VinePair Podcast

Adam, Joanna, and Zach convene to discuss a recent gripe from within the drinks industry that they heard from a very highly-placed executive: that brand managers tend to design marketing campaigns and outreach around what they themselves want to do or what they think is cool, not necessarily in the locations and moments where their product's consumers tend to be. This seems bad, right? Please reme...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to an unhinged television appearance from winemaker Charles Smith and the latest iteration of a topic that comes up every so often: that wines in the US can contain a wide range of additives that do not need to be disclosed on the label. Do consumers really care about any of the ingredients or nutritional information of their wine? Would knowing the calorie count on yo...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss influential whiskies, hunting for sought-for bottles, and other drinks adventures. Then, Adam and Joanna are joined by Kate Shapira Latts, co-president of Heaven Hill Brands, to discuss why so much of the fear-mongering around the future of bourbon is misguided. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach celebrate the winners of VinePair's 2025 Next Wave Awards , highlighting some of their favorites and suggesting what the industry as a whole can learn from some of the outstanding individuals, establishments, and brands therein. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, co...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a recent op-ed claiming to offer suggestions to the struggling wine industry, an op-end that dismisses the vast majority of wine drinkers as just looking for a cheap, pleasant buzz. In tough times in particular, isn't it important to celebrate self-identifying wine lovers, no matter what wine they prefer? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach muse on a conversation from Vinitaly. USA about a super successful Italian wine region trying to get more acclaim and approval from sommeliers, and whether that even makes sense for such a financial juggernaut. Does marketing to and through somms actually move the needle for brands, or is this more just about a very human desire for praise and attention from the most hyper-f...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about whether it works for smaller, alternative wine brands to market themselves as better or healthier alternatives to large-scale wine, much in the way that smaller food manufacturers and purveyors do. While there are some similarities, does the nature of how wine is typically displayed in grocery stores undercut that attempt? Please remember...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about a recent, unsatisfying visit to a well-regarded Napa Valley winery. Are some of the more established wineries in the valley failing to provide the kind of hospitality guests expect? Are newer brands more responsive to the current landscape? How can wineries justify high-priced tastings to a clientele that perhaps wants a different experie...

In light of the recent launch the Netflix prestige drama "House of Guinness," Adam, Joanna, and Zach take stock of the show, and the potential for drinks-centric programming in general. Does "House of Guinness" actually work as a marketing engine for the ultra-popular beer, and if so, is there any way for other brands and companies to piggyback off this success? Please remember to subscribe to, ra...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a trio of stories: first, Michelob Ultra has surpassed Modelo as the best-selling beer (by volume) in the United States - is this just because of tariffs and ICE raids, or has AB InBev hit on a winning message? Then, they explore whether a recent Harris poll about beverage preferences at restaurants says anything new about generational shifts in attitudes towards al...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a frequent comment/criticism about being negative about the present and future of the wine industry: shouldn't we be cheerleading an industry that we love and want to succeed? Is the role of journalists to root for the industry the cover? Can different kinds of content live within one publication? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple...

Zach is joined by Molly Matelski, director of buyer relations, programming and partnerships for Fiere Italiane and Vinitaly. USA , and Serafin Alvarado, director of wine education for Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits to discuss the upcoming Vinitaly. USA conference in Chicago. What are some of the lessons learned from last year's debut of the US-based version of the iconic wine conference? Why m...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the recent purchase of Whiny Baby by GALLO: does it give them a leg up on marketing to Gen Z wine drinkers, or will it perhaps backfire? Then, Adam and Joanna are joined by spirits editor Aaron Goldfarb to chat about why whiskey collectors remain largely uninterested in rye whiskey. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach interrogate an oft-repeated and deeply-held industry belief that "alcohol is recession-proof." While it may be true in the past that consumers continued to drink at similar levels regardless of the economic situation around them that doesn't mean that recessions don't cause massive changes and create massive challenges. Plus, what if all of the ugly sales data of the last co...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question: do wine scores and reviews still move the needle? If so, what are some of the wines that benefit and the places where scores matter, and if not: what's changed? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the recent investment by GALLO into Gran Malo, a spicy tamarind tequila liqueur, and if it could be the next spirit to become the go-to shot for drinkers. Plus: what are some of the traits that made Fireball and Jägermeister so successful in this area? Can a bottle like Gran Malo find love in higher-end cocktail bars? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to the recent news about canned wine brand Archer Roose partnering with Buffalo Wild Wings , and discussed the mostly unexplored potential for wine at sports bars. Given that wine as a category needs to do more to be where people are drinking, and that sports bars remain a reliably successful business model, how can wine brands of various stripes establish a presence...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach talk about the Honey Deuce , the signature cocktail of the U.S. Open, and whether it - and other drinks tied to a specific sporting event - can actually make a meaningful impact for brands. Is the pairing of the Open and the cocktail something that works but can't really be copied, or are drinks companies shying away from what could potentially be a powerful branding opportu...

With summer at an end, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss a few of the changes coming to the podcast, including the introduction of full video recordings as well as more shareable clips and content. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to podcast@vinepair.com...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach react to a recent Substack post from wine influencer Pilar Brito about the need to tell people that mass market wine is bad. While there's certainly some folks who might respond positively to being told that the wine they like to drink apparently actually sucks, most consumers are likely to be turned off from the category if wine's already entrenched reputation for snobbery...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a question from a listener pondering a career in the wine industry. With all the negative headlines, slackening sales, and general turmoil, is this a terrible idea, or is it worth it to follow your passion and your dream even so? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any q...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach share some context and thoughts about the recent showing not just a noticeable decline in respondents who drink, but a particularly large drop in those who identify as Republicans. Has a new era of right wing political leaders and influencers really caused that kind of change in behavior, particularly among young people? Are there other factors at play? Please remember to su...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach puzzle over why it's become increasingly difficult to just get a drink at a restaurant bar, whether you're early for your reservation or just hoping to scope out a new place. Does it really pay in the long run for restaurants to be so miserly with bar space? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episod...

Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss the potential role of AI in restaurants and bars, from wine list and menu creation to guests relying on ChatGPT for recommendations instead of the staff. Are we really going to let an algorithm take over this part of the world too? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review VinePair on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any qu...

Adam and Zach discuss a recent piece outlining Sonoma County's contentious plan to created a Wine Improvement District to collectively market the appellation and its wineries. While similar efforts have been used to solid success in Temecula, Livermore, and Santa Barbara, this effort has been fraught, to say the least. Why is it that many wineries, which ostensibly would all benefit from increased...