What does it take to earn the Master Sommelier pin? Max Kast pulls back the curtain on the intense journey, from the pressures of blind tasting to the emotional highs and lows of fine wine service. He reflects on the 2018 Court of Master Sommeliers scandal, how it reshaped the industry, and why integrity remains his guiding principle.

In this episode of Wine Centric, Max shares the path that led him from a childhood as one of nine children of German immigrants to becoming Director of BOND Winery in Napa Valley. It’s a conversation about mastery, humility, and a lifelong respect for the vine.

Listeners will love Max’s reflections on:

• The mindset behind becoming a Master Sommelier
• Does Max have a wine Kryptonite?
• The philosophy and precision behind BOND Winery’s vineyard expression
• The two people (dead or alive) he’d love to share a bottle with and the wine he’d pour

This is more than a conversation about wine: it’s a masterclass in passion, perseverance, and purpose.

Chapters:

00:00 The Journey to Master Sommelier

10:15 The Scandal and Its Aftermath

20:31 The Mindset of a Sommelier

32:25 Evolving Perspectives on Wine Tasting

35:23 The Evolution of Wine in California

38:08 Personal Journey: From Detroit to Missoula

41:17 The Path to Becoming a Wine Director

44:30 Building a Wine Program: Challenges and Triumphs

49:58 Transitioning to Wine Imports

52:54 Current Role at Bond Winery: A New Chapter

🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms
🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com

We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners, including Fearrington House and Heather Donovan Real Estate.