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Beats Vines and Life

Beats Vines and Life

By: Marvin J. Towler
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Summary

MJ Towler aka the Black Wine Guy went from a totally obsessed wine newbie to the world's first-ever African-American fine and rare wine auctioneer in less than 3 years.


These days, he is a podcaster and journalist who travels the globe, having conversations with the movers, shakers, and disruptors in the worlds of food, wine, music, and more.

This show pairs his passion for complex, interesting wines with complex, interesting guests. These are deep thinkers and Mavericks talking about their passions, life lessons, and inspirations - while drinking a bottle of something listeners will definitely want to savor for themselves.


Sit back, listen, learn, and laugh. This is Beats Vines and Life.


For more information and exclusive content, go to beatsvinesandlife.com

Follow MJ on IG

@blackwineguy

@beatsvinesandlife

Podcast produced by Marvin J. Towler

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

Marvin J. Towler
Art Cooking Food & Wine Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Leading in Healthcare, Living with Purpose: Cathy and Wright Lassiter on Family, Wine, and Adventure
    Apr 27 2026

    Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life. In this special episode, MJ Towler sits down with Wright Lassiter and his wife, Cathy Lassiter—a dynamic couple whose journey blends music, culture, and the art of living well. Wright Lassiter, one of the nation's top healthcare leaders, and Cathy, a lifelong community advocate and self-described CEO of the family, share how their passions for travel, culture, and wine have led them to create Lassiter Family Vineyards.

    Get ready to hear the remarkable story behind their entry into the world of boutique winemaking, their love for champagne breakfasts, their deep roots in music-rich communities, and the lifestyle strategies that keep their family thriving. From building a world-class wine collection to crafting meaningful experiences around the table, this episode serves up inspiration, wit, and a taste of what it means to fuse success with soulful living.

    For more information about Lassiter Family Vineyards click the link!

    Follow Lassiter Family Vineyards on IG!


    ____________________________________________________________

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


    Grenache Fest is BACK!!! Grenache Fest is coming to Waitsburg, Washington, bringing with it a focused, celebratory spotlight on one of the world’s most important and expressive grapes. This year, we will start with a blind tasting seminar hosted by MJ Towler, Chauncey Arkfeld, and Michael Alberty, followed by smaller breakout sessions across town.


    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.


    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


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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 54 mins
  • Business, Bottles, and Barolo: Dave Wanek on Crafting Fine Wine and Building Legacy in Walla Walla’s Rocks District
    Apr 13 2026

    Welcome to another episode of Beats, Vines & Life! Today, MJ sits down with Dave Wanek, a multifaceted leader whose journey winds from a small Nebraska town to the heart of Silicon Valley and, eventually, the vineyards of Walla Walla. As the co-founder of Cimento and a principal at Walla Walla Land Company, Dave brings decades of experience in technology investment and an unwavering commitment to crafting premium wines.


    In this episode, we uncork Dave’s story—diving into his Midwestern roots, ascent in the world of venture capital, and what inspired him to plant his flag in the Rocks District, a unique viticultural area renowned for its terroir-driven wines. We’ll learn about his early influences, the meticulous philosophy behind farming and wine production, and how he’s blending business innovation with a passion for exquisite wine and sustainable stewardship.


    Whether you’re a music lover, a wine aficionado, or fascinated by dynamic lifestyles, this conversation delivers a full-bodied exploration of entrepreneurship, community, and the finer things in life. So pour yourself a glass and join us for a journey from Beats, to Vines, to Life!


    For more information about Cimento Wines click the link!

    Follow Cimento Wines on IG!

    Follow Walla Walla Land Co. on IG!

    ____________________________________________________________

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


    Grenache Fest is BACK!!! Grenache Fest is coming to Waitsburg, Washington, bringing with it a focused, celebratory spotlight on one of the world’s most important and expressive grapes. This year, we will start with a blind tasting seminar hosted by MJ Towler, Chauncey Arkfeld, and Michael Alberty, followed by smaller breakout sessions across town.


    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.


    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


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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Collecting Time: Brian Lau on Luxury Watches, Whiskey, and Collecting Culture
    Apr 6 2026

    Welcome back to Beats, Vines & Life! In today’s episode, host Speaker A sits down with Brian Lau—entrepreneur, lifelong collector, and founder of One More Time Watches. Brian’s passion for luxury watches has evolved into a booming business rooted in transparency and education, shaped by his expertise in both cybersecurity and high-stakes business development.

    But this conversation is more than just about timepieces. Brian and Speaker A dive into the lifestyle of collecting—trading stories about rare whiskey, epic wine finds, and the art of building a collection, whether it’s on your wrist or in your cellar. If you’ve ever been curious about the parallels between luxury watches and cult wines, the world of high-value spirits, or just want to hear what makes a true “guy’s guy” tick, you’re in the right place.

    Get ready for a deep-dive into passion, provenance, and the pursuit of the ultimate collectible.

    For more information about 1 More Time Watches click the link!

    Follow 1 More Time on IG!

    Follow Brian on IG!

    ____________________________________________________________

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


    Are you a collector who takes wine seriously? The Genesis tier of Club dVin is closing permanently on April 11, 2026. Click here to become a lifetime member. Again, the founding circle closes on April 11. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.


    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.


    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


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

    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
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