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 scene t...
Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 37 min•Season 6Ep. 143
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 about t...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 41 min•Season 6Ep. 142
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 decisio...
Jan 08, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 6Ep. 141
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 inclusive. W...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 140
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 pursuing ...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Season 6Ep. 139
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 for g...
Dec 11, 2023•1 hr 29 min•Season 6Ep. 138
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 exp...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 53 min•Season 6Ep. 137
In today's episode, host MJ Towler delves into the fascinating world of wine creation with special guest Christophe Baron. Get ready to uncork your curiosity as we explore Christophe's innovative approach to crafting exceptional wines. In this episode, Christophe shares the story behind his vineyard's unique use of horsepower, paying homage to his ancestors who relied on draft horses in French vineyards. We learn about his experimentation with high-density planting, resulting in riper stems and ...
Nov 27, 2023•1 hr 33 min•Season 6Ep. 136
Welcome back to The Black Wine Guy Experience! In today's BONUS episode from "Wine 2 Wine," we have an exciting lineup of guests joining our host, MJ Towler. Get ready to dive into the world of wine with our special guests: Sofia, Hermione, Alice, Adam, and Michele. Michele, a director at a family-run wine importer and Italian wine ambassador, shares his expertise from Italy and the UK. We then shift gears and hear from Adam and Hermione, who are involved in publishing wine-related books. Join u...
Nov 24, 2023•1 hr 36 min
Welcome to The Black Wine Guy Experience! In this episode, host MJ Towler sits down with special guest Andy Peay, co-founder of Peay Vineyards, to have an in-depth conversation about wine, winemaking, and the unique journey that led Andy to where he is today. They dive into a wide range of topics, including Andy's background, his family's influence on his love for wine, the founding of Peay Vineyards, and the intricacies of winemaking on the West Sonoma Coast. From discussing sustainable food in...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr 39 min•Season 6Ep. 135
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! In today's episode, we have a special guest joining us, the incredible Chris Cottrell. Chris is a true wine industry enthusiast with a fascinating journey into the world of wine. From his humble beginnings as a shelf stocker, Chris has grown to become a respected figure in the industry. Join our host, MJ Towler, as they dive into Chris's experiences, starting with the unexpected job he found through Craigslist. They remin...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr 49 min•Season 6Ep. 134
Welcome to The Black Wine Guy Experience, where we dive deep into the world of taste and flavor. In today's episode, we have an exceptional guest, Mandy Naglish, a renowned food and beverage journalist, beer educator, and author. Mandy is here to share her expertise on tasting and exploring flavors and how they can truly enhance our life experience. MJ and Mandy delve into the fascinating realm of blind tasting, exploring how visual perception can influence taste perception. They discuss the imp...
Nov 01, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Season 6Ep. 133
Ladies and gentlemen, wine enthusiasts, and curious minds welcome to The Black Wine Guy Experience! In today's episode, "JM’shi Urban Wine Tribe," we dive deep into wine culture, diversity, and the relentless pursuit of creating and challenging oneself. Our host, MJ Towler, sits down with the incredible JM, a passionate wine influencer and content creator who believes that the wine industry lacks diversity and aims to create his own vibrant subculture within it. Join us as JM shares his vision o...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 44 min•Season 6Ep. 132
Welcome back to another episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today, we are thrilled to have an incredible guest joining us, Malek Amrani. Malek's story is a true testament to the power of perseverance and hard work. From his humble beginnings in Morocco to becoming a renowned figure in the wine industry, Malek has overcome countless obstacles to achieve success. In this episode, Malek takes us on a journey through his life, sharing his challenges, the pivotal m...
Oct 16, 2023•1 hr 41 min•Season 6Ep. 131
Welcome to The Black Wine Guy Experience! In this episode, a special guest joins MJ: the world-renowned hip-hop music producer, MC, and entrepreneur Will Tell. With an impressive roster of collaborations featuring artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan, and Daryl DMC McDaniels, Will has significantly impacted the music industry. But that's not all - he is also the CEO of the True Wine Connoisseurs Group and a board member of The Felix Organization. In this conversation, MJ and Will delv...
Oct 09, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Season 6Ep. 130
Welcome to another episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! In today's episode, titled "Celebrate Merlot," we have a fantastic lineup of guests joining our host, MJ Towler. Get ready to dive deep into the world of wine as we explore the fascinating journey of our speaker, who not only works for a winery but is fully invested in every aspect of its activities. Our speakers are true connoisseurs, from tasting and selling to discussing and learning. We'll discover how the art of winemaking is like...
Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Welcome to another episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience. In this installment, host MJ Towler sits down with the esteemed Glen Goodall, a well-respected and recognized wine journalist in Australia. Glen takes us on a journey through the world of winemaking in Margaret River, discussing everything from organic wines to the importance of diversity in the industry. He shares fascinating insights into his winemaking process, including using oak barrels and carefully blending parcels to create the...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 6Ep. 129
In this bonus episode, MJ welcomes two fantastic guests to the show: Carolina de Funes, the Manager of the Spanish Association of Garnacha and the Manager of the European Garnacha Grenache Quality Wines Program, and Eric Aracil, Associated Manager of the European Garnacha Grenache Quality Wines Program and Export Manager of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins du Roussillon Wines/CIVR. Together, they explore their passion for Grenache and share their expertise on this incredible grape variety...
Sep 18, 2023•39 min
Welcome to another exciting edition of The Black Wine Guy Experience newsletter. In this episode, host MJ Towler sits down with the brilliant Greg Ahn to delve into the captivating world of brand building and the impact of cultural influences on the wine industry. Get ready for an enlightening and thought-provoking discussion! Greg Ahn shares his incredible journey from the corporate world to the wine industry in the episode. With experience at Seagram and his own successful ventures, including ...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Season 6Ep. 128
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! In this episode, MJ sits down with the talented and passionate winemaker Marc Leahy from Dillon Cellars. With a background in various industries and a unique journey into the world of wine, Marc brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences to the table. Join us as we dive deep into the story of Dillon Cellars, Marc's winemaking philosophy, and the challenges and triumphs of being an entrepreneur in the wine industry. From...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 6Ep. 127
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today, we have a special treat for all you wine lovers out there. Joining us on the show are Beth and Justin Harmon, the dynamic duo behind Argot Wines. In today's episode, we dive deep into the world of Argot Wines and get to know Beth and Justin personally. We'll explore their journey from a successful career in the wine business to taking a leap of faith and running Argot full-time. As we ...
Aug 28, 2023•1 hr 34 min•Season 6Ep. 126
Welcome back to The Black Wine Guy Experience! In today's episode, titled "Hello Grappa Days Live Pt. 2," we dive deeper into the captivating world of Grappa. Our speaker, a seasoned bartender with over 15 years of experience, takes us on a journey through their remarkable career in the bartending industry. From starting at the only gay bar in Charlottesville, Virginia, to working at dive bars, clubs, Irish bars, beer bars, and wine bars, their expertise shines through their passion for mixology...
Aug 21, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 6Ep. 125
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! In today's episode, titled "Grappa Days Live Pt. 1," we dive into the world of grappa, a unique spirit distilled from grapes. As always, we have an incredible lineup of guests and stories lined up for you. First, our host extends his gratitude to a guest and shares the delightful experience of enjoying a drink with rosemary. Ice cubes in a glass add an extra layer of enjoyment for our guest, who also recounts the intrigui...
Aug 14, 2023•58 min•Season 6Ep. 124
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! In today's episode, we have a very special guest joining us: the one and only Barnaby Tuttle. Barnaby's journey into the world of wine began with a simple sip of Pinot Noir that captured his curiosity and ignited his passion. From there, he delved deep into the concept of terroir and embarked on a quest to expand his knowledge of wine. Barnaby's relentless pursuit of wine education took him from buying books and attending...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 6Ep. 123
On this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, host MJ Towler sits down with special guest Elizabeth Vianna to discuss the Stags Leap District in Napa Valley. Elizabeth highlights the unique geographical features of the area, which contribute to the district's exceptional wines. The episode also touches on personal experiences, such as feeling like an outsider during high school and finding solace in music and books. Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of finding a sense of belonging, which s...
Jul 31, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 6Ep. 122
On this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, MJ Towler sits down with guest Alex Baer, a winemaker who recently released his first Syrah wine as part of his portfolio. Baer shares that the wines are named after the vintage or the experiences he was going through. They also discuss Baer's health issues that threatened his ability to produce wine and how he took the time to reflect on his career and its toll on his body. Throughout the episode, Baer shares his journey in winemaking, including...
Jul 24, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 6Ep. 121
On this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, host MJ Towler is joined by a fantastic lineup of guests, including Seti, Mitchell Stuart, Matty, Josh, and Andrew. The episode dives deep into the world of music and its power in bringing people together. The discussion starts with a conversation about the brothers, Matty and Josh, and their ability to connect with audiences from diverse backgrounds. They explore the concept of world music, a unique sound created by combining the talents of Josh...
Jul 18, 2023•42 min•Season 6Ep. 120
On this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, MJ Towler invites Cris Cherry to share his insights and experiences in the wine industry. Cris, who is not religious but appreciates biblical references, discusses the importance of third-party certification to ensure accountability. Cris also highlights companies like Robert Hall, known for their conventional and regenerative blocks of wine production. The conversation delves into Cris's reflections on identity and perception and his belief that...
Jul 10, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 6Ep. 119
On this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, host MJ Towler dives deep into the world of music, sharing exciting updates and stories with guests Seti, Mitchell Stuart, Matty, Josh, and Andrew. The episode starts with discussing WFO’s first single, 'Such a beautiful day,' which has gained nearly 8 million views on YouTube. Guests share their experiences collaborating on new music, including Seti's boys, Maddie playing the acoustic guitar, and Josh singing, who impress the host with their tal...
Jul 03, 2023•55 min•Season 6Ep. 118
On this episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience, host MJ Towler interviews, Mark C. Adams. Mark shares his journey from working at Sony Pictures to becoming an assistant winemaker at Saxum and eventually starting his vineyard. He discusses the challenges of soil supplementation. He shares insights on the changes in the wine industry, the importance of soil quality and farming techniques, and his focus on creating Grenache-centric blends and varietal-driven wines. He gives his take on the relati...
Jun 26, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 6Ep. 117
