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/

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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_

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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.

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

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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

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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

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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.