Road to Wine Expert

Follow Road to Wine Expert
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Join host Brian McCann on his journey to wine expertise as he interviews personalities throughout the wine world including Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, influencers, writers, authors, podcasters and other wine professionals.

Brian McCann

  • Jan 1, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
  • monthly NEW EPISODES
  • 42m AVG DURATION
  • 25 EPISODES


Search for episodes from Road to Wine Expert with a specific topic:

Latest episodes from Road to Wine Expert

Rich Frank - Founder of Frank Family Vineyards

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2021 29:38


We're back. Season 3 kicks off with Rich Frank, founder of Frank Family Vineyards. We talk about the challenges of making wine when you're starting out, facing fires and dealing with a pandemic.

The Wine World Has a Sexual Harassment Problem

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 6:48


Warning: This Episode May Be Sensitive for Some Listeners. It is my reaction to the recent New York Times Article: The Wine World’s Most Elite Circle Has a Sexual Harassment Problem

James Cluer - On What It Means To Be A Wine Expert and Starting a Wine Business

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2020 42:25


I revisit my interview with James Cluer MW, founder of Fine Vintage. We discuss starting a wine education business, becoming an MW and what it means to be a "wine expert."

Napa and Sonoma: Travel Tips for Your First Wine Trip

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 34:53


Travel tips for your first trip to Napa or Sonoma. Support California winemakers and consider donating to those affected by wildfires.

Cal Fussman - Revisited - The Unedited Original Interview

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 64:32


To kick off Season 2, we return to one of my all-time favorite interviews. It's Cal Fussman again with never-heard audio from the original interview.

Erica Blumenthal and Nikki Huganir - Yes Way Rosé

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2019 28:14


Hear the origin story of Yes Way Rosé, the lifestyle brand that started as a fun inside joke between friends and co-founders Erica Blumenthal and Nikki Huganir.

Steve De Long - De Long Wine - Wine Maps and Wine Grape Varietal Table

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2019 43:06


Steve De Long is the creator of the Wine Grape Varietal Table, which is a lot like the Periodic Table for wine. He also makes some of the best wine maps in the industry today. To learn how he got started with an idea in a bar, listen to our chat.

Randy Smith - The Wine Writer - Covering Central Coast Wineries and Winemakers

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2019 30:50


Randy Smith is behind the amazing wine blog The Wine Write. He profiles people throughout the wine industry with a focus on producers in California's Central Coast region.

George Taber - The Judgement of Paris

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2019 36:41


George Taber was the only reporter on the scene for the 1976 Paris Tasting. His coverage and original 3 paragraph article in TIME would spread the news of the surprising result of the event.

Richard Hemming - Master of Wine - Writer, Consultant and Educator

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2019 35:13


Richard Hemming is a Master of Wine, talented wine writer and arguably one of YouTube's best wine musicians. Learn about his wine journey and how he got his start writing for Jancis Robinson.

Thomas Monroe - Division Winemaking Company - @winestache

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2019 38:23


Thomas Monroe went from the land of cubes to Portland. Learn how he transformed from working in the finance world to the wine world with a trip to France that would serve as inspiration for Division Winemaking Company, based in Portland, Oregon.

Richard Betts - Scratch and Sniff Guides - Sombra, Astral, An Approach to Relaxation, My Essential Wine - @yobetts

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2019 46:17


Richard Betts is an author, a winemaker, a spirits maker and all-around righteous dude. He also passed the MS Exam on his first attempt (like I said, righteous). Hear his story and how he keeps up with his hectic schedule.

Elliott Clark - Apartment Bartender - @apartment_bartender on Instagram

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2019 61:31


Elliot Clark, aka @apartmentbartender on Instagram, left a 9-to-5 while pursuing his passion for cocktails. He's turned his Instagram feed into a full-time job and offers tips and advice for others looking to do the same.

Ray Fister - Life Between The Vines

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2019 46:05


Ray Fister found a way to combine his love for wine with his talents of audio engineering. He created the podcast and video content of Life Between The Vines which showcases many of the talented winemakers in our industry.

Elizabeth Schneider - Wine for Normal People

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2019 45:37


Elizabeth Schneider, host of Wine for Normal People, joins me to talk about her journey into wine. One class would lead to the podcast that has influenced so many in the wine community.

Wanda Mann - The Black Dress Traveler

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2019 34:38


Wanda Mann, aka The Black Dress Traveler, joins me on this episode of the Road To Wine Expert. With over ten years of experience in wine writing, Wanda talks about finding her voice and her own journey towards becoming a wine expert.

James Cluer - Master of Wine and Founder of Fine Vintage Ltd.

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2019 34:39


James Cluer is the founder of Fine Vintage Ltd., the Approved Program Provider for my WSET Level 1 course. Thanks to James and his amazing team, I've continued my journey on wine eduction. We sat down to chat about how he created Fine Vintage and his thoughts on becoming a wine expert.

Wine Education - 6 Different Wine Experts Share Their Opinions and Journeys

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2019 32:20


For this installment of the Road to Wine Expert, we talk wine education with Elizabeth Schneider, Richard Hemming, Wanda Mann, James Cluer, Hillary Zio and Richard Betts. We gather diverse opinions to talk about their personal experience with wine certifications and educational organizations including WSET, Court of Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine and Certified Specialist of Wine.

Brian McCann - Time to Flip the Script

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2019 64:16


Talia Goodman, Podcast Manager, flips the script and puts me in the hot seat. Hit play to hear the early parts of my personal journey to wine expertise including WSET, Intro Somm and my first wine job at Vin Chicago.

Bianca Bosker - Author of Cork Dork

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2019 57:10


Bianca Bosker sits down to discuss the journey that would become her acclaimed book Cork Dork, New York Times bestseller and Winner of 2018 M.F.K. Fisher Award for Excellence in Culinary Writing. We unpack how she worked her way through the wine world and became a wine expert.

Chappy Cottrell - Host of Cru Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2019 67:43


Chappy Cottrell is a marketer, podcaster, and wine enthusiast. He studied fermentation science at Appalachian State University while working at a family owned winery in Boone, North Carolina. He is also the host and producer of Cru Podcast, a weekly wine podcast where he interviews influential wine professionals in order to share their stories.

Hillary Zio - @hillaryzio and Author of The Unfiltered Guide to Working in Wine

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2019 49:21


Hillary Zio is the author of The Unfiltered Guide to Working in Wine, which I consider a fundamental book for anyone thinking about starting a career in wine or looking to change career paths within the industry. In her book, Hillary documents her journey and provides plenty of tips to help you get on the fast track for wine success. We dive into that and more in this episode.

Yannick Benjamin - Sommelier, Founder of Wheeling Forward and Star of Uncorked

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2019 44:42


Yannick Benjamin is a master of the art of the hustle. Between working the floor and working for his non-profit, Wheeling Forward, Yannick uncovers the tips and tricks that got him to where he is in his wine career.

Chel Petras - @chelloveswine on Instagram

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2019 27:48


It's Chel Petras, aka @chelloveswine on Instagram. We chat about how she started building her social following, connecting with brands and fans, and learning more about wine.

Cal Fussman - Big Questions and Cocktails Before the Collapse

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2019 55:52


We dive deep with Cal Fussman to uncover how he became Sommelier for one night at Windows on the World atop the World Trade Center.

Claim Road to Wine Expert

In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

Claim Cancel