-winning lifestyle television host. She was named Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional by the James Beard Foundation in 2002 and was selected by Bon Appetit Magazine as Wine & Spirits Professional of The Year in 2004. Andrea and her husband John are creators of a line of wine stemware called The ONE (™). Andrea has created innovative and award-winning wine and education programs for fine dining restaurants at Starwood Hotels and as a Dean of the International Culinary Center culinary school in New York City (of which she is a chef graduate). Andrea now curates Delta Air Lines’ wine program (since 2007) and consults for Norwegian Cruise Line.

Growing up in Texas, Southern Indiana, North Dakota and Florida, Andrea’s childhood certainly prepared her for her life post college. Her resilience to change and new surroundings, and the desire to try new things, created the Andrea Robinson that you see today. MJ and she discuss her time from Morgan Stanley to harvesting at Chateau Palmer, her formal cooking and wine pairing education at the International Culinary Center, being the first woman beverage director at Windows on the World to bringing Napa Valley to Fine Living Network.

The sweetest woman in the world, gives us a window into hers. Settle in with a Riesling, as we did, and enjoy this episode with Mrs. Andrea Robinson.

A huge thank you to Andrea Robinson!

Follow him on IG @andrearobinsonms

This episode’s in studio wine:

2018 Trestle 31

Riesling, Finger Lakes

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.

Culture Club. Jeremy Leffert on the Effects of Climate, Culture and Respect in the Winemaking Process Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

MJ’s guest today isdirector of winemaking at Tooth & Nail Wine Company in Paso Robles, California, Jeremy Leffert. Jeremy has been the director of Tooth & Nail since 2015. Amor Fati, Stasis and Tooth & Nail wines are made under the guidance of Jeremy. He is an avid outdoorsman, specializing in mountaineering. A flat-picking guitarist since the age of 10, Jeremy lives in Templeton, CA, with his wife Melissa and their two dogs, Ernesto and Paco.

Born in California, raised in Minnesota, Jeremy’s upbringing was immersed in the great outdoors, spending summers canoeing, backpacking and mountaineering. His appreciation for the environment prepared him later for a career in cultivating the land to create award-winning wines. MJ and Jeremy discuss his transition from California to Vermont and back again, his time at Trader Joe’s where he first fell in love with wine; the difference between a farmer and a winemaker, some amazing times with the Hearst family in San Simeon and how the game changed in 2015, when he joined the Tooth & Nail family.

Pick a glass of your favorite Grenache or Syrah and let’s get into it.

A huge thank you to Jeremy Leffert!

Follow him on IG @jeremyleffert and @toothandnailwinery

This episode’s in studio wine:

Domaine De La Janasse Chaupin

Châteauneuf Du Pape 2018

Paul Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle 2016

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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 Skurnik Wine and Spirits, one of the most trusted names in wine for the past 30 plus years. Check them out: https://www.skurnik.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.