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Adam Spiegel, a native of San Francisco, is the (Re)Founder & Whiskey maker of Corning & Company. Established prior to the Prohibition era, the company was (Re)founded to provide high-quality and accessible whiskey. Adam also established Sonoma Distilling Company in 2010, one of the earliest distilleries in Sonoma County's wine country and among the first 200 distilleries in the U.S. He utilizes old-world techniques and crafts whiskey from local grains (usually within 100 miles of the distillery) using traditional Cognac-style pot stills, pre-industrial age American Whiskey, and Scottish techniques. Corning & Company's portfolio of brands includes Sonoma Distilling Company, Old Quaker, and Pond Fork.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• Adam Spiegel is the (Re)Founder & Whiskey maker of Corning & Company

• How Adam shifted from finance to distilling after being laid off in 2008

• Becoming a master blender and distiller who is passionate about his work

• Emphasizing the celebratory aspect of whiskey and having special bottles for memorable occasions

• Sonoma Whiskey’s pivot to virtual tastings and exclusive club for limited releases

• Experimenting with different woods for distilling whiskey and spirits

• Navigating challenges and growing pains in the whiskey industry

In this episode with Adam Spiegel 

In this episode with Adam Spiegel, Adam discusses his transition from finance to distilling and how he got started in the industry. How did Corning and Company navigate through the challenges when starting a distillery?

Adam Spiegel is the (Re)Founder & Whiskey maker of Corning & Company, Adam shares his passion for being a master blender and distiller which he has been doing for 14 years. 

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind The Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Adam Spiegel the (Re)Founder & Whiskey maker of Corning & Company. Adam talks about how he transitioned from being a grappa maker to becoming a master distiller through knowledge and experience. He talks about celebrating and creating memories with whiskey especially during the holiday season. He discusses the challenges of selling alcohol in different states, and how they plan to continue expanding their network and promoting their brand through tastings and events.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Barrels Ahead.

Barrels Ahead is a wine and craft marketing agency that propels organic growth by using a powerful combination of content development, Search Engine Optimization, and paid search.

At Barrels Ahead, we know that your business is unique. That’s why we work with you to create a one-of-a-kind marketing strategy that highlights your authenticity, tells your story, and makes your business stand out from your competitors.

Our team at Barrels Ahead helps you leverage your knowledge so you can enjoy the results and revenue your business deserves.

So, what are you waiting for? Unlock your results today!

To learn more, visit barrelsahead.com or email us at hello@barrelsahead.com to schedule a strategy call.

After leaving the US Army and moving to New York City, Tyzok Wharton discovered a passion for craft beverages and their culinary counterparts. In 2005, he moved to San Francisco and began his winemaking career. In 2010, he helped launch Bluxome Street Winery and in 2016 he relocated to Denver to join the Carboy Winery family. As the Director of Winemaking and head winemaker, Tyzok draws on his artisan and foodie inclinations, Army-trained logistical eye, and extensive experience with optimal fruit sourcing to create the most palate-pleasing and food-friendly wines in Colorado.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• Tyzok is the director of winemaking and head winemaker of Carboy Winery

• Carboy’s Teroldego named the wine of the year for 2022

• Tyzok’s attraction to wine startups and the challenges they present

• Balancing hospitality and winemaking is a challenge

• Sustainable and cost-saving benefits of using wine on tap

• Carboy Vineyard’s focus on growing into their current locations before exploring new vineyard opportunities

In this episode with Tyzok Wharton

In this episode with Tyzok Wharton, Tyzok talks about his journey into winemaking. What is Carboy Winery’s unique license as a restaurant vineyard and how do they balance winemaking?

Tyzok Wharton is the Director of Winemaking and Head Winemaker at Carboy Winery, he discusses everything from the use of Teroldego grapes in their wine to Tyzok’s journey into winemaking. His experience shifted from San Francisco to Colorado and adjusting to working with cold hearty hybrids. 

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind The Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Tyzok Wharton the Director of Winemaking and Head Winemaker at Carboy Winery. He talks about the challenges and rewards of running a startup winery, specifically Carboy Winery in Colorado. Carboy Winery has moved into the seltzer category with its Cold Vines line, which uses surplus Aromella grapes as a base for four different flavors. 

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Barrels Ahead.

Barrels Ahead is a wine and craft marketing agency that propels organic growth by using a powerful combination of content development, Search Engine Optimization, and paid search.

At Barrels Ahead, we know that your business is unique. That’s why we work with you to create a one-of-a-kind marketing strategy that highlights your authenticity, tells your story, and makes your business stand out from your competitors.

Our team at Barrels Ahead helps you leverage your knowledge so you can enjoy the results and revenue your business deserves.

So, what are you waiting for? Unlock your results today!

To learn more, visit barrelsahead.com or email us at hello@barrelsahead.com to schedule a strategy call.

Maria Rivero González is the CEO of RGNY Wine in the North Fork of Long Island. She’s bringing a new winery steeped in her family’s Mexican roots to the North Fork. 

The Rivero González family opened a wine store in Mexico City in 2013 and additional stores in Monterrey and Parras two years later, before expanding their business to the North Fork with the purchase of Martha Clara Vineyards. In 2019, they officially rebranded to RGNY.

In this episode with Maria Rivero González

How does someone lead a winery successfully while preserving long-established family traditions? Today's guest had a clear plan when she was younger — to turn her father's hobby of winemaking into a business.

Today, RGNY Wine’s CEO is proud to thrive in the path she carved for herself and hopes to pass this passion to the Rivero González family's future generations.

In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Maria Rivero González, CEO of RGNY Wine, as she shares her inspiration to turn her father’s winemaking hobby into a business. Maria also talks about RGNY’s process of growing wines, how they continue to innovate, and more.

Nancie Oxley is the Vice President of Winemaking at St. Julian Winery. She proudly holds the title of Michigan's first female winemaker and has piloted the Michigan wine industry. 

Nancie has been involved in the wine industry for the past 20 years and gained knowledge primarily through hands-on experience. She leads St. Julian’s winemaking team, which has created hundreds of award-winning wines and upheld St. Julian’s reputation as Michigan's most-awarded winery.

In this episode with Nancie Oxley

How do you foster continued business growth for over a century? Cultivating time-honored traditions while embracing modern practices has proven successful.

Working in the wine industry for 20 years, Nancie Oxley is well-lauded for her profound expertise in the business and is proud to be Michigan's first female winemaker. She got her start as a laboratory intern and is now on her 21st harvest. How is Nancie pushing the industry forward?

In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon sit down with Nancie Oxley, Vice President of Winemaking at St. Julian Winery, as she shares how she got her start in the industry. Nancie also talks about what it's like being part of Michigan's oldest winery and distillery, how St. Julian has grown over the years, and the unique flavors it's bringing to market.

Michael Fairbrother started Moonlight Meadery in 2010 to bring ultra-premium meads and ciders to the market. He previously worked at Fairbrother Software Consulting LLC as a Co-founder and CTO and was the President of Brew Free or Die, New Hampshire’s first homebrew club. 

For Michael and the rest of the Moonlight Meadery team, it is more than just a product and a process — it’s an obsession. With over one million bottles sold and over 20 international awards, Moonlight Meadery is proudly positioned as one of the best meaderies in the world.

In this episode with Michael Fairbrother

How do you start a brewery and differentiate yourself from a sea of competitors? Today's guest has successfully set himself apart by creating flavors nobody's ever had before.

Michael Fairbrother has been recognized as New England's best mead maker for three consecutive years. He quit his full-time day job in 2010 and progressed from moonlighting as a mead maker to full-time production.

In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Michael Fairbrother, Founder and Head Meadmaker of Moonlight Meadery, to discuss Michael’s shift from wine and fermentation to mead. Michael also talks about his mead-making process over the last decade, his observation of industry changes, and advice to up-and-coming meaderies.

Ryan Lang is the Co-founder, CEO, and Master Distiller of Middle West Spirits, an Ohio-based craft distillery. He is a fourth-generation distiller, going back to the early 1900s when distilling was a way for farms to bring in extra money. As a believer in vodka with character, Ryan is also a contributor to the four-part blend of American Liquor Co.

In this episode with Ryan Lang

Wineries and distilleries are ever-changing, so you must be agile and innovative to stay afloat. For one business that’s been operating for over a decade, there have been many challenges to conquer. What does it take to keep thriving?

Today's guest proudly shares his experiences leading a distillery, Middle West Spirits, which was built on four generations of distilling traditions. Since Middle West opened its doors, it has focused on elevating the distinctive flavors of the Ohio River Valley.

In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks sits down with Ryan Lang, Co-founder, CEO, and Master Distiller of Middle West Spirits. Ryan shares how he got into the distilling business and the challenges he faced when starting the company. He also talks about Middle West Spirits' product lines, its focus on hospitality, and how the business evolved from operating in a warehouse to a big facility.

Jeff Herbert is the Co-founder of Superstition Meadery in Prescott, Arizona. He and his wife, Jennifer, built the meadery from scratch into one of the highest-rated beverage producers in the country.

Jeff earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Arizona State University and spent most of his career as a firefighter for the Phoenix Fire Department. When he was still years from retirement and his wife also had a full-time job, the pair went headfirst into the world of mead. In 2019, the Small Business Administration recognized Jeff and his wife as the Small Business Persons of the Year.

In this episode with Jeff Herbert

How can a retired firefighter shift his career and open a meadery? For today's guest, it started by homebrewing for friends — which eventually led to something greater.

Alongside his wife, Jeff Herbert leads the world's first mead and food pairing restaurant in downtown Phoenix. Their mission is to reintroduce the world's oldest fermented beverage to humankind. How did they grow the brand, and how do they continue innovating?

In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Jeff Herbert, Co-founder of Superstition Meadery, as he talks about his career redirection after serving as a firefighter for 20 years. Jeff also proudly shares what it was like opening the world's first mead and food pairing restaurant, the challenges he faced, and how he continues to build the brand.

Brendan Quigley is the Co-owner and President of Quigley Fine Wines. Together with his wife, Christina, they are passionate oenophiles with a combined 30 years in the wine industry. They are supported and surrounded by great friends and family who share their wine obsession. Quigley Fine Wines' portfolio is continuously growing, and it offers an array of wonderfully delicious wines that are some of the greatest ever tasted. 

Quigley Fine Wines' mission is to discover and import wines of exceptional quality from small, family-owned wineries in France, Italy, and Spain. Their selections are offered directly to American wine consumers and fine dining establishments.

In this episode with Brendan Quigley

How do you successfully tell the story of each wine and connect to your customers? Today's guest bridges the gap between the winemaker and the wine drinker to keep the stories behind the wine alive.

What started with the mission of finding small production wines and importing them to the United States now proudly has its own tasting room. Quigley Fine Wines is pleased with its comfortable and welcoming tasting room that allows the public to savor boutique wines from Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Brendan Quigley, Co-Owner and President of Quigley Fine Wines, as he shares the beginnings of their business and how it has evolved over the years. Brendan also talks about effectively telling the stories of different labels with methods handed down through generations in family-owned vineyards.

Alex Andrawes is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Personal Wine. He founded this wine-based technology company to focus on mass customization of wine and liquor for gifting and branding. Aside from Personal Wine, Alex is also the Founder of Chem ID and Estate Wine Brokers and is the author of the book Investing In Fine Wine.

In this episode with Alex Andrawes

What challenges do companies face when they start to offer personalized products? What steps do they take to solve these concerns?

From trademarks to engraving errors to other customization challenges, there are plenty of difficulties that companies may face when digging into personalized products. However, with some innovation, excellent customer service skills, and advice from this week’s guest, companies and beverage connoisseurs alike can successfully invest in personalized products. 

In this episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks sits down with Alex Andrawes, Founder and Executive Chairman of Personal Wine. Alex talks about the growth of personalization in the wine industry over the years, how Personal Wine develops product personalization, and how he solves the problems that come along with it.

Diana Hawkins is the Owner and General Manager of Pope Valley Winery. She earned her agricultural business degree from CSU, Chico and moved back to Pope Valley, where she started as an Office Assistant at Pope Valley Winery. Today, Diana handles all of the winery's day-to-day management. Aside from leading the team, she also serves as a member of Eakle Vineyard Management and General Manager for Eakle Construction and Trucking.

In this episode with Diana Hawkins

How do you develop a winery and take it to the next level?

For Diana Hawkins, the solution was cultivating what grows well based on the unique climate of Pope Valley. Instead of fighting Mother Nature, Diana and the Pope Valley Winery team highlight the terroir of the region in order to bring one-of-a-kind, boutique wines to consumers. 

In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Diana Hawkins, Owner and General Manager of Pope Valley Winery. Diana shares what it's like owning a winery in Napa's last frontier. She also gives her advice to other small wineries and highlights the importance of listening to your customers.

Angelica O'Reilly is the Owner of Distaff Wine Co. in Newberg, Oregon. Angelica and her daughters felt dictated about how and why people should enjoy certain wines. They noticed that the industry focused less on creating a conversation and learning and more on rigid rules and tradition. This led to them creating Distaff to make unique, fun wines, share their stories, and hear what loyal customers have to say. 

In this episode with Angelica O'Reilly

In the wine industry, women typically do not get much credit for what they do. This was what Angelica O'Reilly and her daughters realized, which made them want to start Distaff Wine Co.

Distaff, which means “women’s work,” aims to showcase the talent and diligence of women winemakers. Through the power of family ties and hard work, Angelica and her four daughters are bringing unique, hard-to-find varietals to the public.

In this episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon are joined by Angelica O'Reilly, the Owner of Distaff Wine Co. Angelica talks about how her family started the business, the inspiration behind their brand, and the impact it has brought to the industry over the years.

Dustin Mowe, is the President and CEO of Portocork, a premier supplier of natural cork closures to the North American wine industry. He has been in the cork business for more than 22 years and started a sales career at Sabaté Cork Company, which took him to every major wine-producing state in America. He then joined Portocork in 2001 and was promoted to President in 2006. A native of Burney, California, Dustin studied business before moving to Napa Valley to live and work in the wine industry.

In this episode with Dustin Mowe

So much goes into the development of corks, from extracting it from tree bark to removing volatile organic compounds and beyond. Cork businesses also face many challenges in terms of exchange rates and the supply chain. How does the industry overcome these difficulties?

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Dustin Mowe, President and CEO of Portocork, as he talks about his 22-year career in the cork industry. Dustin also discusses his new business venture, the sustainability of cork, and how he sees the cork sector growing in the next few years.

Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf is the CEO of Picayune Cellars. She started the business with her good friend Jennifer Roberts because they shared the same love for drinking quality wines and the drive to search for a great value. The two started rescuing distinctive lots from prestigious wineries to make their blend in 2011. 

Inspired by the power of a Mouton Rothschild, Claire earned a wine degree in Chile and then traveled to France to work harvest in St. Emilion and the Côte du Rhône. She also owns Claire de Lune Consulting, which focuses on helping fantastic producers, including Matthiasson Wines, Anomaly Vineyards, Morlet Family Estate, Cowhorn Winery, and more, to grow their businesses.

In this episode with Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf

What power can wine bring to the table? How can it be a medium to eliminate the gap between people and lead them to share their experiences?

Wine evokes emotions in people, just like music and art do. It works as the perfect conversation starter, bringing people together. Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf used this theory while setting up her store.

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon sit down with Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf, CEO of Picayune Cellars, as she talks about her journey in winemaking. Claire also shares her profound appreciation of wines. She explains how she managed to bring the winery to its current position and how doing business in Calistoga differs from other states.

Paul Bonarrigo is the CEO of Messina Hof, a family-owned business built on the three cornerstones of family, tradition, and romance. Since its founding in 1977, it has become the most award-winning winery in the Lone Star State and one of the largest producers of 100% Texas wine.

Paul's passion is wine, and his goal is to provide premium quality Texas Wine, an excellent hospitality experience, and education in wine and food to anyone from the most novice to the most adept wine drinker.

In this episode with Paul Bonarrigo

How do you build a strong foundation for a family-owned business? By keeping the core values intact. However, old practices eventually stop working, and it becomes necessary to develop new routines to keep the business afloat.

While it is crucial to establish a presence in the industry, a long-standing family business must also understand how to handle itself in connection with change. New trends and techniques arise, and as these come, you must also adapt to stay relevant and thrive.

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks welcomes Paul Bonarrigo, CEO of Messina Hof, as he talks about the challenges a family-owned business faces. Paul also talks about his military service, their success secret, and how hospitality is the core of Messina Hof.

Bill Wilson is the CEO of Wilson Creek Winery, located in the heart of Temecula Wine Country. The family business started in 1996 and now owns 90 acres and sells over 75,000 cases of wine each year. It also welcomes more than 1,500 visitors every weekend.

Aside from leading Wilson Creek Winery, Bill serves on several Temecula Valley boards sharing his experiences, such as the 20/20 vision, the Temecula Valley Visitors Bureau, the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, and the Temecula Valley Water Board.

In this episode with Bill Wilson

How can you launch a winery in a city when people do not even know it exists? It may seem impossible, but there are many ways to make it happen.

It's one thing to bring a portion of your money to put up a business, but it's an even bolder move to invest every penny your family has to launch a winery. You must go to great lengths to make it work, and today's guest proves how he succeeded and thrived in an unmapped city.

In this episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks welcomes Bill Wilson, CEO of Wilson Creek Winery, as he talks about how this family-owned business started over two decades ago. Bill also shares the challenges they faced, the story of the famous almond champagne, and how the pandemic helped them.

Matthew Murphy is the President of Murphy Distributors. Murphy Distributors’ vision is to become the Connecticut beverage supplier that retailers and restaurants choose to enhance their business success and brand image.

Matthew has a demonstrated history of working in the wine and spirits industry. Since its inception, the company has been building brands in an exclusive franchise state while providing exceptional results to suppliers quickly and efficiently.

In this episode with Matthew Murphy

What's working for you? What do you love about the industry? How can I make your life easier? These are some of the questions an effective distributor should ask its clients.

The key to success in the distribution industry, where thousands of clients are handled, is knowing their story and what makes them unique. This way, you can represent these brands how they want to be seen by the market. 

In today's episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon welcome Matthew Murphy, President of Murphy Distributors, as they shift the focus back to the B2B side of the industry, specifically three-tier distribution. Matthew talks about how he built his business connections, today’s distribution landscape, and the Murphy Foundation.

James Phillips is the Winemaker at the Madrigal Family Winery. He started in the filmmaking industry but eventually gravitated towards winemaking. While in film school, James took a part-time job at a small winery. This experience sparked his interest in and love for winemaking. Aside from bringing his expertise to the Madrigal Family Winery, James is also a consulting winemaker for seven different wineries.

In this episode with James Phillips

Film and wine both tell stories to people. You share your viewpoint, communicate your message, and evoke different experiences in people.

A bottle of wine can transport people to faraway places. The Madrigal Family Winery invites people to the vineyards and tells the story of how it all started. People recognize that the beauty of wine is in its history and that it is more than what is in the glass. 

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon welcome James Phillips, Winemaker at the Madrigal Family Winery, to talk about the parallels between filmmaking and winemaking. James also shares his experience working with wine from different places and the challenges that come with it.

Chris Brundrett is the Co-founder of William Chris Vineyards, leading the team with his good friend, Bill Blackmon. Chris acquired experience in the winery and the vineyard while earning a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Texas A&M University. Aside from managing his winery, Chris is the Co-founder of Texas Winegrowers, a former board member of Texas Hill Country Wineries Association, and a Yes We Can Wine Co-partner.

In this episode with Chris Brundrett

Finding out what a win is like for your business will pave the way to discovering your intent. 

Your intention guides you toward your goal, no matter what it is. For some, it can come in the form of high profit, while for others, it is to give raises and benefits to their employees. People confuse a good idea with an intention. Good ideas are easy to come up with, but without a plan to put them into action, they are meaningless, and it’s not an intention.

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks hosts Chris Brundrett, the Co-founder of William Chris Vineyards, to share his experience from serving tables to running his winery. Chris also talks about their vision of sharing with people what the amazing areas of Texas taste like and having a welcoming environment for working people.

Luke Wylde is the Co-founder of Statera Cellars, a two-person company he runs with his best friend, Meredith Bell. A proud member of the queer community, Luke expresses his identity in how he does things as a winemaker. He is also passionate about sustainable employment and hopes to observe this practice as they expand Statera Cellars.

In this episode with Luke Wylde

Sustainability in winemaking has been a highly discussed topic lately. However, the term is often misused and rarely completely understood.

Aside from observing environmentally sound practices, wineries also need to focus on sustainable employment to grow a thriving business. You want to make sure their skills, talents, and energies are used effectively and appropriately and people are compensated fairly for their work so that wineries can prosper along with their workers.

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon welcome Luke Wylde, Co-owner of Statera Cellars, to talk about his experience running this two-person company with his best friend. Luke also shares his vision for the company, the future of packaging, and how he aspires for sustainable practices to be the bloodline of its operations.

Andrew Januik is the Owner and Winemaker of Andrew Januik Wines. Being the son of a world-renowned winemaker, he has been exposed to the industry for over two decades. At 13 years old, Andrew started spending his weekends and summers working with wine. In addition to Andrew Januik Wines, he’s also actively involved in their family winery, the Novelty Hill-Januik Winery, and recently went into a new venture called 4Good Hard Seltzer.

In this episode with Andrew Januik

They say that in life, change is inevitable. But in business, change is vital. You need to be mindful of the changes brought by time and, ultimately, adapt to them. So what are the differences between winemaking then and now? 

The evolution of the winemaking industry has shown which wineries are agile and nimble to change. Agile wineries have thrived and been exposed to countless opportunities, while those who were slow to adapt eventually disappeared from the market. How do you keep up with the ever-changing industry?

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks and Bianca Harmon welcome Andrew Januik, Owner of Andrew Januik Wines, to talk about his experience being in the wine business the majority of his life. Andrew also shares how he started his venture after working for the family business and how much has changed since his first exposure two decades ago.