Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by nicole Crafting Cocktails and Building Brands: Mixology Insights With Chris Tunstall of A Bar Above 11 Meet Chris Tunstall, Co-Founder and Chief of Brand and Product Development at A Bar Above. With a decade of hospitality experience and a passion for mixology, Chris is dedicated to sharing advanced cocktail techniques. As host of the A Bar Above Podcast, they lead bar education content creation and product development, ensuring A Bar Above sets the standard in the industry.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  Delve into ..read more

Last Updated on December 29, 2023 by nicole From Homebrewing to Award-Winning Tonic With Mary Pellettieri of Top Note Tonic 11 Mary Pellettieri, Co-Founder and creative mind behind Top Note Tonic began her beverage industry journey as a homebrewer with a focus on craft beer. After gaining technical expertise at the Siebel Institute and making waves at Goose Island, she transitioned from larger breweries to launch her own venture. Top Note Tonic, born from her entrepreneurial spirit, explores innovative possibilities in tonic syrups, herbal beers, and tinctures, showcasing Mary’s expertise and ..read more

Last Updated on December 21, 2023 by nicole Producing Premium Sangria Made in Spain and White Labeling With Eamon McDonald of Pasmosa Sangria 11 Meet Eamon McDonald, a seasoned entrepreneur who excelled in circuit boards and off-road race cars. Inspired by a Belgian customer, he ventured into the sangria business, importing and selling thousands of cases. Facing a change in partnerships, McDonald collaborated with a legacy winery in Spain to create Pasmosa Sangria. Now, as Pasmosa Sangria’s President and CEO, McDonald’s commitment to excellence and innovation sets his premium product apart in ..read more

Last Updated on December 19, 2023 by Troika Gellido The wine industry is at the cusp of transformation, driven by consumers and digitalization.  This revolution is redefining the way wine is marketed, sold, and enjoyed. Digitalization in the wine industry is not just about adopting new tools and technologies, but also understanding and adapting to the changing landscape of consumer behavior.  In a Legends Behind The Craft episode, Jeff Gillis, creator of Winelikes– a revolutionary social media app for wine lovers, captured the essence of this shift with this goal: “We reall ..read more

Introducing the World of Cannabis Beverages With Paul Weaver of TeaPot 11 Meet Paul Weaver, The Head of Cannabis at the Boston Beer Company. With over a decade in the beverage industry, he started in Toronto’s beer business before joining Canopy Growth Corporation in 2017. There, he led innovation, playing a crucial role in launching recreational cannabis in Canada. Paul’s expertise in cannabis beverages brought him to the Boston Beer Company, where he continues to shape the future of this evolving market.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  Explore the deci ..read more

Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by nicole How to Succeed in Wine Operations With Reed Woogerd of Valdemar Estates 11 Reed Woogerd, the Director of Operations at Valdemar Estates, is a seasoned leader with a history of success in Ohio’s hospitality scene. After venturing into markets like the Bay Area and Austin, Reed now oversees multi-site operations for Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla, WA. His journey began during a working holiday visa in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, where he discovered his passion for wine. Despite a challenging start pruning vines, Reed’s career took off when he managed a po ..read more

Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by nicole The First Bourbon Crafted by an All-Female Team With Rachel Svoboda of Lynxx Spirits 11 Meet Rachel Svoboda, the trailblazing founder of Lynxx Spirits, known for pioneering the first-ever bourbon crafted by an all-female team. With a background in running a successful marketing company, Rachel’s journey into the liquor business began during a bike ride with her father, sparking the idea to create a bourbon tailored for women. Her vision led her to assemble a team of talented female experts, from master blenders to distillers, setting Lynxx Bourbon ap ..read more

Last Updated on November 23, 2023 by Troika Gellido A paradigm shift is on the horizon. In the United States, the art of wine labeling has long been focused on tradition, aesthetics, and legal requirements pertaining to origin, alcohol content, and brand identity. However, the European Union’s recent decision to mandate ingredient and nutrition labeling for wine signals a potential change in global wine marketing and consumer information standards.  As new wine labeling regulations were set and are expected to roll out beginning December, it has been one of the major concerns of many wine ..read more

Last Updated on November 23, 2023 by nicole The Social Media App for Wine Enthusiasts With Jeff Gillis of Winelikes 14 Meet Jeff Gillis, the Founder and CEO of Winelikes. With an MBA in entrepreneurship and a background in hospitality, Jeff brings a unique blend of expertise to the wine community. Winelikes is his brainchild, a social media app designed to engage wine novices in a friendly, community-driven space.   Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  Discover the inspiration behind Winelikes and how it aims to be your friendly wine companion Gain insights int ..read more

Last Updated on November 16, 2023 by nicole Edna Valley Winery and SIP-Certified Custom Crush Facility With Nathan Carlson of Center of Effort Wines 11 Nathan Carlson, Winemaker and General Manager at Center of Effort Wines blends a family farming background with a passion for winemaking. From Sta. Rita Hills to Napa Valley, his career reflects a commitment to sustainability. Joining COE in 2010, Nathan oversees production, emphasizing site-specific techniques and cohesive teamwork. His influence extends beyond COE, with a role in industry research and global winemaking connections. In the hea ..read more