Small Fortune Podcast

John Gillespie and host Carol Collison discuss his most recent market report, “Wine in Decline,” which queries non or low- consumers of alcoholic beverages about how their perceptions may be affecting wine sales. The survey results are fascinating, and the conversation centers on the evidence from this research that some consumers view wine as too expensive or not a good value. For example, the survey found that “Wine drinkers who are drinking wine less frequently cited the rising prices of wine significantly more often that beer or spirits drinkers.”

John Gillespie was the founding Director of the Wine Market Council; a trade organization formed in 1995 by the wine industry to answer the question of wine demand and consumer preferences after an earlier period of sales growth challenges. He has been in private practice as a market researcher through his firm Wine Opinions since 2005.

https://wineopinions.com/

to request a report, please email [email protected]

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

In this episode, host Carol Collison speaks with Ori Katz, Partner in the Finance and Bankruptcy Practice at the law firm Sheppard Mullin about when and how business owners should approach their creditors when their financial situation is deteriorating. Topics include: the importance of having a clear understanding of your financial situation; how lenders think about their risks and how that affects you; and when it’s time to speak with a professional advisor. The conversation also includes the differences between such legal options as Assignment for the Protection of Creditors, Receiverships, and Bankruptcy.

https://www.sheppardmullin.com/okatz

https://www.sheppardmullin.com/

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

BMO Managing Director Mario Zepponi, a leading Merger and Acquisitions advisor and podcast host Carol Collison, also an M&A Advisor, recap the deal market in the two years since Mario was last on the podcast (Ep: 7, October ’23.)  Topics of discussion include how the decline in consumer wine demand has affected transactions, changes in the buyer set, valuations, what types of transactions may be seen in the future and more.

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

In this episode, fellow Berkeley Haas School MBAs and podcasters (!) Carol Collison and Mike Chaput discuss Mike’s journey to establishing his successful, high-growth IT services company, Endsight. Mike outlines concepts in technology, including how agentic AI might be used by wineries to increase DTC sales and operational efficiency. The conversation also includes the experience and lessons Mike learned through an early bankruptcy that led to his current business success. Some key management ideas Mike outlines include how vision, values and motives work to create a company culture that leads to growth.

https://www.endsight.net/ 

https://www.endsight.net/development/webinar

https://www.endsight.net/sec/cybersecurity/office/hours

https://www.youtube.com/@thechaputperspective

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Randi Bural is a Senior VP at AgWest Farm Credit based in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. The Farm Credit system is an enterprise founded over 100 years ago by the Federal government to support American agriculture. Because of their mandate they are not going to exit the wine industry, unlike some commercial lenders during tough times. Carol and Randi discuss a variety of topics in current wine finance including how lenders manage lending relationships when a borrower faces financial difficulties, strategies that borrowers are taking to get through the current industry downturn, exiting the wine business and more.

https://www.agwestfc.com/

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

The Small Fortune Podcast is about entrepreneurship, the wine business, and the ecosystem of companies that support it. Today’s interview covers them all. Concepts about start-ups such as “minimally viable product.” How wineries should think about sales channels and distribution. And how LibDib works for wineries as an e-commerce distribution platform. This podcast is a banger if you’re into entrepreneurship, the wine business, or both.

https://libdib.com/

https://www.xchateau.com/always-have-distribution-w-cheryl-durzy-libdib/

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Scott Bozzo is an expert Farm Manager who advises his clients on which vineyards to buy and then helps them run the operation. Listen and learn how to do due diligence regarding water resources and rights when considering a vineyard acquisition. An entrepreneur and principal owner of Macotera Ag Group, Scott shares what his considerations were in deciding to start his own firm – great ideas for those listeners thinking about making the leap into self-employment themselves.  He also provides meaningful advice on how buyers should think about a vineyard acquisition. 

https://www.macaggroup.com/

https://calasfmra.com/events/ 

https://calasfmra.com/ag-land-trends/

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Today’s guest Pauline Lhote grew up on a farm in the Champagne region and at the ripe old age of 14 decided she wanted to make sparkling wine. Her ambition, hard work and singular focus propelled her to become the Head Winemaker at Domaine Chandon, a pioneering French-owned California sparkling wine house. Carol and Pauline have a wide-ranging discussion about sparkling wine production and its challenges, being women professionals, the differences between the California and French wine businesses, and much more. As usual, the interview ends with Pauline’s insights on professional success in the wine business.

https://www.chandon.com/

https://www.chandon.com/en-US/visit-us/wineryexperiences.html

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Today’s guest Pauline Lhote grew up on a farm in the Champagne region and at the ripe old age of 14 decided she wanted to make sparkling wine. Her ambition, hard work and singular focus propelled her to become the Head Winemaker at Domaine Chandon, a pioneering French-owned California sparkling wine house. Carol and Pauline have a wide-ranging discussion about sparkling wine production and its challenges, being women professionals, the differences between the California and French wine businesses, and much more. As usual, the interview ends with Pauline’s insights on professional success in the wine business.

https://www.chandon.com/

https://www.chandon.com/en-US/visit-us/wineryexperiences.html

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

On our 50th episode (!!) host Carol Collison talks with Cyril Penn, Editor of “Wine Business Monthly” magazine. Listen and learn about: how Cyril got his start as a journalist; all the different ways this successful trade publishing enterprise serves the wine industry; and the company’s newest data products. And after 20 years of watching the wine industry, Cyril shares his best advice on how to be successful in the business.

https://www.winebusiness.com/

https://www.winebusiness.com/classifieds/winejobs/

https://comptracker.winebusiness.com/app/

Questions? Comments? [email protected]

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran