What's the Problem?

Paul Mabray is a pioneering figure in the wine industry, renowned for his innovative integration of technology and digital strategies into wine marketing and sales. With over two decades of experience, he has consistently been at the forefront of digital transformation within the sector. In 2002, he founded Inertia Beverage Group, which later evolved into WineDirect.com, a company that revolutionized winery e-commerce by enabling direct-to-consumer sales.

Continuing his commitment to digital innovation, Mabray established VinTank.com, a social media monitoring and customer relationship management platform tailored for the wine industry. VinTank analyzed millions of online wine conversations daily, providing wineries with valuable insights into consumer behavior and preferences.

In recent years, Mabray served as the CEO of Pix.wine, a wine discovery platform aimed at connecting consumers with wines suited to their tastes. Currently, he leads a new Alc-Beverage startup, set to launch publicly in January 2026, focusing on further integrating technology into the wine industry.

Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Mabray is a respected thought leader and educator. He shares his insights through his Medium blog and Substack newsletter, "Transforming Wine," where he discusses the intersection of wine and technology. He is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has been a guest lecturer at institutions such as UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and UC Davis. Paul Mabray's career reflects a steadfast dedication to modernizing the wine industry, leveraging digital tools to enhance consumer engagement and streamline operations.

Madeline Puckette is a James Beard Award-winning wine expert, author, and co-founder of Wine Folly, the leading digital platform that simplifies wine education for consumers and professionals alike. With a background in graphic design and music, Madeline brings a unique, visual approach to wine communication, making complex topics accessible and engaging.

She is the co-author of the best-selling books Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine and Wine Folly: Magnum Edition, which have become modern classics in wine education. Through infographics, maps, and data-driven insights, her work has helped millions of people around the world better understand wine and feel more confident exploring it.

Madeline has been named one of the "Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers" by Wine Enthusiast and continues to influence the way wine is taught and talked about through innovative content, industry partnerships, and speaking engagements across the globe.

Paul Caputo is a UK-based wine writer, critic, and entrepreneur, widely recognized for his expertise in Italian and Balkan wines. He is the founder of Vinorandum, a comprehensive digital platform offering in-depth guides and reports on wine regions, grape varieties, and producers worldwide. Caputo's writing has been featured in esteemed publications such as Forbes, Decanter, Food & Wine, and Club Oenologique.

An accomplished wine judge, Caputo has served on panels at numerous international competitions, including Mundus Vini, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and 5StarWines in Verona, where he has also been a panel chairman. In recognition of his contributions to wine journalism, Caputo has received accolades such as the Millesima Blog Award and the Hungarian Wine Writing Award.

Beyond writing and judging, Caputo is actively involved in wine education and tourism. He holds the title of Italian Wine Ambassador from the Vinitaly International Academy and has been a guest speaker at industry conferences like Wine2Wine. Through his multifaceted career, Paul Caputo continues to influence the global wine community, offering insights and fostering appreciation for diverse wine cultures.

Dr. Laura Catena is a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician, and author, renowned for her pivotal role in elevating Argentine wine, particularly Malbec, on the global stage. Born in Mendoza in 1967, she is the daughter of Nicolás Catena Zapata, a key figure in modernizing Argentina's wine industry.

Catena pursued her undergraduate studies in biology at Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude in 1988, and earned her medical degree from Stanford University. Balancing her passions, she has maintained a dual career as an emergency physician in San Francisco and as the managing director of Bodega Catena Zapata, her family's historic winery founded in 1902. In addition to leading Catena Zapata, she established her own labels, Luca and La Posta, and co-founded Domaine Nico, a winery specializing in high-altitude Pinot Noir.

In 1995, Catena founded the Catena Institute of Wine, aiming to advance viticultural research and preserve Argentina's rich winemaking heritage. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named "Woman of the Year" by The Drinks Business Awards in 2022 and receiving the "Old Vine Hero Award" in 2023 for her commitment to preserving old vine Malbec. In 2023, she was appointed Honorary President of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).

An accomplished author, Catena has penned several books, including "Vino Argentino," "Gold in the Vineyards," and "Malbec Mon Amour," co-authored with winemaker Alejandro Vigil. Her multifaceted career and dedication to both medicine and winemaking have solidified her reputation as a leading figure in the global wine community.

Dave Phinney is a visionary winemaker and creative force in the global wine industry, renowned for his bold blends, provocative label designs, and entrepreneurial spirit. He is best known as the founder of Orin Swift Cellars and the creator of The Prisoner, two brands that have redefined modern California winemaking. In 1998, he launched Orin Swift Cellars with just two tons of Zinfandel and a dream. His breakout moment came in 2000 with The Prisoner, a Zinfandel-based blend featuring a striking Goya-inspired label that captivated consumers and critics alike.

Over the years, Phinney built a portfolio of cult-favorite wines under Orin Swift, including Papillon, Machete, and 8 Years in the Desert. His distinctive approach—combining bold, expressive wines with edgy, art-driven packaging—earned him a loyal following and industry acclaim. In 2016, he sold Orin Swift to E. & J. Gallo, but continues to lead its creative direction.

Rob McMillan is a leading authority in the U.S. wine industry, renowned for his deep insights and influential analyses. As the Executive Vice President and Founder of Silicon Valley Bank's Wine Division, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the financial landscape of the fine wine sector.

With over 35 years in banking—more than 25 of which have been with Silicon Valley Bank—McMillan has held several key positions, including Division Manager of the Wine Group and Executive Manager of the Commercial Division. His leadership has been instrumental in establishing the Wine Division as a premier provider of financial services to the U.S. fine wine business.

McMillan is best known for authoring the annual State of the Wine Industry Report, a highly regarded publication that offers comprehensive analyses and forecasts for the wine sector. His expertise is widely sought after by winery owners, journalists, entrepreneurs, and investors, and he is a frequent speaker at industry events both domestically and internationally. His contributions have earned him recognition as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in the U.S. wine industry. There are few better suited to answer the question "What's the Problem?"

Professor Larry Lockshin is a globally recognized expert in wine marketing and consumer behavior, with a distinguished academic and industry career spanning over three decades. He is Emeritus Professor of Wine Marketing at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science, University of South Australia, where he previously served as Head of the School of Marketing . His research focuses on consumer choice behavior, packaging, retail marketing, and sustainability within the wine industry. He has published over 100 academic articles and more than 250 trade articles and is the author of the book This Little Pinot Went to Market: A Guide to Wine Marketing . He is also a regular columnist for Australian Wine Business magazine and the Wine and Viticulture Journal . Through his academic leadership and applied research, Professor Lockshin has significantly influenced both scholarly understanding and practical strategies in global wine marketing.

Virginie Boone is a seasoned wine writer and reviewer based in Sonoma County, California. She began her career in 1997 with Lonely Planet, contributing to travel guidebooks covering regions such as South America, Northern California, France, and the Deep South of the United States. Transitioning to wine journalism, Boone wrote for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, focusing on California's wine industry. In 2010, she joined Wine Enthusiast as a contributing editor, where she reviewed and reported on Napa and Sonoma wines for over a decade, assessing more than 30,000 wines during her tenure. In 2024, Boone became a senior editor at JebDunnuck.com, taking on the role of reviewing wines from Washington State and other regions. She is also the author of "Napa Valley and Sonoma: Heart of California Wine Country," and continues to contribute to various publications, sharing her insights on wine, food, and travel. Through her conversation on "What's the Problem?" She aims to answer the question of Media's role in the current state of the wine industry.

Cathy Huyghe is a respected journalist, entrepreneur, and wine industry thought leader. She is the co-founder and CEO of Enolytics, a data-driven company that provides business intelligence for the wine industry, helping producers and marketers better understand consumer behavior. Cathy is also a regular columnist for Forbes, where she writes about the intersection of wine, technology, and business. Known for her thoughtful, incisive writing, she is the author of Hungry for Wine: Seeing the World through the Lens of a Wine Glass, which blends travel, storytelling, and personal insight. A Harvard graduate and TEDx speaker, Cathy is widely recognized for advancing conversations about innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability in the wine world.

In addition to her work as a writer, she is the co-founder and CEO of Enolytics, a pioneering company that brings big data solutions to the wine industry. Under her leadership, Enolytics has transformed how wine businesses harness consumer insights, using advanced analytics to drive smarter marketing, sales, and strategic decisions. Cathy’s work bridges the gap between tradition and technology, empowering producers and brands to better understand and engage their audiences.

Charles Smith is an acclaimed American winemaker best known for crafting bold, expressive wines that reflect the unique terroir of Washington State. Originally a music manager for rock bands, Charles transitioned to winemaking in the late 1990s, founding K Vintners in Walla Walla in 1999. His unconventional approach and commitment to quality quickly earned him recognition, with signature labels like Kung Fu Girl Riesling and The Velvet Devil Merlot gaining cult status. Named Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2014 and Food & Wine in 2009, Charles continues to shape the wine industry with his creative vision, approachable wines, and distinctive branding. A vocal advocate for organic farming and native yeast fermentation, he has built a loyal following drawn to both his wines and his philosophy. His commitment to authenticity—both in the vineyard and in the marketplace—has resonated widely, underscoring a broader shift toward transparency and originality in the wine world.