Bottled Up Podcast

In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner sits down with Tom Wark to talk Napa vs. Sonoma, the current state of the wine industry, and the growing anti-alcoholmovement putting pressure on producers, retailers, and consumers alike.Tom shares why Sonoma is the better wine countryexperience for most travelers, reflects on nearly four decades in the wine business, and breaks down the real challenges facing wine today—from changing consumer habits and health trends to warning labels and declining consumption.The conversation also dives into wine shipping laws, industry fear around lawsuits, and why many wine organizations have been hesitant to push back publicly.Of course, it wouldn’t be Bottled Up without a little chaos—expect barbecue debates, fraternity stories, hard kombucha hot takes, Italian restaurant recommendations, and an unfiltered look at where the wine world may be headed next.

In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner sits down with celebrity wine critic Jeb Dunnuck to talk all things wine—from his journey launching the Rhône Report to becoming one of the most influential voices in the industry.Jeb shares his go-to red wines for warm weather(hint: it’s not just Pinot Noir), unforgettable tasting experiences from Bordeaux to the Rhône, and why great wine doesn’t need to follow the rules. The conversation also dives into the evolving world of wine criticism, the rise of AI, and whether technology can ever replace human taste and judgment.Of course, it wouldn’t be Bottled Up without a little chaos—expect mezcal margaritas, no-air-conditioning horror stories in France, industry hot takes,and an unfiltered look at what it really means to drink (and think about) wine today.

In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner sits down with longtime friend and Washington winemaker Trey Busch of Sleight of Hand Cellars in Walla Walla, WA.Trey shares his journey from music to winemaking, why Riesling is one of the best “entry point” wines, and how Washington State has quietly become one of the most important wine regions in the world. The conversation dives into the real challenges facing today’s wine industry—distribution bottlenecks, pricing pressure, and the struggle toconnect with the next generation of wine drinkers.Of course, it wouldn’t be Bottled Up without a little chaos—expect Pearl Jam stories, Jets vs. Seahawks trash talk, unexpected food takes (beet tortellini, anyone?),and honest insight into what it actually takes to keep wine culture fun, approachable, and authentic.

In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner divesinto the world of wine by the glass, sharing tips on how to navigate restaurant wine lists and explore new flavors without committing to a full bottle. He discusses common pitfalls like watered-down Pinot Grigio, the importance of tasting foryourself, and how restaurants can elevate their wine programs. Plus, Jermaine joins in to highlight fresh pairings, including the perfect Falanghina with sushi.

In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel Posner and Jermaine Stone break down why wine can feel so intimidating and how to approach it with confidence. From navigating overwhelming wine lists to avoiding bad food pairings, they share practical tips you can actually use the next time you’re out to dinner. Plus, they get real about why most wine events miss the mark and what the industry needs to do to make wine more fun, social, and accessible. So whether you’re ordering on a date or walking into a tasting, you’ll leave knowing exactly how to drink smarter and enjoy it more.

In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel and Jermaine unpack the chaos in wine distribution, from big companies buying up markets to why smaller wineries are getting squeezedout. They break down the three-tier system, the disappearing art of selling wine, and what all this means for the future of the industry.Because behind every bottle… there’s a lot more business than people think.

In this episode of Bottled Up, Danieland Jermaine take on the modern world of wine influence, from critics and retailers to social media creators and algorithms.They explore how today’s wine drinkers arediscovering bottles in entirely new ways, why impressions do not always translate to sales, and the growing tension between authenticity and trend driven content.The conversation moves beyond the surface into bigger questions. Who actually influences what ends up in your glass? Has the industry adapted to how people discover wine today? And in a world driven by followers and algorithms, whatdoes real influence look like?

In this episode of Bottled Up, Daniel and Jermaine unpack the shifting narrative around alcohol, including recent messaging from the World Health Organization, and what it means for wine culture today.They explore how trend-driven sobriety, changinggenerational attitudes, and global health conversations are reshaping perception, and whether the wine industry has done enough to control its own story.The conversation moves beyond headlines into bigger questions. How should wine fit into modern life?What are we losing when culture becomes reactive? And what responsibility doesthe industry have moving forward?

On this episode Daniel and Jermaine dig into how nostalgia, branding, and convenience have shaped modern wine culture, why retailers often play it too safe, and what responsibility the industry has to actually guide people forward. This episode asks a simple question with uncomfortable answers: are we selling wine, or just ringing up memories?

In the first episode of Bottled Up, Jermaine Stone and Daniel Posner share their real feelings on Dry January, the rise of non-alcoholic wine, and what both reveal about the current state of wine. The conversation moves beyond trends and into bigger questions around declining consumption, cultural fatigue, and why wine feels increasingly out of step with today’s drinkers.Drawing from decades of experience across retail, auctions, branding, and media, they speak candidly about where the winebusiness has lost momentum, how legacy thinking continues to shape decisions, and why surface-level fixes won’t solve deeper issues. They discuss what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change—from how wine is marketed to howthe industry talks about itself—if wine wants to move forward.This episode sets the tone for the series: honest conversations about the pressures facing wine, the mistakes the industry keeps repeating, and the work required to turn things around.