Welcome to this week’s episode of Beats Vines & Life, where we journey into the fascinating intersections of culture, sports, and the wine industry with our guest David Bowler.  This episode takes a deep dive into David's unique career trajectory, transitioning from a budding musician navigating the vibrant punk scenes of New York City to becoming a revered figure in the wine industry.  We'll explore his days at the iconic wine shop Crossroads, his encounters with film and music legends,...

Welcome to this exciting episode of "Beats Vines & Life," where we're diving into a world of innovation and passion with our guest, Alex Mackh. Alex, the founder of Grassl Glass and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, is here to share his unique journey from the ski slopes of Austria to the world stage of wine glass design.  Discover how Alex's heritage, education, and love for craftsmanship have shaped his approach to creating exquisite mouth-blown glassware that enhances the wine tasting...

Welcome to another captivating episode of Beats Vines & Life, where the rhythm of music meets the swirl of the glass. I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we have the incredible Tegan Passalaqua, winemaker for Turley Wine Cellars and owner of Kirschenmann Vineyard, joining us to uncork a vintage conversation. In this episode, we'll venture through the fertile grounds of Lodi, California, and beyond, sipping the rich stories that lie within each vineyard. Tegan brings her deep-rooted...

Welcome back to "Beats Vines & Life," where the melodies of music, the enchantment of wine, and the narratives of life converge. I'm your host, MJ Towler. Today, we uncork the essence of wisdom and wine with a very special guest: Lettie Teague, the renowned wine columnist for the Wall Street Journal and multi-time James Beard Award winner. This episode delves deep into Lettie's intriguing journey from a liquor store to the lustrous halls of wine-writing prominence. We get personal as...

Welcome back to "Beats Vines & Life," where the melodies of music, the enchantment of wine, and the narratives of life converge. I'm your host, MJ Towler. Today, we uncork the essence of wisdom and wine with a very special guest: Lettie Teague, the renowned wine columnist for the Wall Street Journal and multi-time James Beard Award winner. This episode delves deep into Lettie's intriguing journey from a liquor store to the lustrous halls of wine-writing prominence. We get personal as...

Welcome back to another episode of Beats Vines & Life, the podcast where melodies meet Merlot, and the rhythms of life blend with the bouquet of the vine. In today's special pour, we raise our glasses to the indomitable spirit of Jenna Fields, the maven of German wine, who turned a flood of challenges into a vintage of success.  From her unassuming beginnings in Eagan, Minnesota, to the aromatic vineyards of Germany's Ahr Valley, Jenna's journey is as complex and compelling as the Pinot...

Welcome to another episode of "Beats Vines & Life," where the rhythm of music meets the richness of wine culture. Today's episode features a special and insightful conversation with the innovative winemaker, Aaron Jackson.  Join us as we uncork the story behind his unique wine blend, “The Trespasser” which started in 2010, and his journey from a passionate youth to an established name in the wine industry. Aaron shares his excitement for the ever-evolving winemaking process, the highs,...

Welcome to "Beats, Vines, & Life," the intersection where rhythm meets the grape and individual stories blend into the rich tapestry of life. I'm your host, MJ Towler, coaxing the culture from the creatives and the passion from the producers all over a shared bottle of the finest vintages.  In today's episode, we're uncorking a special blend of conversation with the multifaceted Dane Curley — an artist, a designer, a man who paints the stories of wines onto the very labels that grace...

Hello, wine enthusiasts, and welcome back to another stirring episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience. Today's show takes us into the heart of Paso Robles as we swirl, sip, and savor the story of Jada Vineyards.  Joining us are none other than the dynamic duo of the vineyard, General Manager Josh Messina and head winemaker Nate Hall. They share with us an intimate glimpse into their journey from Nate's mentorship under Josh to taking the bold leap into winemaking decisions that shape the...

Welcome back to another episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today's episode is about an incredible journey from the ball fields of LA to the vineyards of Santa Barbara. Joining us is none other than Mac Myers, a maverick in the wine world known for creating wines of exceptional balance and value. In this episode, we'll dive into Mac's early years, swapping the glove for a corkscrew as a devastating injury shifted his path from aspiring pro athlete to wine...

Welcome back to The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we're pouring a full-bodied episode with an extraordinary guest, Vailia From, a trailblazing winemaker who has carved her own path in the wine industry with Desparada Wines. Join us as we uncork Vailia's remarkable journey—from her early days working in steakhouses in La Jolla to that fateful moment circling wine job ads with a roommate and diving into the art of telephone sales at Gerhardt Wines.  Vailia...

Welcome back to The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we're pouring into an intoxicating episode featuring the extraordinary Justin Smith.  Get ready to uncork the story of a winemaker who has cultivated a legacy from the roots of a familial passion and a dedication to the art of blending. In this episode, Ep. 149, we'll swirl through the early years: from Justin's father crafting wines with old vine Zinfandel and Petite Syrah to the serendipitous planting of...

Welcome back, wine enthusiasts, to another installment of The Black Wine Guy Experience. I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we have a fascinating episode with a very special guest.  Join us on a journey through the rich tapestry of life and wine with Juan Mercado, the founder and vintner at RIISE Wines. In episode 148, we'll uncork the story of how a tasting at All Seasons Cafe in Napa uncapped Juan's passion for high-end wines, propelling him from a collector to a pivotal player in the wine...

Welcome back to The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today in Episode 147 titled "Octavio," we uncork the life and passion of a man deeply rooted in the winemaking industry.  Joining us is the dedicated cellar master at Tooth and Nail Wine Company, and the indomitable spirit behind their success, Octavio Barrera Morales. From his original ambitions in mechanics to his inspiring journey in the vineyards of California, Octavio's tale is one of tenacity, family values,...

Welcome back to "The Black Wine Guy Experience," where your host MJ Towler takes you on a flavorful journey of wine, life, and laughter. In episode 146, we're joined by the effervescent John Coyle, a man as rich in stories as he is in his knowledge of wine.  Today, we're popping the cork on an array of topics; we'll dribble into tales of full-court basketball at Boston Garden and saunter through the vineyards of John's path from the hard streets of Roxbury to the eclectic essence of Venice,...

Welcome back to The Black Wine Guy Experience! In this episode, our host MJ Towler is joined by the incredible Karen MacNeil for a captivating conversation about the world of wine, writing, and media.  They delve into the dichotomy of delayed gratification in writing books versus the immediate feedback from digital media, and Karen's opposition to Dry January, advocating instead for moderation and the cultural significance of wine.  They share personal experiences, from the joys of working in...

Welcome to The Black Wine Guy Experience, where we explore the world of wine from unique and diverse perspectives. In this episode, our host, MJ Towler, is joined by the incredibly knowledgeable and passionate Danielle Callegari, a professor at Dartmouth College.  Together, they delve into a captivating discussion that covers a wide range of topics, from the complexities of Italian wines to academia and Dante's influence. Join us as we uncover the fascinating world of wine and the rich...

Welcome to The Black Wine Guy Experience. In this episode, our host MJ Towler, sits down with the remarkable Lisa Perotti-Brown, a true trailblazer in the world of wine. Lisa shares her extraordinary journey from a small town in Maine to becoming a Master of Wine and co-founding The Wine Independent.  Join us as Lisa discusses her experiences working with renowned wine critic Robert Parker and her mission to provide unbiased and quality wine criticism. From her early days in London's wine...

Welcome to The Black Wine Guy Experience, where captivating conversations about wine, music, and life take center stage.  In this episode, host MJ Towler welcomes Owen Bargreen. A clinical psychologist by day, Owen is a Level 2 Sommelier. He is the creator of OwenBargreen.com, where he exhibits his deep expertise in California, Oregon, and Washington wines.  Together, MJ and Owen dive into a wide range of topics, from the intriguing world of wine tasting and criticism to candid discussions...

In this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, host MJ Towler welcomes Kelsey Itämeri, the owner and winemaker of Ita Wines. Kelsey shares her fascinating journey from political campaign manager to reality TV production assistant, sales manager, and bartender before finding her passion for winemaking.  From challenging work environments to finding joy in making wine, Kelsey's story is one of resilience and determination. She discusses her experiences in the wine industry, including her...

In this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, host MJ Towler sits down with the inspiring Devyani Gupta, a remarkable figure in the wine industry. Devyani shares her journey, from working multiple jobs while pursuing her passion for winemaking in Walla Walla to her current role as a winemaker and viticulturist at Valdemar Estates.  Throughout the episode, she discusses her experiences, including her internships, mentorship programs, and dedication to making the wine industry more...

 Welcome back to The Black Wine Guy Experience! In this episode, our host, MJ Towler, is joined by the talented winemaker Brooke Robertson from Delmas Wines.  This engaging conversation covers a wide range of topics, from the significance of seeking knowledge and insights into the Walla Walla Valley's distinctive wine production to personal experiences in Napa Valley.  Brooke shares her journey into winemaking, her family's deep roots in the wine industry, and the challenges they faced in...

Welcome to The Black Wine Guy Experience! In today's episode, our host, MJ Towler, sits down with the extraordinary Stacy Buchanon, who delves deep into his diverse and captivating journey. From pioneering street team marketing for major corporations to venturing into the wine industry and creating the innovative "Blood of Gods" zine, Stacy's story is nothing short of enthralling. Stacy Buchanon was born in Walla Walla in 1980, where his family has been involved in wheat farming and barley...

In this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, host MJ Towler sits down with special guest Seth Kitze for an insightful and engaging conversation.  Seth grew up in the Yakima Valley, where wine grapes were just starting to gain popularity. Although there were only a few vineyards in the area, people were beginning to make quality wine. However, at that time, Washington state consumers were not as passionate about wine as they are today. Seth observed the growth of the wine industry and the...