Are you struggling with stagnation, searching for an edge that lasts beyond the next big deal?

This week, J. Michael Fisher Jr. sits down with John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group, for an unfiltered look into one of America’s largest wine companies and the unexpected journey from White House staffer to industry leader. They explore how brands survive disruption, the critical lessons behind world-famous labels, and why kindness and guts are the hidden accelerators for career and business breakthroughs.

If you’ve ever doubted your trajectory or wondered what it really takes to build scale and resilience, don’t miss this episode. The old playbook is broken. Discover the proven, exclusive strategies that help leaders avoid decline and ignite next-level growth now.

01:38 – How a law career, White House experience, and a single cold call changed everything

04:26 – What happens when you get a front-row seat to history and the grit it takes to succeed

06:27 – The unforgettable advice: “Be nice to everybody on the way up…”

13:10 – The guts behind reaching out and landing a dream role at The Wine Group

15:41 – The industry’s shocking truth: Why wine lost its “on-ramp” to the younger consumer

18:31 – New marketing secrets: Turning a $15 bottle into a lifestyle and why the old story fails

22:42 – How packaging, high-alcohol trends, and Gen Z preferences are rewriting the playbook

26:30 – Spain’s curbside cafés, the power of $4 wine, and what American culture’s missing

41:39 – Why being management-owned is a game-changer and the hidden risks facing public companies

1. Franzia
2. Benziger
3. Glen Ellen
4. Concannon
5. Diageo
6. Leon Panetta
7. Clinton White House
8. Buzzballs
9. Chloe
10. Paso Robles

John Sutton is the CEO of The Wine Group, a powerhouse in the wine industry, overseeing iconic brands like Franzia, Cupcake, and Benziger. With a uniquely varied background in law, government, and White House service, Sutton has led the business through strategic acquisitions, innovation, and the transformation of generational consumer habits. His blend of operational excellence and authentic leadership makes him an industry standout, teaching founders and executives how to thrive in turbulent markets.

🔗 LinkedIn | Website

1. Feel Fully Alive: The 5 Dimensions of Vitality gives you the framework to thrive. Get your copy here.
2. Stay Ahead in Business: Michael shares strategies to boost your financial decisions. Read his latest blog.
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Going Beyond the Deal is an original podcast brought to you by J. Michael Fischer Jr. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.