Wine needs a fresh face. Well, that is if you ask the pundits in the industry. I am not sure I agree. Certainly, any industry needs to keep up with the times, I suppose marketing ideas and packaging ideas would follow. I am not sure I even agree with that... however, one thing I do believe is bringing a contemporary viewpoint to the table is beneficial. Meet a contemporary viewpoint in Jane Dunkley of Bezel.

eflecting on my conversation with Jane Dunkley of Bezel for the latest episode of Wine Talks, I’m left both energized and encouraged about where the wine industry is headed—and what truly matters in today’s wine world.

Our podcast’s mission has always been to tell the real stories of wine, far beyond tasting notes and ratings. So, sitting down (virtually, at least) with Jane, an Australian-born winemaker who has worked on both sides of the world and now crafts wines for the Cakebread family’s new Bezel brand in Paso Robles, was exactly the kind of exchange I live for.

Jane’s journey started far south of Perth, in Western Australia, on a beef cattle ranch—a background that immediately resonated with me. We swapped stories about the one-of-a-kind “smell” of cattle yards; a scent that, as Jane wryly put it, no amount of showers can really erase. It set her on the path to winemaking: the agricultural connection without the lingering aroma of livestock. That personal connection to the land gave her an appreciation—almost an obligation—to bring authenticity into her role as a winemaker.

That idea of authenticity kept surfacing. Jane made it clear: if you’re just coming into wine “because you couldn’t think of any other way to spend your money,” the market sees through it. The consumer is craving stories and purpose—an ethos to connect with, not just a pretty label or Instagram-ready tasting room. Her advice? If you’re ready to make this your life, with good intentions and a real story, there’s room for you. I couldn’t agree more.

We explored what Paso Robles has become—a place that’s evolved from cowboy hats and thrift stores to French restaurants and billion-dollar wine acquisitions (yes, I’m still amazed by the DAOU story). Yet, amidst the changing face of Paso, Jane finds the same rural, collaborative spirit that was there when she arrived. I can vouch for it myself; Paso still feels real and welcoming, even if, like me, you eventually learn you’re a much better wine storyteller than farmer.

It was refreshing to hear Jane champion the idea that innovation in wine isn’t about flash—wines in cans, weird flavors, or marketing gimmicks—but about a “unique voice,” expressed sincerely in the glass. We tasted her Bezel Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet, and I was genuinely impressed. The Sauvignon Blanc brought a Southern Hemisphere intensity but was rooted in Paso—minerality and all. The Cabernet, meanwhile, struck that elusive balance between structure and approachability at a $30 price point. As a guy who’s sold millions of bottles in that sweet spot, I know how hard that is to get right.

At its heart, this episode underlined why I started Wine Talks: to share the stories, the struggles, and the triumphs of people like Jane Dunkley. Wine is about connection—between people, land, science, art, and most of all, experience. The future belongs to those willing to show what they stand for and bring their whole story to the table. And as long as there are voices like Jane’s willing to do that, I’ll keep telling these stories.

Cheers to authenticity—and to the next great bottle.

1. Bezel  (Jane Dunkley’s current winemaking project, associated with Cakebread Cellars)

   • https://bezelwines.com

2. Cakebread Cellars (Iconic Napa Valley winery, parent company for Bezel)

   • https://cakebread.com

3. Bonny Doon Vineyard (Winery owned by Randall Grahm, mentioned regarding Jane’s past experience)

   • https://www.bonnydoonvineyard.com

4. Gallo (E. & J. Gallo Winery) (Large wine company Jane worked with in California)

   • https://www.gallo.com

5. The Language of Yes (Project with Randall Grahm that Jane contributed to)

   • https://www.thelanguageofyeswine.com

6. Dow (DAOU Vineyards & Winery) (Paso Robles winery referenced in industry context)

   • https://daouvineyards.com

7. Austin Hope (Hope Family Wines) (Mentioned in relation to Paso Robles Cabernet benchmarks)

   • https://hopefamilywines.com

8. Lewin Estate (Leeuwin Estate) (Margaret River, Australia; discussed in early career context)

   • https://leeuwinestate.com.au

 

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