Beats Vines and Life

MJ Towler aka the Black Wine Guy went from a totally obsessed wine newbie to the world's first-ever African-American fine and rare wine auctioneer in less than 3 years.

These days, he is a podcaster and journalist who travels the globe, having conversations with the movers, shakers, and disruptors in the worlds of food, wine, music, and more.

This show pairs his passion for complex, interesting wines with complex, interesting guests. These are deep thinkers and Mavericks talking about their passions, life lessons, and inspirations - while drinking a bottle of something listeners will definitely want to savor for themselves.

Sit back, listen, learn, and laugh. This is Beats Vines and Life.

For more information and exclusive content, go to beatsvinesandlife.com

Follow MJ on IG

@blackwineguy

@beatsvinesandlife

Podcast produced by Marvin J. Towler

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last refreshed: July 3rd, 2025 at 1:06 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

I’m not your Negroni! Riffing on Meaningful Moments in Wine and Jazz with James Molesworth

MJ’s guest this week is Senior Editor at Wine Spectator Magazine, James Molesworth. He’s a lead taster for California Cabernet, France’s Bordeaux and Rhone Valley regions and Port. James is a Negroni aficionado. James gives a first hand account of the California wildfire devastation from his recent trip to Napa Valley. They discuss the benefits of blind tasting, wine scores and why James has never given a 100. James and MJ share their passion for vinyl. James shares some of his favorite Jazz mom...

Oct 28, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 4

How to Leave a Three Star Michelin Restaurant w/ Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson.

MJ’s guest is Dustin Wilson, Master Sommelier who is best known for his position as Wine Director of the 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, Eleven Madison Park. MJ has a lively discussion with Dustin about everything from his big decision to leave the restaurant business to an insane 75 wine vertical tastings and the controversies currently facing the Court of Master Sommeliers. So many brilliant wine moments and life lessons from a Master Somm. A huge thank you to Dusin Wilson @dustinwilsonsonms Fo...

Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Your Palate is Valid! Teaching People How to Taste, Enjoy and Buy Great (not necessarily expensive!) Wines with Shakera Jones.

MJ’s guest is Shakera Jones of BlackGirlsDinetoo.com, Somm TV personality and is featured in the upcoming Somm 4 film. This is a must listen as MJ and Shakera discuss how a Michael Jackson Pepsi commercial moment led to her very own show on SOMM TV, her issue with some celebrity wines and why it matters whose palates are considered valid. They drink champagne, share fried chicken recipes and share their passions for Spanish wines. Get your pen and paper ready. You will want to take notes for thi...

Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Tariffs Suck! Bringing Delicious European Wines to the People with Mary Taylor.

MJ’s guest is Mary Tayor of Mary Taylor Wines. Mary runs a modern day wine import company that is all about bringing broader awareness of the history and culture of incredible European wines to the masses at reasonable prices! They have a lively discussion about everything from her early days as a cheesemonger to her passion for working with small, organic, sustainable growers. There are literary debates (Emerson vs Thoreau!) and heroic tales from Mary’s time testifying against tariffs in front ...

Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Show Trailer

Hello! I am MJ Towler aka the Black Wine Guy. Welcome to my podcast. This is a show for those who thirst. Thirst for greatness in themselves, thirst for knowledge of how to be, live and think better. And those who thirst for that intangible something more … Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 20, 2020•57 sec

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