Charles Lazzara is the owner and founder of Volio Imports, an import company focused on but not exclusive to Italian wine. Jessica and Charles chat about the early days of Volio and how it started as a wholesaler of wine in Colorado. Eventually, the sale of the wholesale business led to a full focus on the import portfolio and all the particularities of that side of the business. Charles brings true entrepreneurial acumen to the business and to all of his interactions in market. Selling wine isn't just about the quality in the glass these days, it's about compelling stories and how producers can further connect with the consuming public. Lots of great selling tidbits in this episode.

Links:

Volio Imports Websites here

On today's show, Jessica gets together a group of wine and beverage journalists for a roundtable discussion on the state of the wine industry. Each journalist has an interesting and well-researched perspective on various angles of the industry that they have been reporting on throughout the year. From declining wine sales, producers recalibrating business models, innovative ways brands have connected with consumers, eco-labeling, tariffs, and what to look for in 2026, this episode has it all.

Our panel and the relevant articles they have written on the state of the industry:

Shana Clarke (based in NYC):

https://vinepair.com/articles/what-the-wine-industry-needs-right-now/

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/insights-from-our-2025-beverage-industry-career-and-salary-report/

https://substack.com/@shanaspeakswine

Kate Dingwall (based in Toronto):

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/california-wine-production-plummets/

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/trump-tariff-price-impacts/

Kathleen Willcox (based in New York)

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/how-to-win-wine-sales-in-a-losing-market/

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/10/07/next-gen-wine-win-over-the-modern-consumer-through-influence-identity-and-occasion/

https://kathleenwillcox.substack.com/

On today's show, Mark and Jessica kick off the holiday season and head out to the Texas Hill Country to check out an over-performing winery, Elisa Christopher. They sit down with the owner/ winemaker, Elisa Jones, who is quickly making a name for herself in the Texas industry as a leader for quality sparkling wine both under her own label as well as a custom disgorging facility for other wineries. They chat about Elisa's previous career in intelligence with the Department of Defense as well as all the challenges of setting up a dedicated in-house disgorging facility and growing Texas grapes for sparkling wine production. Mark and Jessica are excited to continue to follow the evolution of Elisa Christopher wines and the overall sparkling segment of Texas wines.

Check out Elisa Christopher Website Here

Check out the Another Bottle Down Episode on the Texas Vintners Cup here.