Welcome to Beats Vines & Life, where we dive into the intersection of wine, business, and modern living. In this episode, host MJ Towler sits down with Ben Salisbury, renowned consultant, coach, and creator of the Wine Sales Stimulator training program. With over four decades of experience in the wine and spirits industry, Ben has worked with major players like Constellation Brands and St. Michelle Wine Estates, and now champions a fresh, tech-driven approach to sales and marketing.

Together, MJ Towler and Ben tackle everything from the realities of the three-tier system, the pitfalls of outdated sales playbooks, and the game-changing power of focusing your efforts where it counts. They discuss the need for scalable systems, efficient use of time, and the value of CRM tools—all with an eye toward sustainable growth for wineries, distilleries, and beverage brands in a rapidly evolving market.

Whether you're an industry insider, a passionate consumer, or just curious about what makes the modern wine business tick, this episode is full of actionable insights, sharp commentary, and a little New England grit. Tune in and discover why the old hustle mentality might just be holding your brand back, and how to move past it for lasting success.

For more information about Ben’s Wine Sales Stimulator click the link!

Follow Ben on Linkedin!

Remember to use CODE: BWG8020 to receive a 10% discount on Ben’s flagship program during the month of February only.

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Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers!

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at blackwineguy.com

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Go to the-vines.com and use code BLACKWINEGUY to unlock member pricing and join their community for just $395, plus get a case of wines they make with their partners. (U.S. addresses only.)

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Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life! In this special bonus episode, host MJ Towler reunites with the dynamic and trailblazing winemaker Brenae Royal for part two of their powerful conversation. After the overwhelming response to her first appearance, Brenae Royal returns to dive deeper into her incredible journey—sharing how she’s navigated the challenging world of wine, achieved rapid success with her brand Violet’s Paradise, and what it means to break ground as a Black woman in the vineyard and beyond.

Together, they dig into the hustle behind securing wine distribution, building authentic mentorship, and the realities of balancing personal values with the demands of growing a business. Brenae Royal opens up about honoring her late dog Violet May through her brand, the lessons she’s learned from vineyard life, and how she’s paving the way for a new generation of diverse winemakers. Along the way, they share stories about excellence, community, and staying true to yourself in a landscape where representation and resilience matter more than ever.

Tune in for real talk, big lessons, and inspiration—whether you’re into wine, entrepreneurship, or just living your purpose to the fullest.

For more information about Violet's Paradise Wines click the link!

Follow Brenae on IG!

Follow Violet’s Paradise Wines on IG!

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Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers!

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Follow Totally Biased Wine Reviews on IG

Sign up for Totally Biased Wine Reviews

Go to the-vines.com and use code BLACKWINEGUY to unlock member pricing and join their community for just $395, plus get a case of wines they make with their partners. (U.S. addresses only.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Beats Vines & Life! In this episode, hosts MJ Towler and Rob S introduce us to the vibrant world of Schermeister Audio, featuring the dynamic winemaking duo Laura S and Rob S. Get ready for an unfiltered and wildly entertaining conversation that blurs the lines between wine, music, and living life to the fullest.

From tales of Idaho roots to tattoo regrets, bold love stories, and the art of crafting wines that are as memorable as they are delicious, this episode peels back the curtain on what it really takes to make it in the wine industry—and have a little fun along the way. The trio dive into why wine is so much more than what’s in the glass: it’s a social lubricant, a marker of life’s big moments, a creative journey, and yes, sometimes it’s "tits in a glass."

So pour yourself something bold and get ready for laughs, revelations, and a behind-the-scenes look at a Sonoma couple rewriting the rules of wine, love, and lifestyle. This is the episode where high art, irreverence, and heartfelt storytelling meet. Cheers!

For more information about Schermeister Wineryclick the link!

Follow Schermeister Winery on IG!

____________________________________________________________

Until next time, cheers to the mavericks, philosophers, deep thinkers, and wine drinkers!

Subscribe and give Beats Vines and Life a five-star review on whichever platform you listen to.

For insider info from MJ and exclusive content from the show, sign up at blackwineguy.com

Follow MJ @blackwineguy

Follow Beats Vines and Life @beatsvinesandlife

Follow Totally Biased Wine Reviews on IG

Sign up for Totally Biased Wine Reviews

Go to the-vines.com and use code BLACKWINEGUY to unlock member pricing and join their community for just $395, plus get a case of wines they make with their partners. (U.S. addresses only.)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.