Small Fortune Podcast

Ep 79: Stephen Brauer: Route to Market is More Than Distributor Alignment

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The Small Fortune Podcast is centered on the stories of entrepreneurial and small business success in the wine industry, but the lessons from large company management can be useful too. In today’s podcast, host Carol Collison speaks with Stephen Brauer, currently an industry consultant who has senior management experience at some of the wine industry’s largest companies. The two discuss why this moment in the industry may be actually harder for larger companies to navigate, whether the wine business is suitable for public markets, and what a comprehensive “route to market” strategy looks like, including the concept Stephen calls “ways of working”, which defines how a company can optimize performance in wholesale markets.

https://vinexcel.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 78: Randall Grahm: New Ideas in Terroir at Popelouchum Estate

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Randall Grahm is a highly creative person whose ideas have been expressed in a number of well-known and successful brands. At various times during his career his Big House, Cardinal Zin, and Bonny Doon wine labels were sold to others, and now he has turned his unique point of view to the creation of a “sense of place”, or terroir, at his estate in San Benito on the Central Coast of California. Grape growers will be fascinated by his discussion of creating new varieties, how genetic diversity in the vineyard contributes to the expression of terroir, how the use of biochar “makes soil smart” and more. For winery owners and managers, Randall discusses his lessons learned over his career such as finding and building on underappreciated varietal niches, his unique use of humor in wine branding, and why the sale of Big House affected his winery operations. Carol and Randall also discuss today’s challenges in reaching younger consumers who are more visually oriented, and so less reachable through language, where Randall’s creativity as a writer really shines.

https://www.popelouchum.com/

https://www.abebooks.com/9780520259560/Been-Doon-Long-Randall-Grahm-0520259564/plp

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 77: Glenn Proctor on the Future Grape Market and More

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Glenn Proctor’s family has been growing grapes on a ~200-acres ranch in the Dry Creek Valley since 1904. Today he is not only a grape grower but a proprietor of a small family wine label (Puccioni Vineyards) and a Partner in the Ciatti Global Wine & Grape Brokers. While the subject of the industry’s current grape and wine supply/demand challenges does come up, most of the conversation is about subjects like running a multi-generational farming business, Zinfandel’s place in the wine business, and how growers should think about possible varietals of the future. Since both Glenn and Carol are brokers (albeit in different aspects of the industry) and so they also discuss what it takes to manage transactions and have longevity in their professions.

https://ciatti.com/

https://www.puccionivineyards.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 76: Building a Luxury Service Brand with Silverado Farming’s Pete Richmond

Tue, 26 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

It seems unusual to describe a B2B business as a luxury offering but as Silverado Farming Company has evolved over its 25 years, that is the positioning that its founder Pete Richmond has sought. In host Carol’s first interview with a vineyard management company owner, you will hear how Richmond has developed his business to emphasize key attributes of luxury: exclusivity, quality, prestige, and sustainability. Pete is a student of business - and as you will hear - a manager who understands that there is more to business success than maximizing the money in an owner’s pocket. Hear how he created a business that grows brand capital, human capital, and yields other intangible rewards to its owners and employees such as giving back to the community, while also generating profitability.

http://www.silveradofarming.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 75: A Short Course in Publicity with O.G. Julie Ann Kodmur

Tue, 12 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Today’s wine business has been shaped by pioneers like Jule Ann Kodmur, who worked on an early Sotheby’s wine auction, and then worked for many important distributors and wine companies. She started her own consulting firm in 1997. Julie Ann and host Carol Collison talk through the differences between working for a company and being self-employed, but most importantly Julie Ann shares many, many great ideas about how to get publicity for your company. From stodgy old media to today’s influencer media environment, Julie Ann has experienced it all on behalf of her clients.

http://julieannkodmur.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 74: Selling Paso Robles with Jenny Heinzen

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Jenny Heinzen is the Broker and Principal of Vineyard Professional Real Estate in Paso Robles, CA. She is the leading seller of winery and vineyard properties in this market. Why would Carol Collison, a winery M&A advisor, invite a fellow professional on her podcast? It’s because Jenny and Carol aren’t really direct competitors. In this conversation you’ll hear the difference between the two practices (Broker v. Advisor) as it relates to issues such as acquiring clients, finding buyers, and managing a transaction process. Jenny provides an update on the Paso Robles vineyard and winery real estate market beginning around the 32-minute mark for those who want to skip the broker talk.

https://vineyardprorealestate.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 73: Niagara: The Hottest Wine Region in the World with Paul Speck

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

With American wines off Canadian shelves and tourists staying home and visiting local attractions, now is a great time to be a wine producer in Canada. Hear what’s happening in this interview with Paul Speck, President of Henry of Pelham Estate Winery, the third largest wine company in Canada founded in 1984 on land that had been in the family since the 18th century. The company is based in the Niagara Peninsula, the large Ontario growing region and farms 300 acres. In addition to wine production, they also run Family Wine Merchants, which imports and distributes beer, wine, and spirits from throughout the world. Hear Paul’s tips on how to succeed as a family wine company, the history of the Canadian wine industry and how it is similar to American wine history and succeeding through listening to your customers and giving them what they want among other great ideas. Paul also talks about their best-selling varietal product, Baco Noir. The conversation wraps up with key concepts for starting and succeeding in the Canadian wine business (and everywhere else too.)

https://henryofpelham.com/

https://fwmcanada.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 72: How to Wind Down a Wine Business the Right Way

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Back in mid-2024, Episode #25, Carol interviewed Megan Bell, owner of Margins Winery in Santa Cruz, California. Megan had been profiled in the SF Chronicle about the increasing challenges in the wine business. Two years later she was profiled again for having ended her wine company, and host Carol Collison asked her back to talk through her process of deciding to wind down the business, and the sacrifices she made to make sure she paid all her growers and her bankers. Carol and Megan discuss various issues and tendencies that make it difficult for entrepreneurs to make decisions like this: the tendency to ignore information that contradicts your decision, the “sunk cost fallacy”, as well as the role of investments - such as a tasting room lease and tenant improvements - that have the effect of increasing a company’s break-even point and reducing financial flexibility. Carol emphasizes that the discipline and integrity that Megan demonstrated in her wind down of Margins winery reflects the best of American business ethics, and calls to all business managers to remember to “do what you say you’re going to do.” An ethos that has made American entrepreneurship the envy of the world.

https://www.agleaders.org/programs/about/

https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/small-business-development-centers-sbdc

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 71: Far Niente Board Chair Carol Reber on How to Climb to the Top

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Among many the keys to professional success in corporate environments that are discussed in this episode are: make what’s best for the business your “north star” (then your career will take care of itself); focus on the big picture (don’t get lost in the data); but also prioritize your efforts based on data. Host Carol and her guest Carol also discuss challenges that women managers can face and ideas about how to overcome them. Learn what the role of a Board of Directors is (nose in, hands out) and the best ways that managers and board members can work together to advance the business they serve. Reber recommends that owners of businesses of any size find either informal or formal outside advisors to get advice and support when making important decisions. Please note: this is an edited version of a long conversation, some day in the future we may publish an “director’s cut” of the whole thing.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolreber/

https://farniente.com/

How to become a board member in six steps | McKinsey

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 70: Sell More Now with Enolytics' Cathy Huyghe

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Cathy Huyghe began her career as a writer for Forbes Magazine, writing on the wine business and related business issues. In 2009 she and her co-founder launched a data analytics firm, Enolytics, which takes winery client sales data from all channels and returns actionable information about where and how the winery can improve its sales results. Recently they have incorporated “AI” technology (specifically machine learning) to augment the service, and she and host Carol Collison discuss the pros and cons of using AI. They also discuss a new initiative recently launched, in a joint venture with direct-to-consumer specialists WISE, that provides customers a new way to execute effectively on their DTC data. Cathy shares a new key to success in our 70th interview: get out there and meet people.

Enolytics

Enolytics 101

Instagram

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 69: Business Strategy with Sun Tzu and Stoller’s Gary Mortensen

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Learn about how Gary Mortensen, President of Stoller Wine Group thinks about business strategy. Gary shares lots of great ideas about how to think creatively about your wine business and how to innovate. Hear what a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) is and how it can assist your strategic thinking. These concepts are as important to a small winery as a large one. As Gary says, “Big company, big problems. Small company, big problems.”

https://www.stollerfamilyestate.com

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 68: Fred Reno on Virginia: America’s Founding Wine Country

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0400

After finishing a long and successful career in the California wine industry, Fred Reno retired to Virginia, the original American winegrowing region. Vines were first planted there in 1619 under orders from the British crown. They were hoping to find an alternative to French wine in its then-colonies. The founding fathers were investors in the wine business too, in 1773. In this 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Fred and host Carol Collison talk about the history of the Virginia wine business, including viticulture, growing regions and issues in sales and distribution. Fred shares details about his favorite Virginia grape, Norton. And he ends the interview with his keys to success in the wine business, what he calls “the two P’s”: Packaging and Price.

https://finewineconfidential.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 67: Rerelease: How Andy Hoxsey Invented Custom Crush

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Andy Hoxsey’s family came to the Napa Valley in the early 20th century and through successive generations have farmed and sold grapes, as well as taken significant entrepreneurial risks. Andy tells the story of his (and the Pelissa family’s) acquisition of Napa Wine Company in 1993, with the expressed intention of creating the first high-touch custom crush business, certainly in the Napa Valley but quite possibly in the world. Napa Wine Co was where such brands as Pahlmeyer, Colgin and the star consulting winemaker Helen Turley incubated their brands. On the podcast, Andy shares some interesting stories from his long history in the wine business.

https://www.napawineco.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The Podhouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 66: Finding a Niche in a Crowded Wine Market with Tank Garage’s Ed Feuchuk

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0400

While looking through LinkedIn comments on the platform, host Carol Collison came across a fascinating marketing campaign for a high-end wine product released on Black Friday: Tank Garage’s Black Market. She reached out to the winery’s General Manager to learn more. In this conversation you’ll hear what a wine company founded and managed by marketing professionals looks like. Tank Garage is a company that addresses the wine consumer who wants access to the company’s inventive, limited-run products. This strategy creates exclusivity and scarcity which keeps the winery’s customers interested and engaged.

https://www.tankgaragewinery.com/

https://www.tankgaragewinery.com/lubrication/black-market

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 65: Strategic Social Media for Business with Tablas Creek’s Jason Haas

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Third generation wine business owner Jason Haas joins host Carol Collison to talk about how his “Tablas Creek Blog,” which he’s maintained consistently for 20 years, has helped him promote his Paso Robles-based wine brand. The discussion identifies the reasons why the blog has helped his business, why he is able to stick with it, and touches on other newer social media efforts. In addition, the subject of how the company has embraced direct-to-consumer sales, and why they still maintain a strong wholesale presence. For example, he has found that wine writers across the country are more likely to write about his company if the wines are available in their readers’ markets. This pioneer of the California Rhone movement has many fascinating insights into what it takes to succeed in the wine business.

https://tablascreek.com/

https://blog.tablascreek.com/about/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions

www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 64: Strategies for Growing a Wine Brand with Nicolas Jay’s Jay Boberg

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Small Fortune Podcast, host Carol Collison talks with fellow UCLA Bruin and IRS Records founder-turned-winemaker Jay Boberg. Jay talks about the difference between launching a band and launching a wine brand, why he and partner Jean Nicolas Meo chose Oregon’s Willamette Valley (hint: profitability is in that mix), and various growth strategies such as developing a brand first; staging sales growth to reduce cash burn; and staging estate development so that it can be funded from cash flow.

https://www.nicolas-jay.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Editor: John Kiernan, The PodHouse Productions www.thepodhouseproductions.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 63: Financial Markets Update from the 2025 Wine Industry Financial Symposium

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Listen in on a live panel discussion from Wine Business Monthly’s 34th Annual Wine Industry Financial Symposium. Event Host Erin Kirschenmann, Managing Editor of Wine Business Monthly, invited a group of financial professionals in the wine industry to share their insights and observations about current financial markets: Carol Collison M&A Advisor and podcast host; Tony Correia, vineyard and winery appraiser and owner of The Correia Company; and Adam Beak, Managing Director Vertical Head Wine & Beverage Groups, BMO. Hear about how current grape and wine demand is affecting vineyard values, how banks and other creditors are adjusting their lending practices and loan pricing; and how to position your wine company for sale (spoiler alert – you really can’t).

www.winebusinessfinancial.com

https://www.globalwinebank.com/2025/11/california-winery-and-vineyard-markets/

For more than three decades, the Wine Industry Financial Symposium has been the premier conference for wine professionals to collaborate on innovative solutions, discuss the latest in finance and economics, receive industry data, develop bold strategies, and network with their peers. Join us in November 2026 at the prestigious CIA at the Copia in downtown Napa, California, for an unparalleled opportunity to enhance your financial knowledge and stay ahead of today’s evolving market and wine industry landscape.

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 62: Collaborating for Success With Brooks Winery’s Janie Heuck

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, host Carol Collison talks with Janie Heuck, who is Managing Director of her late brother Jimi Brooks’ eponymous wine company, based in the Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This wine company’s history tells the unique story of the collaborative nature of the wine industry. Janie stepped in when her brother died tragically in the midst of harvest in 2004. With the help of Jimi’s friends in the winemaking community Janie got through harvest and then carried forward her brother’s legacy, growing the business into the success it is today. Carol and Janie talk about her latest creation, a DTC sales network called “The Atlas Collective”, through which a group of wineries based in different appellations across the country are building a cross-referral network where each winery’s club members are treated like their own in affiliated tasting rooms.

https://www.brookswine.com/

https://www.wineatlascollective.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 61: How Dario Sattui Made a Large Fortune in the Wine Business

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

It can be done. Learn from one of Napa Valley’s greats about how he started his winery – V. Sattui - in the ‘70’s with a shoestring budget and built a business so profitable he was able to construct a 150,000 square foot medieval Italian castle with the proceeds. In this interview, Carol and Dario outline the keys to his success: focus on sales, control costs, and plan for catastrophes. Small Fortune Podcast listeners really shouldn’t miss this one.

https://www.vsattui.com/

https://castellodiamorosa.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 60: Excellence in Hospitality Through Teams with Joseph Phelps’ Alysha Lee

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In addition to being an experienced manager of hospitality teams, Alysha Lee is a great storyteller. She and host Carol Collison discuss important management issues illustrated though Alysha’s tales from the trenches of modern luxury hospitality management. At Montage Resorts, she learned about creating memorable experiences and customer relationship management before the advent of CRM systems. At the Hillstone Restaurant Group she learned about how to run a hospitality business and manage to a profit and loss statement. At Far Niente she learned to manage transitions from family ownership to corporate ownership, which she has implemented with her recent move to Joseph Phelps Vineyards (now owned by LVMH) where she is Senior Director of Direct to Consumer and Hospitality. Enjoy this tale of an amazing professional journey.

https://www.josephphelps.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 59: How to Manage Distributor Relationships with Pernod Ricard’s John Glazewski

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Listen and learn from an expert. John Glazewski, Director of Distributor Partnerships at one of the largest wine companies in the world, shares his wisdom on how to succeed in distribution, which can be summarized as follows: Show Up. Hear his advice on strategies for choosing the right market and distributor; how to engage with your distributor to obtain maximum performance in their market; the importance of distributor depletion, inventory and accounts sold reporting; and leveraging wine club customer relationships to maximum effect in wholesale markets.

https://www.pernod-ricard.com/en

john.glazewski461@gmail.com

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 58: Is “Premiumization” a Problem for the Wine Industry? With John Gillespie

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

John Gillespie and host Carol Collison discuss his most recent market report, “Wine in Decline,” which queries non or low- consumers of alcoholic beverages about how their perceptions may be affecting wine sales. The survey results are fascinating, and the conversation centers on the evidence from this research that some consumers view wine as too expensive or not a good value. For example, the survey found that “Wine drinkers who are drinking wine less frequently cited the rising prices of wine significantly more often that beer or spirits drinkers.”

John Gillespie was the founding Director of the Wine Market Council; a trade organization formed in 1995 by the wine industry to answer the question of wine demand and consumer preferences after an earlier period of sales growth challenges. He has been in private practice as a market researcher through his firm Wine Opinions since 2005.

https://wineopinions.com/

to request a report, please email info@wineopinions.com

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 57: Strategies for Borrowers in Problem Credit Situations with Sheppard Mullin’s Ori Katz

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, host Carol Collison speaks with Ori Katz, Partner in the Finance and Bankruptcy Practice at the law firm Sheppard Mullin about when and how business owners should approach their creditors when their financial situation is deteriorating. Topics include: the importance of having a clear understanding of your financial situation; how lenders think about their risks and how that affects you; and when it’s time to speak with a professional advisor. The conversation also includes the differences between such legal options as Assignment for the Protection of Creditors, Receiverships, and Bankruptcy.

https://www.sheppardmullin.com/okatz

https://www.sheppardmullin.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 56: Wine M&A Market Update with Mario Zepponi

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

BMO Managing Director Mario Zepponi, a leading Merger and Acquisitions advisor and podcast host Carol Collison, also an M&A Advisor, recap the deal market in the two years since Mario was last on the podcast (Ep: 7, October ’23.) Topics of discussion include how the decline in consumer wine demand has affected transactions, changes in the buyer set, valuations, what types of transactions may be seen in the future and more.

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 55: Right Motives, Right Vision, Right Values: Lessons in Business Success with Mike Chaput

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode, fellow Berkeley Haas School MBAs and podcasters (!) Carol Collison and Mike Chaput discuss Mike’s journey to establishing his successful, high-growth IT services company, Endsight. Mike outlines concepts in technology, including how agentic AI might be used by wineries to increase DTC sales and operational efficiency. The conversation also includes the experience and lessons Mike learned through an early bankruptcy that led to his current business success. Some key management ideas Mike outlines include how vision, values and motives work to create a company culture that leads to growth.

https://www.endsight.net/

https://www.endsight.net/development/webinar

https://www.endsight.net/sec/cybersecurity/office/hours

https://www.youtube.com/@thechaputperspective

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 54: Farm Credit Lending is Here to Stay with AgWest’s Randi Bural

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Randi Bural is a Senior VP at AgWest Farm Credit based in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. The Farm Credit system is an enterprise founded over 100 years ago by the Federal government to support American agriculture. Because of their mandate they are not going to exit the wine industry, unlike some commercial lenders during tough times. Carol and Randi discuss a variety of topics in current wine finance including how lenders manage lending relationships when a borrower faces financial difficulties, strategies that borrowers are taking to get through the current industry downturn, exiting the wine business and more.

https://www.agwestfc.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 53: Is Technology the Future of Wine Distribution? With LibDib Founder Cheryl Durzy

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0400

The Small Fortune Podcast is about entrepreneurship, the wine business, and the ecosystem of companies that support it. Today’s interview covers them all. Concepts about start-ups such as “minimally viable product.” How wineries should think about sales channels and distribution. And how LibDib works for wineries as an e-commerce distribution platform. This podcast is a banger if you’re into entrepreneurship, the wine business, or both.

https://libdib.com/

https://www.xchateau.com/always-have-distribution-w-cheryl-durzy-libdib/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 52: Analyzing Water Rights When Acquiring a Vineyard with Scott Bozzo

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Scott Bozzo is an expert Farm Manager who advises his clients on which vineyards to buy and then helps them run the operation. Listen and learn how to do due diligence regarding water resources and rights when considering a vineyard acquisition. An entrepreneur and principal owner of Macotera Ag Group, Scott shares what his considerations were in deciding to start his own firm – great ideas for those listeners thinking about making the leap into self-employment themselves. He also provides meaningful advice on how buyers should think about a vineyard acquisition.

https://www.macaggroup.com/

https://calasfmra.com/events/

https://calasfmra.com/ag-land-trends/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 51: Chandon’s Head Winemaker Pauline Lhote: Why Bubbles are Hard – But Fun!

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Today’s guest Pauline Lhote grew up on a farm in the Champagne region and at the ripe old age of 14 decided she wanted to make sparkling wine. Her ambition, hard work and singular focus propelled her to become the Head Winemaker at Domaine Chandon, a pioneering French-owned California sparkling wine house. Carol and Pauline have a wide-ranging discussion about sparkling wine production and its challenges, being women professionals, the differences between the California and French wine businesses, and much more. As usual, the interview ends with Pauline’s insights on professional success in the wine business.

https://www.chandon.com/

https://www.chandon.com/en-US/visit-us/wineryexperiences.html

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 51: Chandon’s Head Winemaker Pauline Lhote: Why Bubbles are Hard – But Fun!

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 08:00:00 -0400

https://www.chandon.com/

https://www.chandon.com/en-US/visit-us/wineryexperiences.html

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 50: Editor of WBM Cyril Penn on How to Succeed in the Wine Business

Tue, 27 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

On our 50th episode (!!) host Carol Collison talks with Cyril Penn, Editor of “Wine Business Monthly” magazine. Listen and learn about: how Cyril got his start as a journalist; all the different ways this successful trade publishing enterprise serves the wine industry; and the company’s newest data products. And after 20 years of watching the wine industry, Cyril shares his best advice on how to be successful in the business.

https://www.winebusiness.com/

https://www.winebusiness.com/classifieds/winejobs/

https://comptracker.winebusiness.com/app/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 49: Getting Lucky in the Wine Business with Ken and Akiko Freeman

Tue, 13 May 2025 08:00:00 -0400

As Ken Freeman says, “the harder I work, the luckier I get.” Still, the Freemans have had a charmed path to building their successful estate winery. From finding a famous tenant yielding cash flow positive business in year one, to picking their favorite wine – Pinot Noir – as the focus of their winery three years before the movie Sideways made the varietal the hot property it still is today, the Freemans have capitalized on their good fortune to create a successful business, Freeman Vineyard and Winery. Carol, Ken, and Akiko discuss many topics, including the secrets to a successful husband and wife business partnership, and how to enter the Japanese market.

https://www.freemanwinery.com/#en

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 48: 30 Years of Selling Duckhorn: What Pete Przybylinski Learned

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Pete Przybylinski, Executive Vice President, and Chief Sales Officer of The Duckhorn Portfolio discusses the many lessons he learned about wine sales and sales management during his thirty years at the company. Among the many useful ideas for sales professionals, Pete discusses:

Managing inventory shortages through allocations and letting production drive sales in the early years.
Building out a brand portfolio and a sales network in the broad market.
Managing through the various financial and demand shocks of the last 20 years.
The development of Decoy and the expansion into national accounts.
Managing the current sales environment.
How to manage a sales team.

This conversation covers an immense amount about management and wine sales. There’s something in it for everyone.

https://www.duckhornportfolio.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 47: The Art of Wine Barrels with Fine Artist Arminee Chahbazian

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

What makes wine so different from all other adult beverage is the art. Listen as Arminee Chahbazian, a talented painter and sculpture who also sells French oak wine barrels for Tonnellerie Bel Aire describes both her artistic work and how it resonates with her representation of this important component in fine wine production. Another lesson here for folks who might not consider the lucrative sales profession, so important to all of the business world: if a fine artist can do it, so can you.

http://www.arminee.com/

https://www.tonnellerie-bel-air.fr/en/

https://sanfranciscoartfair.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 46: A Tale of Two Transactions with Patz & Hall’s James Hall

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0400

James Hall, once and current owner of the Patz & Hall wine brand generously shares a lot of inside information about the two M&A processes he went through, the first in 2016 when he and his partners sold their brand to Ste Michelle Wine Estates, and the second when he and new partners bought it back in 2024 from the Private Equity firm that succeeded SMWE as owner. Anyone who wants to sell a winery or buy a winery will benefit from the details he shares about wine M&A, as well as how to run a successful company and create a business that will be ready for a transaction in that rare event when a buyer comes knocking on the door.

https://www.patzhall.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 45: Writer Karen MacNeil is Fighting Bad Wine Messaging

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Karen MacNeil is the award-winning wine writer and author of the book The Wine Bible (now in its third edition). She joins Carol to discuss “Share and Pair Sundays,” a campaign to highlight the social benefits that come from enjoying wine with food and friends. MacNeil explains the genesis of this project as a means of taking on the current anti-alcohol media messaging. She also shares her story of becoming a writer, how to have success as an entrepreneur and gives some great advice for folks considering joining the industry.

https://www.karenmacneil.com/

https://winespeed.com/

https://www.instagram.com/shareandpairsundays/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 45: Writer Karen MacNeil is Fighting Bad Wine Messaging

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

https://www.karenmacneil.com/

https://winespeed.com/

https://www.instagram.com/shareandpairsundays/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 44: Winning the Wine DTC Market Share Game with WISE Founder Lesley Berglund

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode host Carol Collison talks with her friend and serial entrepreneur Lesley Berglund, a 4th generation Napa business owner. As a founder of one of the first wine catalogues, Ambrosia, in 1991, Lesley invented the concept of winery wine club, creating programs for her catalogue suppliers. Her company also pioneered direct wine sales fulfillment. After selling that company, Lesley immediately launched a new company, WISE (Wine Industry Sales Education) to provide comprehensive training programs for winery direct-to-consumer staff. Carol and Lesley also discuss the tactics that her clients are using to win business in a changing and more competitive wine sales environment.

https://wineindustrysaleseducation.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 43: Will Bankruptcies Affect Winery Property Values? With Ben Slaughter

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In today’s Small Fortune episode Ben Slaughter, founder of Agricultural Property Appraisal Company Arable, joins Carol Collison to discuss the challenges of appraising the market value of wineries in a commercial real estate class where no two assets are exactly alike. Ben and his team use experience and technology to provide market value estimates for a variety of uses: from financing and acquisition to estate planning and litigation. Ben describes his initial assessment of some recorded values on winery properties recently included in the Vintage Wine Estates bankruptcy, and whether and how they might affect market values going forward.

https://www.arableag.com/

https://water.ca.gov/programs/groundwater-management/sgma-groundwater-management

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 42: Good News in the 2024 CA Crush Report with Steve Fredricks

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Carol is joined by Steve Fredricks, the President of Turrentine Brokerage, an important international wine, and grape brokerage company, for a conversation about the 2024 California grape harvest. The Preliminary Grape Crush Report, which was published by the USDA on February 10th, revealed a “shockingly” small vintage with total grapes harvested down 23%. With California representing 60% of the total wines sold in the US, this result will have a meaningful impact on the industry. Listen in to hear Steve’s assessment of what those impacts might be.

https://www.turrentinebrokerage.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 41: How to Raise Millions in Public Markets with Christine Clair

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In today’s episode Carol Collison interviews Christine Clair, former Director of the publicly traded Willamette Valley Vineyards, on how she succeeded in moving up the ranks over a 7+ year career at the winery. The conversation is packed with business insights. Highlights of the interview include:

Tips on how to raise your professional profile through personal branding.
How she and the company were able to raise $40MM through the stock market.
How winery shareholders (or “owners” as she prefers) contribute to sales and marketing such that the net cost of capital can approach ZERO due to these synergies.
And how to apply investor and lender funds in strategically meaningful ways.

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 40: Work Hard and Show Up: Master Somm/CEO Carlton McCoy’s Keys to Success

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this second of two episodes on the role of the Sommelier in wine sales, Carol Collison and Lawrence Wine Estates’ Carlton McCoy discuss the story of his success which took him from training in the restaurant business, to becoming a Master Sommelier in his early ‘20’s, to today’s wine industry leader. Carlton describes the Court of Master Sommeliers as a successful industry training organization and probably the most impactful organization for wine consumption in American history. They wrap up the conversation with a discussion of the outlook for wine sales in 2025.

https://www.mastersommeliers.org/

Kelli A White: Wine Confident: https://bookshop.org/p/books/wine-confident-there-s-no-wrong-way-to-enjoy-wine-kelli-a-white-ms/21449087?ean=9781917084499

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 39: How to Sell Wine Through Sommeliers and Other Top Experts with Bruce Neyers

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0400

In this third conversation with Bruce Neyers of Neyers Vineyards we hear about Robert Mondavi’s prediction that strong middle management with expertise would be required for the American wine industry to grow. Bruce talks about the role of certified Sommeliers in wine sales. Back in the day when he sold wine into a restaurant, he’d be lucky to talk to a busy owner or head waiter. Today, incredibly knowledgeable restaurant and wholesaler staff – often with high level certifications such as Master Sommeliers - require that wine sales professional up their information game, and provides some simple wine sales tips, as well as recommending a few reference books, links below.

https://www.neyersvineyards.com/

Kelli A White: Wine Confident: https://bookshop.org/p/books/wine-confident-there-s-no-wrong-way-to-enjoy-wine-kelli-a-white-ms/21449087?ean=9781917084499

Maynard A. Amerine: Book of California Wine

https://www.rarebookcellar.com/pages/books/188692/maynard-a-amerine-doris-muscatine-bob-thompson/the-university-of-california-sotheby-book-of-california-wine?srsltid=AfmBOopQWEN1BPYdsTAlwTAovgU6eL_jrW_j_ln2J85JUJ_rbs23j97Z

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 38: Inside the VWE Bankruptcy Auction with IBG’s Oren Lewin

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0400

If you were wondering how the Vintage Wine Estate bankruptcy auction went, so was Carol. So, she invited Oren Lewin of Integrated Beverage Group to the podcast. IBG, based in Oregon, was the winning bidder for VWE’s Firesteed and Clayhouse brands. (Want to buy Clayhouse?) Hear step-by-step how the auction process went, how it differed from a normal winey acquisition process, as well as many other topics in wine mergers and acquisitions from two experienced practitioners.

https://www.integratedbev.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 37: Peter Ficklin Has ’57 California Ports for Sale

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In today’s episode, Carol talks with Peter Ficklin, 3rd generation proprietor of Ficklin Vineyards, a California port producer founded in Madera County in 1948. Carol and Peter discuss keys for a successful family transition (allow creativity, talk frequently, listen, and learn), how port is made, and the history of the brand’s sales channels. They also discuss the wide world of Ficklin’s wines, from a ’57 Vintage Port made by Peter’s father available for sale at $600 per bottle, to Rose port aged 6 months in stainless steel for $30, and everything in between.

https://www.ficklin.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 36: Congressman Mike Thompson on the Wine Industry and DC

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In today’s special episode Carol talks with Congressman Mike Thompson about his advocacy for the wine industry and his constituents in Napa, Lake, Sonoma, Yolo and even Carol’s home – Solano County. Having recently won his 14th election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Thompson remains hard at work. Carol and Rep. Thompson discuss his role as co-founder and current co-Chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, the importance of the Farm Bill, and potential issues for the industry with the incoming 2nd Trump Administration, and how he and his colleagues will move forward.

https://mikethompson.house.gov/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 35: Banking Update for the Wine Industry with Mark Freund

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Carol and returning guest Mark Freund of Silicon Valley Bank discuss the current trends in wine industry lending, including how interest rates and broader wine market challenges are reducing credit availability in the short term. Listen to this conversation to get an up-to-date understanding of what wine industry lenders are thinking.

https://www.svb.com/

https://www.svb.com/trends-insights/reports/dtc-wine-survey-report-2024/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep. 34: Mark Couchman on Vineyard Investing

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In this episode Carol talks to Mark Couchman, the founder of Silverado Premium Properties, the largest institutional investor in California vineyards before its sale to TIAA-CREF. In this information-packed conversation, Mark and Carol discuss: the importance of knowledge of the market in general and the asset (whether as a buyer or seller) in question; how to negotiate; offer strategies; building trust as a buyer or seller; how growers should think about decisions to crush grapes for sale as bulk wine; and many other topics.

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 33: How to Sell Wine with Bruce Neyers Part 2

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Host Carol Collison and Neyers Vineyards’ Bruce Neyers continue their conversation about the wine sales profession. Bruce describes how he successfully sold wine for 25 years for the California-based French wine importer Kermit Lynch, which had a portfolio of as many as 2,500 SKUs (Stock Keeping Unit) of arcane French wines from lesser-known regions. “You don’t sell anything unless you know it.” Bruce succeeded by educating himself, and then educating his distributors to enable them to make the sale out in the marketplace. Bruce describes how a conversation with the Napa wine pioneer Joe Heitz inspired him and his wife Barbara to launch their own wine brand, Neyers Vineyards, which he continues to own through a partnership with Trinchero Family Estates.

https://kermitlynch.com/

https://www.neyersvineyards.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 32: How to Sell Wine with Bruce Neyers Part 1

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Bruce Neyers started selling wine for Joseph Phelps winery in the ‘70’s, before selling wine was even a thing. Imagine wine sales before anyone knew you could provide samples?? Carol and Bruce talk about his start in the wine business, about the importance of the wine sales profession, and how selling has evolved in a series of conversations. In this first episode, Bruce describes his start in the wine business during the early days of the industry in the Napa Valley.

https://www.neyersvineyards.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 31: Wine Sales Excellence with Merritt Olson

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Merritt Olson, a Pacific Northwest wine sales veteran, (at the ripe old age of not very old) has seen it all. She began her sales career by selling wine in tasting rooms and bars in the Walla Walla area while in college. She then moved to sales management for a wide range of Pacific Northwest wineries such as Charles Smith and Owen Roe, finally finishing as the Director of Sales at Mitchell Wine Group, Oregon’s leading independent wholesaler of fine wines, before leaving to work in her family business. Meritt explains her strategies for selling wine both as a winery and as a distributor and shares some great books on management that have helped her in her career.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/traction-gino-wickman/1100073595

https://www.amazon.com/SPEED-TRUST-Thing-Changes-Everything/dp/1416549005

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 30: A Passion for Winery Compliance? An Interview with Ann Reynolds

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Ann Reynolds started her compliance consulting company Wine Compliance Alliance 15 years ago. She and Carol talk about the entrepreneurial mindset, how to launch a consulting firm, and of course, compliance! One of the things that make the wine business so difficult is the complex regulatory environment for beverage alcohol production and sales. Ann and Carol discuss a few sample topics in winery compliance that new entrants to the business should be aware of. Ann also talks about her book on wine labelling “The Inside Story of a Wine Label” (link below).

https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Story-Wine-Label/dp/1481859846

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Vic Motto Revisited

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 09:19:47 -0400

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of artist, musician, wine business advisor and co-founder of Global Wine Partners, Vic Motto, at his home in Florida on September 1, 2024. In honor of Vic, we would like to revisit our first episode.

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 29: The Market for Vineyards and Wineries in ‘24/’25 with Tony Correia and Carol Collison

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Vineyard appraiser Tony Correia and M&A Advisor Carol Collison engage in a wide-ranging discussion on the economics of today’s wine industry: Who’s buying vineyards in California today and why, how the bankruptcy of Vintage Wine Estates is affecting the market for winery facilities and brands, and what today’s market implies for transaction volumes in 2025.

http://correiaco.com/index.html

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 28: Cathy Corison’s Approach to Business Success

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

There are lots of ways to be successful in the wine business, and lots of ways to fail. In this conversation with famed Napa winemaker Cathy Corison, you will hear about an artist’s approach to business success. Growth for the sake of it is not a value, indeed Cathy has kept the company the size it is (only 3,000 cases) so that she can have complete control of the production process from vine to bottle. Carol and Cathy talk about her experience of past wine industry downturns and the future of the winery now that her daughters are becoming involved. To Cathy, the keys to success in the wine business are standing for something, being passionate and a little bit crazy, taking the long view, and perhaps most important of all - being stubborn.

https://www.corison.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 27: Doing Well by Doing Good: Karen Cakebread of the Napa Valley Grape Growers

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

If you give your time to volunteering for trade organizations like the Grape Growers or Vintners in your area, are you guaranteed to sell your winery? Karen Cakebread and Carol Collison talk about the professional benefits of this type of philanthropic work. Karen tells the story of how, after many years of networking, she sold her Ziata wine brand to Trinchero Family Estates after a casual conversation at the Grape Growers fundraiser: Stomp.

https://www.harveststomp.com/

https://www.napagrowers.org/#gsc.tab=0

https://www.farmworkerfoundation.org/

https://www.ziatawines.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 26: The Wine Supply Cycle with Turrentine’s Steve Fredricks

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

As a wine and grape broker, Steve Fredricks, President of Turrentine Brokerage, has been at the center of the grape and wine supply chain for over thirty years. In this interview Carol and Steve discuss the dynamics of the wine supply cycle. On the current weak wine and grape market Steve says, “We’re farther along than people may feel but we still have a ways to go.” Listen to this conversation and learn a few things about how grape and wine brokers - who have comprehensive information on the market - serve the industry, and how these service providers help winery owners optimize their wine and grape supply. At the end of the conversation Steve lays out some keys to success which regular listeners to this podcast will recognize.

https://www.turrentinebrokerage.com/

https://www.turrentinebrokerage.com/wine-wheel/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 25: Guerilla Financing Your Start Up with Margins Winery’s Megan Bell

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Host Carol Collison reached out to Megan Bell - owner of the winery Margins - after reading a profile in the San Francisco Chronicle describing her difficult year to tell the story of the sales challenges the industry has faced in the past 12 months. Carol and Megan talk about how she has bootstrapped the financing of the business she founded, from friends and family, crowd funding, working two jobs, stretching vendor payables, and traditional bank loans. A “millennial” who started her winery at the age of 25, the conversation turns to the questions of what millennials want from the wine industry, and other interesting ideas for starting a wine business, including her recommendation for obtaining free advice from Small Business Development Centers.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.marginswine.com/

https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/small-business-development-centers-sbdc

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 24: How to Succeed in Distribution with Former Young’s Market Executive Chris Sarles

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Chris Sarles joins Carol Collison for a wide-ranging conversation about the wine business, distributors, and how wineries can succeed in this important sales channel. The conversation is absolutely packed with ideas from how to be a successful executive; how distributors look at their winery partners (hint: if you’re a winery, you’re not the customer); and strategies for exiting a larger distributor relationship. Other tips? We’ve heard this before: listen to the market and what the retailers and consumers want and need, not what you want to produce.

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 23: A Conversation About Today’s Wine Industry Challenges ++

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Occasionally the Small Fortune Podcast can’t book an interview. Everyone’s so busy these days! So host Carol Collison invited friend and founder of the wine industry accounting firm Tim Allen to join her for a wide ranging conversation on topics such as the current industry environment, demand changes and down cycles, do we understand the new wine drinkers?, how bad costing can tank a business, and Carol’s partner Mike Fisher’s talent as an expert witness, among other topics.

https://allengroupllp.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 22: Vintner and Auctioneer Fritz Hatton—Have Bung Will Gavel

Tue, 28 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In its short life the Small Fortune podcast has talked to a number of professionals who were “there at the beginning” of the modern American wine industry and today is a wonderful example: Fritz Hatton and Carol Collison talk about the history of the American wine auction, in which Fritz was a central player. Early in his successful career at Christie’s, he helped to organize the first commercial wine auction in the United States, which was held in 1980. The next year, Robert Mondavi and the Napa Valley Vintners held their first charity auction, Auction Napa Valley (which coincidentally is happening the week we are publishing this episode). Fritz held the gavel for 26 years at this important event, which has raised tens of millions of dollars for local Napa community programs. He also tells the story of his wine label, Arietta, which was founded from a mutual love of wine and classical music by Fritz and John Kongsgaard.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://ariettawine.com/

https://www.collectivenapavalley.org/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 21: Jonjie Lockman, CEO of Intervine, is Passionate About Wine and Efficiency

Tue, 14 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Jonjie Lockman caught the wine bug in her 30’s and decided to bring her passion for business operations to the industry when she joined Intervine in 2011. Intervine provides wine as well as food and other beverage products to the airline industry. A member of the “Association of Business Process Management Professionals”, Jonjie has an incredible drive for bringing effectiveness and efficiency to the complex effort of getting the right wines, to the right airports, at the right time. Intervine is also an employee-owned company, and Carol asks Jonjie to talk about that process, since it is a model that some winery owners might consider when they are considering how to exit their businesses.

https://www.intervineinc.com/

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/esop.asp

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 20: Alex Sokol Blosser: How Becoming a B Corp Helps Wineries Thrive Responsibly

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

This is the first interview of an Oregon wine producer for the Small Fortune Podcast! Carol loves Oregon! Alex’s parents, Bill Blosser and Susan Sokol-Blosser were risk-taking entrepreneurs and among the pioneers of Willamette Valley’s development as an important American wine-growing region. Alex and GWP partner Carol cover a wide range of topics, including B Corporations, second labels, bankers and more. A very lively discussion with a gentleman who grew up in the adventurous lifestyle of wine entrepreneurship. Or as he characterizes it, the circus.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://sokolblosser.com/

IPNC: https://ipnc.org/

B Corporations: https://www.investopedia.com/b-corp-7488828

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 19: Professional Pitchman Dave Del Dotto Says Wine is Good for Your Health

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Today’s interview is with Dave Del Dotto, founder and owner of four wineries in the Napa Valley under various “Del Dotto” monikers. Dave is a natural salesman, having made his first fortune in real estate and infomercials. Listen in to hear how a natural pitchman makes the case for drinking wine. He and Carol discuss his success, including his approach to cultivating collector relationships and creating enduring experiences at his wineries. The Kardashians, to Carol’s surprise, also make an appearance. Although he has a very successful DTC program, Dave still sells a small portion of his production in wholesale channels. Food for thought.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.deldottovineyards.com/

https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/tv/keeping-up-with-the-kardashians/8311621267728768112/seasons/18/episodes/surprise-surprise-episode-5/ee8ea4c6-6a97-3532-a0b1-7e09c32aaa30

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 18: Sean Minor Wines is Taking Market Share and It’s Not An Accident

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 08:00:00 -0400

The remarkable thing to me (host Carol Collison) as a long-time advisor to business owners is how truly intentional and buttoned up Sean Minor is in his approach to entrepreneurship in the wine business. He and his business partner and wife Nicole started their winery with a business plan based on identification of a very specific opportunity in the on-premise (restaurant) market and sailed through the terrible industry downturn in ’08 – ’10. Although not covered in the conversation, of course being focused on-premise in 2020 was another story, however they’ve come through the pandemic and are growing through the last three quarters. We talk about his approach to his start up, to changing the brand name several years into the business, to challenges he faced in financing growth, and now transitioning to the next generation.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.seanminorwines.com/

“Black Swan”: https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/economics/black-swan-event/

Negociant: https://daily.sevenfifty.com/what-is-the-future-for-american-wine-negociants/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 17: 4th Gen Napa Grower Andy Hoxsey Invented Today’s Custom Crush Services

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400

https://www.napawineco.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 16: Consulting Winemaker Jean Hoefliger Doesn’t Just Make Wine

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Carol invited successful Napa Valley Consulting Winemaker Jean Hoefliger to the Small Fortune Podcast to learn about what the job entails. And finds out it isn’t just winemaking! Jean and the team at JH Wine Consulting provide comprehensive business services to their clients. Why? Because as Jean says in this conversation, quoting his friend Michel Rolland, “Even billionaires get tired of losing money”.

Mentioned in this episode:

https://www.jhwineconsulting.com/

https://www.axrnapavalley.com/

https://www.thedebatewine.com/

https://www.forceandgracewines.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 15: BPM's Michelle Muth Ausburn on Professional Success in Finance & Accounting

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In today's episode Carol interviews Michelle Muth Ausburn, partner in a major accounting firm, BPM, LLP. As fellow women in senior finance positions in the wine industry, Carol and Michelle have a lively conversation about why pursuing a career in accounting was attractive to Michelle, what she values in her professional relationships, and an important lessons she learned from her entrepreneur father. Through the conversation Michelle demonstrates the high level of discretion and ethics that characterize the top performers in the fields of finance and accounting.

Mentioned in this episode:

BPM: https://www.bpm.com/

GAAP: (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) https://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gaap.asp

LIFO: (Last In, First Out Inventory Accounting) https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/accounting/last-in-first-out-lifo/

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners

https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 14: 50 Years as a North Coast Grape Grower: Fred Peterson Isn’t Worried About Climate Change

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Fred Peterson is an American original and the most influential grape grower you may not have heard about. From Mount Eden to Ridge Monte Bello, to Stagecoach and beyond, Fred has been involved with many iconic California vineyards. When he began his career in the wine industry in the 1970’s he worked with Riesling and Sylvaner in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Back then, the Napa Valley was planted primarily to Petite Sirah. Fred and Carol discuss the history of North Coast Grape growing, and Fred’s perspective on the future. Instead of our traditional Small Fortune Intro, Carol’s business partner Mike Fisher, who went to UC Davis with Fred, makes an appearance. In 1987 Fred founded Peterson Winery, based in Healdsburg, CA. Today he and his son Jamie work together making classic Sonoma wines based on their “Zero Manipulation” approach from Fred’s Bradford Mountain vineyard and beyond.

https://www.petersonwinery.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 13: Wine Sales Were Down 9% in 2023: Russ Weis on What You Can Do About It

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:05:00 -0400

Our interview with Russ Weis about his career as a senior manager in the wine industry (see Episode 12) took place on a day when an industry research firm (link below to their website) released data that showed a marked drop in winery shipments into the wholesale channel in 2023 (9% by value). This has naturally grabbed everyone’s attention, and we didn’t have time to address it. So, we recorded a second interview in which Russ shares many practical and also philosophical approaches to the challenge of managing wine sales in the wholesale markets.

Referenced in today’s episode:

https://www.bw166.com/blog/

https://wvmgmt.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 12: The Secret to Longevity in Management: An Interview with Russ Weis

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0400

Russ Weis is the President of Walsh Vineyards Management, a Napa-based farming services company. He joined Walsh after an 18-year run as President of Silverado Vineyards, and before that he worked for nearly ten years in senior management at Robert Mondavi Winery, during the go-go years of the ‘90’s. Russ shares his experiences in the wine industry, beginning on his family farm in Madera County. He also answers Carol’s question: what is the secret to longevity in senior management positions? Russ shares a concept he was taught early in his career which might be broadened to the more universal idea of “authenticity,” a way of thinking about how to choose the right company to work for, which has stood him in good stead and still does to this day.

Referenced in today's episode:

https://wvmgmt.com/

Questions? Comments? Smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 11: The O.G. of Wine DTC: Paul Kalemkiarian of the Original Wine of the Month Club

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:00:00 -0400

“I am enthusiastic over humanity’s extraordinary and sometimes very timely ingenuity. If you are in a shipwreck and all the boats are gone, a piano top buoyant enough to keep you afloat that comes along makes a fortuitous life preserver. But this is not to say that the best way to design a life preserver is in the form of a piano top. I think that we are clinging to a great many piano tops in accepting yesterday’s fortuitous contrivings as constituting the only means for solving a given problem.” Richard Buckminster Fuller

Happy New Year Small Fortune Podcast Listeners!

In today’s episode, Carol talks to Paul Kalemkiarian, (until last year) the owner of the Original Wine of the Month Club. Paul describes the arc of his DTC wine sales business from in-person recruitment methods in the ‘70’s ‘80’s and 90’s through the mail catalogue, e-mail, and now on-line methods of acquiring new customers. As the platforms we currently use to mediate the connection between sellers and buyers become increasingly crowded, and as the platforms take more and more profits for themselves, it’s time to think anew. There are some good “old” ideas that Paul describes that might just be worth another look here in 2024.

Paul is also a podcaster! Carol highly recommends “Wine Talks with Paul K” – available at all podcast platforms (link below). While you’re there, follow Small Fortune! We’re on all podcast platforms too.

paul@womclub.com

https://www.winetalkspodcast.com/

Andy Steinman’s contact information for the wine DTC opportunity: asteinman@globalwinebank.com

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

EP 10 Jeremy Benson on Raising Awareness For Your Wine Brand

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Jeremy Benson, founder of Benson Marketing Group, joins Carol to talk about what marketing can do for a winery or wine brand. He describes some campaigns for clients on small budgets, how marketing supports sales, and the need to integrate brand messaging throughout your business. He also shares his own story as an entrepreneur: why he chose to start his own marketing agency, as well as some challenges and rewards of business ownership. Finally, Jeremy describes his firm’s important work, in concert with organizations such as Napa Valley Vintners and Family Winemakers of California, in leading the ”Free the Grapes” initiative. After more than two decades of effort, most US states now allow wineries to ship directly to consumers. Jeremy sold his agency to The Brand Leader in early 2023, and his team is now integrated into that company, expanding their service offerings and capabilities.

https://bensonmarketing.com/#services

https://bensonmarketing.com/heres-how-wine-spirits-marketing-can-manage-a-recession/

https://freethegrapes.org/

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

EP 10 Jeremy Benson on Raising Awareness For Your Wine Brand

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0400

https://bensonmarketing.com/#services

https://bensonmarketing.com/heres-how-wine-spirits-marketing-can-manage-a-recession/

https://freethegrapes.org/

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 9: Mark Freund on Banking and the Failure and Recovery at SVB and FRB

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 08:00:00 -0400

Mark Freund was at First Republic Bank in May of 2023 when it succumbed to a banking panic that had taken down Silicon Valley Bank two months earlier. As important lenders to the wine industry, the failure of these two banks had an immediate impact on business activity. Fortunately, the contagion was quickly contained, SVB was acquired by First Citizens Bank and FRB was acquired by JP Morgan Chase. Mark talks about his decision to return to SVB as Managing Director in its Wine Division. Carol and Mark also discuss the role of banking in the wine industry, how to manage your banking relationship, and how to be successful in the wine business.

https://www.svb.com/industry-solutions/premium-wine-banking/

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 8: Nick Donovan on Raising Equity for Your Winery Through Private Placement.

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 06:05:05 -0400

Every business owner or manager needs great attorney(s) on speed dial. Nick Donovan, Partner at GVM Law LLP in Napa, California joins Carol to discuss a number of legal issues including business formation, raising equity and more. He also shares his views on the keys to success as well as the risks in the wine industry. Finally, undaunted by the challenges inherent in owning a wine company, Nick shares his story of creating a wine brand with NBA star Dwyane Wade.

https://gvmlaw.com/

https://www.dwadecellars.com/

Sponsor: Global Wine Partners https://www.globalwinebank.com/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

EP 7: Carol & Mario Zepponi Discuss the Nuts & Bolts of Wine M & A

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:21:50 -0400

Listen in to M&A advisor shop-talk, as Carol interviews Mario Zepponi, founder and principal of The Zepponi Group, a leading wine industry M&A advisory firm. Carol and Mario talk about current market trends, what their favorite deals looked like, challenges in the wine industry, and why winery owners wanting to sell their companies should hire local.

The Zepponi Group: https://www.zepponi.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

EP 7: Carol & Mario Zepponi Discuss the Nuts & Bolts of Wine M & A

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:21:50 -0400

The Zepponi Group: https://www.zepponi.com/

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Ep 6: How Roy Cecchetti Grew His Wine Brand Sales 10X in Six Years

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 10:17:00 -0400

Roy Cecchetti sold his successful wine company to O’Neill Vintners in 2014 with the help of Global Wine Partners. In this interview, Roy comes out of retirement to talk to Carol about how he launched and grew his brand portfolio, which was selling several hundred thousand cases in the wholesale channel with only a skeleton crew (Roy + four salespeople) at the time of the transaction. Roy discusses product development, building his distributor network (and how that network transitioned after the brand sale); creative promotional tactics, and more of the inventive ways he built his wine business.

Roy’s contact information is: roy@cecchettiwineco.com

https://www.globalwinebank.com/category/small-fortune-podcasts/

Music: Nate Collison

Logo Photography: John Corcoran

Episode 5: Tony Correia on Current Market Conditions

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 08:45:51 -0400

Tony Correia is the preeminent real estate appraiser in the California wine industry. Tony grew up in farming in the Fresno area and has worked in and around agriculture most of his career (except when he was a spy – we’ll cover that in another podcast). Carol and Tony talk about his career and profession, but also about how the Federal Reserve rate hikes and problems at key industry lenders are affecting the market, from deal flow to, potentially, valuations (cue the dramatic music).

Hey Small Fortune Listeners, we have struggled with some audio problems that were hard to get a handle on, we believe we have largely solved the problems with Episode #5, this great talk with Tony Correia. Smooth sailing (fingers crossed) from here on out. We hope you’ll keep listening!

Here’s a good explainer on how “cap rates”, which Tony and Carol discuss, are used in real estate appraisals:

https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/real-estate/commercial-term-lending/cap-rates-explained

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/capitalizationrate.asp

For more information on Tony’s appraisal company: https://correiaco.com/index.html

Credits:

Logo photography: John Corcoran

Music: Nate Collison

Questions? Comments? E-mail us at smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Episode 4: Sam Bilbro & Carol Discuss the Federal Reserve and the Market for Italian Varietals

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 08:32:26 -0400

Sam Bilbro is a 4th generation winemaker and owner of the brand Idlewild which specializes in wines made from Piedmontese varieties grown in and around Northern Sonoma County. Carol and Sam talk about the business case for these niche wines, as well as his thinking behind his retail Italian wine and food shop. They also talk about the business lessons he learned from his father, Chris Bilbro, founder of Marietta Cellars. Both Idlewild and Ciao Bruto are located in downtown Healdsburg.

Hey Small Fortune Listeners, we have struggled with some audio problems that were hard to get a handle on, but we believe we have largely solved the problems beginning with Episode #5. Great content in this interview #4 with Sam Bilbro. We hope you’ll keep listening!

https://www.idlewildwines.com/

https://ciaobruto.com/

Credits:

Logo photography: John Corcoran

Music: Nate Collison

Questions? Comments? E-mail us at smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Ep 3: Tim Allen on the 3 Biggest Mistakes Wineries Make

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 10:08:29 -0400

Carol talks with Tim Allen, founder and managing partner of the Allen Wine Group. AWG provides consulting CFO and accounting services to the wine industry. Carol and Tim talk about the common mistakes that wine businesses make and how to manage them. Tim also shares stories about winery transactions he's been involved with - Rosenblum and Kuleto - as well as how to get a wanna-be winery investor off the phone.

https://allengroupllp.com/

https://www.globalwinebank.com/category/small-fortune-podcasts/

Logo photography: John Corcoran

Music: Nate Collison

Ep 2: Vic Motto on Lessons Learned From 50 Years in the Wine Business

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 15:36:00 -0400

Our first conversation is with Vic Motto, founder of both MKF, a top wine industry CPA firm, and Global Wine Partners, where Carol and Jaclyn both work. Vic spent many years advising top companies in the industry from all over the world and with all types of business models, from Gallo to Screaming Eagle. Vic talks about a number of keys to success in the industry, including the Top Priority for a winery owner or manager. There are a number of luminaries who come up, from Koerner Rombauer to Ernie Gallo to Robert Mondavi. Can you guess the famous joint venture Vic talks about between French and American wine companies?

Questions? Comments? smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com

Credits:

Logo photography John Corcoran

Music Nate Collison

Ep 1: What Does It Take to Make a Small Fortune in the Wine Business?

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 11:23:15 -0400

Welcome to Small Fortune, a podcast about the business of wine. We discuss how difficult it is to be successful and why. It’s also about the strategies that various participants in the industry have used to overcome the challenges inherent in making and selling wine. And it is simply about telling the stories of the wine business. The podcast is also about entrepreneurship more generally, so any small business owner might benefit from the ideas discussed in these conversations.

Questions or comments? Email us at smallfortunepodcast@gmail.com.

Credits:

Music: Nate Collison

Logo photography: John Corcoran