Beats Vines and Life

In this episode of Beats Vines & Life , host MJ Towler welcomes Giancarlo Altamura, assistant winemaker and next-generation voice of Napa Valley. Hailing from a family with roots in Napa since the mid-1800s, Giancarlo Altamura grew up immersed in the rhythms of farming, winemaking, and tight-knit community life. He shares stories of hands-on vineyard work, navigating family dynamics, and the e...

Welcome to another life-focused edition of Beats, Vines & Life. Today, MJ Towler sits down with renowned entrepreneur, teacher, and bestselling author Seth Godin. Known for his game-changing books like Purple Cow , Tribes , and This Is Marketing , Seth Godin has shaped the thinking of marketers, creators, and leaders around the world.  In this episode, the conversation explores the inters...

Welcome to "Beats, Vines & Life," where we blend conversations on music, culture, and the real moments that shape our lives. In today’s episode, sits down with Angela Nissel—bestselling author, television writer, and co-founder of the legendary Okay Player community. From her early days chronicling the realities of broke college life online to breaking new ground as a Black woman in both music...

Welcome to another episode of Beats Vines & Life! Today’s conversation focused on the fight to preserve independent winemaking, family legacy, and the spirit of Napa Valley in the face of legal and regulatory challenges. This episode dives into the story of Hoopes Vineyard—a multi-generational, regenerative wine business—and the high-stakes legal battle with Napa County that puts both land and...

Welcome to another episode of Beats Vines & Life! Today, we're diving deep into music, wine, and lifestyle with a special guest who embodies the spirit of innovation and tradition in Napa Valley: Elton Slone, President, CEO, and Managing Partner at Robert Craig Winery. From his humble roots in small-town Indiana to helming one of Napa's premier mountain Cabernet producers, Elton brings not jus...

Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life . In this special episode, MJ Towler sits down with Wright Lassiter and his wife, Cathy Lassiter—a dynamic couple whose journey blends music, culture, and the art of living well. Wright Lassiter, one of the nation's top healthcare leaders, and Cathy, a lifelong community advocate and self-described CEO of the family, share how their passions for travel, cultu...

Welcome to another episode of Beats, Vines & Life! Today, MJ sits down with Dave Wanek, a multifaceted leader whose journey winds from a small Nebraska town to the heart of Silicon Valley and, eventually, the vineyards of Walla Walla. As the co-founder of Cimento and a principal at Walla Walla Land Company, Dave brings decades of experience in technology investment and an unwavering commitment...

Welcome back to Beats, Vines & Life! In today’s episode, host Speaker A sits down with Brian Lau—entrepreneur, lifelong collector, and founder of One More Time Watches. Brian’s passion for luxury watches has evolved into a booming business rooted in transparency and education, shaped by his expertise in both cybersecurity and high-stakes business development. But this conversation is more than...

Welcome to another episode of Beats, Vines & Life! In this episode, host MJ sits down with David Garrett, co-founder of dVin, a trailblazer at the crossroads of music, lifestyle, technology, and fine wine. With over 25 years of experience spanning tech, finance, and the luxury wine industry, David is leading a movement to revolutionize wine ownership through blockchain and tokenization, making...

Welcome back to another episode of Beats, Vines & Life! This time, host MJ Towler heads to the heart of Napa Valley for a refreshing and thoughtful conversation with Jack Bittner, the managing partner of Accendo Estate. With a rich background in business, global investment, and a deep-rooted love for fine wine, Jack B brings an owner’s mindset and a collector’s palate to every decision at Acce...

Welcome to Beats, Vines & Life. In today’s episode, host MJ Towler is joined by Victor and Chloe Schwartz – wine importers who just became victorious plaintiffs in a groundbreaking Supreme Court case: VOS Elections versus Donald Trump. Together, they’re uncorking more than just their favorite bottles (including a Domaine de Banneret 2003 Châteauneuf-du-Pape); they’re sharing the inside story o...

Welcome to a special edition of Beats, Vines & Life, where music, wine, and authentic stories always take center stage. In today’s episode, host MJ Towler dives deep into the soulful landscape of California’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, joined by an incredible lineup of winemakers and growers: Gary Francioni, a true multi-generational farmer; Moret Brealynn, whose expressive Pinot Noirs and sta...

Welcome to another episode of Beats, Vines & Life! In today’s episode, “Gemello Audio,” host MJ Towler sits down with Bay Area writer, wine historian, and longevity researcher Kevin Ferguson. Growing up surrounded by the orchards of Mountain View, California, Kevin Ferguson comes from a family with deep roots in winemaking—his grandfather, Mario Gemello, ran the historic Gemello Winery for nea...

Welcome to Beats Vines & Life, where we dive into the intersection of wine, business, and modern living. In this episode, host MJ Towler sits down with Ben Salisbury, renowned consultant, coach, and creator of the Wine Sales Stimulator training program. With over four decades of experience in the wine and spirits industry, Ben has worked with major players like Constellation Brands and St. Mic...

Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life! In this special bonus episode, host MJ Towler reunites with the dynamic and trailblazing winemaker Brenae Royal for part two of their powerful conversation. After the overwhelming response to her first appearance, Brenae Royal returns to dive deeper into her incredible journey—sharing how she’s navigated the challenging world of wine, achieved rapid success...

Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life! In this episode, hosts MJ Towler and Rob S introduce us to the vibrant world of Schermeister Audio, featuring the dynamic winemaking duo Laura S and Rob S. Get ready for an unfiltered and wildly entertaining conversation that blurs the lines between wine, music, and living life to the fullest. From tales of Idaho roots to tattoo regrets, bold love stories, a...

Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life, where music, wine, and stories of resilience intersect! In this episode, host MJ Towler sits down with Brene Royal—the trailblazing founder of Violet’s Paradise and Violet’s Paradise Scholarship. As a respected leader in Sonoma viticulture and a former vineyard manager at the iconic Monte Rosso Vineyard, Brene Royale shares her journey from humble beginnings...

Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life, where music, culture, and the stories behind the wine flow together. In this episode, host MJ Towler sits down with the remarkable Kathryn Hall, a true pioneer whose journey transcends the vineyard. From her roots as a city attorney in Berkeley and a groundbreaking leader at Safeway, to her appointment as U.S. Ambassador to Austria and her deep ties to the C...

Exploring Homegrown Wines, Culinary Pairings, and Community at New Jersey’s Wine Expo LIVE Welcome to another episode of Beats Vines & Life! This week, we're coming to you LIVE from the energetic halls of the New Jersey Wine Expo at Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey. Hosted by MJ Towler and joined by a dynamic crew including industry guests like Devon Perry, Ed Wengryn, Hank Zona, Sharyn Kervy...

Welcome to a special edition of Beats Vines & Life: New Jersey Wine Edition, brought to you by the Garden State Wine Growers Association! On this episode, host MJ Towler gathers wine experts and local trailblazers Hank Zona and Dustin Tarpine for a lively conversation about New Jersey’s vibrant wine scene. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or just wine-curious, get ready to discover the fasc...

On this episode of Beats Vines & Life, host MJ Towler welcomes back esteemed wine expert Lyle Fass, founder and president of Fass Selections, for a fiery and insightful conversation that's part sequel, part deep dive into the intersection of wine, politics, and the complexities of modern business. With over 25 years in the industry and a reputation for bold, articulate opinions, Lyle Fass brea...

Welcome back to another episode of Beats Vines & Life! This week, MJ Towler sits down with Jeff Cole, head winemaker at Sullivan Rutherford Estate in Napa Valley. From humble beginnings in Yountville, Jeff’s journey is rooted in the heart of California wine country—literally growing up among the vines. After studying wine and viticulture at Cal Poly and cutting his teeth at iconic spots like S...

Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life! In today’s episode, host MJ Towler sits down with Michael Evans, CEO and co-founder of The Vines of Mendoza—one of Argentina’s most celebrated wine and lifestyle destinations. Michael’s journey is anything but typical: he worked on the Clinton and Kerry presidential campaigns, led tech initiatives in LA, and then made an unexpected leap into the world of win...

Welcome back to Beats, Vines & Life, where the worlds of wine, music, and living boldly collide! In this special bonus episode, host MJ Towler (aka the Black Wine Guy) reunites with friends and Sonoma-based winemakers Justin and Beth Harmon of Argo Wines for a deep dive into their highly-anticipated 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet releases.  You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at harvest update...

Get ready for an iconic journey through an unsung corner of California wine country on this episode of Beats Vines & Life. Host MJ Towler is on the road, welcoming the legendary Jeff Cohn—founder of JC Cellars and a mastermind of California Zinfandel and Rhône varietals—for a conversation that's as rich and layered as the wines they sip. From humble Maryland beginnings and culinary school hust...