Bottled Up Podcast

Daniel Posner
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Food

Bottled Up is a candid wine industry podcast hosted by Daniel Posner, featuring rotating special guests from across the wine world. With 25 years in fine-wine retail, Daniel offers an insider’s view on the conversations usually kept behind closed doors. Each episode explores branding, quality, influencer culture, retail pressure, and where the industry is headed. Unscripted and grounded in real experience, it’s not about tasting notes or scores—it’s about perspective, business, and the forces shaping wine today.

Episodes

  1. Episode 12: The Man Who Taught America Wine: Kevin Zraly Uncorked

    4d ago

    Episode 12: The Man Who Taught America Wine: Kevin Zraly Uncorked

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner sits down with legendary wine educator Kevin Zraly, founder of the Windows on the World Wine School and author of the bestselling Windows on the World Complete Wine Course. Kevin shares stories from more than 50 years in the wine industry, from teaching over 30,000 students and selling millions of books to helping shape some of the most influential wine programs in America. The conversation covers summer wine pairings, why Beaujolais might be the perfect burger wine, the resurgence of great Sancerre, and how the wine world has changed since Kevin first started in the business. Of course, it wouldn't be Bottled Up without a rant. Daniel and Kevin dive into restaurant wine markups, overpriced wines by the glass, the state of wine lists today, and why more restaurants need to become true wine destinations. Expect plenty of laughs, stories from Windows on the World, wine industry history, and a few debates about how to properly pronounce Daniel Posner's last name.

    25 min

  2. May 27

    Episode 11: Napa's Price Correction Is Coming? Christopher Carpenter Weighs In

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner sits down with Christopher Carpenter — the legendary winemaker behind Lokoya, Cardinale, and Mount Brave — to talk 30+ years in Napa Valley, the real cost of making world-class wine, and whether aprice correction is finally coming. Of course, it wouldn't be Bottled Up without a little chaos — expect Jets and Bears commiseration, cold Guinness at an R.E.M. bar in Athens, and a $50 summer white blend you need to try.

    24 min

  3. May 12

    Episode 10: Is Wine Under Attack? Tom Wark Weighs In

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner sits down with Tom Wark to talk Napa vs. Sonoma, the current state of the wine industry, and the growing anti-alcoholmovement putting pressure on producers, retailers, and consumers alike. Tom shares why Sonoma is the better wine countryexperience for most travelers, reflects on nearly four decades in the wine business, and breaks down the real challenges facing wine today—from changing consumer habits and health trends to warning labels and declining consumption.The conversation also dives into wine shipping laws, industry fear around lawsuits, and why many wine organizations have been hesitant to push back publicly. Of course, it wouldn’t be Bottled Up without a little chaos—expect barbecue debates, fraternity stories, hard kombucha hot takes, Italian restaurant recommendations, and an unfiltered look at where the wine world may be headed next.

    22 min
  4. Episode 9: Can AI Replace Wine Critics? Jeb Dunnuck Weighs In

    Apr 18

    Episode 9: Can AI Replace Wine Critics? Jeb Dunnuck Weighs In

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner sits down with celebrity wine critic Jeb Dunnuck to talk all things wine—from his journey launching the Rhône Report to becoming one of the most influential voices in the industry. Jeb shares his go-to red wines for warm weather(hint: it’s not just Pinot Noir), unforgettable tasting experiences from Bordeaux to the Rhône, and why great wine doesn’t need to follow the rules. The conversation also dives into the evolving world of wine criticism, the rise of AI, and whether technology can ever replace human taste and judgment. Of course, it wouldn’t be Bottled Up without a little chaos—expect mezcal margaritas, no-air-conditioning horror stories in France, industry hot takes,and an unfiltered look at what it really means to drink (and think about) wine today.

    22 min
  5. Episode 8: Riesling, Music & Washington Wine with Trey Busch

    Apr 11

    Episode 8: Riesling, Music & Washington Wine with Trey Busch

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner sits down with longtime friend and Washington winemaker Trey Busch of Sleight of Hand Cellars in Walla Walla, WA. Trey shares his journey from music to winemaking, why Riesling is one of the best “entry point” wines, and how Washington State has quietly become one of the most important wine regions in the world. The conversation dives into the real challenges facing today’s wine industry—distribution bottlenecks, pricing pressure, and the struggle toconnect with the next generation of wine drinkers. Of course, it wouldn’t be Bottled Up without a little chaos—expect Pearl Jam stories, Jets vs. Seahawks trash talk, unexpected food takes (beet tortellini, anyone?),and honest insight into what it actually takes to keep wine culture fun, approachable, and authentic.

    25 min
  6. Episode 7: The Art of Wine by the Glass

    Apr 3

    Episode 7: The Art of Wine by the Glass

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner divesinto the world of wine by the glass, sharing tips on how to navigate restaurant wine lists and explore new flavors without committing to a full bottle. He discusses common pitfalls like watered-down Pinot Grigio, the importance of tasting foryourself, and how restaurants can elevate their wine programs. Plus, Jermaine joins in to highlight fresh pairings, including the perfect Falanghina with sushi.

    18 min
  7. Episode 6: Why Wine Feels So Intimidating (And How to Fix It)

    Mar 26

    Episode 6: Why Wine Feels So Intimidating (And How to Fix It)

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner and Jermaine Stone break down why wine can feel so intimidating and how to approach it with confidence. From navigating overwhelming wine lists to avoiding bad food pairings, they share practical tips you can actually use the next time you’re out to dinner. Plus, they get real about why most wine events miss the mark and what the industry needs to do to make wine more fun, social, and accessible. So whether you’re ordering on a date or walking into a tasting, you’ll leave knowing exactly how to drink smarter and enjoy it more.

    23 min
  8. Episode 5: The Business Behind the Bottle

    Mar 17

    Episode 5: The Business Behind the Bottle

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel and Jermaine unpack the chaos in wine distribution, from big companies buying up markets to why smaller wineries are getting squeezedout. They break down the three-tier system, the disappearing art of selling wine, and what all this means for the future of the industry. Because behind every bottle… there’s a lot more business than people think.

    20 min
  9. Episode 4: Who Really Influences What You Drink?

    Mar 10

    Episode 4: Who Really Influences What You Drink?

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Danieland Jermaine take on the modern world of wine influence, from critics and retailers to social media creators and algorithms. They explore how today’s wine drinkers arediscovering bottles in entirely new ways, why impressions do not always translate to sales, and the growing tension between authenticity and trend driven content. The conversation moves beyond the surface into bigger questions. Who actually influences what ends up in your glass? Has the industry adapted to how people discover wine today? And in a world driven by followers and algorithms, whatdoes real influence look like?

    27 min
  10. Episode 3: Who’s Calling The Shot

    Feb 20

    Episode 3: Who’s Calling The Shot

    In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel and Jermaine unpack the shifting narrative around alcohol, including recent messaging from the World Health Organization, and what it means for wine culture today. They explore how trend-driven sobriety, changinggenerational attitudes, and global health conversations are reshaping perception, and whether the wine industry has done enough to control its own story. The conversation moves beyond headlines into bigger questions. How should wine fit into modern life?What are we losing when culture becomes reactive? And what responsibility doesthe industry have moving forward?

    20 min
  11. Episode 2: Drinking on Autopilot

    Feb 4

    Episode 2: Drinking on Autopilot

    On this episode Daniel and Jermaine dig into how nostalgia, branding, and convenience have shaped modern wine culture, why retailers often play it too safe, and what responsibility the industry has to actually guide people forward. This episode asks a simple question with uncomfortable answers: are we selling wine, or just ringing up memories?

    20 min
  12. Episode 1: Dry January beyond the Hashtag

    Jan 23

    Episode 1: Dry January beyond the Hashtag

    In the first episode of Bottled Up, Jermaine Stone and Daniel Posner share their real feelings on Dry January, the rise of non-alcoholic wine, and what both reveal about the current state of wine. The conversation moves beyond trends and into bigger questions around declining consumption, cultural fatigue, and why wine feels increasingly out of step with today’s drinkers. Drawing from decades of experience across retail, auctions, branding, and media, they speak candidly about where the winebusiness has lost momentum, how legacy thinking continues to shape decisions, and why surface-level fixes won’t solve deeper issues. They discuss what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change—from how wine is marketed to howthe industry talks about itself—if wine wants to move forward. This episode sets the tone for the series: honest conversations about the pressures facing wine, the mistakes the industry keeps repeating, and the work required to turn things around.

    20 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Bottled Up is a candid wine industry podcast hosted by Daniel Posner, featuring rotating special guests from across the wine world. With 25 years in fine-wine retail, Daniel offers an insider’s view on the conversations usually kept behind closed doors. Each episode explores branding, quality, influencer culture, retail pressure, and where the industry is headed. Unscripted and grounded in real experience, it’s not about tasting notes or scores—it’s about perspective, business, and the forces shaping wine today.

Information

  • Creator
    Daniel Posner
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Daniel Posner
  • Show Website
    Bottled Up Podcast