Legends Behind the Craft Podcast

Join us on an exciting journey through the vineyards of Calistoga as we sit down with Chris Kenefick of Kenefick Ranch Vineyard & Winery. Take a trip down memory lane as Chris shares the rich history of his family’s vineyard since 1980. Discover the evolution of Kenefick Ranch’s distribution strategies, their foray into small-batch winemaking, and the intricate management of vineyard contracts.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Chris Kenefick, CEO and Second Generation Proprietor of Kenefick Ranch. Chris sheds light on the family legacy, the challenges of marketing a boutique winery, and the innovative approach of virtual tastings to bring the Napa experience straight to your home. Tune in for insights on sustainable certifications, future winemaking endeavors, and valuable advice for those considering a return to their family’s winery roots.

Join us as we dive into the intricacies of the new EU wine labeling regulations with Howard Marx, Founder, and CEO of Vinvinea. Learn about the groundbreaking changes in the industry, including the detailed requirements of the new EU regulation effective from December 8th. Discover how Vinvinea’s innovative solutions, like unique QR codes for wine bottles, are revolutionizing the way wineries comply with these regulations.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Howard Marx, Founder and CEO of Vinvinea. Howard shares insights on the challenges faced and decisions made to implement this system swiftly and efficiently. Get an exclusive peek into the future of wine labeling, exploring options, feedback from the industry, and the seamless user experience provided by Vinvinea’s cutting-edge technology.

Dive into the world of wine innovation with Philip James, the Founder & CEO of Firstleaf, a game-changing direct-to-consumer wine company. Learn how Firstleaf uses personalization and data to craft unique wine experiences for each customer.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Philip James, Founder & CEO at Firstleaf. Discover the secrets behind their wine personalization quiz, wine clusters, and fulfillment magic. Philip also challenges the need for wine memorization, making wine enjoyment accessible to all. Plus, get insights on entrepreneurship in the wine industry and the role of technology in business growth. If you’re curious about wine, tech, and entrepreneurship, this podcast is a must-listen.

Explore the fascinating world of wine-centered travel experiences. Gail Sherman provides insights into the heart and soul of Wine Lovers Travel, covering topics such as meticulously planned land trips, group sizes, and even an upcoming road trip with special surprises.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Gail Sherman, Founder and CEO at Wine Lovers Travel. Discover their wine tasting experiences and itineraries and gain valuable advice on how wineries can leverage these trips for their clients. In addition, learn about Wine Lovers Travel’s innovative approach to virtual wine tastings during the COVID-19 pandemic and what it’s like traveling in 2023. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or a travel aficionado, this episode promises to quench your thirst for unique travel experiences centered around the love of wine.

We sit down with Arnaud Fabre of Benom Wines, as he shares the captivating story of Benom, its French influence, and the unique charm of Paso Robles. Discover the secrets behind Benom’s name and the nuances of marketing wines in the US compared to France. Arnaud reveals the art of creating exceptional wine-tasting experiences and the importance of knowledgeable staff. Explore the enchanting Tin City in Paso Robles and the sense of community it brings to winemaking.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Arnaud Fabre, Founder and General Manager at Benom Wines. Dive into Arnaud’s vision for Paso Robles’ growth and learn about Benom’s distinctive wines and marketing strategies. We also discuss the challenges of pricing and the magic of wine and food pairings.

Bryanna Grebe of Laffort uncovers the fascinating journey she took from considering a career in dentistry to becoming an expert in the intricate world of winemaking. Bryanna shares her insights into the diverse roles within winemaking and explains the nuances of being a technical winemaker, as compared to a generalist.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Bryanna Grebe, Technical Winemaker at Laffort. We delve into the challenges of the Pét-Nat category, the balance between intervention and natural winemaking, and even explore strategies for managing Volatile Acidity in winemaking. Bryanna tells us why humility in the wine industry is important, and the value of asking for help when things go awry. She shares her excitement for the future of the industry, envisioning a more accessible and inclusive wine culture.

Martin Cody of Cellar Angels shares the challenges and triumphs of revolutionizing the wine industry by providing a platform for limited-production wineries that often go unnoticed in the three-tier system. Discover how Cellar Angels leverages the power of the internet to connect wine enthusiasts to these hidden gems, and why crafting compelling wine stories is the heart of their mission.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Martin Cody, the CEO, President, and Co-Founder of Cellar Angels. Learn about their unique approach to partnerships with wineries, their charitable initiatives, and gain valuable entrepreneurial advice from a seasoned business leader. Whether you’re a wine lover, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply curious about the world of wine, this podcast offers a taste of innovation, passion, and success in the digital age.

Justin Medcraft and Josh Makler share the origin story of Mate Maker Co, a drinks business driven by the mission to bring transparency and better ingredients to the world of beverages. Discover how they brought hard kombucha to the Australian market and the challenges they faced in transitioning from traditional beer brewing and dive into the ethos of mindfulness in drinking and the importance of quality ingredients.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Justin Medcraft, Founder, and Josh Makler, Brewmaster at Mate Maker Co Hard Kombucha. Explore their unique flavors, including the Mate Maker POG Kombucha, Mango Peach Smash, and Pineapple Sundream. Get an inside look into the brewing process of hard kombucha and the innovation driving Mate Maker Co’s commitment to transparent ingredients.

Step into the world of Pubinno, a company connecting the globe through AI and robotics-powered draft beer innovation. Join Can Algul, CEO of Pubinno, as we explore their mission to automate, standardize, and digitize draft beer operations while reducing waste and promoting sustainability.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Can Algul, Co-Founder & CEO of Pubinno. Learn how Pubinno prevents losses for pub owners, leverages AI for the perfect pint and hear real-world case studies of their technology. Discover their Smart Tap, Smart Hub, and Smart Clean solutions, and explore their Net Zero Manifesto, driving the beverage industry towards sustainability. Gain insights into the unique dynamics of the beer business in different global cities and the role of machine learning in the food and beverage industry.

Explore the world of LXV Wine with Neeta Mittal. Join us as Neeta shares her journey from discovering Paso Robles to creating an immersive wine experience. Learn about LXV’s unique tastings, flavor pairings, and Bordeaux varietals.
In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Neeta Mittal, Founder of LXV Wine. Discover the allure of Willow Creek’s terroir and the Paso wine scene’s evolution. Neeta’s role in the Paso Robles CAB Collective and her perspective on industry changes add depth to the conversation. Plus, stay tuned for a heartwarming discussion about Neeta’s furry friends. Cheers to wine, culture, and more with LXV Wine!