Go With Your Palate

Joe Wagner
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Joe Wagner, 5th Generation Winemaker, presents the podcast "Go With Your Palate." A podcast about wine, entrepreneurship, and whatever the F else. So buckle up - this isn't your normal wine podcast. 

  1. 1d ago ·  Video

    E104 Matt Heil Vineyard Update | Joe Wagner

    Harvest started in JULY?! And apparently, the robots are coming for the vineyards... and maybe a few other things. 🤖🍇 Our resident vineyard mastermind Matt Heil returns for a firsthand look at Harvest 2026—from promising fruit and age-old winemaking traditions to UV-C technology, AI, and a wine draft featuring the varietals and regions worth watching. Old-school traditions. New-school technology. One wild vintage. 🍷 🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Harvest 2026 | Matt Heil, Vineyard Innovations & the Future of Wine It's harvest season, baby! 🍇 We're bringing back one of our favorite familiar faces, Matt Heil—Director of Fruit Supply & Grower Relations at Copper Cane Wine & Spirits, resident vineyard mastermind, and the man who helps find the grapes behind some of your favorite bottles of Belle Glos and Quilt. With Harvest 2026 underway, Matt joins Joe and Fat Mario for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most exciting, unpredictable, and downright demanding times of the year in wine country. From an unusually early start to harvest (we're talking JULY!) to the challenges, surprises, and promising fruit shaping this year's vintage, the boys give us a firsthand look at what goes into making a great bottle long before it ever reaches your glass. We explore the fascinating intersection of old-school winemaking traditions and cutting-edge vineyard technology—from the annual Blessing of the Grapes to UV-C machines helping combat vineyard pathogens, the rise of AI and robotics, and the age-old question of whether technology could ever replace the instincts of a seasoned vineyard expert. Let's just say the conversation takes a few unexpected turns when Joe discovers some of the more... personal applications of modern robotics. 🤖😂 We also pull back the curtain on Copper Cane's immersive harvest experience, where members of the wine industry trade their usual routines for a hands-on journey from dirt to bottle. It's a reminder of the incredible people, craftsmanship, and hard work behind every glass—and why experiencing harvest firsthand can completely change the way you appreciate wine. And because we couldn't resist a little friendly competition, it's time for the 2026 Vintage Draft! Joe and Matt put their wine knowledge to the test, making their picks for standout varietals, exciting California regions, and the under-the-radar grapes they believe deserve a spot in your future cellar. Fat Mario, naturally, assumes the highly questionable role of draft commissioner. It's tradition meets innovation, vineyard wisdom meets a little technological madness, and a whole lot of laughs with two guys who live and breathe the world of wine. Whether you're a lifelong cork dork, an aspiring vino geek, or simply curious about what really happens before your favorite bottle hits the shelf, consider this your backstage pass to Harvest 2026. The grapes are coming in, the future is looking bright, and the robots are apparently getting a little too comfortable. 🍷🍇🤖

    E104 Matt Heil Vineyard Update | Joe Wagner

  2. Sep 17 ·  Video

    E103 Jess Pryles pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    Think you know how to cook a steak? Jess Pryles might make you question everything.  Hardcore Carnivore creator and meat science expert Jess Pryles joins us to break down beef grading, perfect sears, meat myths, overlooked cuts, and the surprising similarities between tasting great wine and great meat.  Science. Fire. Wine. And a little bit of bullsh*t-busting. 🥩🔥🍷 🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Jess Pryles | Meat Science, Myth Busting & Cooking Like You Mean It This week, we’re joined by Jess Pryles - creator of Hardcore Carnivore, meat science expert, author, live-fire cook, entrepreneur, and judge on Food Network’s Pitmasters. Originally from Australia and now based in Texas, Jess went from being intimidated by the meat counter herself to becoming one of the most trusted and influential voices in the world of barbecue and meat education. We dive headfirst into the science behind what actually makes great meat great - from how beef is graded in the U.S. to aging, sourcing, fat, doneness, and whether some of the “rules” we’ve all been taught about cooking steak deserve to be thrown straight into the fire. Jess also helps us rethink the perfect sear, bust a few meat myths, and somehow sends Fat Mario down a rabbit hole involving an old-school Mexican meat-drying technique that may or may not have inspired thoughts of a giant magnifying glass. Do not try this at home. 😂🔥 One of our favorite parts of the conversation is discovering just how much wine and meat have in common. Joe and Jess compare tasting panels, quality, craftsmanship, terroir and technique, and why sometimes the most interesting flavors come from the overlooked cuts - or varietals - you weren’t expecting to love. The deeper you go, the more you realize both worlds reward curiosity over rules. We also get into Jess’s journey from one life-changing encounter with Texas barbecue to building the Hardcore Carnivore brand, judging elite pitmasters, navigating the wild world of Meat TikTok, and swapping a few hunting stories along the way. And with her new book Prime Cuts arriving this October, Jess gives us a glimpse into what more than 15 years of studying meat has taught her about buying smarter, wasting less, and understanding what’s really on our plate. Whether you’re a backyard grill warrior, certified carnivore, wine geek, or someone who just wants to stop ruining expensive steaks, this one is packed with knowledge, laughs, and plenty of reasons to fire up the grill. Pour something good. Light the fire. And cook meat like you mean it. 🥩🔥🍷 📚 Look for Jess’s new book: Prime Cuts - October 6, 2026 🔥 Follow Jess / Hardcore Carnivore: @jesspryles

    E103 Jess Pryles pt 2 | Joe Wagner

  3. Sep 10 ·  Video

    E103 Jess Pryles | Joe Wagner

    Think you know how to cook a steak? Jess Pryles might make you question everything.  Hardcore Carnivore creator and meat science expert Jess Pryles joins us to break down beef grading, perfect sears, meat myths, overlooked cuts, and the surprising similarities between tasting great wine and great meat.  Science. Fire. Wine. And a little bit of bullsh*t-busting. 🥩🔥🍷 🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Jess Pryles | Meat Science, Myth Busting & Cooking Like You Mean It This week, we’re joined by Jess Pryles - creator of Hardcore Carnivore, meat science expert, author, live-fire cook, entrepreneur, and judge on Food Network’s Pitmasters. Originally from Australia and now based in Texas, Jess went from being intimidated by the meat counter herself to becoming one of the most trusted and influential voices in the world of barbecue and meat education. We dive headfirst into the science behind what actually makes great meat great - from how beef is graded in the U.S. to aging, sourcing, fat, doneness, and whether some of the “rules” we’ve all been taught about cooking steak deserve to be thrown straight into the fire. Jess also helps us rethink the perfect sear, bust a few meat myths, and somehow sends Fat Mario down a rabbit hole involving an old-school Mexican meat-drying technique that may or may not have inspired thoughts of a giant magnifying glass. Do not try this at home. 😂🔥 One of our favorite parts of the conversation is discovering just how much wine and meat have in common. Joe and Jess compare tasting panels, quality, craftsmanship, terroir and technique, and why sometimes the most interesting flavors come from the overlooked cuts - or varietals - you weren’t expecting to love. The deeper you go, the more you realize both worlds reward curiosity over rules. We also get into Jess’s journey from one life-changing encounter with Texas barbecue to building the Hardcore Carnivore brand, judging elite pitmasters, navigating the wild world of Meat TikTok, and swapping a few hunting stories along the way. And with her new book Prime Cuts arriving this October, Jess gives us a glimpse into what more than 15 years of studying meat has taught her about buying smarter, wasting less, and understanding what’s really on our plate. Whether you’re a backyard grill warrior, certified carnivore, wine geek, or someone who just wants to stop ruining expensive steaks, this one is packed with knowledge, laughs, and plenty of reasons to fire up the grill. Pour something good. Light the fire. And cook meat like you mean it. 🥩🔥🍷 📚 Look for Jess’s new book: Prime Cuts - October 6, 2026 🔥 Follow Jess / Hardcore Carnivore: @jesspryles

    E103 Jess Pryles | Joe Wagner

  4. Sep 3 ·  Video

    E102 Will Marcencia pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    Everyone said local radio was dying. Will Marcencia decided it was worth fighting for. The man behind Napa Valley’s KVYN The Vine, KVON MegaMix, and Wine Down Media finally steps out from behind the microphone to talk community, representation, entrepreneurship—and why local voices matter now more than ever. Local radio. Local voices. One big Napa heart. 📻🍷 🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Will Marcencia | Local Radio, Big Heart & Keeping Napa Connected This week, we’re keeping it local with one of Napa Valley’s own Local Legends—Will Marcencia, owner and operator of hometown radio stations KVYN The Vine & KVON MegaMix, and co-founder of Wine Down Media alongside his wife, Julissa. In a world becoming more digital by the day, Will has built his career around something refreshingly human: making sure local stories, local businesses, and local voices still have a place to be heard—in both English and Spanish. We turn the microphone around on the guy who’s usually running the show and dive into Will’s journey through radio, entrepreneurship, and the community he calls home. He shares the story behind expanding Spanish-language radio in Napa Valley and recognizing just how important representation and accessible local information can be—especially when a community needs it most. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes radio isn’t just entertainment; it’s a lifeline and a neighbor. We also get a peek behind the curtain at what it takes to keep local media thriving in the age of streaming, social media, podcasts, and AI—and why Will continues betting on the power of community when so much of the world seems to be betting against it. From supporting local businesses and nonprofits to amplifying the people who make Napa Napa, his philosophy is pretty simple: community still matters. And because this is Go With Your Palate, Will certainly didn’t show up empty-handed—literally. Let’s just say he brought a couple of very Napa-approved surprises to share, and somewhere along the way we also discovered that if this whole radio thing doesn’t work out, Will may have a suspiciously good future narrating true-crime podcasts. 🔪🎙️😂 It’s local entrepreneurship, representation, media, community, plenty of laughs, and a great conversation with someone who’s spent years giving everyone else a voice. Now it’s Will’s turn. Tune in, pour something local, and meet one of the people helping keep the heartbeat of Napa Valley on the air. 🍷📻❤️

    E102 Will Marcencia pt 2 | Joe Wagner

  5. Aug 27 ·  Video

    E102 Will Marcencia | Joe Wagner

    Everyone said local radio was dying. Will Marcencia decided it was worth fighting for. The man behind Napa Valley’s KVYN The Vine, KVON MegaMix, and Wine Down Media finally steps out from behind the microphone to talk community, representation, entrepreneurship—and why local voices matter now more than ever. Local radio. Local voices. One big Napa heart. 📻🍷 🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Will Marcencia | Local Radio, Big Heart & Keeping Napa Connected This week, we’re keeping it local with one of Napa Valley’s own Local Legends—Will Marcencia, owner and operator of hometown radio stations KVYN The Vine & KVON MegaMix, and co-founder of Wine Down Media alongside his wife, Julissa. In a world becoming more digital by the day, Will has built his career around something refreshingly human: making sure local stories, local businesses, and local voices still have a place to be heard—in both English and Spanish. We turn the microphone around on the guy who’s usually running the show and dive into Will’s journey through radio, entrepreneurship, and the community he calls home. He shares the story behind expanding Spanish-language radio in Napa Valley and recognizing just how important representation and accessible local information can be—especially when a community needs it most. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes radio isn’t just entertainment; it’s a lifeline and a neighbor. We also get a peek behind the curtain at what it takes to keep local media thriving in the age of streaming, social media, podcasts, and AI—and why Will continues betting on the power of community when so much of the world seems to be betting against it. From supporting local businesses and nonprofits to amplifying the people who make Napa Napa, his philosophy is pretty simple: community still matters. And because this is Go With Your Palate, Will certainly didn’t show up empty-handed—literally. Let’s just say he brought a couple of very Napa-approved surprises to share, and somewhere along the way we also discovered that if this whole radio thing doesn’t work out, Will may have a suspiciously good future narrating true-crime podcasts. 🔪🎙️😂 It’s local entrepreneurship, representation, media, community, plenty of laughs, and a great conversation with someone who’s spent years giving everyone else a voice. Now it’s Will’s turn. Tune in, pour something local, and meet one of the people helping keep the heartbeat of Napa Valley on the air. 🍷📻❤️

    E102 Will Marcencia | Joe Wagner

  6. Aug 20 ·  Video

    E101 Marshall Tilden III pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    What if knowing more about wine actually made you take it LESS seriously? Marshall Tilden III—President of Wine Express and Wine Education at Wine Enthusiast—joins us to break down Old World vs. New World, how to taste and recognize the qualities of a good wine, and why making wine more approachable might be exactly what the industry needs. Serious wine knowledge. Zero wine snobbery. 🍷 🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Marshall Tilden III | Serious Wine Knowledge Without the Serious Wine Attitude This week, we’re joined by Marshall Tilden III, DWS, CSW—President of Wine Express and Wine Education at Wine Enthusiast, longtime wine educator, writer, and one of those rare people who can bring some seriously impressive wine credentials to the table without making you feel like you need a dictionary just to order a glass. With nearly two decades at Wine Enthusiast, a WSET Diploma, CSW certification, and a career dedicated to helping people better understand—and actually enjoy—wine, Marshall is exactly the kind of voice the industry needs right now. We dive into Marshall’s journey from an upbringing that was a little English by name, Italian by experience, to discovering his passion for wine and eventually becoming an influential leader and educator in the industry. Along the way, we pull back the curtain on Wine Enthusiast, the work happening behind the scenes to educate and welcome the next generation of wine lovers, and Marshall’s own mission to help take some of the pretentiousness out of wine culture. Then we get properly cork-dorky: Old World vs. New World, why Americans tend to talk about wine by grape while Europeans often talk about place, wine scores, regions, varietals, and what actually matters when choosing a bottle. Because with all the rules, ratings, terminology, and traditions surrounding wine, sometimes the most important question is still the simplest: Do you actually enjoy what's in your glass? And because this is Go With Your Palate, education never means taking ourselves too seriously. Marshall brings the knowledge, Joe brings the winemaker perspective, Fat Mario brings... whatever Fat Mario brings—and somewhere along the way, a wine masterclass turns into exactly the kind of conversation we love having. Whether you're a seasoned vino geek, an aspiring cork dork, or someone who still picks a bottle because the label looks cool, there’s a seat at the table for you. Pour what you like, ask the questions, and leave the wine snobbery at the door. 🍷🤓 📍 Follow Marshall: @westchesterwine

    E101 Marshall Tilden III pt 2 | Joe Wagner

  7. Aug 13 ·  Video

    E101 Marshall Tilden III | Joe Wagner

    What if knowing more about wine actually made you take it LESS seriously? Marshall Tilden III—President of Wine Express and Wine Education at Wine Enthusiast—joins us to break down Old World vs. New World, how to taste and recognize the qualities of a good wine, and why making wine more approachable might be exactly what the industry needs. Serious wine knowledge. Zero wine snobbery. 🍷 🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Marshall Tilden III | Serious Wine Knowledge Without the Serious Wine Attitude This week, we’re joined by Marshall Tilden III, DWS, CSW—President of Wine Express and Wine Education at Wine Enthusiast, longtime wine educator, writer, and one of those rare people who can bring some seriously impressive wine credentials to the table without making you feel like you need a dictionary just to order a glass. With nearly two decades at Wine Enthusiast, a WSET Diploma, CSW certification, and a career dedicated to helping people better understand—and actually enjoy—wine, Marshall is exactly the kind of voice the industry needs right now. We dive into Marshall’s journey from an upbringing that was a little English by name, Italian by experience, to discovering his passion for wine and eventually becoming an influential leader and educator in the industry. Along the way, we pull back the curtain on Wine Enthusiast, the work happening behind the scenes to educate and welcome the next generation of wine lovers, and Marshall’s own mission to help take some of the pretentiousness out of wine culture. Then we get properly cork-dorky: Old World vs. New World, why Americans tend to talk about wine by grape while Europeans often talk about place, wine scores, regions, varietals, and what actually matters when choosing a bottle. Because with all the rules, ratings, terminology, and traditions surrounding wine, sometimes the most important question is still the simplest: Do you actually enjoy what's in your glass? And because this is Go With Your Palate, education never means taking ourselves too seriously. Marshall brings the knowledge, Joe brings the winemaker perspective, Fat Mario brings... whatever Fat Mario brings—and somewhere along the way, a wine masterclass turns into exactly the kind of conversation we love having. Whether you're a seasoned vino geek, an aspiring cork dork, or someone who still picks a bottle because the label looks cool, there’s a seat at the table for you. Pour what you like, ask the questions, and leave the wine snobbery at the door. 🍷🤓 📍 Follow Marshall: @westchesterwine

    E101 Marshall Tilden III | Joe Wagner

  8. Aug 6 ·  Video

    E100 Belle Glos 25th Anniversary pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    100 episodes. 25 years of Belle Glos Pinot Noir. One incredible journey.  For the first time in a long time, we're putting our own host, 5th-generation winemaker Joe Wagner, in the hot seat to tell the story behind one of the world's most iconic Pinot Noir brands. This is where Go With Your Palate—and Belle Glos—come full circle.  🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Joe Wagner | Celebrating 25 Years of Belle Glos Pinot Noir For our official 100th episode, we're turning the tables and putting our very own host, 5th-generation winemaker Joe Wagner, in the hot seat to celebrate not one—but two incredible milestones. As Go With Your Palate reaches its century mark, Joe reflects on the 25-year journey of Belle Glos, the Pinot Noir brand that helped redefine American Pinot and, over the last quarter century, earned Joe the nickname many affectionately know him by: The King of Pinot. Long before Pinot Noir became one of the country's most celebrated varietals—before Sideways helped spark a nationwide obsession—Joe was one of the young guns betting on a grape he believed deserved its moment. He takes us back to those early days, sharing the risks, the lessons, and the unwavering belief that ultimately transformed Belle Glos, named in honor of his grandmother, into one of the world's most recognized Pinot Noir brands. As we celebrate our 100th episode, we're grateful to reflect on the roots of Go With Your Palate with you—back when it was just Joe and Fat Mario swapping stories over a glass of wine before this wild ride evolved into conversations with some of the most fascinating guests we've ever had. It felt only right that this milestone brings us back to where it all began. Of course, this is Go With Your Palate, so we don't just talk wine. We dive into the impact of Sideways, what makes Pinot Noir one of the most expressive (and misunderstood) grapes in the world, the evolution of California wine, and the passion that continues to drive Joe a quarter century after the first bottle of Belle Glos. Whether you're a lifelong cork dork, a Pinot lover, or simply enjoy hearing how iconic brands are built from conviction, family, and a willingness to bet on yourself, this is an episode worth raising a glass to. Here's to 100 episodes, 25 years of Belle Glos, and the stories that brought us here. Cheers. 🍷🥂  🍷 To everyone who's watched, listened, shared, subscribed, or simply believed in Go With Your Palate—thank you for helping us reach 100 episodes. This is just the beginning.

    E100 Belle Glos 25th Anniversary pt 2 | Joe Wagner
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Joe Wagner, 5th Generation Winemaker, presents the podcast "Go With Your Palate." A podcast about wine, entrepreneurship, and whatever the F else. So buckle up - this isn't your normal wine podcast. 

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Wagner
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    175
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Go With Your Palate
  • Show Website
    Go With Your Palate