Wined Up

Another round of battles have and are being fought on the front lines of trying to do business in the Napa Valley. You may not know this but there is a HUGE anti-winery sentiment in the local Napa government entities, it seems the county offices in particular are leading that charge. As with most conflict it simply does not need to be this way... ARTICLES: Castle winery that outpaced visitor limit by 1,600% gets Napa County's blessing to keep pouring - https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/napa/winery-napa-visitor-tasting/ ‘It doesn't seem fair': Small Napa wineries fear local government could deal another blow to their survival - https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/wine-trade-tasting-napa-20216307.php Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com Blaire Payton Wines: www.blairepaytonwines.com

It has been a busy couple of months on the road and it looks like it is going to stay that way for many of us in the wine industry. There are some road blocks and misguided expectations that can easily derail some of these sales efforts. It isn't all just wine-ing and dining after all. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

It has been two crazy weeks on the road and getting through our rescheduled bottling run but WE ARE BACK!! So much has happened and so much has changed... or has it? Time to dive into the deep. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

200% increase on alcohol imports from the EU you say? Well... the industry has some thoughts let's distill them down, make a cocktail and try to sort it all out. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

Marketing is always this weird, amorphous thing. For each business it can mean something different. Certain tactics will work and others will fail miserably. Depending on your goals and the scale of your business there are more than a few things to consider, so let's dive into them.Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter)MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

Another crazy week in the world of wine news between M&A, layoffs pay-to-play schemes and much more. How is it possible that I am this positive and chipper about the situation we are in?Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter)BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.comUse code PREMIER for 20% off your first orderMTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

4:15.00 - What is this Premiere Napa Valley auction and event? Who attends and what is the money for?18:26.00 - What is the next big step for your wine brand? Do you have a particular goal that you are trying to achieve?28:50.00 - What are the repercussions of the bridge being out? Are the wines ok and are the winery operations still going as planned?31:58.00 - What is the deal with Cabernet Franc? It seems like it has gotten really popular but I don't get it?Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter)BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.comUse code PREMIER for 20% off your first order.MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

Back to the future with this episode. What else can a wine business do for you? Is the wine and the club or allocation enough? What more can be done to engage and support the folks that support us? Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.com Use code PREMIER for 20% off your first order. MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

Holy smokes it has been a week!! Bridges washing out (bottling is still the worst btw), wineries and tasting rooms closing, pet projects struggling with selling wine. What else can we dive into?Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter)BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.comUse code PREMIER for 20% off your first order.MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

A wine industry on the move! As the new year progresses there are all kinds of opinions and thoughts about where we as a wine region and industry are headed. Some points are well taken, others less so and some simply don't seem to be all that beneficial to consumers or the wineries involved. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.com Use code PREMIER for 20% off your first order. MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

4:08.00 - What is the excuse for bottling costs going up 30-40 % other than that is what the market will bear? It just seems excessive and like a lot of things maybe it can be based on inflation, supply chain issues, energy costs etc but when all of those goes down, the cost does not. 13:05.00 - What causes a winery to stop making a particular wine even if club members and fans love it? How does the focus shift from there? 21.12.00 - Although 100 % cabs are popular, have you thought of bottling a Bordeaux blend in which you combine your expertise around Merlot and Cab with smaller amounts of Petite Verdot/Malbec/Cab Franc?. Stated otherwise I thought ACV was brilliant in coming out with the Eloge years ago, why not you? 25:42.00 - After the 2024 grape market fall out what are wineries doing now prepare for the 2025 growing season and harvest? Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.com Use code PREMIER for 20% off your first order. MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

Barrels barrels every where and plenty of wine to go around! It was the 10th annual barrel trial tasting at Pine Ridge Vineyards this week and yours truly got an invite. Frankly it is now a new favorite event and provides an immense amount of insight into a winemaker's crazy brain. Let's dive in. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.com Use code PREMIER for 20% off your first order. MTGA Wines: www.mtgawines.com

Or has it? Recent remarks from the US Surgeon General have left the alcohol industry shaking in their boots (even though the WHO made similar statements two years ago). Are their flaws in their argument or is it time to jump on the wagon?

2024 is officially in the rearview mirror which means it is time to look forward to the new year. After a tumultuous year what is the industry looking forward to? How are we going to forge ahead, connect with wine lovers and ensure our businesses thrive?

2:36.00 - What are you, and maybe the industry, looking forward to in 2025? 9:57.00 - It sounds like wineries are regularly behind the 8 ball when it comes to planning and financial success, why is that? Is there a common thread between the tough year(s)? 27.04.00 - We are shopping for wine glasses, any suggestions? Should we invest in a decanter as well? What do you recommend? 35:05.00 - During this "slower" season what is going on in the cellar? What are you looking for in the wines? Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.com Use code PREMIER for 20% off your first order.

Boy was it. I might have rambled a bit more than usual but this year was a thing and despite the "doom and gloom" there's quite a lot to look forward to and be thankful for.

It feels like there is more doom and gloom around the industry these days. Slowing sales, increasing costs and what some are calling a neo-prohibitionist movement. With the 91st anniversary of the repeal of prohibition on December 5th 1933 now seems like a good time to try and tackle the issue. ARTICLE LINK - https://daily.sevenfifty.com/what-do-neo-prohibitionists-really-want/ Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.com Use code PREMIER for 20% off your first order.

Well folks, another year is almost in the books. It has been a wild ride and now we are setting our sights on 2025 and what the future holds. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.com Use code PREMIER for 20% off your first order. www.mtgawines.com Come find out what we are all about! Please be 21 years of age or older.

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and follow us on our social networks @mtgawines (YouTube, Instagram, The Book of Face and the Social Network Formerly Known as Twitter) BROUGHT TO YOU BY: www.premiercruclothing.com Use code PREMIER for 20% off your first order. 4:19.00 - On the most recent podcast you mention being a consultant for other wineries. You seemed passionate for the Missouri couple's wine and story but did not mention their name. Do consultants who also make their own wine generally not say who they are working for because they are at risk of cannibalizing their own wine sales. 12:18.00 - The current trend for wine in the $100-200 ranges tends to be to mention the vineyard the grapes are from or at least the appellation. Is there a reason you would not, for example, say which vineyard the Merlot is from or is the risk that may not have access to those grapes down the road? Would you not want to confuse your customers or, if the vineyard changes, imply that wine is not as good as in the past because of sourcing. 22:00.00 - Is the water flowing out of the light switch at the winery up to code? 23:00.00 - When a bunch of winemakers get together for a lunch, per your photo on instagram, what do you all talk about? 26:05.00 - With the tougher year in terms of sales how are wineries adjusting? Are there still new opportunities to be found or do you just have to "ride the wave" of the bad year and hold on until things rebound?

The road warrior returns! We are back after a few weeks of wine events around the country. How was it out there? What was the vibe? Are wine and alcohol sales still dipping? Is there a bright side? Let's answer all of those questions and more

5th Wednesday Bonus Episode! Let's get into what made the 2024 growing season special. How does it compare to past vintages and where are these wines going in the future?

4:14.00 - Why are there so many shipping issues with wine? Given the growth of DTC programs and wine clubs how has it not been figured out?12:00.00 - When wines are going into barrel after harvest how do you decide which wine goes in what barrel?19:03.00 - What is your honest opinion of the grape market going through rocky season?26:02.00 - Do you think that the Kansas wine shop stands a chance against Constellation and Meoimi? When could consumers start to see a change in how wines are listed or described?31:33.00 - Since you are working around family and other wines throughout harvest do you see a lot of cross over in terms of techniques and styles or do you all mostly keep to yourselves?EVENT TICKETS: https://www.mtgawines.com/shop

You read it right folks. Believe it or not Leawood Kansas is at the heart of a wine revolution.READ THE ARTICLE: https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/meiomi-pinot-noir-sugar-19811640.phpUPCOMING EVENT TICKETS: https://www.mtgawines.com/shop

Harvest is wrapping up and the wine making process is just getting started BUT there is a lot to consider as we continue to hone in our wine portfolio. How does that happen and what are our considerations? Let's dive in.

The more we talk about wineries and the wine industry being transparent the more we seem to run into folks that don't want to open that can of worms. Well too bad! We doing it anyway!

4:40.00 - How is the 2024 harvest looking thus far? Can we expect a good year? 10:00.00 - After your grape pricing episode how could that effect the price of wines when they hit the market? 24:03.00 - When we go wine tasting or when friends bring wine over for a gathering how can you politely tell someone you don't like a wine? 29:27.00 - On your instagram page you were making wine in what look like plastic bins, why not use stainless steel tanks or barrels? 34:23.00 - When deciding to harvest what are the main factors you are looking for? How do you decide when grapes are ready?Tickets to our upcoming events: www.mtgawines.com/shop

At the moment they seem to be in freefall. What is the cause and what will be the repercussions? All that and more is packed into this episode.

We are about one month in to the 2024 harvest season! What has happened thus far? What is still to come and what are us winemakers keeping an eye on this season?

03:35.00 - You mentioned different types of wood barrels - French, American, Hungarian, etc. You did a great job breaking the differences down between these. My question is that under these types of wood - like French Oak - are their different barrel types, construction materials, etc that make each French oak barrel different? And how do these things change the wine? 10:53.00 - We love the MTGA Pinot Gris at our house. You mentioned it was a 60/40 split on wood vs stainless aged (I think that was the ratio). Is the difference in the product coming out of these two aging methods a stark one? Or is it not as noticeable as you might think? 17:02.00 - Have you gotten a chance to experiment with a concrete amphora yet? I agree they sound like a pain to clean. Wondered if you had tried anything with those yet in the last year since that first episode aired. 20:38.00 - What effect will the Vintage Wine Estate bankruptcy have on the industry? 28:24.00 - After the "shopping for additives" episode why do you mention multiple items as being "okay" but you would not use them?

As one vintage comes to a close we begin again!

Part #4 of our wine additive conversation is here! Today we dive into an actual catalogue and company that supplies some of these "goodies" and what they can do for the wine industry.Laffort Website - https://laffort.com/en/ranges/specific-treatment/

02:58.00 - During a blending session if something isn't working or if you are not happy with a wine what can you do?11:01.00 - When shopping for wine how can you tell a wine is a "quality" product and not heavily processed or cheap?18:51.00 - Why is it that we can find some wines we like in a wine shop or at a place like Costco for cheaper than the winery?28:14.00 - Do you think Napa Cabernet Sauvignon will ever decline in popularity? It seems like there really isn't that much variety coming from Napa. https://napavintners.com/press/docs/napa_valley_fast_facts.pdf34:40.00 - You have mentioned that has been a slower year tourism-wise in Napa. How is that affecting the wineries? Are the finding success elsewhere?

Tough winemaking years (ie 2022, 2020, 2011 and so on) can create all kinds of challenges that ripple through the winemaking process. Even as we finalize wines from 2022 even the most talented winemakers can run into snags.

There is a long way to go but when it comes to figuring out exactly what is going into your wines we've seen an improvement! Hopefully it is the first of many dominos to fall. SOURCES: Napa Valley Vintner's & Wine Institute Press Release - https://napavintners.org/downloads/2024/Wine-Institute-EU-Nutrition-Ingredient-Labeling-FAQ-v3-4.29.24.pdf Accepted Additives per the EU - https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/C/2023/1190/oj

Have you ever wanted to listen in on a winemaker as the put together a wine for bottling? Now you can! Check out the full video on YouTube to not just hear but see the action: https://www.youtube.com/mtgawines

Wine phenolics and YOU. Let's dive into one of the major structural components of wine, where it comes from and how it is manipulated through harvest, fermentation and aging processes.

2:00.00 - Based on the travel episode what are your recommendations for those traveling to Napa? 15:15.00 - How do you think the 2024 growing season is going? 19:10.00 - Is there any incentive for wineries to start to disclose what additives actually go into their wines? 29:44.00 - For small businesses how do you market yourselves?

MILAN Trivé time - spritz Milan food & beverage corner bar Osteria Serafina - dinner Mercato CentraleGalleria Vittorio Emmanuelle Terrazza Aperol Castello Sforzesco Duomo - Milan Cathedral CiaoPizza GinO12 bar Rita's tiki room Canaletto Bistrot - dinner Gelateria FLORENCE Le Volpi e l'uva - wine bar Bacco Motto - wine bar Manifattura - Negroni bar Nugulo - dinner Rivareno Gelato Mercato Centrale - pizza spot Il Santino wine bar - Santo Spirito (fave spot) Vigna Nuova wine bar Trattoria dei 13 gobbi (wow) Lobby bar at 25Hours hotel (a vibe) Spritzes to go by Duomo Giostra - lunch and best pasta Bucchetta del Vino wine window Farmaceutica Della Santa Novella Signorvino - SMN Il Santino (again) All'antico Vennaio at train station SIENA Il Bocconcino - sandwiches (porchetta omg) Il Salotto del Vino - wine shop RADDA IN CHIANTICastellvecchi - stayed here Volpaia for dinner Enoteca casa in Porciatti

3:54.00 - Is the napa wine industry really in trouble? 11:46.00 - How can you tell what is actually going into a wine during the winemaking process? 15:47.00 - How do you find good wines in your local wine shops or restaurants? 18:53.00 - When working with grape growers how much control do you have over the growing and harvest seasons? 24:00.00 - When you have down time on the road what do you do? Find local wine bars or great wine lists to explore? 31:38.00 - For small producers entering new markets how do they do that? How do you end up on the road? How do they go about it, where has it been successful and what are the challenges?

A topic that comes up every, dare I say... generation? Same story, same issues same questions being asked yet no one is any closer to solving the problem at hand. Let's see if we can take a stab at it.

I think not. But the jury appears to be out on this issue.Article - https://punchdrink.com/articles/new-california-wine/

Apparently there are wineries out there picking their own poison (almost literally) when it comes to destroying their brand image. Let's get into how that happens, how wineries manifest that mentality and why it is going to be their downfall.

4:20.00 - How is success on the road measured for wineries?13:12.00- With a slower start to 2024 in terms of visitors to Napa how are wineries impacted? What are they doing to adapt?18:18.00 - After a big harvest season how does that impact future years and harvests?25:25.00 - What is the deal with the additive that was posted on Instagram that doesn't have to be labeled?

I really wish more would. After a riveting conversation in the cellar it is time to dive back into the world of wine additives, what is really involved in modern winemaking and why so many feel the need to hide this information.UPCOMING TASTING EVENTSKansas City and St Louis, snag your tickets - www.mtgawines.com/shopOUR WINE BY THE NUMBERSLearn more here - https://www.mtgawines.com/wine-by-the-numbers

2:30.00 - What are the causes of Napa being "slower," as you've mentioned, in recent shows?11:07.00 - Are you seeing any generational differences in wine consumers that are having and effect on the wine business?23:20.00 - What is the solution to Napa's homogenization? Is there one? - 31:43.00 - When you travel for wine how do you end up in these cities and at these events?

Are they? This topic has surfaced once again after recent social media remarks after Premiere Napa Valley and online articles. The verdict still seems to be out but let's not kid ourselves... the advent of the consulting winemaker may have done more harm that good for the Napa wine industry.Karen MacNeil Premiere Instagram postW Blake Grey - Napa's Big Decision: Style or Substance?Atelier Melka

If you have a reliable crystal ball we would love to use it! There has been a plethora, nay a cornucopia, of INTENSE futuristic conversations over the last two weeks. What is the verdict you ask? Well, let's chat about it.

The last week and half has been an absolute blur! Between Premiere Napa Valley, industry hangs, dinners and bottling runs we have been getting after it. With all the wine-ing and dining comes perspective as well as some intrusive thoughts that must be sorted out.

3:24.00 - After the grape pricing break down how can you make wines of a certain pricepoint? Is it possible to target that and make it work? 9:07.00 - What is the driving force behind Napa grape prices rising so dramatically? 17.44.00 - When preparing to purchase grapes when does that conversation happen? What is the conversation like when negotiating a grape contract or price you are going to pay?22:00.00 - Why would a winery decide to distribute their wine or not?34:04.00 - Are the new wines in the cellar from 2023 still on the "vintage of the decade path?"

Into the inner sanctum of the wine industry: what it costs for our grapes! Each year we get a lovely report that dives directly into the California wine grape market and how it is going to impact our bottom line. For all you stat nerds like me out there here is the link to the USDA/CDFA grape reports going all the way back to 1976:https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/Publications/Specialty_and_Other_Releases/Grapes/Crush/Reports/index.php

Questions 1 - 33:43.00What is the main focus of the "slow" season in the cellar?When you are barrel tasting young wines what are you looking for?What is going on in your barrels right now?19:04.00Before bottling what is the last chance you have to make adjustments to a wine?31:07.00For the health-conscious crowd what are your thoughts on low-alcohol or zero alcohol wines? What are the things we should look out for?