Wine Spectator: Straight Talk With Joe Wagner

Joe Wagner shook up the California wine scene when he created one of America’s most popular Pinot Noir brands, Meiomi, and then sold it for $315 million a decade later. But how did the industrious young vintner get to where he is today? And what has he been working on since he sold the brand?

Wine Spectator senior editor James Molesworth caught up with the fifth-generation vintner and CEO of Copper Cane Wine & Provisions to discuss those topics and more in the June 4 edition of Straight Talk with Wine Spectator, an Instagram series sponsored by Wine Access.

A self-described optimist, Wagner sees a bright future for wine despite current events. “We are planning to continue to grow through this period,” he said, noting that the winery is pivoting its focus from restaurants to retail and direct-to-consumer sales using social media. “We are seeing more engagement with the younger generation and their curiosity about wine.”

Watch the full episode with Wagner on Wine Spectator’s IGTV channel, and tune in to @wine_spectator on Instagram to catch Straight Talk with Wine Spectator, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm ET. Upcoming guests include Jean Engelbrecht of Rust en Vrede today at 1pm and star singer P!nk tomorrow evening at 7pm.—Augustus Weed

Tagged : Copper Cane Wine & Provisions, Wine Spectator

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