Welcome to another episode of Beats, Vines & Life! In today’s episode, “Gemello Audio,” host MJ Towler sits down with Bay Area writer, wine historian, and longevity researcher Kevin Ferguson. Growing up surrounded by the orchards of Mountain View, California, Kevin Ferguson comes from a family with deep roots in winemaking—his grandfather, Mario Gemello, ran the historic Gemello Winery for nearly five decades.

As the 50th anniversary of the legendary Judgment of Paris approaches, Kevin shares the incredible story of his family’s journey through Prohibition, the Great Depression, and their surprising triumph at the 25th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris blind tasting.

Along the way, MJ and Kevin dive into multigenerational family life, the transformation of Silicon Valley from orchards to tech hub, and how sports, culture, and a passion for storytelling intersect in Kevin’s life. From epic basketball moments to the science of longevity inspired by Kevin’s 104-year-old grandmother, this conversation is all about history, legacy, and celebrating the Mavericks and centenarian wine drinkers shaping our world. So grab a glass and get ready for a fascinating blend of music, wine, family, and life’s biggest stories.

For more information about Gemello Winery follow Kevin’s Substack!

Follow Gemello on IG!

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

Go to the-vines.com and use code BLACKWINEGUY to unlock member pricing and join their community for just $395, plus get a case of wines they make with their partners. (U.S. addresses only.)

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

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Welcome to Beats Vines & Life, where we dive into the intersection of wine, business, and modern living. In this episode, host MJ Towler sits down with Ben Salisbury, renowned consultant, coach, and creator of the Wine Sales Stimulator training program. With over four decades of experience in the wine and spirits industry, Ben has worked with major players like Constellation Brands and St. Michelle Wine Estates, and now champions a fresh, tech-driven approach to sales and marketing.

Together, MJ Towler and Ben tackle everything from the realities of the three-tier system, the pitfalls of outdated sales playbooks, and the game-changing power of focusing your efforts where it counts. They discuss the need for scalable systems, efficient use of time, and the value of CRM tools—all with an eye toward sustainable growth for wineries, distilleries, and beverage brands in a rapidly evolving market.

Whether you're an industry insider, a passionate consumer, or just curious about what makes the modern wine business tick, this episode is full of actionable insights, sharp commentary, and a little New England grit. Tune in and discover why the old hustle mentality might just be holding your brand back, and how to move past it for lasting success.

For more information about Ben’s Wine Sales Stimulator click the link!

Follow Ben on Linkedin!

Remember to use CODE: BWG8020 to receive a 10% discount on Ben’s flagship program during the month of February only.

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

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life 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

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Follow Totally Biased Wine Reviews on IG

Sign up for Totally Biased Wine Reviews

Go to the-vines.com and use code BLACKWINEGUY to unlock member pricing and join their community for just $395, plus get a case of wines they make with their partners. (U.S. addresses only.)

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

Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life! In this special bonus episode, host MJ Towler reunites with the dynamic and trailblazing winemaker Brenae Royal for part two of their powerful conversation. After the overwhelming response to her first appearance, Brenae Royal returns to dive deeper into her incredible journey—sharing how she’s navigated the challenging world of wine, achieved rapid success with her brand Violet’s Paradise, and what it means to break ground as a Black woman in the vineyard and beyond.

Together, they dig into the hustle behind securing wine distribution, building authentic mentorship, and the realities of balancing personal values with the demands of growing a business. Brenae Royal opens up about honoring her late dog Violet May through her brand, the lessons she’s learned from vineyard life, and how she’s paving the way for a new generation of diverse winemakers. Along the way, they share stories about excellence, community, and staying true to yourself in a landscape where representation and resilience matter more than ever.

Tune in for real talk, big lessons, and inspiration—whether you’re into wine, entrepreneurship, or just living your purpose to the fullest.

For more information about Violet's Paradise Wines click the link!

Follow Brenae on IG!

Follow Violet’s Paradise Wines on IG!

____________________________________________________________

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

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life 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

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Follow Totally Biased Wine Reviews on IG

Sign up for Totally Biased Wine Reviews

Go to the-vines.com and use code BLACKWINEGUY to unlock member pricing and join their community for just $395, plus get a case of wines they make with their partners. (U.S. addresses only.)

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