Big Business vs. Artisan Wines with “Grape-a-hol” Author Mark Feldman
Episode 37 : The Wine Down
Episode Synopsis
Though the wine market continues to expand, there is more swill than ever to sift through to get to the good stuff. We welcome Dr. Mark L. Feldman into the studio to discuss some of the factors that can be decisive in distinguishing the best from the rest.
Mark shares the elegant wines of Destiny Bay-one of New Zealand’s most impressive wineries, which he imports. Mark is also a respected author whose work Grape-a-hol examines the difference between mass produced wines and artisan labels, and his insight on winemaking and handling are truly insightful.
Guest Bio
Mark L. Feldman, Ph.D., is the CEO of Destiny Bay Wine Imports. Mark has been instrumental in the marketing and branding of Destiny Bay Vineyards since its founding in 2000. His experience as the U.S. importer and distributor of New Zealand’s highest rated artisan wine has made his presentations on luxury branding a featured attraction at private tasting events. He also is a former CEO of Space-Time Insight, a founding partner of Start Up Farms International, a Senior Vice President of Strategy at Virsa Systems and a Senior Vice President at SAP Labs. Earlier in his career he was a partner and global practice leader for mergers & acquisitions consulting at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mark holds a Ph.D. in Communications from Northwestern University and is a frequently quoted speaker who has addressed audiences throughout the world on industry-transforming events.
Episode Breakdown
00:01 Welcome to the Wine Down.
00:42 Introducing Mark Feldman.
02:40 What is Grape-a-hol?
03:57 The difference between an artisan producer and a bigger business.
08:13 Commercial bulk production of wine and the Supermarket.**
13:45 Structuring a million gallons of wine to taste the same and ‘true artisan wine.’
16:28 The commitment of belonging to a certified wine community.
18:26 Shipping and maintaining standards during transit.
24:04 The “price vortex,” and who really pays for nickel bottles.
28:24 Wine taxation and the production of Waiheke, New Zealand.
31:13 Biodynamics and Organic wine communities.
33:42 The great cork debate continues…
39:42 Tasting notes and info on the Destinae.
42:25 Some stats for Waiheke Island.
44:21 Only using the best of the best grapes.
47:45 Tasting the Magna Praemia-the flagship wine of Destiny Bay.
51:57 The Bordeaux fixation of Waiheke Island.
53:37 Thanks and a final quote of note.
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Sonja Magdevski
My voracious appetite for knowledge has led me to incredible journeys as well as halted me in my tracks. Through all I have done the one thing that connects me to the earth, to my work and to others is information.
Brandon Bartlett
Brandon Bartlett is a Senior Sales / Channel Manager at Beam. Beam owns Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Sauza Hornitos, Effen vodka, Knob Creek, Cruzan rum, and many others. Brandon has been in the hotel, restaurant, bar, nightclub, cigar, wine, and liquor business for 25 years.
