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Artwork for Beats Vines and Life

Beats Vines and Life

Marvin J. Towler
Wine
Wine Industry
Napa Valley
Grenachefest
Finger Lakes
Grenache
Pinot Noir
Italy
Riesling
Winemaking
California Wine Industry
Wine Education
Wines
Zinfandel
California Wine
Alianico
Conan O'brien
Southern Italy
Sustainability
Chardonnay

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... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes251Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FoodArtsLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Beats Vines and Life

Latest Episodes

On this episode of Beats, Vines & Life, we’re diving deep into the rhythms of Gen X culture, Italian style, and the art of coastal winemaking with Elia Pellegrini, fourth-generation owner and vintner at Aia Vecchia—an estate rooted in the heart of Tu... more

Welcome to another episode of Beats, Vines & Life! Today, host MJ Towler sits down with award-winning filmmaker, storyteller, and founder of Nomadic Bear Productions, Christopher McGilvray. Based out of Santa Cruz, Chris’s journey takes us from his u... more

On this episode of Beats, Vines & Life, host MJ Towler sits down with Vincent Morrow—“Vinny” to his friends—a master sommelier, educator, and hospitality executive whose journey from a college soccer player in Arizona to overseeing beverage programs ... more

On this special bonus episode of Beats Vines & Life, host MJ Towler sits down with the legendary Andre Mack, award-winning sommelier, creative force behind Maison Noir wines, and branding maverick. 

Together, they dive into Andre Mack's newest proje... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Christopher McGilvray
Award-winning filmmaker, founder of Nomadic Bear Productions
Nomadic Bear Productions
Episode: Exploring Gen X Culture, Wine, and Filmmaking with Christopher McGilvray of Nomadic Bear Productions
Vincent Morrow
Master sommelier, hospitality executive, educator
Union Square Hospitality Group
Episode: Master Sommelier Vinny Morrow on Wine, Leadership and Hospitality Excellence
Andre Houston Mack
Wine entrepreneur, founder of Maison Noir Wines (Mouton Noir)
Maison Noir Wines / Thirst Trap
Episode: Thirst Trap Live: How Andre Mack is Bridging the Gap Between Wine, Music, and Pop Culture for a New Generation
Giancarlo Altamura
Assistant winemaker, rising voice in Napa, family winemaking legacy
Altamura Family Wines
Episode: Cultivating Legacy: Altamura’s Story of Wine, Family, and Italian Heritage
Seth Godin
Entrepreneur, teacher, marketing philosopher, bestselling author
Author; Blogger; Alt MBA founder
Episode: Building Tribes and Telling Stories: How Placebos, Status, and Story Shape Wine and Life with Seth Godin
Angela Nissel
Bestselling author, television writer, producer, co-founder of OK Player
OK Player / independent
Episode: Okay Player: Angela Nissel Talks Laughter, Loss, Hollywood and that Illadelph Life.
Lindsay Hoopes
CEO and steward of Hoopes Vineyard, multi-generational Napa winery
Hoopes Vineyard
Episode: Small Wineries, Big Fines: Hoopes Vineyard vs Napa County in a High-Stakes Fight for Survival
Bridget Conlin
Attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation focusing on property rights and small businesses
Pacific Legal Foundation
Episode: Small Wineries, Big Fines: Hoopes Vineyard vs Napa County in a High-Stakes Fight for Survival
Elton Slone
President, CEO and Managing Partner at Robert Craig Winery
Robert Craig Winery
Episode: Exploring Wine and Life: Elton Slone on Mountain Vineyards, Music Icons, and Napa’s Future

Host

MJ Towler
Host of Beats Vines and Life, known for engaging conversations with wine industry leaders and other high-profile guests

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 203 ratings
  • Great Wine podcast!

    MJ is a great host!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kevin Ferguson
    United States2 months ago
  • Audio

    Love the podcast! Please get the audio figured out though the last few are hard to listen to with the right and left audio

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sprucifers
    United States2 years ago
  • One of my favourite!

    This is one of my favourite wine related podcasts! MJ’s interview style is really good and he gets his guests to tell their stories from a personal perspective. Sad to see this podcast go! However, there are some episodes I will listen to over again because they were that good! Listening from BERMUDA, great show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MissT 21
    United States2 years ago
  • Great podcast but…

    Love the pod but you need to fix the audio. Need a new mic setup please. I can’t listen to it anymore with such poor audio quality. Fix that and I’m in!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Azy&Waylon
    United States2 years ago
  • Great wine podcast

    Really enjoy this wine podcast. One of the most entertaining you will find.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JWOBKK
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality storytelling that blends wine with life and business
Engaging and accessible conversations with great guests
Some listeners note audio quality issues in a few episodes
Guest diversity and depth in industry insights are appreciated

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#246
Germany/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#27
Poland/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#30
Ukraine/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#200
South Africa/Arts/Food
Apple Podcasts
#214
Norway/Arts/Food

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Exploring Gen X Culture, Wine, and Filmmaking with Christopher McGilvray of Nomadic Bear Productions
Q: How did Eden come together and why did you decide to make it a film about a family and a vineyard?
Eden originated from a desire to honor the hard labor of mountain fruit producers and to explore a meaningful succession story; the project evolved from a scenic vineyard piece into a multi-year study of a family and their farm, driven by questions about why wine matters and how personal identity intersects with professional legacy.
Exploring Gen X Culture, Wine, and Filmmaking with Christopher McGilvray of Nomadic Bear Productions
Q: Where are you from?
McGilvray describes growing up in Los Gatos, near the Santa Cruz Mountains, with deep ties to Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley, which influenced his later focus on place-driven storytelling.
Thirst Trap Live: How Andre Mack is Bridging the Gap Between Wine, Music, and Pop Culture for a New Generation
Q: Who might be the special guest at Thirst Trap and what is the purpose of including guests?
The guest could be an athlete, entertainer, industry insider, or a young influencer to reflect culture and broaden appeal, providing a fun antidote and expanding the show's relevance beyond the host.
Thirst Trap Live: How Andre Mack is Bridging the Gap Between Wine, Music, and Pop Culture for a New Generation
Q: Why choose a live Thirst Trap experience instead of traditional tastings or classroom settings?
Live formats allow direct interaction, storytelling, and a more visceral connection to wine and culture, making education feel like a social, entertaining event rather than a formal lesson.
Thirst Trap Live: How Andre Mack is Bridging the Gap Between Wine, Music, and Pop Culture for a New Generation
Q: Why do you believe wine education has failed and what is missing in current wine education?
The conversation emphasizes presenting wine as part of culture and everyday life, using live, interactive formats to replace intimidation with curiosity, and meeting people where they are to broaden access and relevance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Beats Vines and Life

What is Beats Vines and Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on wine, collecting, luxury and culture, hosted by a charismatic interviewer who chats with founders, vintners, curators, and tech-forward leaders. Episodes frequently explore terroir, vineyard strategy, wine history, and the evolving business of wine, often weaving in personal stories, entrepreneurship, and the human side of high-stakes industries. Noteworthy are guests who blend deep expertise with bold, unconventional perspectives—from legacy estates and multigenerational family operations to tech-enabled wine ventures and luxury collectibles—making it a go-to for listeners seeking accessible storytelling fused with professional insights. Potential listeners may value practical industry takeaways, candid conversations ab... more

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How many listeners does Beats Vines and Life get?

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How many subscribers and views does Beats Vines and Life have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Beats Vines and Life has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Beats Vines and Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Beats Vines and Life:

1. SOMM TV wine & food
2. The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits
3. I'll Drink to That! Wine Talk
4. Wine 101
5. Wine Enthusiast Podcast

How many episodes of Beats Vines and Life are there?

Beats Vines and Life launched 6 years ago and published 251 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Beats Vines and Life?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Beats Vines and Life?

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What guests have appeared on Beats Vines and Life?

Recent guests on Beats Vines and Life include:

1. Christopher McGilvray
2. Vincent Morrow
3. Andre Houston Mack
4. Giancarlo Altamura
5. Seth Godin
6. Angela Nissel
7. Lindsay Hoopes
8. Bridget Conlin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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