Today let me introduce you to Meghan Vergara of M Rosé.

Owner and operator Meghan Vergara is a certified Sommelier with over 15 years of experience working in world-class culinary and wine markets such as New York City and Napa Valley.  During her extensive Sommelier training and tenure at some of the nation’s top restaurants, she learned from the very best industry professionals, winemakers, and successful business owners how to create a wine experience like no other.

Meghan has dedicated her career to the pursuit of excellence in wine knowledge. She believes in sharing the joy, beauty, and craftsmanship of good wine and making it simpler to understand and take part in confidently whether you own a large restaurant or are sharing a delicious glass amongst friends.

Meghan is also a vintner for her newest wine, M Rosé which is an intentionally made Rosé of Pinot Noir from the Bacigalupi Vineyard in Russian River Valley expressing a beautiful sense of place and the joy of a life in wine!"

Let’s dive into her wine story!

[00:01 - 06:25] Opening Segment 

• I introduce our guest for this episode
• Meghan shares the story of how she got into the wine business
• Meghan’s unconventional career is a winding road

[06:26 - 16:18] Make the Opportunity Come to Fruition 

• Secure a great vineyard
• Speak things out
• Remember the art
• Put your name out there and reach your desired revenue
• Be prepared and be hands-on

[16:19 - 25:36] Learning How to Become a First Time Vintner

• Meghan takes us along with her in her Rosé making step-by-step
• The balance, the texture, the harmony in the wine
• Meghan’s plans for her second year in the wine business

[25:36 - 31:18] The Tasting Round

• Meghan’s favorite wine at the end of the day and go-to pairing
• Wine and Vineyard Resources
• • Wine Folly
  • The Culinary Institute of America
  • Napa Valley Vintners

 Connect with Meghan through Instagram (@mvinorose, @mvino1), M Vino Rosé, Smith Devereux, and Veritas Consultant! 

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

Tweetable Quotes:

“Don't miss your opportunity to tell a story. Don't miss your opportunity to bloom.” - Meghan Vergara

“If people want to become vintners, make friends and make good contacts.” - Meghan Vergara

Today let me introduce you to Rebecca Gilbert of CRŪ Winery and Jason Smith of Valley Farm Management.

Rebecca Gilbert is CRŪ Winery’s Marketing Director.  Rebecca has been living, working and playing in wine country for the past 15 years. Attending college in Sonoma County, she quickly fell in love with the area and pursued a career in wine marketing. She started her wine career at Jackson Family wines and during her tenure worked on their portfolio of luxury brands including Stonestreet, Matanzas Creek, and La Crema before spending time at Rodney Strong as Brand Manager and Senior Brand Manager at The Family Coppola. 

Valley Farm Management president and CEO, Jason, is the second-generation grape grower in the Smith family. Like any son who loves to go to work with his dad, Jason grew up on the farm and was always excited to help. He did just about every job in the vineyard – from pulling weeds and fixing trellises, to driving tractors and changing oil. Over the years, besides realizing a true passion for sustainable vineyard farming, Jason developed into a visionary businessman and natural leader.

Let’s dive into their wine story!

[00:01 - 14:00] Opening Segment 

• I introduce our guests for this episode
• Rebecca and Jason share their CRŪ Winery story 
• A quick history class about Monterey County with Jason
• How Rebecca and Jason got into wine and winemaking

[14:01 - 24:14] Wine: Paradoxically Romantic

• What makes wine paradoxical and romantic
• CRŪ is deeply rooted in friends and family and offers great opportunities, even the underrepresented
• Jason tackles the relationship between vineyards and wineries

[24:15 - 38:41] Climbing to New Heights of Pinot Noir

• A Year at the Vineyard and Winery 
• Rebecca talks about wine algorithms
• Flavor profiles out of your wine glasses
• You’ve got 2 choices: Drink the wine now or let it age more
• What are clones and how do we use them?

[38:42 - 45:24] Closing Segment 

• Favorite Wine
• • Pinot Noir
• Favorite Go-to Pairing
• • Like Snack Charcuterie and Pinot Noir
  • Albarino and goat cheese
  • Pinot Noir and ribeye steak
• Wine and Vineyard Resources
• • Wine Folly
  • Santa Lucia Highlands

Connect with Rebecca through Instagram, Facebook, and CRŪ Winery

Reach Jason through Valley Farm Management

Special Offer! 

10% off and free shipping on purchases of 4 bottles or more with code PODCAST 

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

Tweetable Quotes:

“One of the great things about St. Lucia is that you can drink the wine, but you can also hold on to it for a few years because just going to get even better.”  - Rebecca Gilbert

“That's the beauty of wine.  Every vintage is going to be different at the same time you're making something for a consumer that's expecting something unique.”  - Jason Smith

“With us solely grape growers, our success is when the wineries are successful.”

Let’s take some time off wine and talk charcuterie!  Today let me introduce you to Kansas City Charcutier Lena Jones. Lena is the owner and creator of Graze & Gather KC, a charcuterie company based in the Kansas City area. 

Let’s dive into her charcuterie story!

[00:01 - 03:59] Opening Segment 

• Let’s get to know, Lena Jones! 
• How Lena got into the world of charcuteries

[04:00 - 11:10] Unlocking Charcuterie

• What to Put in Your Charcuterie Board
• • Mix in a variety of flavorful meats and cheeses
  • Get the best ingredients from the best places
• How to Arrange Your Board to Stand Out

[11:11 - 18:53] The Perfect Bite

• What You Have to Know About Charcuterie Boards
• Unconventional Ingredients Lena has tried
• Lena’s favorite cheese, meat, dips, spreads, and more!
• Challenges Lena has experienced with her business

[18:54 - 22:03] Closing Segment 

• Favorite Wine
• • Moscato
• Favorite go-to pairing
• • Anything that goes with Moscato
• Charcuterie Resource
• • Social media

Connect with Lena through Facebook and Instagram (Lena, Graze and Gather KC)! You can also check out Graze and Gather KC and create your own charcuterie experience! 

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

Tweetable Quotes:

“A lot of bad things came from the pandemic, but the food scene has grown a lot since 2020.”  - Lena Jones

“Picking fresh fruit and vegetables, especially that are going to add different colors to your board is really going to make your board stand out.”  - Lena Jones

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast, today let me introduce you to Thatcher Baker-Briggs of Thatcher's Wine Consulting

Founder & Sommelier Thatcher’s Wine Consulting Thatcher Baker-Briggs 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 (2014-2017), the highly regarded Takazawa in Tokyo, and at two-Michelin starred COI in San Francisco. These distinguished training grounds have given Thatcher the knowledge, tools, and reach to curate highly specialized wine services for collectors around the globe.  Thatcher says, “I think that’s the important thing about a service like mine—providing individualized care for each client.”

Let’s dive into his wine story!

[00:01 - 10:23] Opening Segment 

• I introduce our guest for this episode
• • Bio
• Thatcher shares how he got into the wine industry at the age of 9
• What to know about Michelin Restaurants

[10:24 - 21:02] Michelin Stars and Wine Sourcing

• How the food and wine environment influenced Thatcher’s life
• • How to Get That 3-Michelin Star Rating
• Thatcher’s Consulting Company
• • How his company started 
  • Making their love and passion for wine accessible for the whole world
• Wine Sourcing is Everything
• • Working with great relationships and acknowledging the great changes
  • Working with the next generation winemakers

[21:03 - 36:11] Purveying Fine Wine

• Looking into wine collecting? Thatcher shares where to start
• • Taste the bottle and maybe give it three chances
  • “The biggest misconception in wine is probably champagne.”
• Qualities of People in Wine
• Importing wine is a challenge and it’s exciting
• Thatcher’s Biggest Setbacks with His Consulting Business
• What’s New for TWC in 2022

[36:12 - 41:04] Closing Segment 

• Favorite Wine
• • Champagne
• Go-To Pairing
• • Seraj and dry-aged steak
• Wine Resource
• • The Wine Bible
  • Guild of Sommeliers
• Connect with Thatcher
• • See links below 
• Reach out to me for more wine conversations through the links below 
• Subscribe and leave a review
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes:

“Wine is for everyone. It's not about how much money that you have, it's just about drinking something and appreciating something really delicious.”  - Thatcher Baker-Briggs

“Just because it's done this way doesn't mean that's the way that I have to do it. ”  - Thatcher Baker-Briggs

“Champagne is is a wine, that's maybe the most versatile wine there is.”  - Thatcher Baker-Briggs

Connect with Thatcher through Instagram (@thatcherbakerbriggs, @thatcherswineconsulting), Facebook, and LinkedIn! You can check out his website at www.thatcherswineconsulting.com. 

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast, today let me introduce you to Jason Mergenov of Rockets Red Wine

Jason spent 22 years in the United States Air Force controlling nuclear missiles and tracking satellites. His career took him around the world, from missiles silos & Cheyenne Mountain in the states to Korea, Iraq, and the Indian Ocean.  After retiring from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, Jason decided to stay in Santa Barbara County wine country to pursue his passion for grapes and wine.  Using his GI Bill, he earned two degrees in enology & viticulture and spent several years learning all aspects of the wine industry. In 2018 Jason started Rockets Red Wines to share his wines with the world. Today his focus is producing high-quality, small-batch Burgundy & Rhone Rosé, sparkling, and limited reds. 

Let’s dive into his wine story!

[00:01 - 08:02] Opening Segment 

• Regional Highlights Coming Soon!
• • What we’re checking: Santa Barbara Wines 
• I introduce our guest for this episode, Jason Mergenov
• • Jason shares his venture from the Airforce to Wine
  • Wine Schooling 24 Years After College
• It all started with 40 vines
• What makes Jason’s Rosé special: A Rosé for red wine drinkers

[08:03 - 22:51] Let’s Venture the Santa Barbara Wineries 

• The First Things You Have to Know About Santa Barbara
• • “The gamut of pretty much everything is in this county.”
• Winemaking is a passion project
• • How Jason started with Rockets Red Wine
  • Check out Bind Bass
  • Lots of synergies and partnerships
• Veterans are really underrepresented in the wine industry
• What’s on the horizon for Rockets Red Wine?
• • Pet Nat and A Quick Way to Make Sparkling Wine
• Winemaker to Vineyard Networking

[22:52 - 25:43] Tasting Round 

• Favorite Wine
• • Pet Nat
• Go-To Pairing
• • Thai Food and Grenache Rosé
• Wine Resource
• • University of California viticulture website
• Connect with Jason
• • See links below 
• Reach out to me for more wine conversations through the links below 
• Subscribe and leave a review
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes:

“The great thing about Santa Barbara is it's a metal it's one of the five Mediterranean climates in the world.”  - Jason Mergenov

“The winemakers in Santa Barbara County is such a small, close-knit community. There's really no competition. Everybody here is supporting everybody else.”  - Jason Mergenov

Connect with Jason through Instagram! You can also check out Rockets Red Wine and have your taste of small-batch, veteran-owned, handmade wine. 

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

In today’s episode, we are joined by Luke Taylor of Traderman Wines.

Luke is one of the most well-known wine personalities in all of Moldova. He is an Ohio Wine Distributor who has a lot of pent-up anger realizing that he can’t touch his toes but can still see them. Still waiting for his first hole in one but does 6 inches count. Luke is a Wine Podcast host who uncorks the lighter side of wine with a glass of wine and some interesting wine people yet his wife and his mum never have listened. He is Canadian and has an award-winning smile and distinctive looks and body for podcasting. 

Let’s dive into his wine story!

[00:01 - 04:37] Opening Segment 

• I introduce our guest for this episode
• Luke shares how he went from Canada to Ohio
• Journey to Wine Distribution
• • “Athletes love to drink, especially tennis players.”
  • Interesting 11-Year Journey

[04:38 - 13:04]  Storytelling with Wine

• Taking off without knowing anyone in the business
• Luke’s first wine deliveries
• • Sourcing the first wines
  • Communicating with clients
• What’s the most important in wine distribution?
• Stories Sell Wine

[13:05 - 26:26] What You Have to Know about Wine Distribution

• Why do you have to have a range as a wine distributor
• Wine distributorship is 24/7
• What’s going to be hot in 2022?
• Importing wine is a logistical nightmare
• Check out Cork & Taylor Wine Podcast, and uncork the lighter side of wine!

[26:27 - 46:54] The Three-Tier System

• Podcasts and Zoom 
• Luke’s 2022 Business Plan
• • “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”
• You need to get out there to get the best wine
• Restaurants and Staff Training 
• • There’s opportunity in restaurants

• Distributors are a necessity
• Wine distribution include people and partnerships

[46:55 - 59:57] Closing Segment 

• Favorite Wine
• • “There’s too many!”
• Wine Resource
• • Baste burgers with Spanish Rioja red wine
• Luke’s Wine Resource
• • “The best learning is in the glass.”
• Connect with Luke
• • See links below 
• Reach out to me for more wine conversations through the links below 
• Subscribe and leave a review
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes:

“I always like wines with a story. I like to think I'm a storyteller.”  - Luke Taylor

“You gotta sell stuff that you enjoy and are passionate about.”  - Luke Taylor

“Distributors are a necessity.”  - Luke Taylor

Connect with Luke through Facebook and Instagram! You can also check out his websites www.tradermanwines.com and www.corkandtaylor.com. Listen to Cork & Taylor Wine Podcast via Apple Podcasts and Youtube.

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast! Today, I’m going to introduce Bastien Leduc. He is an amateur botanist, a budding beekeeper, a sometimes surfer, a Red Sox convert, and an avid photographer. When he is not taking care of his family, he can usually be found in the vineyard. 

Bastien grew up helping his father on the family’s organic vineyard in the southwest of France, where he became an advocate of agroecology. He holds a degree in viticulture and oenology as well as in organic agricultural consulting. His wanderlust led him to work in a wide range of viticultural regions—in Gaillac, the Loire Valley, Bandol, Cognac, and Bordeaux in France and in the Upper Hunter Valley, the Clare Valley, and the Mornington Peninsula in Australia. From 2007 to 2009, he served as winemaker and vineyard manager for Château Beau Rivage in the Haut-Médoc.

He moved to California in 2010 to work as the Vineyard Manager for Domaine de la Terre Rouge in the Sierra Foothills before joining the Seven Oxen Estate Wines team as Vineyard Manager and Winemaker. Stay tuned until the end to learn more about his wine story!

[00:01 - 07:07] Opening Segment  

• I introduce our guest for this episode.
• Bastien shares a little bit of his background. 

• Starting Seven Oxen.
• The Neal Family connection.

• Moving to California.
• Winemaking or hosting program.

• Bastien talks about his first vintage in 2013.

• Mourvèdre, Pure Grenache, Pure Cassidy, etc.

[07:08 - 12:15] From the Vineyards of France to the Foothills of Paso Robles 

• Vineyards that were already planted and established.
• 26 acres: a lot of zinfandel, grenache, petite sirah, etc.
• Bastien shares the system of keeping separate lots.
• • Ferment everything in separate lots.
  • E.g. A four acres makes six different batches.
• The desire of having his own vineyard.
• • Farm the vineyard organically.
  • Follow the whole process.

[12:16 - 32:30] Seven Oxen Estate Wines

• Bastien talks about his experience growing up in a vineyard.
• • Making wines was part of his childhood.
  • Global experience on wine.
  • Harvesting.
• The opportunity of working in small and big wineries.
• • Global experience on wine.
• Bastien’s insights about geography and climate.
• • Where you can grow grapes.
  • Achieving the perfect nest.

• Keeping a balance between the grapes and wines.

• Maturity, acidity.

• Bastien explains where the concept of Seven Oxen comes from.
• • Farming organically.
  • A biodynamic way of farming
  • The connection between the cosmos and the soil. 

[31:48 - 36:27] Tasting Round  Bastien Leduc

• Bastien’s Favorite Wine
• • Petite Sirah.
• Bastien’s Favorite Go-To Pairing 
• • Lamb.
  • Cassidy.
• Bastien’s Wine Resource
• • Winemaker friends in France and USA.
• Connect with  Bastien
• • See links below 
• Reach out to me for more wine conversations through the links below 
• Subscribe and leave a review
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes: 

“It's much more common to find people buying grapes from here and there and making their blender like the best. But for me it's has to be tied to a place that there was there was key” -  Bastien Leduc 

“The way I make wines is a bit of a blend of France and California because I try to keep the wines pretty balanced.” - Bastien Leduc

Don’t forget to check the Seven Oxen Estate Wines websites to learn more about the wine story!  https://www.sevenoxen.com/story and https://pasowine.com/member/seven-oxen-estate-wines/  

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

 TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram!  

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast, today let me introduce you to Dave Thompson of The Napa Wine Project.

One of the few individuals with such a complete perspective of the Napa Valley wine scene both from a macro and a micro level, Mr. Thompson operates the Napa Wine Project, a comprehensive and detailed directory of more than 1,100 Napa Valley-based wineries and producers that he has personally visited and extensively written about. He has his finger directly on the pulse of the Napa Valley winery scene. Also an extensive world traveler, he has visited 175 countries and territories to date and began Dave's Travel Corner in 1996, an international travel community.

Let’s dive into his wine story! 

[00:01 - 05:37] Opening Segment 

• I introduce our guest for this episode
• Dave shares with us how his travel blog turned into The Napa Wine Project

[05:38 - 18:41] From Howell Mountain to Coombsville

• Hundreds of unheard wine valleys
• Revisiting and re-writing Dave’s travel blog
• How Dave found his wineries
• • Dave shares with us which wineries he prioritized
  • Dave’s Winery Selection Process
• Winery Trends:  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
• • More interest in the smaller brands
  • Younger winemakers
• Let’s talk wine!
• • Why Dave tend to gravitate towards the hillside
  • Howell Mountain versus Spring Mountain

[18:42 - 31:47] All Things Napa Valley

• Dave’s Personal Taste: Single-vineyard versus Blends
• • Multi-varieties of wine
  • The Best of Vintages
  • The ‘20 and ‘21 Vintages
• Dave’s advice: Be passionate, obsessed, detailed, and more
• Hobby turned business
• Wine and wineries in 2022

[31:48 - 36:27] Tasting Round

• Dave’s Favorite Wine
• • Riesling and Tokaj
• Dave’s Favorite Go-To Pairing 
• • Thai Food
  • Anything spicy
• Dave’s Wine Resource
• • Napa vendors
  • Napa Rocks
  • The Wine Bible
• Connect with Dave 
• • See links below 
• Reach out to me for more wine conversations through the links below 
• Subscribe and leave a review
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes:

“The number of businesses that are part of Napa Valley winery ownership is pretty amazing when you start digging deep.” - Dave Thompson

“Travel is my addiction but wine has become my obsession.” - Dave Thompson

Connect with Dave through Instagram (@davedtc, @napawinetasting, @napavalleyuncorked), Twitter, Facebook.  Check out his websites http://www.napawineproject.com/, https://www.davestravelcorner.com/, and https://www.napavalleyuncorked.com/.   

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast, today let me introduce you to Sommelier Matthew-Lorèn Lindsey of Appellation Wines and The Blended Festival.

Sommelier Matthew-Lorèn Lindsey has spent the last 15 years as a wine collector and industry leader in the wine space as an importer and distributor in the Las Vegas casino market. He serves as the Executive Sommelier & Director of Wine for the National Blended Festival, curating the wine experience for thousands of festival attendees.  Additionally, he is the founder of Appellation Wine Brands, a luxury lifestyle company that creates wine brands for restaurant groups, hotels, and private companies. He is also the lead wine judge for the Pr%f (Proof) awards, the largest double-blind wine and spirit competition in the United States. Matthew shares his passion for wine as the founder and educator of The Advanced Wine Course.com, an e-learning platform for wine enthusiasts and novices.

Let’s dive into his wine story! 

[00:01 - 13:10] Opening Segment 

• I introduce our guest for this episode
• Man, wine is cool! Not what Mattew envisioned for himself in his youth
• Didn’t exactly liking the dynamics of alcohol before Vegas
• Intimidated by Wine: The Start of Matthew’s Wine Game
• Matthew’s First Wine Collection: Two Carts Filled with Wine

[13:11 - 30:09] Curating Wines for Hotels, Restaurant Groups, and Wine Festivals 

• What people are afraid of when ordering wine for the first time
• • “Try things that you don't understand or know because how else are you gonna learn those those things, right?”
• Matthew’s Not So Typical Path to Events
• • How he found a way to be able to learn and be relevant and provide value to the community, and to the wine industry
• The Blended Festival
• • Traveling national festival 
  • Wine, food, music, and lifestyle
  • Blended Festival 2021’s Wellness Stage
  • My Wine Society
  • The Crown Jewel of the Festival, The Wine Tent
  • Adding more to your palette through themed booths
  • Forming community and building relationships with our communities that we're at

[30:10 - 44:04] Not Just Wine, But an Experience

• 68 Wine Events in 2022
• • How Matthew ensures his wine events bring one cohesive experience
  • A Thougtful Approach for the Wine tent
  • Everything had to be perfect! Done with love and compassion
  • The Blended Festival, definitely an event, experience, and story to tell
• Matthew’s Other Engagements
• • Boutique and Great Wine Distribution Company in Las Vegas
  • Staying connected with his community
  • Matthew’s Own Wine Company, Appellation Wines
  • Why wine makers are terrible marketers
  • Matthew’s Wine Courses 

[44:05 - 50:21] Tasting Round

• Matthew-Lorèn‘s Favorite Wine
• • Pinot Noir
• Matthew-Lorèn’s Favorite Go-To Pairing 
• • Lobster Tail Garlic Noodles adn Chablis
• Matthew-Lorèn’s Wine Resource
• • Google
  • His restaurant/a restaurant
• Connect with Matthew-Lorèn 
• • See links below 
• Reach out to me for more wine conversations through the links below 
• Subscribe and leave a review
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes:

“This (wine) isn't just something  to get drunk off of and to party on. This is something that should be enjoyed, and relished, and lived in, and remembered.”  - Matthew-Lorèn Lindsey

“I think it's a pretty well known fact that Americans love Cabernet Sauvignon, that's where palettes are calibrated. So I'm drinking right now, I understand that I value that I appreciate that. But that's not enough for me. I want you to learn and grow and expand your horizons ”  - Matthew-Lorèn Lindsey

Connect with Matthew-Lorèn through Instagram! Check out his websites at www.advancedwinecourse.com and www.blendedfestival.com 

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

Welcome back to another episode of Everyday Wine! Welcome to 2022. This is going to be a wonderful year. In today´s episode, I would like to update you about the show and what you can expect from me this year. I’ll also give you an overview of some things that I’ve been focused on in 2021, and I’ll be focused on 2022 in the wine industry and my business. Stay tuned until the end! 

[00:01 - 2:32] Opening Segment 

• I set expectations for this New Year.
• Things we’re going to see in the Wine Industry.
• Wine outlook and different vintages from other regions.

[02:33 - 15:18] Business Update, Wine Trends, and 2021 Vintages Outlook

• How my wine business changed from 2020 to 2021.
• Areas where the wine business has growth:
• In-person and virtual events.
• Wine consulting.
• I want to focus on wine investing and demystify wine investing. 
• See how wines and values change over time.
• New formats and its cost and benefits outside of the standards (bottles, splits, etc).
• Canned wine and box wine are things that will probably grow this new year.
• Sustainability:
• How well does the winery treat the environment? 
• How sustainable are their business practices?
• Craft Micro/Boutique.
• Sales challenges: Wine shipping world, legislation, third-party platforms.
• Harvesting: Size of the grapes.
• Understanding the challenges that Sonoma had in the 2021 vintage.
• How climate changes the vintages of the wines and how it affects different regions.

[15:19 - 17:15] Closing Segment 

• Special offer for wine business owners and people that want to become wine entrepreneurs.
• I encourage wine business owners to check out my new group: Wine Business Bootcamp. 
• Final words 

Tweetable Quotes:

 “Welcome to this New Year. It’s gonna be a wonderful year, a winederful year.” - Kris Levy 

“Something that we’re gonna see this year is the brands that are position well , really understand their marketing message, and know who their consumer is”  - Kris Levy

“If you are small producer, I encourage you to really own your story, own your message, and use that to your advantage because that’s what you have in those some bigger guys” - Kris Levy

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.