The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits · The Wine Makers

The Wine Makers – Grand Finale from the DTC Wine Symposium

·3 hr 37 min·5 clips

Hosts kick off with coffee jokes and market research as they dive into California wines at the DTC Wine Symposium.

This episode is the grand finale live recording from the Direct-to-Consumer Wine Symposium, hosted by John Myers with local experts Sam Couture, Bart Hanson, and Brian Casey. The hosts are joined by guest Steve Gross, the Vice President of State Relations at the Wine Institute. They taste a Tempia Blanc wine provided by Todd Jolly as part of their "market research" on industry competition. Steve Gross explains his role involves managing legislative and regulatory work in 49 states outside California for the Wine Institute. He leads a team of six regional directors who handle state government affairs for the wine industry. The conversation focuses on the complex legal landscape governing direct-to-consumer wine shipments across different states. Gross details the ongoing efforts to modernize and simplify these alcohol shipping laws for wineries. A significant topic is the status of direct shipping into Texas, which Gross describes as a major but challenging market for wineries. He discusses the specific regulatory hurdles and compliance costs wineries face when navigating interstate commerce. The episode highlights the political and logistical work required to change state-based alcohol regulations. Gross shares insights into building coalitions and working with legislators to advocate for the wine industry. One surprising claim is that the legal patchwork for wine shipping is so intricate it requires a dedicated professional team to manage. A memorable moment is the hosts' jovial introduction of Gross, with the crowd chanting "Breathe our grapes." The tone is conversational and industry-focused, blending expert interview with casual tasting commentary. The style is educational for those inside the wine business, featuring shop-talk about market dynamics and regulation. This episode is ideal for winery owners, direct-to-consumer wine marketers, or anyone interested in the legal complexities of alcohol distribution. Listeners seeking only viticulture techniques or wine tasting notes might find the regulatory discussion too niche.

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