Episodes

  • #30 Drew Tobin, Sales Manager for the Aspect division of Breakthru Beverage Group

    #30 Drew Tobin, Sales Manager for the Aspect division of Breakthru Beverage Group
    Nov 12 2024
    Join me this week with Drew Tobin as we discuss him growing up in The Netherlands, Whisk(e)y, and the evolving luxury market of wines. We also spend a decent amount of time geeking out on Mezcal and Tequila, along with the unsustainability of the growth that they're going through. We had a blast and I guess it shows as this is the longest episode to date!

    Subscribe to The Reluctant Somm and embark on a taste-filled voyage through the realms of wine and hospitality! Enjoy our complete video podcast on YouTube. Also, be sure to visit our website for an exclusive Member's Experience, like wine reviews, blind tasting and much more!
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    1 hr and 47 mins
  • #29 Donald Hout, Sales at Arlequin Wine Merchant

    #29 Donald Hout, Sales at Arlequin Wine Merchant
    Nov 5 2024
    Join me this week with Donald Hout as we discuss his journey from going to college for computer science to falling in love with wine! We also talk about how things were at Arlequin during the pandemic and how things are now since they've expanded next door. Get the insider tip for one of the best patios in SF and an incredible wine selection!

    Subscribe to The Reluctant Somm and embark on a taste-filled voyage through the realms of wine and hospitality! Enjoy our complete video podcast on YouTube. Also, be sure to visit our website for an exclusive Member's Experience, like wine reviews, blind tasting and much more!
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • #28 James Tran, Co-owner at Artisan Wines in Mountain View California

    #28 James Tran, Co-owner at Artisan Wines in Mountain View California
    Nov 2 2024
    Join me this week with James Tran who I met recently on a trip to Spain! We talk about the retail world of things and he helps me understand much more about that channel of sales. It was great to hear about how he and his sister made the jump in 2009 and really set the bar for high quality wine retail at the time. There's so much more that I don't understand but man I learned a lot.

    Subscribe to The Reluctant Somm and embark on a taste-filled voyage through the realms of wine and hospitality! Enjoy our complete video podcast on YouTube. Also, be sure to visit our website for an exclusive Member's Experience, like wine reviews, blind tasting and much more!
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • #27 Will Pye, Wine Director at Prospect Restaurant San Francisco

    #27 Will Pye, Wine Director at Prospect Restaurant San Francisco
    Oct 22 2024

    Join me this week with my great friend Will Pye, a mostly loose conversation but we had fun! We spoke on things like how much we love A. Rafanelli winery, the pre pandemic days, and Will's background which weaved in and out of the back and front of house reaching the heights of Executive Chef and Wine Director. We also did a fun tasting to celebrate Wills return to the podcast!

    Subscribe to The Reluctant Somm and embark on a taste-filled voyage through the realms of wine and hospitality! Enjoy our complete video podcast on YouTube. Also, be sure to visit our website for an exclusive Member's Experience, like wine reviews, blind tasting and much more!
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • #26 Matthew Oldenburg, Territory Manager - San Francisco for Springboard Wine & Spirits Company

    #26 Matthew Oldenburg, Territory Manager - San Francisco for Springboard Wine & Spirits Company
    Oct 15 2024
    Join me in conversation with Matthew Oldenburg as we discuss his journey from collegiate beverage classes to a farmers market wine stall to a fated trip to the Mosel Valley and eventually to a wine school taught by THE David Glancy (and beyond). We also briefly touch on natural farming practices, the non drinking culture and how its effecting our industry and the struggle of living and working in San Francisco with all of the "challenges" we face. *Disclaimer: We had a few technical issues playing with some new lenses and with the heatwave in SF the camera kept overheating. Sorry for any confusion and thanks for your support!

    Subscribe to The Reluctant Somm and embark on a taste-filled voyage through the realms of wine and hospitality! Enjoy our complete video podcast on YouTube. Also, be sure to visit our website for an exclusive Member's Experience, like wine reviews, blind tasting and much more!
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • #25 Tyler Canning, Beverage Director of Piccino Restaurant

    #25 Tyler Canning, Beverage Director of Piccino Restaurant
    Oct 8 2024
    Join me in conversation with Tyler Canning as we discuss how he got his start in the restaurant industry at the epic Lazy Bear, how coffee was the first beevareg that captured him (something I think most of us need to even function at this point), and how he is now ALSO in wine distribution. It's great to hear his thoughts and his process and I think it helps paint a great picture of thoughtfulness. *Disclaimer: We had a few technical issues playing with some new lenses and with the heatwave in SF the camera kept overheating. Sorry for any confusion and thanks for your support!

    Subscribe to The Reluctant Somm and embark on a taste-filled voyage through the realms of wine and hospitality! Enjoy our complete video podcast on YouTube. Also, be sure to visit our website for an exclusive Member's Experience, like wine reviews, blind tasting and much more!
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • #24 Cory Nelund, California Sales Manager for Artemis Domaines

    #24 Cory Nelund, California Sales Manager for Artemis Domaines
    Oct 1 2024

    Join me in conversation with Cory Nelund as we discuss his journey from restaurants and bars to retail to sales and now representing one of the most historically important wineries in Napa Valley, Eisele Vineyard. We take some tangents through sake but circle back to his role with the Artemis Domaines We have known each other for several years now and he is such a class act, I can't wait for you to check it out!

    Subscribe to The Reluctant Somm and embark on a taste-filled voyage through the realms of wine and hospitality! Enjoy our complete video podcast on YouTube. Also, be sure to visit our website for an exclusive Member's Experience, like wine reviews, blind tasting and much more!
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • #23 Stefano Biscotto, Northern California Sales Manager at Aspect Fine Wines

    #23 Stefano Biscotto, Northern California Sales Manager at Aspect Fine Wines
    Sep 24 2024

    Join me in a conversation with Stefano Biscotto as we discuss the ever complicated and evolving landscape that is Italian wine, the flow of business over the years in different markets, and the founding on The Estate Group back in the day at (the now RNDC) Young's. Stefano has been a great mentor to me in my time in wine sales in San Francisco and I'm so happy to share some of hi knowledge with you!

    Subscribe to The Reluctant Somm and embark on a taste-filled voyage through the realms of wine and hospitality! Enjoy our complete video podcast on YouTube. Also, be sure to visit our website for an exclusive Member's Experience, like wine reviews, blind tasting and much more!
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    1 hr and 14 mins