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. E91 Matt Heil pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    MAR 23

    E91 Matt Heil pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    The guy who finds the grapes behind Belle Glos Pinot Noir and Napa Valley Quilt Cabernet is finally on the podcast. Matthew Heil—Copper Cane’s Director of Fruit Supply—is the energizer bunny of the wine world, constantly on the move scouting vineyards and building the relationships that shape every bottle. In this episode, we go deep into what really happens before grapes ever hit the crush pad. 🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Matthew Heil | The Man Who Finds the Grapes This week we go straight behind the vines with Matthew Heil, Director of Fruit Supply & Grower Relations at Copper Cane Wine & Spirits and one of the original team members who’s been with the company since day one in 2014. A true wealth of knowledge—and what we lovingly call an energizer bunny of the wine world—Matt is constantly on the move scouting vineyards, building grower relationships, and helping secure the fruit that becomes some of Copper Cane’s most celebrated wines, from the legendary Belle Glos Pinot Noir to the renowned Napa Valley Quilt Cabernet. Coming from a lineage of farmers, Matt walks us through how he found his way into the wine world and what he’s actually looking for during those long vineyard walks across Napa, Sonoma, the Central Coast—and even Oregon during Copper Cane’s earlier chapter there. We dig into grower relationships, fruit sourcing, climate challenges, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that ultimately shape every bottle. We also uncover the origin story of Matt and Joe’s Napa Valley bromance (which somehow involves two World Series and Fat Mario getting a lil jelly lol), plus some candid insider vineyard stories from years spent traveling wine country. This episode only scratches the surface of Matt’s knowledge, which is why he’s officially joining us as a recurring expert guest to help break down the winemaking season—especially during harvest later this year. Wine nerds, this is your chance: drop your vineyard, grape-growing, or wine industry questions in the comments, and we may bring them back to Matt on a future episode. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens before grapes hit the crush pad, this one’s for you. Grab a glass and come walk the vineyard with us. 🍷🌿

    1h 1m
  2. E91 Matt Heil | Joe Wagner

    MAR 16

    E91 Matt Heil | Joe Wagner

    The guy who finds the grapes behind Belle Glos Pinot Noir and Napa Valley Quilt Cabernet is finally on the podcast. Matthew Heil—Copper Cane’s Director of Fruit Supply—is the energizer bunny of the wine world, constantly on the move scouting vineyards and building the relationships that shape every bottle. In this episode, we go deep into what really happens before grapes ever hit the crush pad. 🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Matthew Heil | The Man Who Finds the Grapes This week we go straight behind the vines with Matthew Heil, Director of Fruit Supply & Grower Relations at Copper Cane Wine & Spirits and one of the original team members who’s been with the company since day one in 2014. A true wealth of knowledge—and what we lovingly call an energizer bunny of the wine world—Matt is constantly on the move scouting vineyards, building grower relationships, and helping secure the fruit that becomes some of Copper Cane’s most celebrated wines, from the legendary Belle Glos Pinot Noir to the renowned Napa Valley Quilt Cabernet. Coming from a lineage of farmers, Matt walks us through how he found his way into the wine world and what he’s actually looking for during those long vineyard walks across Napa, Sonoma, the Central Coast—and even Oregon during Copper Cane’s earlier chapter there. We dig into grower relationships, fruit sourcing, climate challenges, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that ultimately shape every bottle. We also uncover the origin story of Matt and Joe’s Napa Valley bromance (which somehow involves two World Series and Fat Mario getting a lil jelly lol), plus some candid insider vineyard stories from years spent traveling wine country. This episode only scratches the surface of Matt’s knowledge, which is why he’s officially joining us as a recurring expert guest to help break down the winemaking season—especially during harvest later this year. Wine nerds, this is your chance: drop your vineyard, grape-growing, or wine industry questions in the comments, and we may bring them back to Matt on a future episode. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens before grapes hit the crush pad, this one’s for you. Grab a glass and come walk the vineyard with us. 🍷🌿

    1h 7m
  3. E90 Harry Slatkin pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    MAR 6

    E90 Harry Slatkin pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Harry Slatkin | The King of Home Fragrance This week, we’re joined by the man The New York Times dubbed the “King of Home Fragrance,” Harry Slatkin—founder of Slatkin & Co., creative force behind Bath & Body Works’ billion-dollar home fragrance boom, and mastermind behind brands like HomeWorx and ScentWorx. From Wall Street to wax, Harry built an empire rooted in creativity, quality ingredients, and an obsession with how products make people feel. We talk his iconic collaborations with legends like Vera Wang, Elton John, Ralph Lauren, and Christian Dior, what it really takes to scale luxury at a global level, and the parallels between fragrance and wine—craft, storytelling, and creating something meaningful that people literally bring into their lives. Of course, in true Go With Your Palate fashion, we get curious (and maybe a little mischievous): asking Harry about pheromones and what they really do, laughing through marketing moments that shook the fragrance world, and swapping stories about life, dogs, and staying inspired decades into a legendary career. Insightful, hilarious, and full of behind-the-scenes gems—this episode is a masterclass in creativity, entrepreneurship, and following your nose. Light a candle, pour a glass, and come hang. 🍷🕯️✨

    51 min
  4. E90 Harry Slatkin | Joe Wagner

    FEB 27

    E90 Harry Slatkin | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Harry Slatkin | The King of Home Fragrance This week, we’re joined by the man The New York Times dubbed the “King of Home Fragrance,” Harry Slatkin—founder of Slatkin & Co., creative force behind Bath & Body Works’ billion-dollar home fragrance boom, and mastermind behind brands like HomeWorx and ScentWorx. From Wall Street to wax, Harry built an empire rooted in creativity, quality ingredients, and an obsession with how products make people feel. We talk his iconic collaborations with legends like Vera Wang, Elton John, Ralph Lauren, and Christian Dior, what it really takes to scale luxury at a global level, and the parallels between fragrance and wine—craft, storytelling, and creating something meaningful that people literally bring into their lives. Of course, in true Go With Your Palate fashion, we get curious (and maybe a little mischievous): asking Harry about pheromones and what they really do, laughing through marketing moments that shook the fragrance world, and swapping stories about life, dogs, and staying inspired decades into a legendary career. Insightful, hilarious, and full of behind-the-scenes gems—this episode is a masterclass in creativity, entrepreneurship, and following your nose. Light a candle, pour a glass, and come hang. 🍷🕯️✨

    45 min
  5. E89 King Kyote pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    FEB 20

    E89 King Kyote pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: King Kyote | Rock & Roll, Roots & a Sold-Out Napa Weekend This week, we turn the volume all the way up. We’re joined by King Kyote, Maine-born rock & roll storyteller blending Americana, blues grit, and soul-shaking authenticity. From writing songs at a young age on the Maine coast to representing his home state on NBC’s American Song Contest, Kyote has built a sound that’s both intimate and electrifying. We dive deep into the heart of his songwriting — where the lyrics come from, how vulnerability becomes power, and what it really takes to break into the entertainment industry as an independent artist. From auditioning for The Voice to landing an Atlantic Records single (“Get Out Alive”), to sharing stages with legends, his journey is a testament to grit and growth. We also get into the future of music — including how AI is changing the industry — nostalgic vinyl debates, food tangents, surfing, and how evolution in sound mirrors evolution in wine. And here’s the kicker… King Kyote didn’t just talk music — he performed live in our studio. The first full song performance we’ve ever had on Go With Your Palate. Raw. Unplugged. Electric. Oh, and after this recording? He headed to Quilt & Co. in downtown Napa for what turned into a SOLD-OUT weekend. Two nights. Wine country went full rock & roll. If you care about artistry, hustle, storytelling, and what happens when wine meets music in the most authentic way possible — this episode hits every note. Grab a glass. Turn it up. Let’s ride. 🍷🎸🔥

    44 min
  6. E89 King Kyote | Joe Wagner

    FEB 13

    E89 King Kyote | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: King Kyote | Rock & Roll, Roots & a Sold-Out Napa Weekend This week, we turn the volume all the way up. We’re joined by King Kyote, Maine-born rock & roll storyteller blending Americana, blues grit, and soul-shaking authenticity. From writing songs at a young age on the Maine coast to representing his home state on NBC’s American Song Contest, Kyote has built a sound that’s both intimate and electrifying. We dive deep into the heart of his songwriting — where the lyrics come from, how vulnerability becomes power, and what it really takes to break into the entertainment industry as an independent artist. From auditioning for The Voice to landing an Atlantic Records single (“Get Out Alive”), to sharing stages with legends, his journey is a testament to grit and growth. We also get into the future of music — including how AI is changing the industry — nostalgic vinyl debates, food tangents, surfing, and how evolution in sound mirrors evolution in wine. And here’s the kicker… King Kyote didn’t just talk music — he performed live in our studio. The first full song performance we’ve ever had on Go With Your Palate. Raw. Unplugged. Electric. Oh, and after this recording? He headed to Quilt & Co. in downtown Napa for what turned into a SOLD-OUT weekend. Two nights. Wine country went full rock & roll. If you care about artistry, hustle, storytelling, and what happens when wine meets music in the most authentic way possible — this episode hits every note. Grab a glass. Turn it up. Let’s ride. 🍷🎸🔥

    45 min
  7. E88 Elijah and Gilbert Smith pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    FEB 6

    E88 Elijah and Gilbert Smith pt 2 | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Elijah & Gilbert Smith | Legacy, Grit & the Fight Beyond the Cage This week, we’re joined by one of the rarest and most compelling duos in the UFC: Elijah Smith and his father, Gilbert Smith—former UFC fighter turned coach, mentor, and cornerstone of his son’s rise. It’s a raw, honest conversation about legacy, pressure, and what it really takes to build a career in the fight game from the inside out. Elijah takes us inside the moment that changed everything—his now-viral slam knockout over Toshiomi Kazama—breaking down what flipped mentally when instinct, preparation, and opportunity collided. Gilbert shares what it’s like watching your son step into danger, trusting the foundation you helped build, and balancing the roles of father, coach, and protector. We go deep on the behind-the-scenes realities of the UFC: the grind, the business, the sacrifices, and the lessons you don’t learn until you’re living it. From fight IQ and longevity to finances, branding, and mental recovery, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to pursue greatness in one of the toughest professions on earth. We also explore Elijah’s creative side beyond the cage, including his work as a musician under Shakur da Bag, where discipline, rhythm, and storytelling collide in a completely different arena. And because this is Go With Your Palate, there are plenty of laughs woven into the grit—including a moment where Gilbert is lightly challenged and decides to remind everyone he’s still got moves. We’ll let you discover how that plays out. It’s candid, powerful, and deeply human—a story about family, belief, and carving your own path while honoring the one that came before you. Grab a glass, hit play, and experience one of our most genuine conversations yet. 🍷🥊🔥

    1h 11m
  8. E88 Elijah and Gilbert Smith | Joe Wagner

    JAN 30

    E88 Elijah and Gilbert Smith | Joe Wagner

    🎙️ Go With Your Palate: Elijah & Gilbert Smith | Legacy, Grit & the Fight Beyond the Cage This week, we’re joined by one of the rarest and most compelling duos in the UFC: Elijah Smith and his father, Gilbert Smith—former UFC fighter turned coach, mentor, and cornerstone of his son’s rise. It’s a raw, honest conversation about legacy, pressure, and what it really takes to build a career in the fight game from the inside out. Elijah takes us inside the moment that changed everything—his now-viral slam knockout over Toshiomi Kazama—breaking down what flipped mentally when instinct, preparation, and opportunity collided. Gilbert shares what it’s like watching your son step into danger, trusting the foundation you helped build, and balancing the roles of father, coach, and protector. We go deep on the behind-the-scenes realities of the UFC: the grind, the business, the sacrifices, and the lessons you don’t learn until you’re living it. From fight IQ and longevity to finances, branding, and mental recovery, this episode pulls back the curtain on what it truly means to pursue greatness in one of the toughest professions on earth. We also explore Elijah’s creative side beyond the cage, including his work as a musician under Shakur da Bag, where discipline, rhythm, and storytelling collide in a completely different arena. And because this is Go With Your Palate, there are plenty of laughs woven into the grit—including a moment where Gilbert is lightly challenged and decides to remind everyone he’s still got moves. We’ll let you discover how that plays out. It’s candid, powerful, and deeply human—a story about family, belief, and carving your own path while honoring the one that came before you. Grab a glass, hit play, and experience one of our most genuine conversations yet. 🍷🥊🔥

    49 min
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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
    149
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Go With Your Palate
  • Show Website
    Go With Your Palate

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