Send us a text

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.

Support the show

Send us a text

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

Support the show

Send us a text

I have the fondest memories of sitting beside my dad on the couch, both of us completely captivated by the film Somm. It tells the story of four friends who take on one of the most grueling academic challenges in the world—the Master Sommelier exam, administered by the Court of Master Sommeliers. This film isn’t just about wine; it’s about the pursuit of excellence. It feels more like a sports movie than a documentary, filled with intensity, anxiety, fear, and hope as these candidates inch closer to an exam that only 282 people have passed since 1969.

Somm quickly became a personal favorite and was pivotal in igniting what would become my deep passion for the wine industry. To me, it was a work of genius—an eye-opener, a motivator, and something that made the idea of joining the wine world feel thrillingly possible.

That’s why it was such an incredible honor to sit down with the man behind it all—Jason Wise. A Cleveland-born, sports mad and ambitious filmmaker, Jason stumbled into the company of four aspiring Master Sommeliers and uncovered a story that would go on to redefine how we see the world of wine. His Somm series has since become iconic, culminating most recently in The Cup of Salvation—a film that poetically places wine at the cross roads of religion, politics, culture and family.

In this episode, I speak with Jason for nearly an hour and a half about his filmmaking journey and what drives him to keep telling stories that elevate and humanize the world of hospitality. I absolutely loved this conversation, and I hope you will too. A huge thanks to Jason Wise for joining me.

Support the show

Send us a text

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 reverse benchmarking and its relationship with brand growth

Support the show

Send us a text

Matthew Deller MW is one of the most respected figures in Australian wine today. With a global career that spans New Zealand, the United States, and now Australia, Matthew has consistently held leadership roles that blend a passion for fine wine with sharp business acumen. Currently, he serves as CEO of Wirra Wirra and Ashton Hills—an exciting, focused portfolio with bold ambitions to elevate its premium reputation.

Matthew’s path reflects a rare balance: the depth of a Master of Wine and the strategic mindset of a global executive. From senior positions at Constellation Brands to his active involvement with the McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association, Matthew has made it his mission to strengthen not only the brands he leads but the regions they represent.

It was clear from our conversation that Matthew doesn’t just love wine—he loves the industry that brings it to our tables. We spent over an hour talking through his journey, his leadership philosophy, and his vision for South Australia’s wine future.

A huge thanks to Matthew for joining me.

Support the show

Send us a text

Earlier this year, I found myself on a guided tour of a winery as historic and captivating as it was charming and picturesque — and none of it by accident. Tucked away in the Victorian Highlands, in the storied town of Beechworth, just off Pennyweight Lane, sits Pennyweight Wines, a family-run gem helmed by the illustrious Morris family.

I had the privilege of being shown around by Stephen Morris Senior, who, along with his wife Elizabeth — a wonderful host in her own right — founded Pennyweight. Now, it was a bold move to give a tour in the middle of vintage, but it paid off in spades. I was treated to some authentic Beechworth hospitality and even managed to sneak a peek at winemaker Stephen Morris Junior at work in the barrel room.

Stephen Senior is as humble as he is generous. He avoids the spotlight but leaves no doubt about his confidence in the wines of Pennyweight and the Beechworth region. Like father, like son.

After some convincing, I managed to twist his arm into sitting down for a chat on the show. He joked that I was stuck with him because Stephen Junior was far too focused on the wines to be distracted — and honestly, that tells you just about everything you need to know about what’s in bottle at Pennyweight. If you get the chance to experience these wines, don’t hesitate. Gold takes many forms in Beechworth, and it seems some of the local producers are dabbling in alchemy.

It was a privilege to speak with Stephen Morris Senior — we talked Beechworth wines, the terroir, the region’s rich history, and a family legacy steeped in craftsmanship. A huge thank you to Stephen Senior for joining me. I hope you enjoy this conversation.

Support the show

Send us a text

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 how brands grow from a marketing perspective.

Support the show

Send us a text

In 2024, a new world wine region caught my attention for a very particular reason. While many wine-producing countries were grappling with declining export values, South Africa bucked the trend — not just holding steady, but actually gaining in value. It reminded me of my conversation back in Episode 37 of Season 4, with Anthony Hamilton Russell, who spoke so passionately about South Africa’s ambition, confidence, and its ongoing quest to command greater attention on the global wine stage.

The latest numbers hinted at something more than coincidence. It looked like a long-term strategy was finally hitting its stride. I wanted to understand what was happening behind the scenes — what was driving this momentum — so I reached out to Siobhan Thompson, the CEO of Wines of South Africa, the independent industry body solely focused on export markets and global activity.

Siobhan was generous with her time, and what followed was a fascinating conversation about market dynamics, strategic storytelling, and the bold, creative marketing mindset she’s bringing to the South African wine industry.

It’s a chat filled with insights from so many angles, and I’m thrilled to share it with you. So, without any further delay — a huge thank you to Siobhan for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this conversation.

Support the show