What's the Problem?

Julien Fayard is a renowned winemaker based in Napa Valley, known for crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines. Originally from France, he gained extensive experience working with esteemed Bordeaux wineries, including Château Lafite Rothschild. After moving to California, he became a sought-after consulting winemaker, collaborating with numerous prestigious wineries. He is the founder of Fayard Winemaking and oversees several boutique wine projects, emphasizing precision, balance, and expression of place. His expertise spans across various varietals, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, and he is recognized for his commitment to sustainable viticulture and innovative winemaking techniques.

Dr. Hoby Wedler is a chemist, entrepreneur, and sensory expert renowned for his work in inclusive design, sensory literacy, and the intersection of science and sensory perception. Born blind, he earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California, Davis, and has dedicated his career to enhancing how people experience the world through their non-visual senses. Wedler is best known for his work in the wine and food industries, where he develops unique sensory experiences that encourage people to appreciate taste, aroma, and texture in innovative ways. He has collaborated with top wineries, brands, and businesses to create accessible and immersive experiences that bridge the gap between science and sensory engagement.

In addition to his work in wine and food, Wedler is an advocate for accessibility and inclusion, helping companies design products and experiences that cater to all individuals, regardless of ability. His contributions have earned him recognition, including being named a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and receiving accolades for his work in entrepreneurship and sensory education. You can find him on instagram at @hobywedler, Tik Tok as @hobywedler, and LinkedIn as Dr. Hoby Wedler.

Kelli A. White is a distinguished sommelier, wine educator, and award-winning author. Her seminal work, Napa Valley, Then & Now (2015), offers an in-depth exploration of Napa Valley's history, wineries, and vintages, and has garnered multiple accolades, including the IACP award for Best New Wine, Beer, or Spirits Book. She has also contributed to The World Atlas of Wine, The Oxford Companion to Wine, and the Académie du Vin Library series, including On California, On Champagne, and the forthcoming On Burgundy. In 2013, she was recognized as one of Food & Wine magazine's top ten sommeliers in the United States. In her role as Director of Education at The Wine Center at Meadowood in Napa Valley, White is dedicated to advancing wine education. Her prior experience includes serving as a senior staff writer at GuildSomm. Beyond writing, White co-founded the wine brand Houndstooth in 2011 and has appeared in the documentary Somm II: Into the Bottle. Her commitment to wine education and communication continues to shape the industry, inspiring both novices and seasoned professionals alike.

Peter Mondavi Jr. is a third-generation Napa Valley vintner and co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery, the oldest commercial winery in Napa Valley, established in 1861.

Born in 1958 to Peter Mondavi Sr. and Blanche Mondavi, Peter Jr. was raised on the Charles Krug estate in St. Helena, California. From an early age, he and his brother Marc were immersed in the family business, performing tasks ranging from sanding fermenting tanks to working in the winery's laboratory and vineyards.

Peter Jr. pursued higher education at Stanford University, earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, an M.S. in Engineering Management, and later an M.B.A. His engineering background has been instrumental in modernizing winery operations, including implementing temperature control systems and optimizing facility layouts.

As co-proprietor, Peter Jr. is dedicated to upholding the family's legacy of innovation and quality in winemaking. He emphasizes the importance of family heritage and sustainability in their operations. With such a legacy in the Napa Valley, he has an understanding of the problems the industry has faced over generations.

Tim Marson is a distinguished Master of Wine (MW) and Category Director at Wine.com, the United States' leading online wine retailer. In his role, he oversees the procurement of over 7,000 wines from France and Italy, ensuring a diverse and high-quality selection for customers. A graduate in Classics from Oxford University, Tim began his wine industry career in 1997. Tim's extensive experience includes roles with prominent UK wine merchants. In 2011, he relocated to Napa, California, to serve as Vice-President of Procurement at a direct-to-consumer online retailer. He later became Senior Buyer at Global Wine Co., where he sourced wines for notable partner wine clubs, including those of Williams-Sonoma and The New York Times. ​Since joining Wine.com in 2016, Tim has played a pivotal role in expanding the company's international wine portfolio, particularly focusing on selections from France and Italy. Tim Marson's career reflects a profound commitment to wine education and curation, significantly enhancing the offerings at Wine.com and enriching the experiences of wine enthusiasts nationwide. His knowledge of ecommerce and education might be the key for engaging the next generation of wine drinkers.

Marvin John "MJ" Towler, is a distinguished figure in the wine industry, celebrated for his extensive experience and engaging approach to wine education. MJ began his wine journey in 1997 at Acker Wines in New York City. By April 2000, he made history as the first African-American fine and rare wine auctioneer during Acker's $1.5 million spring auction at the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel. His career spans various facets of the wine business, including roles in retail, wholesale, auctions, and consulting. Notably, he served as Assistant Wine Director at Sparrow Wine & Liquor Co. in Hoboken, New Jersey, and later as the retail store manager and sommelier at the Montecito Wine Bistro in Santa Barbara, California. In October 2020, MJ launched "The Black Wine Guy Experience" podcast, which quickly ascended into the Top 20 in Apple's food category. The podcast features candid conversations with notable figures in the food and wine industry, reflecting MJ's unique ability to demystify wine in an approachable and entertaining manner. His contributions have earned him recognition in Imbibe's 2023 Imbibe 75 and Wine Enthusiast's Future 40 list of leading tastemakers and innovators.

António Rios de Amorim is the Chairman and CEO of Corticeira Amorim, the world's largest cork producer. Born in 1967, he graduated from Birmingham University with a degree in International Commerce and pursued postgraduate studies in management at INSEAD, Stanford, and Columbia Universities, as well as in Oenology at the University of Bordeaux. In 1996, António was appointed Chief Executive of the cork stopper division of Amorim's industrial branch, and by March 2001, he ascended to Chairman and CEO of the entire cork operation. Under his leadership, Corticeira Amorim has emphasized research and development, investing in new plant development and vertical integration from raw material supply to finished products. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Medal of Industrial Merit by the President of Portugal in January 2006. At it's core, Amorim continues to be the preeminent cork stopper supplier in the world. Through his work in corks stoppers, he has a unique, and often underappreciated perspective on the wine industry and it's challenges.

Let us know what you think the problem is below!

Aaron Pott is a renowned Napa Valley winemaker celebrated for his expertise in crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines. With a deep-rooted passion for viticulture and a philosophy centered on letting the land speak through the bottle, Pott has established himself as one of the most respected vintners in California.

His journey in wine began at the University of California, Davis, where he studied enology. His career took off in Bordeaux, where he honed his skills under Michel Rolland at Château Troplong Mondot in Saint-Émilion and later at Château La Tour Figeac. Upon returning to the U.S., Pott held influential winemaking positions at St. Clement and Quintessa before founding his own label, Pott Wine.

Known for his poetic storytelling, his take on “What’s the Problem?” is both thought-provoking, and grounding.

Karen MacNeil is a renowned American author, journalist, wine educator, and consultant, celebrated for her profound influence in the wine industry. She is the only American to have received every major wine award in the English language, including the James Beard Award for Wine and Spirits Professional of the Year and the International Wine and Spirits Award as the Global Wine Communicator of the Year.

Her seminal work, "The Wine Bible," first published in 2001, has sold nearly one million copies worldwide, solidifying its status as one of the best-selling wine books in the United States. Beyond writing, MacNeil has made significant contributions to wine education. She hosted the PBS series "Wine, Food and Friends with Karen MacNeil," for which she won an Emmy Award. Additionally, she served as the wine correspondent for NBC's "The Today Show." ​

TIME Magazine once referred to her as "America’s Missionary of the Vine," highlighting her dedication to demystifying wine and making it accessible to a broader audience. Throughout her illustrious career, Karen MacNeil has been a trailblazer in the wine industry, inspiring and educating countless enthusiasts and professionals alike. If anyone is qualified to comment on the state of the wine industry, and how it is being reflected through the wine media, it is Karen.

Born and raised into a winemaking family in Burgundy, France, Pauline Vicard has dedicated over 15 years to the wine industry across Europe and internationally. Her early career included roles in the market research department of the Burgundy Wine Board and the French Embassy. She later founded a corporate wine events and education company in Lille, France. In 2015, she moved to London to lead the Wine Library at Clerkenwell London, a multifaceted design destination. This experience led her to co-found ARENI Global in 2018, an independent think tank focused on the future of fine wine, where she serves as Executive Director. Beyond her professional endeavors, Pauline is a WSET-certified educator, and Master of Wine student. Her thought leadership and deep roots in the wine industry inform a profound take on the issues that we face today.

We want to hear from you! Join the conversation on “What’s the Problem?”