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Many people I’ve spoken to have had an eventful start to 2025, but few have experienced as much change as Giles Cooke of Thistledown Wines. Recently, Thistledown parted ways with Alliance Wines—a bold move that, for Giles, felt like the right timing. A self-professed contrarian, he thrives on zigging while others zag, and the results often speak for themselves.

Beyond his latest venture, Giles was kind enough to offer me some feedback on a recent project of mine, which sparked the idea to bring him back on the show. Given his deep expertise in marketing and market strategy—both areas he’s incredibly passionate about—it felt like the perfect opportunity to tap into his insights.

Despite a minor connection glitch, we pulled together what I hope is an engaging and thought-provoking conversation. A huge thank you to Giles for joining me!

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Welcome to CDP Insights, a Cellar Door Podcast initiative where we stay up to date with market trends and get sharp industry insights. My guest is Joe Fattorini and in this episode we discuss the demystification of wine and whether its really a good idea from a marketing angle. 

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I first had the pleasure of meeting Travis Fuller nearly two and a half years ago when he shared the story of Kilikanoon and its deep connection to the magical Clare Valley. If you missed that conversation, you can find it in Season 1, Episode 30.

Today, Travis returns with exciting updates—not only on Kilikanoon’s latest releases but also on the winery’s strategic focus on the Chinese market. In a constantly shifting global wine landscape, understanding your target market is crucial, and Travis exemplifies this with his depth of knowledge and adaptability.

Markets open, close, and evolve, making it essential for wineries to navigate them with insight and strategy. Travis offers invaluable perspectives on these challenges and opportunities.

A huge thank you to Travis for joining me once again!

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Welcome to CDP Insights, a Cellar Door Podcast initiative where we stay up to date with market trends and get sharp industry insights. My guest is Joe Fattorini

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Michael Juergens runs a global wine consultancy practice for one of the big four consulting firms. With all the talk around tariffs I tracked Michael down to get his perspective on what is going on in the USA. Michael brought his usual energy and colour to what was an insightful catchup! 

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Tom Donegan’s wine career is nothing short of dynamic. From working as a sommelier in Melbourne to studying wine in Adelaide, he’s built a deep understanding of the industry from multiple angles. As a founding member of Hudson Wine Brokers, he tackled the complexities of bringing Australian wine into the highly competitive U.S. market. Since returning to Australia, he’s led market strategy at Voyager Estate in Margaret River and now oversees key brands—Shaw + Smith, Tolpuddle, and MADD—within the Shaw + Smith Group.

In this episode, Tom takes us behind the scenes of launching a distributor in the world’s toughest wine market, sharing the lessons he’s learned from both successes and setbacks. We also dive into how today’s challenges are reshaping his approach to wine marketing and sales. With the industry facing uncertainty, Tom offers valuable insights on staying focused, adapting to change, and trusting your instincts.

This conversation is packed with wisdom from someone who’s seen the business from all sides. A huge thanks to Tom for joining me

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Welcome to CDP Insights, a Cellar Door Podcast initiative where we stay up to date with market trends and get sharp industry insights. This week Joe Fattorini shares his insights on innovation, what it is and what it may look like. 

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I still remember the moment a close friend handed me a bottle of 2017 Barbaresco—Fletcher. The name stopped me in my tracks. Barbaresco, one of the crown jewels of Italian wine, and spiritual homes of Nebbiolo. And Fletcher? It didn’t exactly scream Italian heritage.

Curious, I started digging and soon uncovered the remarkable story of an Australian winemaker who had followed his passion all the way to Piedmont. Dave Fletcher, originally from Adelaide, found himself drawn to the magic of Italy, eventually becoming the head winemaker at Ceretto, where he played a pivotal role in refining their winemaking practices. But Dave’s ambitions didn’t stop there. He went on to establish his own label, Fletcher Wines—an expression of both innovation and deep respect for Piedmont’s traditions.

For Dave, Piedmont is a place of reverence—a "belt of sanctity," as he describes it—where the art of winemaking is a delicate dance between pushing boundaries and honoring history. He arrived as a determined and ambitious young winemaker eager to make his mark, and while he’s certainly done that, his journey has also instilled in him a profound appreciation for the legacy of those who came before.

It was a privilege to sit down with Dave and hear his reflections on Piedmont and the incredible path that led him there. A huge thank you to Dave for sharing his story.

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Welcome to CDP Insights, a Cellar Door Podcast initiative where we stay up to date with market trends and get sharp industry insights. This week Joe Fattorini shares his insights on AI and how he considers it will best help industry. 

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Angus Hughson is one of Australia’s most respected wine writers, critics, and communicators. His deep understanding of wine is shaped not just by years in the industry but also by his PhD in psychology—specifically, the psychology of taste.

Psychology plays a crucial role in wine, from how we perceive flavors to the way pricing and marketing influence consumer behavior. Lately, Angus has turned his focus to Australia’s global wine presence, raising important questions about the national psyche and its impact on market confidence. He argues that Australia must take a bolder, more assertive approach in foreign markets, with pricing and positioning that reflect its true value.

In this fascinating conversation, Angus takes us through his journey—from his early days in wine to his deep dive into the psychology behind it, and his perspective on where Australia needs to go next.

A huge thanks to Angus for joining me

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