Best Taste Finger Podcasts (2024)

1
228 - Getting More Rooted in our History with the Cochrans While Tasting Finger Lakes Wines 1:12:25

16h ago1:12:25

1:12:25

In todays episode, Shelley and Phil sit down with great friends, Heidi and Chris Cochran, all the way from Little Falls, New York and taste through three wines from the Finger Lakes Region of New York, in honor of Finger Lakes Wine Month. But wait, we're still technically in the middle of Washington Wine month, too (at lease until tomorrow), so we …

1
#11: Inside Publix Ultimate NFL Tailgate Experience 15:55

1d ago15:55

15:55

Episode 11: Publix does football season right by bringing together thousands of NFL fans in their communities for an ultimate tailgate experience each year. Does this experience win the ship, or will it get stuffed at the goal line? John Kappel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kappel327) breaks down this campaign's strengths and weaknesses and giv…

1
#113 Kevin Brown — Literally Everything Your Ever Wanted To Know About Chalk, Founding Friction Labs, Skin Farming, and How To Make Sure You Are Getting The Best Friction On Holds 1:25:20

19m ago1:25:20

1:25:20

This is the episode to learn everything about one of, if not the, most important parts of our climbing kit — chalk! The real topic here is how to maximize friction between your hands and the holds, which is crucial for sending your hardest. Kevin Brown joins the pod and goes deep on the science of how to get the best friction on holds. He talks abo…

1
Wine Marketing Mastery: Barbara and Brian on Modernizing Wine Marketing and Overcoming Industry Challenges 1:12:44

2h ago1:12:44

1:12:44

Welcome back to another insightful episode of "Beats Vines & Life!" This week, we're diving deep into the world of winemaking, marketing, and the evolving landscape of the wine industry with our special guests, Barbara Gorder and Brian Baker. We'll discuss niche market strategies, the critical importance of finding and bonding with your customer tr…

1
Portuguese Wine Primer #1: Vinho Verde! 39:25

19m ago39:25

39:25

With just a few weeks of summer left, we have the perfect wine to ensure that you do not squander those last few precious days. Afterall, there are some wines that just scream summer, and Vinho Verde is at the top of the list. Hailing from Portugal, Vinho Verde is a light, crisp, easy drinking, crowd pleasing little spritzer. Yes, spritzer because …

1
227 - Floods of Change: Exploring the Geologic History of the Pacific Northwest with Geologist Kevin Pogue 56:34

5d ago56:34

56:34

In todays episode, we're going to school as we sit down with long time Professor of Geology at Whitman College, Kevin Pogue, who walk us through the Missoula Floods, serving up this information from a firehose! Kevin has had a hand in so many of the AVA's in Washington, even working with one of today's sponsors, Rocky Pond and one of next weeks spo…

1
#10: Was Hilton's Luxury Hotel on a PGA Golf Course a Hole in One? 14:59

8d ago14:59

14:59

Episode 10: Hilton Brand Hotel built a 5-star hotel stay on hole three during a PGA Tournament. Will they need to take a mulligan on this experience or did they hit a hole in one? John Kappel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kappel327) breaks down this campaign's strengths and weaknesses and gives it a score on the EPIC Experiential Score. Come ge…

1
#112 Paris 2024 Olympics — Professional Climber and Coach Tim Kang on The Results, The Routesetting, The Grades, and The Future of Competitions 2:06:24

1d ago2:06:24

2:06:24

Professional climber, coach, routesetter, and frequent Testpiece podcast guest, Tim Kang, is on the pod this week to share his thoughts about the Paris 2024 Olympics. Tim may be best known for his highball ascents that culminated in the film Focus, but Tim is also a seasoned competition climber with multiple World Cups under his belt. Tim loves com…

1
Wine, Music, and Storytelling: A Conversation with 6th Generation Vintner Jeff Bundschu 1:28:32

4d ago1:28:32

1:28:32

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Beats Vines & Life" with your host, MJ Towler. Today, we're thrilled to bring you an insightful conversation with Jeff Bundschu, the 6th generation California vintner from the iconic Gundlach Bundschu winery. Jeff and MJ dive deep into the thriving world of wine, exploring how storytelling and personal experi…

1
Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #10: Kira Ballotta, Winemaker and Owner of Olivia Brion + Cantadora Wines! 49:38

7d ago49:38

49:38

Kira Ballotta not only makes highly rated and sought after wines (her wines have rated at 92+ with Wine Enthusiast), she is a storyteller who focuses on trailblazing women - and we have to admit, she is quite a trailblazer herself. She is a self-made winemaker and entrepreneur who focuses on sustainable wines, and you can hear her fascinating story…

1
226 - Fermenting Excellence: A Conversation with Brad Binko 43:58

12d ago43:58

43:58

In todays episode, we sit down with long time friend, Brad Binko, winemaker for Eternal Wine and Drink Washington State. Brad has some exciting news to share on this episode as we taste through three of his amazing wines! #HappyFriday! #ItsWineTime! #Cheersing #GiveItaTwirl Wines this episode: 2019 Eternal Wine Patience Roussanne ($39 at the winery…

1
Engineering Meets Oenology: How Antonio Arias is Showcasing The Finger Lakes Finest at ONCE 42:21

15d ago42:21

42:21

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of Beats Vines & Life. Today, our host MJ Towler sits down with Antonio Arias, a chemical-engineer-turned-wine-entrepreneur who has made his mark in the Finger Lakes wine region. Antonio shares his journey from growing up in a family of engineers in Mexico to discovering his passion for wine in Australia, a…

1
Uncorking Heritage and Innovation with Meaghan Frank at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery 36:43

15d ago36:43

36:43

Welcome back, Mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and all the wine drinkers! In today's episode of "Beats Vines & Life," we have a fascinating conversation with Meaghan Frank, the fourth-generation trailblazer behind Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in the stunning Finger Lakes region. Inspired by her enriching experiences in Australia's advanced wi…

1
Family, Tradition, and Wine: Peter Weiss on His Mosel Roots and Finding Success in The Finger Lakes 35:36

4d ago35:36

35:36

Welcome back, listeners, to another episode of Beats Vines & Life! Today we have an extraordinary guest joining us—Hans Peter Weis, the owner and winemaker of Weis Vineyards in the beautiful Finger Lakes region. Peter's journey from growing up in a sixth-generation winemaking family in Mosel, Germany, to establishing a thriving vineyard here in New…

1
#111 Tom O’Halloran — How To Do Hard Moves, Using Boards To Climb Better Outside, Toes Knees Hips, Taping Correctly, and What The Olympics Are Like 2:23:48

8d ago2:23:48

2:23:48

Tom O’Halloran is arguably the best climber in Australia. He’s an Olympian, he’s climbed 15a and v14, and done FA’s nearly up to those grades as well. But the reason we wanted to have him on the podcast is because of the amazing YouTube content he puts out. He dives into the nuances of hard climbing in a way that actually helps people climb hard. T…

1
#9: Did Cheetle Fingers Inspire a Hands Free World? Exploring Cheetos Hands Free House at SXSW 17:10

16d ago17:10

17:10

Episode 9: Cheetos posed one question to SXSW attendees and created an entire brand activation around it. The question being, Did Cheetle inspire hands free technology? John Kappel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kappel327) breaks down this campaign's strengths and weaknesses and gives it a score on the EPIC Experiential Score. Come get immersed …

1
Are We Wrong About Oaky Chardonnay? 51:46

12d ago51:46

51:46

We can admit when we are wrong, and we have to say that although we are not the biggest fans of oaky Chardonnay, we think we found some wines that even an ABC person (that is Anything But Chardonnay) can enjoy. Chardonnay is the most popular white wine in the world, but it is also a very polarizing wine - some people love it and will drink nothing …

1
225 - Washington Wines & More with the Perry's: A 3D Toast to Wine, Design and Friendship 41:26

6d ago41:26

41:26

In todays episode, we have to work through some issues, mainly Phil forgetting to hit 'record' when we started the episode with our guests, Rich and Jenn Perry from 3D Kitchens by Design! But once we got started again, we DO have a party with them while tasting through 5 wines as we honor the 2nd week of the 2nd Washington Wine Month! #HappyFriday!…

1
#110 Ethan Salvo — Lessons From Climbing The Hardest Climb in Squamish [TWICE?!], Internal Vs External Motivations, and Transcending Grades 1:48:11

8d ago1:48:11

1:48:11

Ethan Salvo is back on the podcast! Ethan's first episode (linked here) was a fan favorite so when Josh visited Squamish for a few days they met up do an impromptu live/in-person recording. Since the last recording, Ethan has climbed arguably the hardest climb in Squamish, The Singularity. The experience he had on it was fascinating and made him qu…

1
Amazing Finger Lakes Wines: Edward Miller Talks Hybrids and Sustainability 37:30

22d ago37:30

37:30

Welcome back to another episode of "Beats Vines & Life," where we dive into the worlds of food, wine, music, and more. I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we have a special treat for all you wine enthusiasts out there. Joining us is Edward Miller, the talented winemaker behind Glenora Wine Cellars, one of the oldest wineries on Seneca Lake in the p…

1
The Journey of Lakewood Vineyards: From Fruit Farms to Fine Wines 36:22

19d ago36:22

36:22

Welcome to another delightful episode of "Beats Vines & Life!" I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we're diving deep into the world of winemaking with our special guest, Abby Stamp Wilkins, co-owner and winemaker at Lakewood Vineyards. In this episode, Abby shares her fascinating journey through different wine regions— from the lush landscapes of N…

1
#8: How to WOW Your Audience at Tradeshows with the USPS at CES 15:20

23d ago15:20

15:20

Episode 8: The United States Postal Service immersed attendees at the world's largest tech and innovation conference, CES, with a tradeshow exhibit that drew in and immersed thousands. How did the USPS use experiential marketing to share how it is planning to provide a better service through innovation and process improvements? John Kappel (https:/…

1
Are Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Wines Good? (Reviews of their Chardonnay, Meritage, and GSM) 51:09

17d ago51:09

51:09

A common question we get is just how good are in-house wine brands like Trader Joe’s or Costco Kirkland Signature wines. This week, we tackle the 3rd highest tier of Trader Joe’s in-house wines, the Grand Reserve level, which is usually priced at $12.99 - which is a killer price IF they are any good. This week we also went out on a limb to try wine…

1
224 - Kicking off the Second Washington Wine Month, Leading up to National Drink White Wine Day 34:54

27d ago34:54

34:54

In todays episode, we kick off the second Washington Wine Month in style as we're sipping on three incredible wines from the Evergreen State! Tune in as we explore the best of Washington wine country and get ready to raise a glass for National Drink White Wine Day this Sunday! Wines this episode: 2022 Browne Family Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 🥰 2021 S…

1
#7: Using PR to Grow Attendees at the Largest Lunchables in the World 15:27

1M ago15:27

15:27

Episode 7: Kraft Heinz Lunchables encourages families to play with their food during a four city escape room experience built within a Lunchables Pack. Did Lunchables immerse their guests or just leave them hungry? John Kappel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kappel327) breaks down this campaign's strengths and weaknesses and gives it a score on t…

1
#109 Noah & Benn Wheeler — The World’s Hardest Campus Move, Most Difficult Board Climbs, FA’ing V12 On 1st Day Outdoors, and How This Generation Sees The Future 2:11:36

24d ago2:11:36

2:11:36

Noah Wheeler and Benn Wheeler represent the next generation of climbers. At 21 and 19, they are some of the strongest board climbers in the world and their styles reflect that. They also are bring a unique point of view to the world of climbing content with their YouTube channel, Wheel Rock. These brothers have climbed up to V16 outdoors, FA’d up V…

1
From Vineyard Worker to Visionary: Matt Naumann on Wine, Culture, and the Future of Grenache 1:27:46

25d ago1:27:46

1:27:46

Welcome back to another episode of Beats Vines & Life! Today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Matt Naumann, a seasoned pro in the wine industry. Matt's journey has taken him from the vineyards of Lodi to owning his own project, Newfound Wines. He's also played a pivotal role in expanding Wade Cellars, helmed by NBA icon Dwayne Wade, and h…

1
Special Episode! Meet the (Wine) Makers #9: Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker of Golan Heights Winery! 36:56

16d ago36:56

36:56

Did you know they make award winning wines in Israel? In this special episode, we have the honor to speak with Victor Schoenfeld, Head Winemaker at Golan Heights Winery and one of the pioneers of modern winemaking in Israel. Victor shares with us his journey and how we combined his love of food and interest in agriculture into a career in wine that…

1
223 - Sip into Summer: Albariño Day Celebration 33:14

20d ago33:14

33:14

Get ready to sip into the sunshine with us as we celebrate the upcoming Albariño Day and Week! In this episode, we're shining the spotlight on two stunning Washington Albariños from the Yakima Valley, both from the fabulous 2022 vintage and both from long time friends of our podcast. Join us as we dive into the crisp, citrusy world of this Spanish …

1
#108 AJ [Alex Johnson] — 20 Years At The Top, The Evolution Of Climbing, Coaching Top Athletes, Climbing Drills, and Returning From A Major Injury 1:59:27

22d ago1:59:27

1:59:27

AJ has been competing at the highest level for decades. She has won multiple Bouldering World Cups and she climbs just as hard outdoors with her iconic send of The Swarm (v13/14) in Bishop which was recently featured in Reel Rock. AJ also coaches some of the top up and coming Youth Athletes (one of her athletes recently won Nationals), through her …

1
Embracing Sustainability and Community: Alex Jankowski on Life in The Finger Lakes Wine Country 38:56

22d ago38:56

38:56

Welcome back, wine lovers! This is your host MJ Towler, and you’re tuned into another delectable episode of Beats Vines & Life. Today, we’re diving into the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country with a very special guest, Alex Jankowski, the VP of Brand Development for Wagner Vineyards and the marketing chair of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. In this epi…

1
Exploring Generational Winemaking and Future Growth in The Finger Lakes with Heron Hill’s Jordan Harris 36:56

22d ago36:56

36:56

Welcome back, everyone, to another exciting episode of Beats, Vines & Life. I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we have a truly inspiring guest joining us – Jordan Harris, the phenomenal winemaker at Heron Hill Winery in the Finger Lakes. Jordan's journey into the world of wine is nothing short of fascinating. From initially avoiding chemistry to w…

1
Getting Serious About Rosé #2: Provence Rosé! (The Rosé you probably think about when you think about Rosé) 39:15

26d ago39:15

39:15

When most people talk about Rosé wine, they are most likely referring to Provence Rosé. Most people also probably think that Provence Rosé is what all Rosé wine tastes like, but that is not true. In this latest getting serious about Rosé episode, we spend some time talking about why that is. Now, it is true that Rosé from Provence is the most popul…

1
222 - Sip Sustainably: A Conversation with Dan Petroski of Massican 58:55

29d ago58:55

58:55

In todays episode, we're visiting with Napa winemaker, and Massican Founder, Dan Petroski, while tasting through four of their amazing white wines while we learn about some of the Italian grape variatels they feature in their wines. This episode also includes another segment of our Wine Time Fridays Charity Sips, this time spotlighting Napa Green. …

1
#6: Dance in Public for Free Snacks? Rating Target's EPIC Vending Machine 17:25

1M ago17:25

17:25

Episode 6: Target encourages consumers to dance in exchange for free snacks with their vending machine marketing campaign experience. Did it get the people moving and grooving for Target? John Kappel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kappel327) breaks down this campaign's strengths and weaknesses and gives it a score on the EPIC Experiential Score.…

1
#107 Drew Ruana — Thinking Long Term, Grading The Hardest Blocs, Working Weaknesses, 3 Common Plateaus and How to Get Through Them 2:10:57

1M ago2:10:57

2:10:57

Drew Ruana is one of the strongest boulders in the world. Period. He over a hundred V14+ sends, and lots of then are V16. While some other climbers may have that amount of blocs under their belt, no one has accumulated this many in such a short time. Drew goes into his infamous “Send Colorado” journey, which is his goal to send all V14 and up bould…

1
From Rocket Science to Wine Reviews. Jeb Dunnuck on Going from Aerospace Engineer to Expert Wine Critic 1:29:14

1M ago1:29:14

1:29:14

Welcome back to another exciting episode of "Beats Vines & Life"! Today, we have the pleasure of diving deep into the fascinating journey of Jeb Dunnuck, a renowned wine critic who transitioned from an aerospace engineering career to become one of the most respected voices in the wine industry. Our host MJ Towler sits down with Jeb to discuss his m…

1
WTF is Agiorgitiko? (This Greek red wine is a hidden gem, a must-learn wine) 39:00

1M ago39:00

39:00

Don’t sleep on Agiorgitiko! You may not be familiar with Greek wines - or know how to pronounce them (we didn’t!) - but this is a wine that deserves to be on your must-learn list! Agiorgitiko is a hidden gem in the wine world - a versatile red that comes in different styles, goes well with tons of foods, and can be found at very reasonable prices. …

1
221 - From Old World Elegance to New World Opulence: The Chardonnay Journey 27:29

1M ago27:29

27:29

In todays episode, Shelley and Phil dive back into the old world vs new world wines, in this case, Chardonnay as a part of our Wine Time Fridays series. #HappyFriday! #ItsWineTIme! #Cheersing Click HERE to visit our Wine Time Fridays Series page. Wines this episode: 2019 Mira Winery Napa Valley Chardonnay ($55 at Wine Library) 🤩 We last featured Mi…

1
#5: Jose Cuervo Trash Talkers vs. UFC Champ. Who wins this Experiential Taste Test? 19:12

2M ago19:12

19:12

Episode 5: Jose Cuervo throws jabs at internet trolls in this experiential advertisement campaign created in collaboration with the UFC. Was it a knockout or a flop? John Kappel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kappel327) breaks down this campaign's strengths and weaknesses and gives it a score on the EPIC Experiential Score. Get Immersed in this …

1
From Intern to Icon: Conversations on Clubs, Conan, and Creativity with TV Veteran Billy Bollotino 1:46:18

1M ago1:46:18

1:46:18

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Beats Vines & Life"! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we have an extraordinary guest, the multi-talented Billy Bollotino. Billy, known for his remarkable 25-year career with Conan O'Brien, takes us on a compelling journey through the vibrant music and nightlife of downtown New York, his days at Fordham Uni…

1
#106 Felipe Camargo — An Unlikely Path To The Top, Finding Mentors, Training Hard By Yourself, Establishing Next Level Routes in Brazil, and Giving Back 1:36:36

1M ago1:36:36

1:36:36

Felipe Camargo is one of the top climbers in our sport with sends up to 9b and V15. That’s impressive… But what’s more impressive is that he began climbing Brazil where there was no professional climbers, no routes past 8b+, and no modern training facilities. Felipe managed to send the iconic 50m 9a+ Papichulo by mainly training on a 3x3m spray wal…

1
Costco Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel Challenge! (Kirkland wines vs. similarly priced wines) 42:26

2M ago42:26

42:26

Sometimes being old is good. Aged cheddar? Check. Vintage cars? Yep. Antique furniture Fo’ Sho’! Old Vine Zinfandel? You bet your a$$. In this episode, we return to one of our much beloved Kirkland Signature Challenges, and this week we pit the Kirkland Signature Old Vine Zinfandel against similarly priced and easy to find Old Vine Zinfandels to se…

1
220 - Sampling 7 Paso Robles Wines from Sampl! 37:33

1M ago37:33

37:33

In todays episode, Shelley and Phil were up against the wall, painted into a corner, between a rock and a hard spot and on the horns of a dilemma, as well as any other cliché that you can think of because they recorded just moments before it published! But this episode is SO fun as we get to sample SEVEN wines from Paso Robles through the Sampl win…

1
#4: Climbing to Experiential Success! How IKEA Scaled the Walls of Experiential Marketing in France 15:26

2M ago15:26

15:26

Episode 4: IKEA transforms an apartment into a rock climbing wall filled with their own furniture and decor. Did They Climb to a Successful Campaign? John Kappel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kappel327) breaks down this campaign's strengths and weaknesses and gives it a score on the EPIC Experiential Score. Get Immersed in this episode of the B…

1
Conversations at VINEXPO: Evolving Wine Styles and Global Market Trends 1:32:38

2M ago1:32:38

1:32:38

Welcome to another exciting bonus episode of Beats Vines & Life! I'm your host, MJ Towler, and today we're broadcasting live from the vibrant Vinexpo in New York City. We're diving into the world of wine and spirits with a stellar lineup of guests, all shining lights in the industry. Join us as we chat with Sylvain Faureau, the Director of Marketin…

1
#105 Tim Kang — Going All In, The Most Important Moments for Growth, Embracing What Others Won’t, and The Difference Between Good and Great 2:07:50

2M ago2:07:50

2:07:50

Tim Kang is a frequent guest on the podcast, but now you get to hear him do a more typical interview. Tim is a professional climber and coach that has competed at the World Cup level, won a Psicobloc competition, climbed v14 and 5.14d, but he is best known for his daring sends of the wildest highballs in Bishop which culminated in the popular film …

1
Great American Sparklers: 2024 Edition! (California Brut Sparkling Wines for the 4th of July - or Anytime!) 39:10

2M ago39:10

39:10

What’s more American than sparkling wine?!? Seriously, we make a lot of sparkling wine in the U.S. and we drink a lot of sparkling wine, too! And we think there is hardly anything better on warm summer afternoons and evenings than a nice glass of bubbly! Don’t save sparkling just for serious occasions. And on July 4th?!? Sparkling wine is perfectio…

1
219 - Idaho Wine Month, Week 4: A Red, White & Blue Jubilee! 41:16

2M ago41:16

41:16

In todays episode, we have set out to put a bow on Idaho Wine Month 2024 by tasting a very patriotic lineup of red, white and blue wines in honor of the upcoming 4th of July holiday here in the states. During this episode we'll be talking about the do's and do NOT's of visiting tasting rooms as well as some off the beaten path wines to try this sum…

1
#3: Did Love Holidays' Giant Interactive Suitcase Pack a Punch? 14:21

2M ago14:21

14:21

Episode 3: Love Holidays, UK's fastest growing travel site, needed to think BIG to grow a following in their new market . Did the 15 ft tall suitcase activation on the sidewalk of Germany hit the mark or hit the road? John Kappel (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-kappel327) breaks down this campaign's strengths and weaknesses and gives it a score o…

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