Mr. Wine Guy Podcast Michael Gallagher

In Episode 148 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with John Caldwell or "JFC"...Owner, Smuggler, and Head Dude of Caldwell Vineyard out of the Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley, CA.
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John Caldwell is what I would call a true pioneer in his ability to understand French vine clones back in the early 1980's and how important they would be to viticulture in other parts of the world, and especially in his vineyard in California.
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The problem was, John wanted them faster than customs would allow so he smuggled them across the Canadian border, which this story in itself is something out of a movie and illustrated in such a way that John leaves you captivated and speechless all at the same time.
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John talks about everything from his time growing up learning from his parents but especially his mother in her shoe business about Entrepreneurship and everything that goes into running a business successfully through hard work and commitment.
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John talks about what inspired him to purchase his property in Coombsville in the early 1980's and the day he realized while digging up dirt with the Abreu brothers on his property that being a winegrower was what he was destined to be.
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John also talks about his infamous smuggling story in great detail, what it's meant to him and his legacy over the years, and how those risks have offered him huge rewards over the course of his lifetime.
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This is just bits and pieces of an incredible interview that I believe will go down as one of the most inspiring and captivating interviews of this season so get ready for a wild ride with the legend himself, John Caldwell!
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Cheers 🍷
 
To watch on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/3QwMDax
 
To follow John on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/caldwellvineyard/
 
To sign up for John's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://www.caldwellvineyard.com/pages/discover-wines
https://www.caldwellvineyard.com/pages/the-society-of-smugglers
https://www.caldwellvineyard.com/pages/society-of-winesteins
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 147 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with Rebecca George, Owner and Winemaker of Mojave Wines and Associate Winemaker of Brandlin Estate out of Sonoma and Napa Valley, CA.
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In this podcast Rebecca talks about what it was like growing up in the Mojave Dessert, exploring nature and her surroundings in the Canyons at the base of the Eastern Sierra's, and how her love for nature and exploring easily translated to her love for vineyards and the outdoor life of winemaking.
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Rebecca talks about some amazing encouragement from her stepmom, (also named Rebecca George) to enroll in Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis while in pursuit of her bioscience degree and how if it wasn't for that encouragement we may know even know the Rebecca George we know today in winemaking.
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Rebecca also shares some pretty incredible "pinch me" moments that she got to experience while pursuing her career in wine like getting to taste at Domaine De La Romanée-Conti (DRC), when she was in her early 20's, working at Marcassin for Helen Turley, being the Winemaker at Kelly Fleming Wines and also what it's meant to have Francoise Peschon as a mentor then and throughout her career.
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Speaking of Francoise, she was arguably the person responsible for encouraging Rebecca to step out and start her own brand Mojave which pays homage to her childhood roots of the Mojave Dessert and focuses on bright acidic chardonnay's and pinot noir's.
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Rebecca is also the Associate Winemaker for Brandlin Estate, a winery with a century's worth of history, elevated up in the mountains of the Mount Veeder AVA, a sub-appellation of the Napa Valley.🍷
Cheers 🍷
 
To watch on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/3WnbyBd
 
To follow Rebecca on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rlgeorge18/
https://www.instagram.com/mojavewines/
https://www.instagram.com/brandlin_wine/
 
To sign up for Rebecca's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://www.mojavewines.com/acquire
https://brandlinestate.com/wines
https://brandlinestate.com/membership
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 146 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with Eric Jensen, Owner and Vintner of Booker Vineyards out of Paso Robles, CA.
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Eric has always been a guy I've looked up to from a place of Entrepreneurship, a place of risk taking, but also a guy whose personality shines through and someone who at the end of the day, tells it like it is and makes his wines from that same genuine and authentic place.
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Eric starts the show talking about his life before wine as a concert promoter and a real estate developer in Newport Beach, CA before deciding to leave that all behind with his wife Lisa and head to Paso Robles to become a full-time farmer.
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Eric talks about the history of Booker, going back to brother's Claude and Dick Booker and what they meant to the local community, and also his first 5 vintages as a winemaker in the early 2000's, leaning on mentorship from gentlemen like Stephan Asseo of L'Aventure Winery and Justin Smith of Saxum Vineyards.
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Eric also talks about the blessing of 2023 harvest and his other brands; My Favorite Neighbor which pays homage to Stephan Asseo, his neighbor in Paso, and Harvey and Harriet which pays homage to his parents Harvey and Harriet and what they meant to him.
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Eric delivers in so many ways in this podcast and tells it like it is so get ready for an interview from a guy full of heart and energy and commitment to something that started with a vision over 2 decades ago!
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Cheers 🍷
 
To watch on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/3U6wAS4
 
To follow Eric on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bookerbadger/
https://www.instagram.com/bookervineyard/
https://www.instagram.com/mfnwines/
https://www.instagram.com/harveyandharrietwine/
 
To sign up for Eric's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://www.bookerwines.com/shop
https://www.bookerwines.com/wine-club
https://www.myfavoriteneighbor.com/Wine
https://www.myfavoriteneighbor.com/wine-club https://harveyandharriet.com/collections/our-wine
https://harveyandharriet.com/account/register
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 145 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with Ellie Anest, Owner and Vintner of Eleven Eleven Wines out of Napa Valley, CA.
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Ellie is a guest that I've wanted to have on the show for several years now, dating back to the early part of 2018 when this podcast was in it's beginning days. Her entrepreneurial spirit in business have always been inspiring to me so when I learned that an interview was set and on the horizon I was beyond thrilled for the opportunity!
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In this episode Ellie talks about her life growing up on a farm with her parents Paul and Katherine and the inspiration they were for countless reasons but especially as far as hard work and commitment are concerned.
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Ellie talked about the creation of 11:11, the inspiration behind the brand and the unique relationships she had with her business partners that really made everything come together over a shared love and passion for wine and fellowship.
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Ellie talks about what it's like to have Kirk Venge on as winemaker and his passion and expertise for how he crafts all his wines and how he inspired what was originally a real estate transaction with 11:11 to a wine venture that would lead to so much more fulfillment as a result.
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Ellie talks about what it's like to be a custom crush facility for other brands in Napa while making her own wines and how she prides herself on being so attentive to detail, even down to the cleanliness and sanitization of her facility.
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Ellie also talks about what 11:11 truly means to her from an ethos standpoint, what it means to give back as a philanthropist, and the exciting things she does on a daily basis to make a moment for each and every person that enjoys and celebrates her wines.
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Ellie is a true entrepreneur, and extraordinary businesswoman, but more importantly than that, a woman who is so passionate and loving to everyone and everything that surrounds her which I'm excited to get to share with you today!
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Cheers 🍷
To listen on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/43Y8g9i
 
To follow Ellie on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ellieanest/
https://www.instagram.com/11.11.wines/
 
To sign up for Ellie's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://shop.elevenelevenwines.com/
https://www.elevenelevenwines.com/discover-club-eleveneleven/
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 144 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast, I have the privilege of sitting down with Russell Bevan, Owner and Winemaker of Adversity Cellars and Bevan Cellars out of Napa Valley, CA.
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Russell in my opinion is one of the most prolific figures in the wine industry and someone I've looked up to for so many years.  Aside from his ability to make exceptional wines, he's also an incredibly charasmatic guy and was even responsible for encouraging me to learn more, or to get excited about wine when I was younger with his 2009 Bevan Ontogeny!
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I was also excited to get to conduct this interview in person while Russell was visiting South FL which could be a little nerve racking in similar scenarios, but after a simple meet and greet we were off to conversing and sharing in a simlar love and passion for wine as if we'd already been friends for so many years!
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In this episode Russell talks about so many things such as the importance of pairing food and wine and the ingredients of certain foods as it relates to the density and acids in his wines, and why these correlations are so important to his style of winemaking.
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Russell talks about canopy management, the importance of properly managing his vines and also how important monitoring his fermentations are up to bottling and distribution of each of his wines.  With that being said, he also discusses the advantages of Pulsair and the benefits it has created for his wines since 2011.
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Russell also talk about what it was like to score the only 100 point in Napa Valley wine in 2011, what it meant to make exceptional wines in 2023 which he describes as a "legendary vintage", and some of the advantages to his portfolios whether his Sonoma Pinot's, or his Napa Valley Cabernet's with Bevan, i.e.
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Russell is a true inspiration in the wine industry and a guy I've looked up to for so many years so get ready for an in-person interview full of fun and excitment and all things encompassing the true passion and committment in the wine industry that Russell lives and breathes every day!
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Cheers 🍷
 
To follow Russell on Instagram and TikTok:
https://www.instagram.com/adversitycellars/
https://www.instagram.com/bevancellars/
https://www.instagram.com/russellandheidibevan/
https://www.instagram.com/russell_bevan/
https://www.instagram.com/heidi_bevan/
https://www.tiktok.com/@adversity_cellars
 
To sign up for Russell's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://www.adversitycellars.com/purchase/
https://www.adversitycellars.com/profile/login/
https://bevan-cellars.obtainwine.com/
https://bevan-cellars.obtainwine.com/profile/create-account
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/

In Episode 143 of the Mr. Wine Guy Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with Josh Phelps, Owner and Winemaker of Grounded Wine Co. out of Napa Valley, CA.
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In this episode, Josh talks about his life growing up pursuing a career in entrepreneurship, his travels with family to various old-world wine regions, and how these experiences as a whole is really what sparked his interest in ultimately pursuing a career in wine.
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Josh talks about his various work in distribution with groups such as Chamber and Chambers and Kimberely Jones and also, what it meant to work havest production at Joel Gott and how that experience helped expand his understand of winemaking which ultimately enhanced his ability to be exceptionally great at selling wine.
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Josh talks about his father Chris Phelps, what Chris means to him and the wine industry as a whole, and how working with his father is so fulfilling and rewarding considering the wines they craft not only together but alsdo their personal projects as well.
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Josh talks about a brand he created early in his career called Taken and how the idea of Taken was to create wines that are incedible, but at an affordable price.  Since then, Josh created his now brand Gounded in 2017 with the same concept in mind, crafting wines up and down the West Coast from Oregon and Washington State to the regions of Monterey, Santa Barbara, and Edna Valley.
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Josh also stresses the importance of sales and agrees that the making of wine can be challenging but the actual sales of wine is where it's at and fortunately through distribution channels early on like Kimberely Jones, was able to hone in on this skill to better prepare him for all the successes he had in store!
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Cheers 🍷
 
To watch on YouTube:
https://bit.ly/494OGtQ
 
To follow Josh on Instagram and TikTok:
https://www.instagram.com/groundedwineco/
https://www.instagram.com/joshphelps/
https://www.tiktok.com/@user448792041?_t=8jfEGwHyyDe&_r=1
 
To sign up for Josh's mailing list, receive allocation opportunities, or to purchase wines:
https://www.groundedwineco.com/signup/
https://www.groundedwineco.com/wines/
https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=grounded+wine+co&tref=typeahead%7Cterm%7Cgrounded+wine+co%7C%7C%7Chistory
 
To sign up for Josh Phelps Swag and Roll Face collabs:
https://www.rollface.co/products/men-s-premium-heavyweight-tee
https://www.rollface.co/products/salmngnon-blanc-crop-top
https://www.rollface.co/products/unisex-hoodie-4
https://www.rollface.co/products/men-s-premium-heavyweight-tee-1
 
To follow Michael on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin:
https://www.tiktok.com/@themrwineguy?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
https://www.instagram.com/themrwineguy/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs2ckU2tCtHUuPL7fzV6eA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gallagher-70637b70/