Wine Talks with Paul K.

• Inventing the Coravin: Greg Lambrecht on Transforming Wine Culture and Expanding By-the-Glass Exploration

  Who invents these things? and what experience do they have that gets them to the point that they can invent these things?  Entrepreneurs are a crafty bunch. They dream. They test themselves. They switch gears on the fly. So goes the story of Greg Lambrecht, the inventor of the Coravin wine preservation and dispensing system. You have to believe the story, though it seems unbelievable, because it is true. Imagine a podcast where invention, passion, and the enduring mystique of wine come together—where stories of ingenuity inspire new perspectives on the familiar rituals of sharing a bottle. Welcome to Wine Talks, and in this special episode, we sit down with none other than Greg Lambrecht: medical device inventor, Chairman, and founder of Coravin, the revolutionary wine preservation system that's changed the way we taste and savor the world's finest bottles. Our journey begins not in a vineyard, but deep inside the world of plasma physics, where a young Greg Lambrecht first dreamed of fusion reactors before pivoting toward medicine and, ultimately, the creative crossroads that would see him transform both fields. It's the kind of path mapped by an insatiable curiosity, a "ferocity of purpose"—as Greg Lambrecht puts it—that won't let go until a solution is found. Whether protecting healthcare workers with safer needles or opening doors to rare wines without ever pulling a cork, Greg Lambrecht's inventions answer needs no one thought to ask out loud. What sets this conversation apart isn't just its recounting of triumphs over glass and grape, but the philosophy animating Greg Lambrecht's work. He believes wine's true essence lies not in luxury, but in experience: its power to bring people together, its infinite variety ripe for exploration, its uncanny knack for weaving memory and flavor into moments we'll never forget. Wine, as he reminds us, is the "most social beverage," a thread running through history that binds strangers and friends alike. Threaded throughout the episode is an unyielding optimism: that even as wine faces cycles of challenge—from shifting tastes to industry headwinds—it will endure, because what it offers is elemental and unchanging. Imbued with the joy of discovery and a respect for craftsmanship, this episode doesn't just trace the arc of an inventor's career; it champions a deeper message. Innovation and tradition aren't adversaries, but partners that keep the world of wine vital and surprising for the generations yet to come. So pour a glass, settle in, and let this episode remind you that sometimes, the best stories—and the best bottles—are those we share together, with curiosity and an open mind. The future of wine, it turns out, is a journey made one meaningful sip at a time.     #WineTalksPodcast #GregLambrecht #PaulKalemkiarian #Coravin #WineInnovation #WinePreservation #Entrepreneurship #WineIndustry #WineByTheGlass #WineDiscovery #WineExperience #MedicalDevices #WineCulture #WineTasting #WineTechnology #ChampagnePreservation #WineMemories #Sommelier #WineEducation #WineCommunity

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• Breaking Traditions: Collaboration, Diversity, and Modern Strategies in the Wine Industry

  There is alot of speculation, prognositcatiom, miss-information, ridiculous conclusions, and outright bad data about the wine trade right now. Everyone with an opinion is chiming in. And some of these folks have done nothing more than work in a wine shop or behind the scenes at an agency. How does that quote go? "It is much easier to give advice from the veil of cover, than to use it at the point of attack" That is percisely how I feel about much of what is being said. Enter Barbara Gorder. She gives advice but has used it at the point of attack. You see, she didn't come from the wine trade to convolute and miss-comprehend the data, she came from main stream marketing; high end stuff; Leo Burnett. Barbara Gorder never cared much for the wine itself—at least, not at first. Her fascination started in a Roman-built wine cave, an art history professor and a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. But what truly pulls Barbara Gorder into wine's gravity isn't just what's in the glass; it's the changing, challenging business behind it. This episode pours listeners an insider's view not just of shifting generational tastes or the specter of "neo-prohibitionists," but the seismic explosion of wineries competing for our (increasingly distracted) attention. You'll discover how direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine marketing—once an afterthought—has grown into a multibillion-dollar necessity, and how Barbara Gorder helped drive this revolution by importing lessons from fields as disparate as luxury beauty and global snack foods. With wit and blunt honesty, she uncorks tales of exclusion—women in marketing meetings, outsiders "not related by blood or marriage"—and explains how diversity and collaboration are quietly rewriting the rules of success. Listen in as Paul Kalemkiarian grills her on why most wineries have only now started talking to their customers (and still don't know their acquisition costs), why the wine industry's language gap drives away curious drinkers, and how the future lies not in doom-and-gloom narratives, but in creative marketing and open doors. This is a rare tasting of industry confessionals, hard marketing truths, and what it really takes to stand out when your competitors have multiplied from 7,500 to over 11,000 in under five years. By the end, you'll have a seat at the table with the most eccentric thinkers in wine, understand why "my wine sells itself" is a myth, and get a glimpse at the future of how—and to whom—wine is going to be sold.     #wineindustry #DTCwine #BarbaraGorder #PaulKalemkiarian #winemarketing #winebusiness #winerycompetition #winesymposium #FreetheGrapes #directtoconsumer #wineclubs #winediversity #wineexperience #wineeducation #winesalesstrategies #winetech #digitalmarketing #womeninwine #wineconsumertrends #winepodcast  

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• Behind the Bottle: Wine, Humility, and Inspiring Stories from Rome to Texas

  Wine is about the humanity.  This concept hit me on a flight home from Rome. I was watching a movie and started to weep. I realized the human soul needs passion, passion forsomething; maybe another person, maybe a lifestyle, maybe a career, but passion drives our will. And wine is full of passion. To do it right, it takes nothing less than passion. Hey there, it's Paul Kalemkiarian on Wine Talks, and in this episode, I really wanted to get personal and share how deeply humanity and humility run through every thread of the wine world at its highest levels. I open the show reflecting on a profound sense of gratitude after tasting with some top producers—it reminded me why I'm passionate about this podcast. Wine isn't just a commodity to me; it's an expression of earth, spirit, and story, and the purpose of Wine Talks is to spread that message. I also let listeners into my own little world, sharing that I've tasted 100,000 wines over the years and even built a comprehensive database (and now an AI-driven app) to catalog all these bottles. It's quirky, but it keeps me grounded in what I love. Then, I shared a special moment from a recent trip to Rome, where I had the honor of attending the Vatican for the canonization of an Armenian archbishop. It was a powerful experience—full of history, pageantry, and meaning. Of course, the promised "private audience with the Pope" wasn't exactly one-on-one selfies, but still, being there among so many was remarkable. The journey continued to Puglia in southern Italy, where I managed, despite short notice, to meet with Mark Shannon of Amano wines. Mark's story resonated deeply—an American winemaker settling in an up-and-coming wine region, driven by pure passion. We recorded a heartfelt conversation, shared great food, and I came away reminded how wine connects people at the most human level. On my flight home, I got unexpectedly emotional watching Top Gun: Maverick. It hit home how we all seek passion and escape—sometimes in movies, sometimes in travel, sometimes in wine. No matter our circumstances, that longing for meaningful off-ramps never goes away. The show then explores not only the artistry and soulfulness in winemaking, but also the nuts-and-bolts of the business—from manipulated supermarket bottles that miss the mark to innovative new packaging concepts, marketing strategies, and the challenges faced by artisans like Mark Shannon trying to access the U.S. market. I shared anecdotes about recent guests—a geophysicist connecting volcanic soils to wine character, a business-savvy marketing pro, and other passionate personalities in the wine world. I reflected on the fascinating diversity of experiences, from NBA stars getting into wine to trailblazers supporting Armenian wine in the global conversation. In the end, I emphasized why I do this: it's for the humanity, the stories, and the connections that wine brings. My hope is always to bring listeners closer to the heart of wine—whether it's a legendary Bordeaux tasting or a birthday party at my own home. It's all about sharing, learning, and feeling something real. Cheers to the humanity of wine—and thanks for joining me on this episode of Wine Talks.         #winepodcast #WineTalks #PaulKalemkiarian #winetrade #winebusiness #winetasting #humanityinwine #PugliaItaly #Armenianwine #Bordeaux #NapaValley #passionforwine #storytelling #volcanicsoil #winemarketing #appellation #Primitivo #Zinfandel #winemakers #wineculture

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• Puglian Wine Evolution: Mark Shannon's 46-Year Passion for Quality and Authenticity

  Wine Talks was invited to meet the Pope....well, at least by the language in the invitation, it sounded like we were going to meet the Pope. It turns out that the word "private audience" meant with 6294 other private invitees. Lol, it was an honor just to be there. Wine Talks took a detour out of Rome to the now-famed wine region of Puglia.  Home of Primitivo, Negroamaro, and Fiano, the area of Puglia has a rich Italian history on its own. As the trip was put together on short notice, I searched through my database of Puglian wines tasted and found the wines of A MANO as wines I enjoyed. In the meantime, I reached out to Vahe Keushguerian for some advice on who to contact for a podcast; after all, his famed winemaking career started in Puglia. He mentioned Mark Shannon of A Mano wines...how about that for a serendipitous connection?  I put out a quick email to Mark, and he graciously accepted...and offered to bring in a "traditional" Puglian lunch for our group.  Mark Shannon may call himself "just a student of winemaking," but after you hear his journey, you'll realize he's more of a wine whisperer—an alchemist who turns curiosity and grit into liquid art. Pour yourself a glass, because in this episode you'll travel from the bustling streets of Toronto and the sun-drenched vineyards of California, all the way to an ancient town in Puglia, Italy, where Mark Shannon has spent nearly three decades revolutionizing the region's wines. You'll discover how he ditched a potential career in medicine for the fermentative fascination of grapes, and how, propelled by his mother's wisdom to "work at something you really want to do," he has woven innovation through tradition. Journey me and Mark Shannon as they break down the science, art, and sheer perseverance it takes to make world-class wine in a place once known as Europe's bulk wine cellar. You'll learn about the true identity of Primitivo, the surprising origins it shares with California's Zinfandel, how post-communist Slovakia and Texas played into Mark's winding path, and why he chooses soil health and vineyard wisdom over trend-chasing packaging fads. They'll dig into the sociocultural shifts rocking the global wine market, dissect the mythos (and madness) of biodynamics, and debate what makes a wine truly reflect its terroir—even as climate, culture, and commerce threaten to pull it apart. By the end, you won't just know how great wine is made—you'll understand why people still obsess over it, why the right bottle at the right table can mean everything, and why Mark Shannon wouldn't trade his hard-earned slice of Puglia for anything in the world. Amano Wines (also referred to as a Mano or Amano): https://www.amanowine.com This is the winery founded by Mark Shannon, and much of the conversation centers around it. Bogle Vineyards (mentioned by Mark Shannon as a place he worked): https://www.boglewinery.com Fess Parker Winery (another winery Mark Shannon helped build): https://www.fessparker.com   #WineTalks #Puglia #ItalyWine #MarkShannon #AdamCarolla #AmanoWines #Primitivo #NegroAmaro #Falanghina #BiodynamicWine #VineyardLife #WineMaking #Terroir #WinePodcast #EuropeanWine #GlobalWine #WineCulture #WineTasting #Sustainability #WineEducation  

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• Unlocking Luxury Wine: Charlotte Selles on Brand Strategy, Relationships, and the Business of Wine

  It is complitcated. Life. Wine. And to help clear up the wine complication (not sure there is a way to uncomplicate life), is Charlotte Selles.  With a distinctive path to her new company Tassei, she brings to the table a wealth of experience cloaked in knowedge, philosophy and experience. She is like a wine savant. She was in LA for a speaking gig and breaved an unusual SoCal downpour to come to studio to share her spirit. Charlotte Selles is the kind of guest who'll have you reconsidering not just what's in your wine glass, but why you care in the first place. You think you know luxury in wine? Not so fast. Drawing on her roots in Paris, direct experience with Beaujolais, and a career arc that went from family negotiations to the boardrooms of Robert Mondavi and Jackson Family Wines, Charlotte uproots every tired assumption about what makes a winery—or a wine—worth chasing. Listen closely and you'll discover why luxury isn't about price tags or pedigrees, but about resilience, grit, and the tension that comes from pouring your soul into the vineyard, braving storms—literal and figurative—and nurturing a legacy. But this episode doesn't stop with terroir. Charlotte takes you to the frontlines of modern wine business, from the misguided myth of floodgates marketing to the high-stakes realities of retention, data analytics, and AI in today's DTC world. She'll have you rethinking the purpose of your tasting room, craving the deep relationships behind the best bottles, and maybe even second-guessing whether a discount culture can ever breed true loyalty. By the end, you'll have a new definition of success—not in cases sold, but in customers kept, relationships built, and a business as alive and evolving as the wine itself. Walk away with a fresh understanding of the true business of wine, grounded in purpose, powered by connection, and ready for an uncertain but thrilling future. Jackson Family Wines Website: https://www.jacksonfamilywines.com Constellation Brands Website: https://www.cbrands.com Robert Mondavi Winery Website: https://www.robertmondaviwinery.com Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Website: https://www.woodbridgewines.com Trader Joe's Website: https://www.traderjoes.com Gallo (E. & J. Gallo Winery) Website: https://www.gallo.com Enolytics Website: https://www.enolytics.com Commerce7 Website: https://www.commerce7.com Wine Direct Website: https://www.winedirect.com The Wine Group Website: https://www.thewinegroup.com Verité Winery Website: https://www.veritewines.com KNL (K&L Wine Merchants) Website: https://www.klwines.com Wally's Wine & Spirits Website: https://www.wallywine.com   #WineTalksPodcast, #CharlotteSelles, #PaulKalemkiarian, #LuxuryWine, #WineBusiness, #DTCWine, #WineInnovation, #CustomerRetention, #WineMarketing, #AIandWine, #NapaValley, #Beaujolais, #BrandStrategy, #SonomaState, #CriticalThinking, #WineRelationships, #WineConsulting, #Entrepreneurship, #WineIndustryInsights, #CommunityBuilding   Charlotte Selles is a dynamic leader in the wine industry, known for blending deep expertise with an adventurous spirit. Born in Paris, Charlotte grew up immersed in wine thanks to her father's work in the négociant industry and an ambitious, if slightly misguided, attempt to become a gentleman farmer in Beaujolais. Through this early exposure, she witnessed first-hand the highs and lows of wine production, gaining a nuanced understanding of luxury and the grit required to succeed. Charlotte made the leap to the U.S. in her early twenties, bringing with her a suitcase of Beaujolais and a healthy dose of courage. Over the years, she carved out a reputation as an innovative strategist, serving as the general manager of the renowned Robert Mondavi Winery and Constellation Brands. She also held the position of Vice President of International Portfolio Strategy for Jackson Family Wines, steering global growth for one of the industry's heavyweights. Her journey ultimately led her to found Tissay, where she now works as CEO, advising premium vineyards and artisan wineries on brand management and growth. Tissay specializes in helping wineries recover from overexpansion, transition to new business models, and build meaningful relationships with their core customers. Charlotte's approach is anything but one-size-fits-all; she champions retention marketing, customer data analysis, and strategic focus, drawing on her broad experience in both the European and American wine landscapes. In addition to her consulting work, Charlotte teaches at the Sonoma State Wine Business Institute and speaks on topics ranging from leadership and innovation to global market evolution. She's well-known for her wit, candor, and commitment to elevating both wine and the people behind it. Her path, from Paris to California's wine country, is proof that embracing adventure—and a bit of chaos—can lead to extraordinary results.

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