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I’ve always believed that there are powerful forces at work—forces beyond human comprehension—that somehow guide us through our actions and decisions. Two years ago, in Episode 19 of Season 2, I had the pleasure of speaking with Vince Anter, the creator and star of V is for Vino. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and check it out on YouTube or V is for Vino TV. You won’t regret it.

The wine and hospitality world is full of generous, passionate people—and Vince is one of the best. At the end of our first conversation, I asked Vince who he thought might make a great follow-up guest. Without hesitation, he recommended Wes Hagen—the man behind the creation of the Santa Barbara AVAs.

That recommendation changed my life.

I met Wes, who became not just a friend, but a mentor. I left my job, moved to Santa Barbara, and spent nearly six months living with Wes and his family. Thanks to him, I experienced a series of unforgettable interviews and wine moments in 2024 that were foundational to my learning and growth in this industry.

Life moves fast, and it’s easy to forget the small sparks that ignite great journeys. So, when I recently had the chance to catch up with Vince again, it felt like more than just a reunion. It was an opportunity to reflect, to celebrate the path I’ve taken, and to say a heartfelt thank you to Vince, whose kindness and generosity helped shape that path.

Vince is as humble as he is passionate, as generous as he is driven. He continues to inspire, and this conversation was something truly special.

A huge thanks to Vince for joining me again.

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Travel is the ultimate educator. Nothing replaces first-hand experience—being there, boots on the ground, engaging with the people, the land, and the story. When you walk the vineyards, talk with the makers, and stand among old vines, everything changes. It stops being academic—it becomes real.

For the first time, I set foot on the hallowed hills of Clarendon, nestled in the higher reaches of McLaren Vale. I’d known the wines, and admired the reputation. But until recently, my understanding was purely theoretical. That changed this past weekend—thanks to a generous invitation and the most unreasonable hospitality from Nicky Gameau of Jackson Family Wine and Chris Carpenter, the world renowned wine maker who makes the wines for Hickinbotham.

Nicky welcomed me to the McLaren Vale. Chris then took me to dinner, where we talked everything from Chicago sports to jazz, the Jackson Family Estates, the state of the wine trade, and, of course, the majesty of Clarendon. The next morning Chris gave me a tour of the vineyards. We had discussed saving our interview for another day. But in the moment, while dialed into Chris’s master class, surrounded by beauty and story, I couldn’t resist. I reached into my bag, pulled out a mic, and hit record.

So today, I bring you what was a rather spontaneous recording.

We’ll have a follow-up episode soon, where Chris and I dive deeper into some broader topics. But for now, I invite you to imagine yourself standing beside us atop Clarendon—overlooking majestic sun lit hills, breezes rustling the vines, history rooted deep in the soil—as we talk about place, passion, and perspective.

Here’s my conversation with Chris Carpenter. A huge thanks to Chris for joining me.

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Welcome to CDP Insights, a Cellar Door Podcast initiative where we stay up to date with market trends and get sharp industry insights. My guest is Joe Fattorini and in this episode we discuss the concept of product placement and its relevance to brand growth

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