Podcast appearances and mentions of michael skurnik wines

This episode features Steven Meir, the founder of Bon Vin Selections. He grew up in Atlanta and graduated from the University of Georgia, but he got his start in the hospitality and fine dining industry when he moved to Vail, CO after college. His wine journey later took him to New York City in 2006 where he began working as a sommelier in fine dining restaurants including Babbo, Daniel, and Jean-Georges. With an opportunity to later move into distribution, he worked at Michael Skurnik Wines from 2009-2021 as a Manhattan-based sales rep. We talk about the skills he gained in these various roles and what eventually led him to moving back to Atlanta in 2021 to begin building his own wine distribution brand. Steven officially launched Bon Vin Selections in March 2022, and since then he's been building his brand and connecting with the Atlanta wine community in a very impactful way. We discuss some of the challenges of wine distribution related to laws and regulations in the state of Georgia, but we also talk about why it's such an exciting time to bring new suppliers into the Georgia market. You can follow @bonvinselections on social media to learn more about Steven's wines, producers, and tasting events, and you can check out www.bonvinselections.com for information about his portfolio. Recorded November 19, 2022 This episode is generously sponsored by Diane Carpenter and Ross Knoll Vineyard: https://www.dianecarpenter.org/wines --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/acorkintheroad/support

This week on In the Drink, host Joe Campanale is joined in the studio by Michael Skurnik. In 1977, after graduating from UMass Amherst, Michael took a waiter’s job at Windows on the World while he waited to land a “real job.” He progressed quickly to sommelier and had the opportunity to taste thousands of wines from their extensive cellars. Michael left Windows in 1980 to work on the distribution side of the business. In 1987, he founded Michael Skurnik Wines (now just simply Skurnik Wines) in order to bring in a few boutique wineries from California and the rest is history. The business grew rapidly and now Skurnik Wines represents a host of wineries from California, Oregon, Washington, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary and even New Mexico and Israel!

This week on In the Drink, Joe Campanale is joined by Doug Polaner of Polaner Selections. Doug got the wine bug in 1985 while studying abroad in Paris. Though, after graduating from college the following year and moving to NY City, wine remained a background hobby while he slugged it out on Madison Avenue working for several Ad Agencies. Eventually, the wine bug won out, and he started selling wine in 1991 for Excelsior Wine & Spirits, and later, in 1993, for Michael Skurnik Wines. It wasn’t until 1999 that Doug, along with his soon-to-be wife and business partner, Tina Fischer, started Polaner Selections. “It was our first child, literally and figuratively”, says Fischer. Though starting in an already crowded marketplace, the company knew it had to stand out to be relevant, and the couple worked hard to create a progressive and cutting-edge portfolio. Fortunately, success came early, and the company was recognized in Decanter Magazine as one of NY’s up-and-comers, and soon thereafter, as “Importer of the Year” in Food & Wine Magazine in 2003. Today, Polaner Selections employs 35 people, selling wine throughout New York and New Jersey. The portfolio includes such luminaries as Giacomo Conterno, Fattoria di Fèlsina, Jerome Prevost, Domaine Huet, Littorai and Arnot-Roberts, among others.​ This program was brought to you by Michter’s. “It’s less about blending now and more about single vintage, single vineyard wines.. they differ year to year but that’s what makes wine great!” [20:00] “I think champagne is a super exciting region right now.” [20:00] –Doug Polaner on In the Drink

At the time of this interview, Kevin Pike was the National Sales Director for Michael Skurnik Wines, a national importer and distributor.

This week on In the Drink, Joe Campanale is joined by mixologist/bartender Adam Schuman, formerly of Fatty Cue and currently with Michael Skurnik Wines. Adam explains how he found his way to the bar after seeking out a career in the kitchen and how it’s worked out so well for him. Hear how savory tastes have been playing into drinks and find out what drinks and wines are exciting Adam lately. Adam and Joe talk about everything from Calavados to Riesling and gives listeners the inside track on fall drinks and beverage trends. This program was sponsored by White Oak Pastures. “When I approach cocktails, it’s the same as I would food. You use a base of ingredients and recipes that are tried and true and finding the delicate balance between sweet, sour and savory.” [3:35] “As the American public becomes more informed on flavors, you’re seeing savory pop up more. People love spice, and salt and exotic ingredients.” [5:38] “What doesn’t sound good about apple, cognac, ginger and calvados. These are flavors that warm my loins!” [21:58] –Adam Schuman of Michael Skurnik Wines on In the Drink

Legendary wine importer and distributor Michael Skurnik stops by the show to share stories from his time as a sommelier at Windows on the World and his 25-year old, landmark company Michael Skurnik Wines.