The Liquor Store Podcast

In this episode, Matt talks to Mark Borchetta, Executive Vice President for Big Machine Distillery.  In 2015, Music mogul Scott Borchetta acquired Big Machine Distillery with the desire to venture into the business of producing and marketing high quality craft spirits. He found a quaint and picturesque micro-distillery in the beautiful countryside of Lynnville and the journey began.    Scott entic...

In this episode, Jill talks to Chris Blandy, CEO of Blandy's. The Blandy family is unique in being the only family of all the original founders of the Madeira wine trade that still own and manage their own original wine company. Throughout its long history on the island the family has played a leading role in the development of Madeira wine and members of the family continue to live in Madeira mai...

In this episode, Matt talks to Bryce and Jill Morrison, the founders of Mom Water. Mom Water is crafted by moms to celebrate moms it is a new healthier alcoholic alternative, spirit -infused still water  with only 90 calories and 0 sugar, 0 carbs, 0 artificial sweeteners, 0 preservatives, and 0 carbonation.  If you want to try any of the waters Matt discussed on the show you can ORDER ONLINE or fr...

In this episode, Matt talks to Steven Grasse, Founder of Quaker City Mercantile. Steven believes in creating brands and products with rich backstories that people can truly care about. He spent over two decades in the world of commercial advertising before cashing out and dedicating his career to working only with brands he can get behind or creating them himself. Quaker City Mercantile is a uniqu...

In this episode, Matt talks to Brett Berish, CEO of Sovereign Brands.  Founded in 1999,  Sovereign Brands  is an independent international wine and spirits company. Family owned and operated for nearly two decades, the company is responsible for producing a growing list of leading global spirits brands across categories. In 2012, Berish  launched Luc Belaire , an award-winning line of French spark...

In this episode, Jill talks to Cody Wright, owner and winemaker at Purple Hands Winery.  Cody grew up working in his family's businesses—from the winery to the vineyard—and went on to graduate with environmental science degrees from the University of Oregon in 2003. In 2005, at 25 years old, Cody founded Purple Hands Winery with a production of 250 cases. Five years later Marque joined Cody, and t...

In this episode, Matt talks to Bryan Nolt, Founder and CEO of Breckenridge Distillery. The Breckenridge Distillery is the "World's Highest Distillery". Founded in 2008, the Breckenridge Distillery is most widely known for its blended bourbon whiskey, a high-rye mash American-style whiskey.  Breckenridge Bourbon  is one of the most highly awarded crafted bourbons; 4x winner of Best American Blended...

In this episode, Matt talks to Adam Harris, Senior Brand Ambassador for the James B Beam Distilling co.  The story of the Beam family is one of seven generations, more than 200 years, countless challenges and one goal; to make the best bourbon in the world. So settle in, pour yourself a bourbon and prepare to travel back in time with the First Family of Bourbon. In 1740, when the United States was...

In this episode, Matt talks to Jason Barret, Head Distiller and Founder of Black Button Distillery. Black Button Distillery is proudly based in Rochester, NY and is the first grain-to-glass craft distillery to open since prohibition. Founded in 2012 by Jason Barrett, Black Button Distilling is a New York State licensed Farm Distillery and they use over 90% New York State all-natural ingredients to...

In this episode, Matt talks to Scott Nelson, President of Preservation Distillery, located in Bardstown, KY.  Pot-distilling in the smallest 1-3 barrel batches, Preservation Distillery and Farm is a hidden treasure in Bardstown, Kentucky, the official 'Bourbon Capital of the World'. Something our family dreamed for over half a century, Preservation is the region's first and only 100% pot-distilled...

During this virtual tasting,  Jill talks to Marcia Torres-Forno, Winemaker at Matanzas Creek Winery. The unique character and beauty of Matanzas Creek's winery, vineyards, lavender field and gardens have earned the Estate worldwide recognition as a premier California wine country destination.  If you want to try any of the wines Jill tasted on the show you can ORDER ONLINE or from the BIG RED LIQU...

In this episode, Matt talks to Off Hours Bourbon Founder, Jake Ireland & Master Blender, Ashley Barnes. Off Hours Bourbon is meant to engage our senses and change perceptions. It's not about preconceived notions of artisanal cocktails and dimly lit bars. It's for everyone, everywhere. So cheers to more inspiration. More real-life connections. More easygoing hangs, and less expectations. More time...

In this episode, Jill talks to Head Winemaker for La Crema, Craig McAllister. When La Crema was founded in 1979 as La Crema Viñera, meaning the Best of the Vine, the name was intended as an unabashed boast: These vineyards produced the very best grapes in the region. Today, the name has been shortened to mean, simply, the best, and La Crema's wines represent the best grapes from preeminent cool-cl...

In this episode, Matt speaks to Matti Anttila, Founder & CEO of Grain & Barrel Spirits. Matti Anttila is an entrepreneur and investor. He is the creator of numerous successful spirits brands including Dixie Vodka and Endless   Summer Rum. Resurrector of pre-prohibition favorite Chicken Cock Whiskey.   Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Grain & Barrel Spirits was created to build an innovation-dr...

In this episode, Jill talks to Randy Ullom, Senior VP and Winemaster for Kendall-Jackson Wine. A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Randy Ullom grew up watching his father make wine at home as a hobby, but it wasn't until he spent three years on sabbatical from college in Chile, where he embarked on a cross-country trek through wine country, that he realized he wanted to pursue a career in viticulture...

In this episode, Matt talks to Nicole Austin, General Manager, and Distiller for George Dickel Tennessee Whisky.  Born 40 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, George A. Dickel was an established Nashville merchant when he entered the whisky business. Dickel grew his reputation for selling the smoothest, most mellow spirits in the region. Thus, Geo. A. Dickel & Co. was born a...

In this episode, Jill talks to Gérard Bertrand, former Union Rugby player and owner of Gérard Bertrand Wines.  It was in 1975, in the vines of the  Château de Villemajou at the heart of the Corbièresthat Gérard Bertrand harvests its first grapes and discovers its passion for wine. He will perfect his apprenticeship during twelve years at the side of his father Georges Bertrand. Very attached to th...

In this episode, Jill talks to Barry Dodds, Wine Historian for Freemark Abbey. For over half a century, America's premier grape-growing state has enjoyed a reputation more or less interchangeable with Cabernet Sauvignon's. It's the king of red wine grapes in California—and also in France—for a reason: the amazing complexity that skilled winemakers are able to coax out of it when grown in optimum l...

In this episode, Matt talks to Rene Armas, VP & Co-Founder of Blue Ridge Spirits & Wine. Rene began his career in the wine and spirits industry in 1993 working in Gallo's Sales Division of Premier Beverage in South Florida. In 1997 Rene joined Remy Cointreau as South Florida District Manager. Rene rose through the ranks and ultimately became Remy Cointreau's Florida State Manager. In 2002 Rene joi...

In this episode, Jill talks to John Harford, Midwest Regional Manager for Premium Port Wines. Premium Port Wines, Inc was established in 1985 by James Symington with the help of Robert Haas, then the owner of Vineyard Brands. Premium Port Wines is the Symington Family's primary US importing company, representing the Port Houses of Graham's, Dow's, Cockburn's, Quinta do Vesuvio and Smith Woodhouse;...

In this episode, Jill talks to Matt Revelette, Winemaker at Siduri Wines. Originally from Kentucky, Matt fell in love with wine by working in vineyards during his summers as a college student. He found the process of winemaking the perfect marriage of art, science and pleasure. He obtained a BA in Philosophy from Hanover College and a Masters in Viticulture and Enology from Fresno State, where he...

In this episode, Matt talks to Cheryl Durzy. Cheryl is LibDib's founder, CEO and resident wine geek. She spent 20 years managing sales and marketing for her family's Northern Central Coast winery. Cheryl came to the realization that the beverage industry needs efficient distribution options for craft distilleries and family-owned wineries to be successful on their own terms. Hence, LibDib was born...

In this episode, Matt talks to Mallika Monteiro, EVP, and Chief Growth & Strategy Officer at Constellation Brands. Mallika joined Constellation in 2016 as vice president of beer innovation. Leveraging consumer insights, Mallika spearheaded the acceleration of the beer innovation portfolio – most notably, with the development and launch of Corona Premier. Mallika was promoted to senior vice preside...

In this episode, Matt talks to Campbell Brown, President and Managing Director of Old Forester, the Brown-Forman's founding bourbon brand, since 2015. A 22-year employee of the Company, he previously served Brown-Forman in the emerging markets of India, the Philippines, and Turkey, and most recently led the Company's wine and spirits portfolio in Canada and the Midwest region of the U.S. Founding...

In this episode, Jill talks to Charlie Tsegeletos, Winemaker from Farmhouse Wines. Charlie Tsegeletos has been making wine in Sonoma for three decades. He allows grapes to tell their story, blending to highlight the best that mother nature offers from each vintage. Farmhouse founders, Fred Cline and Bobby Cannard are kindred spirits who believe in letting nature take the lead in farming. Dedicated...