Everyday Wine with Kris Levy Kris Levy

In today’s episode, let me introduce you to Margaux Alvarez,Owner and Founder of Celeste by MA Fitness App & the G.O.A.T. wine.
She is a small Business Owner, Winemaker, Competitive Athlete (7xCF Games, American Ninja Warrior, Titan Games, Tactical Games) and Fitness Coach.
 
Let’s dive into his wine story!
 
[00:01 – 13:38] Margaux Alvarez on How Wine and Fitness Connect
Margaux talks about her journey into wine and how it connects with fitness Margaux talks about the process of starting a business and licensing requirements for doing business in Utah Margaux shares her story of falling in love with wine and the agricultural process behind it  
[13:39 – 26:40] Wine and Fitness: Balance is Key for CrossFit Games Competitor
She has a personal philosophy of balance and how it is important to enjoy life's experiences, both in fitness and wine She has learned through her finished journey that if it's all or nothing mentality, it won't serve you the best She advocates for balance in her life by drinking wine every once in a while or every day, depending on her mood [23:50 – 32:48] Five Unique Wine Labels That Tell Stories
The five wines featured on the label are all unique and special in their own way, with different stories and messages that resonate with people The goal of the brand is to promote wine as a lifestyle choice, not just a drink for special occasions, and to connect with people on a personal level by telling their stories and sharing wine tastings  
[32:49 – 42:05] Closing Segment
Learn everything you need to grow your wine, business, or brand with Wine Business Bootcamp where I help other wine producers master the fundamentals of digital marketing, nail their customer experience, and conver t more wine tasters into their wine clubs and other offers. Just send me a dm or email at kris@krislevy.com with the subject: Wine Business Bootcamp Favorite Wine: The Diablo Paso Favorite go-to pairings 11 Yuran Wine with chicken saute Cheer Sun with spicy tacos Wine Resource The Court of Masterson book Talking with Friends Connect with Margaux 
Website: www.margauxalvarez.com 
 
Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at kris@krislevy.co. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram!
 JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.
 
Tweetable Quotes:
“It's aligning myself with someone who has a good, strong record in terms of what she's been doing as a winemaker as well.” - Margaux Alvarez
“We're gonna go to different periods in life. Just like with agriculture, you know, you gotta chill the ground. We're gonna introduce the nutrients back into the soil. We as individuals and humans also change and also have some sort of pivot in our life, and it's important to at least understand and take a step back to reflect on that.” - Margaux Alvarez

In today’s episode, let me introduce you to Michael Juergens, founder of the Bhutan Wine Company.
He is a senior partner with a Big Four consulting firm, where he runs the Winery Solutions practice, overseeing the portfolio of services the firm provides to wineries. He is also a certified specialist in wine, a certified sommelier, and a Stage 2 candidate to become the 58th American to qualify as a Master of Wine. Michael has written a number of books on wine, and runs the wildly popular Drinking & Knowing Things wine blog. He is the founder of the Bhutan Wine Company, and is leading the development of the wine industry in this magical Himalayan country. He owns the award winning SoCal Rum company, which was recently awarded the highest point score in history for any silver rum (95 points). Michael is also a professor at the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of CA, Irvine. Michael plays the drums in a punk rock band, and spends his free time running adventure races in exotic locations around the world, building.   
 
Let’s dive into his wine story!
 
[00:01 – 10:15] Getting into the Winery Program
The importance of two professional certification tracks   Michael shares how he started wanting to learn more about winery How he convinces his firm to start a winery business, and be in charge [10:16 – 23:49] Starting Side Projects on Winery
Starting as a small sommelier Deciding to write wine novels Michael shares his experience on Bhutan and their wine culture [23:50 – 35:40] Lessons Learned During Winery Business
The Importance of the story of your wine business to resonate with you and your values Differentiating winery as business, art or as an assignment as the spectrum Aligning story against demographic as a scale with economic viability  [35:41 – 44:12] Closing Segment
Learn everything you need to grow your wine, business, or brand with Wine Business Bootcamp where I help other wine producers master the fundamentals of digital marketing, nail their customer experience, and convert more wine tasters into their wine clubs and other offers. Just send me a dm or email at kris@krislevy.comwith the subject: Wine Business Bootcamp Favorite Wine: Burgundy Favorite go-to pairings Vintage champagne with steak Sauternes with caviar Wine Resource Drinking Knowing things Connect with Michael 
Website: http://www.bhutanwine.com/ 
 
Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at kris@krislevy.co. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram!
 JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.
 
Tweetable Quotes:
“If you can grow the best guava in the world, you should be able to grow some pretty damn interesting grapes for wine.”  - Michael Juergens
“You've either got to be on the, we're selling a product to make a product to sell. Or we're trying to do something interesting. I think the people in the middle of that are gonna be less successful than the people on the outside.”  - Michael Juergens
 

In today’s episode, let me introduce you to Mike Sinor, Founding Winemaker of Ancient Peaks Winery.
Raised in Visalia, California, Mike attended college at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where he financed his education by working at several local wineries— an experience that ignited his career in winemaking. As Ancient Peaks’ founding winemaker, Mike was an integral force in the establishment of the winery. He came in as one of the Central Coast’s highest-rated winemakers and immediately reinforced that reputation with Ancient Peaks’ 2006 Zinfandel (93 points, Wine Spectator) and many wines thereafter. Today, Mike continues to direct the quality and style of Ancient Peaks wines, and he maintains a guiding hand in the winery’s estate Margarita Vineyard.
Let’s dive into his wine story!
 
[00:01 – 09:45] Falling in Love with Winemaking
Mike shares his wine origin story Not growing up with classic food or wine and ended up working for six small brand wineries How El Paso de Robles is a great place to be about wine - still the Wild West [09:46 – 23:05] The Backstory of Ancient Peaks Winery
The birth of Ancient Peaks Winery - at the right place and the right time Building connections to invite opportunities in the wine industry Mike explains the realities of the grower and winemaker processes [23:06 – 28:26] Work Hard and Have an Open Mind
Mike talks about their wines Dealing with extremes - adapting and overcoming Do not make excuses and dedicate yourself to your passion [28:27 – 33:37] Closing Segment
Learn everything you need to grow your wine, business, or brand with Wine Business Bootcamp where I help other wine producers master the fundamentals of digital marketing, nail their customer experience, and convert more wine tasters into their wine clubs and other offers. Just send me a dm or email at kris@krislevy.comwith the subject: Wine Business Bootcamp Favorite Wine Favorite go-to pairing Tri-tip with salsa and Ancient Peaks’ Renegade Wine Resource Internet YouTube Podcasts Connect with Mike
Website: https://ancientpeaks.com/ 
 
Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at kris@krislevy.co. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram!
 JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.
 
Tweetable Quotes:
“I knew where I was going. I knew I wanted to work for a great winemaker… I went to Cal Poly to be an educator… You know, I think education is a great part of life.”  - Mike Sinor
“Understand what it takes, details to make great wine, to grow wine… It takes years to get the reputation, to get the contacts, and the network, you know?... It's a grind, and it really is a grind.”  - Mike Sinor
 

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast! Today, we are joined by Michael Speakman!
Michael Speakman bought Westerly Wines five years ago and has not looked back. From crafting high-quality Pinot Noir to big Cabernets, Westerly Wines capitalizes on everything Santa Barbara offers. Let’s dive into his story!
 
[00:31 - 07:27] Veteran-Owned Wineries Supporting Veterans
 
Michael Speakman, owner, and winemaker of Westerly Wines and 13 Stripes Winery is a veteran and retired Navy seal. Mike has been working in the wine industry for five years and is passionate about supporting veteran initiatives.  
[07:27 - 15:36] Winemaker creates unique wines for charity
 
Westerly has been around for 25 years Mike and his wife are the fourth owners. The difference between inferior and superior wine and a high-quality farming Wine can be used for many purposes, such as raising money or promoting awareness for a cause.  
[15:37 - 21:22] Releasing A Patriot Wine Called 13 Stripes
 
Mike started 13 Stripes Winery in 2020, In January of 2022, he received a phone call from folds of honor asking if he would donate wine to an upcoming golf event He agreed and donated two cases of wine In May of that year, he was contacted by folds of honor again, this time to donate wine for an event in California. Since then, he's donated wine to Folds of Honor events in multiple states. He recommends documentaries and working with a winemaker who knows verbiage about winemaking [21:10 – 33:29] Closing Segment
Learn everything you need to grow your wine, business, or brand with Wine Business Bootcamp where I help other wine producers master the fundamentals of digital marketing, nail their customer experience, and convert more wine tasters into wine clubs and other offers. Just send me a dm or email at kris@krislevy.comwith the subject: Wine Business Bootcamp Favorite go-to-wine Sauvignon Blanc Favorite go-to pairing Cheese and Sauvignon Blanc Hamburgers and Red Blend Wine Resource Books  And Documentaries  
Connect with Mike Speakman
Instagram:@westerlywines
Website: westerlywines.com and 13stripeswinery.com
 
Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at kris@krislevy.co. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast with someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this in your stories, and tag me on Instagram!
JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up-and-coming wineries, winemaker-owned brands, and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.
 
Tweetable Quotes:
“I knew that wine was fermented and put in the barrel, but. It's very intriguing. The complexity of how the wine is made and the different aspects of taking it from the field and putting it into a bottle are pretty cool. and then when it makes it to the shelf and you get positive feedback, there's nothing better than that.” - Mike Speakman

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast! Today, we are delving into the world of spirits with Erik Chapman! Erik has extensive experience in distilled spirits and fermented beverages, spanning multiple tiers of the industry from production and design to policy and compliance. In his current role, Erik manages production and packaging — and is helping to usher in the next chapter of NEFT. He is responsible for scaling NEFT to meet growing demands while maintaining the ultra-premium quality of the ingredients and final vodka, and unique custom packaging. 
He joins NEFT from the craft world having worked as a distiller and brewer as well as a consultant for wineries and cideries. With over 15 years in the industry, he has created hundreds of unique and successful formulas for a range of brands including core SKUs and white-label options for major retailers such as Trader Joe’s and Kroger.
He currently resides in his native Pacific Northwest with his family. He enjoys playing around with the beverage recipes — distilling and cocktails — in his free time.
Let’s dive into his story
 
00:32 - 07:36] Eric Chapman on NEFTT Vodka and the Future of Craft Spirits
Erik Chapman is the Chief Operating Officer of NEFT Vodka. He is responsible for scaling NEFT to meet growing demands, maintaining the ultra-premium quality of the ingredients, and developing unique custom packaging. Chapman started his career in beverage alcohol on the on-premise side, owning and operating a craft cocktail bar in Seattle. He then sold the business after he started distilling and brewing. Erik add that He was distilling and brewing for Capitol Hill's Brewery & Distillery.  
[07:36 - 15:00] Sustainable Vodka Made with Local and Mineral-Rich Ingredients
That process starts with agriculture that process starts with a grain that is typically considered a peasant grain rye. Rye is different in Europe than it is in the US, and Erik has worked with both There are different grades of rye, and some can be used to make vodka. Erik likes sourcing things from dry-farmed. Here in the US that is called Salmon Safe certified. Organic farming doesn't make a huge difference to me on the land, but it does create better sustainability for workers and the community.  
 
[15:00 - 23:04] Neft Vodka Becomes Trending Beverage in Kansas City
It has been selling well in Europe and India but struggles to find a foothold in the United States. NEFT is trading up, encouraging customers to trade up from lower - quality vodka options.  
[23:05 - 31:22] NEFT Spirits: Just, You Know, That Craft Spirit in There
The Company is positioned as a premium spirit with a craft spirit feel, focusing on quality ingredients and filtration to produce a smooth, flavorful drink. NEFT produces a variety of spirits, including neutral ethanol burn vodka and gin. For those interested in learning more about spirits, NEFT recommends looking for local resources or taking classes offered by American Distilling Institute.  
[29:10 – 33:29] Closing Segment
Learn everything you need to grow your wine, business, or brand with Wine Business Bootcamp where I help other wine producers master the fundamentals of digital marketing, nail their customer experience, and convert more wine tasters into their wine clubs and other offers. Just send me a dm or email at kris@krislevy.comwith the subject: Wine Business Bootcamp Favorite Cocktail It's seasonal - especially now that it’s raining Erik loves, Apple Brandy. Favorite go-to pairing Duck a l’Orange and Gin Cocktails Wine Resource  American Distilling Institute (ADI) Distilled Spirits Council the United States Connect with Erik Chapman
Website: www.neftvodka.com
 
Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at kris@krislevy.co. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com

Welcome back to another episode of The Everyday Wine Aficionado Podcast! Today, we are delving into the world of spirits with Mara Smith!
Mara is a former attorney, corporate strategist, and stay-at-home mom who is the founder of Inspiro Tequila. She started drinking tequila when she was looking for a clean, gluten-free spirit that fit into her active lifestyle. Mara searched for a tequila brand that was additive-free with a look, taste, and aroma that appealed to her. That perfect tequila did not exist, so she decided to create one. Mara's goal was not just to create a one-of-a-kind tequila, it was also to bring another female voice to the spirits industry.  Women are a part of every aspect of Inspiro Tequila's process from creating the taste profiles to getting bottles on the shelves. As a female founder, Mara's mission is to inspire and support other women on their entrepreneurial journeys through financial support and mentoring. 
 
[00:01 - 15:41] Mara’s Journey and Goals, Bringing Empowerment to Women 
Mara’s goal was not just to create a one-of-a-kind tequila, but also to bring another female voice to the spirits industry. Women are a part of every aspect of Spirit tequila's process from creating the taste profiles to getting bottles on the shelves. As a female founder, Mara's Mission is to inspire and support other women The challenges of starting a tequila company, include finding distilleries and finding a master distiller. The unique flavor profile of Inspiro Blanco tequila is rested in oak barrels and aged for a minimum of 30 days.


[15:41 - 23:06] A Fresh Look from A Design Perspective from Labels to Bottle designs 
The name Inspiro came about after hemming and hawing the moment it came to her she knew she wanted to name it that way The brand story is just her story and wasn't developed by a team There are three customer groups: distributors, retailers, and end-users Getting started can be overwhelming, so it's important to do research and have a plan You have to be strategic when entering new markets and one market at a time" [23:10 – 33:29] Closing Segment
Learn everything you need to grow your wine, business, or brand with Wine Business Bootcamp where I help other wine producers master the fundamentals of digital marketing, nail their customer experience, and convert more wine tasters into their wine clubs and other offers. Just send me a dm or email at kris@krislevy.comwith the subject: Wine Business Bootcamp Favorite Spirit or Cocktail  Tequila Soda Favorite go-to pairing Sushi & Tequila Chips and Guacamole Tequila Resource Tequilamatchmaker.com Tequila Aficionado Podcast Connect with Mara Smith
Instagram:@inspirotequila
Facebook: www.facebook.com/inspirotequila
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/inspiro-tequila
Pinterest: www.pinterest.ph/inspirotequila
Or visit their website at https://inspirotequila.com



 
Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn or feel free to shoot me an email at kris@krislevy.co. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast with someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this in your stories, and tag me on Instagram!
JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up-and-coming wineries, winemaker-owned brands, and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.
 
Tweetable Quotes:
“It's just about trying to help other women,  as they get started. So we provide grants and mentoring and that’s the part that is really fun for me.” - Mara Smith
“I really wanted something, even from the bottle design. It's