The Black Wine Guy Experience  By  cover art

The Black Wine Guy Experience

By: Marvin J. Towler
  • Summary

  • MJ Towler aka the Black Wine Guy went from a totally obsessed wine newbie to the world's first-ever African-American fine and rare wine auctioneer in less than 3 years.

    This show pairs his passion for complex, interesting wines with complex, interesting guests. These are deep thinkers and Mavericks talking about their passions, life lessons, and inspirations - while drinking a bottle of something listeners will definitely want to savor for themselves.


    Sit back, listen, learn and laugh. This is The Black Wine Guy Experience.


    For more information and exclusive content go to blackwineguyexperience.com

    Follow MJ on IG

    @blackwineguy

    Podcast produced by Marvin J. Towler




    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Marvin J. Towler
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Episodes
  • From Trader Joe's to Tasting Room: Exploring the Craft of Winemaking with McPrice Myers
    Mar 18 2024

    Welcome back to another episode of The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today's episode is about an incredible journey from the ball fields of LA to the vineyards of Santa Barbara. Joining us is none other than Mac Myers, a maverick in the wine world known for creating wines of exceptional balance and value.


    In this episode, we'll dive into Mac's early years, swapping the glove for a corkscrew as a devastating injury shifted his path from aspiring pro athlete to wine prodigy. We'll venture through the aisles of Trader Joe's, where a young Mac's curiosity for wine was uncorked, and follow his palate awakening beyond burgers and fries to a zest for pairing vibrant vinos with heartwarming home-cooked meals.


    From Mac's self-taught winemaking beginning to becoming a fixture in Santa Barbara and Paso's wine tapestry, we're uncorking the details on some of the most dynamic blends—Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah—and the story behind the flavorful 2023 release that reflects a harmonious blend of passion, place, and persistence.


    Get ready to hear about the highs and lows of carving out a niche in an industry filled with as much character as the wines it produces. Discover Mac's playful perspective with a game of 'slap, lick, fondle' that will change the way you look at grape varietals.


    Pour yourself a glass, and let's get into the grit, grapes, and glory of winemaking with the remarkable Mac Meyers on Episode 151, right here on The Black Wine Guy Experience. Cheers!


    A Massive THANK YOU to MCPRICE MYERSI!!!


    This episode’s wines: 2023 Beautiful Earth Rosé Paso Robles

    2021 McPrice Myers Altas Viñas Red Wine SB County

    2021 McPrice Myers Sel De La Terre Grenache

    2021 McPrice Myers Paper Street Vineyard Cuvée

    2021 McPrice Myers The Estate Vineyard Cuvée

    2021 McPrice Myers Beautiful Earth Cabernet Sauvignon



    To learn more about McPrice Myers Wines, click the link!

    Follow Mac on IG!




    ____________________________________________________________

    Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers!


    Subscribe and give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.


    For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at

    Blackwineguy.com

    Follow MJ @blackwineguy


    Thank you to our sponsor, GrenacheFest. The Second Annual Grenache Festival in Walla Walla, Washington, will be held on November 8th, 2024. It will feature a seated comparative seminar, followed by live music, food, plenty of Grenache wines, and tons of fun.


    For more information, go to GrenacheFest


    Follow GrenacheFest on IG GrenacheFest


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 39 mins
  • Unleashing the Gypsy Spirit: Vailia From’s Journey into the World of Winemaking
    Mar 11 2024

    Welcome back to The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we're pouring a full-bodied episode with an extraordinary guest, Vailia From, a trailblazing winemaker who has carved her own path in the wine industry with Desparada Wines.


    Join us as we uncork Vailia's remarkable journey—from her early days working in steakhouses in La Jolla to that fateful moment circling wine job ads with a roommate and diving into the art of telephone sales at Gerhardt Wines.


    Vailia shares her struggles and triumphs, including work in Canada's tightly controlled wine market, her transformative backpacking adventure in Central America, and the start of her very own wine business alongside her husband, known for Herman Story Wines.


    We get personal as Vailia recalls childhood luxury experiences that shaped her, the powerhouse influence of her grandmother, and her commitment to embracing both the glamor and grit of winemaking. Taste the passion as she discusses her Bordeaux-style wines, the process of creating her provocative labels, and the importance of mentorship within the wine community.


    We'll also be toasting to the diversity of her craft, from the highly anticipated Cab Franc-based wine to her tantalizing new venture into sparkling wine with the brand scarab. With candid discussions about the industry, environmental consciousness, and her global inspirations, this is an episode where every sip tells a story.


    So pour yourself a glass and settle in for a flight of stories and insights with one of the most dynamic figures in the Paso Robles wine scene. It's time to experience the synergy of life, legacy, and the love of wine with Vailia From, right here on The Black Wine Guy Experience. Cheers!


    A Massive THANK YOU to VAILIA FROMI!!!


    This episode’s wines: 2021 I Block Chardonnay

    2022 Vela Sauvignon Blanc Chelle Mountain Vineyard

    2021 Axis Petit Verdot

    2019 Chelle Mountain BDX


    To learn more about Desparada Wine, click the link!


    Follow Desparada on IG!


    Fostering: A Memoir of Courage and Hope Book



    ____________________________________________________________

    Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers!


    Subscribe and give The Black Wine Guy Experience a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.


    For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at

    Blackwineguy.com

    Follow MJ @blackwineguy


    Thank you to our sponsor, GrenacheFest. The Second Annual Grenache Festival in Walla Walla, Washington, will be held on November 8th, 2024. It will feature a seated comparative seminar, followed by live music, food, plenty of Grenache wines, and tons of fun.


    For more information, go to GrenacheFest


    Follow GrenacheFest on IG GrenacheFest


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Paso Vibes: Justin Smith Talks Wine, Life, and The Perfect Blend
    Mar 4 2024

    Welcome back to The Black Wine Guy Experience! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we're pouring into an intoxicating episode featuring the extraordinary Justin Smith.


    Get ready to uncork the story of a winemaker who has cultivated a legacy from the roots of a familial passion and a dedication to the art of blending.

    In this episode, Ep. 149, we'll swirl through the early years: from Justin's father crafting wines with old vine Zinfandel and Petite Syrah to the serendipitous planting of Rhone varieties that foreshadowed the rise of their acclaimed vineyard in Paso Robles.


    We'll taste the complexities of grape labeling, delve into the fascinating mislabeling saga involving Morvedra and Graciano, and appreciate the adaptability of vineyard practices to Paso's unique climate.


    Justin will share insights on crafting wine intuitively—like making a sandwich to achieve the perfect flavor balance—and discuss the challenges and triumphs within the industry, including his iconic meeting with the legendary critic Robert Parker.


    Justin's journey is steeped in the richness of family tradition, the influence of Paso Robles' vintners, and a commitment to producing wine that honors the natural expression of the vineyard.


    A toast to the mavericks and deep thinkers who bring diversity and depth to the wine world—this is one episode you won't want to miss a drop of. So pour a glass, settle in, and let's dive into the art of winemaking with the one and only Justin Smith, here on The Black Wine Guy Experience.



    A Massive THANK YOU to JUSTIN SMITH!!!


    This episode’s wines: 2018 Saxum James Berry Vineyard White Wine

    2005 Saxum Broken Stones Red Wine



    For more information about Saxum Vineyards click the link!


    Follow Saxum Vineyards on IG




    ____________________________________________________________

    Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers!


    Subscribe and give The Black Wine Guy Experience a 5-star review on whichever platform you listen to.


    For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at

    Blackwineguy.com

    Follow MJ @blackwineguy



    Thank you to our sponsor, GrenacheFest. The Second Annual Grenache Festival in Walla Walla, Washington, will be held on November 8th, 2024. It will feature a seated comparative seminar, followed by live music, food, plenty of Grenache wines, and tons of fun.


    For more information, go to GrenacheFest


    Follow GrenacheFest on IG GrenacheFest



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 38 mins

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I Really Love This Podcast

I was looking for a Black wine podcast and I’m so glad that I came across MJ! I’ve learned so much and have now invested so much into my wine knowledge. I’ll be listening to these episodes on repeat.

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