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Earlier this year, I found myself on a guided tour of a winery as historic and captivating as it was charming and picturesque — and none of it by accident. Tucked away in the Victorian Highlands, in the storied town of Beechworth, just off Pennyweight Lane, sits Pennyweight Wines, a family-run gem helmed by the illustrious Morris family.

I had the privilege of being shown around by Stephen Morris Senior, who, along with his wife Elizabeth — a wonderful host in her own right — founded Pennyweight. Now, it was a bold move to give a tour in the middle of vintage, but it paid off in spades. I was treated to some authentic Beechworth hospitality and even managed to sneak a peek at winemaker Stephen Morris Junior at work in the barrel room.

Stephen Senior is as humble as he is generous. He avoids the spotlight but leaves no doubt about his confidence in the wines of Pennyweight and the Beechworth region. Like father, like son.

After some convincing, I managed to twist his arm into sitting down for a chat on the show. He joked that I was stuck with him because Stephen Junior was far too focused on the wines to be distracted — and honestly, that tells you just about everything you need to know about what’s in bottle at Pennyweight. If you get the chance to experience these wines, don’t hesitate. Gold takes many forms in Beechworth, and it seems some of the local producers are dabbling in alchemy.

It was a privilege to speak with Stephen Morris Senior — we talked Beechworth wines, the terroir, the region’s rich history, and a family legacy steeped in craftsmanship. A huge thank you to Stephen Senior for joining me. I hope you enjoy this conversation.

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Welcome to CDP Insights, a Cellar Door Podcast initiative where we stay up to date with market trends and get sharp industry insights. My guest is Joe Fattorini and in this episode we discuss how brands grow from a marketing perspective.

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In 2024, a new world wine region caught my attention for a very particular reason. While many wine-producing countries were grappling with declining export values, South Africa bucked the trend — not just holding steady, but actually gaining in value. It reminded me of my conversation back in Episode 37 of Season 4, with Anthony Hamilton Russell, who spoke so passionately about South Africa’s ambition, confidence, and its ongoing quest to command greater attention on the global wine stage.

The latest numbers hinted at something more than coincidence. It looked like a long-term strategy was finally hitting its stride. I wanted to understand what was happening behind the scenes — what was driving this momentum — so I reached out to Siobhan Thompson, the CEO of Wines of South Africa, the independent industry body solely focused on export markets and global activity.

Siobhan was generous with her time, and what followed was a fascinating conversation about market dynamics, strategic storytelling, and the bold, creative marketing mindset she’s bringing to the South African wine industry.

It’s a chat filled with insights from so many angles, and I’m thrilled to share it with you. So, without any further delay — a huge thank you to Siobhan for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this conversation.

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Paul Mabray is one of the original tech pioneers in the wine industry. Though he grew up in Napa Valley, his early influences came not from vineyards or cellars, but from lines of code—his father teaching him programming instead of the finer points of swirling and sniffing. Despite this unconventional beginning, Paul eventually found himself selling wine across California, a path that sparked his deep curiosity about not just wine, but the business behind it.

There’s never been more great wine available across the globe—but selling it? That’s another story. Paul has dedicated his career to solving this puzzle, leveraging digital tools and innovative thinking to help the industry evolve. Widely regarded as the wine world’s leading futurist, Paul brings a bold voice and sharp insight to conversations that matter.

In this episode, I had the privilege of sitting down with Paul for nearly 90 minutes. We covered everything from what he finds so impressive about Treasury Wine Estates, to his take on direct-to-consumer strategies, and whether the wine industry needs its own Jeffrey Dean Morgan-type figure. This was an electric first conversation with someone who isn’t just sounding the alarm—he’s rallying the troops for what comes next.

A huge thanks to Paul for joining me.

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Welcome to CDP Insights, a Cellar Door Podcast initiative where we stay up to date with market trends and get sharp industry insights. My guest is Joe Fattorini and in this episode we discuss meaningful identification of, and analysis, of consumers.

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Many people I’ve spoken to have had an eventful start to 2025, but few have experienced as much change as Giles Cooke of Thistledown Wines. Recently, Thistledown parted ways with Alliance Wines—a bold move that, for Giles, felt like the right timing. A self-professed contrarian, he thrives on zigging while others zag, and the results often speak for themselves.

Beyond his latest venture, Giles was kind enough to offer me some feedback on a recent project of mine, which sparked the idea to bring him back on the show. Given his deep expertise in marketing and market strategy—both areas he’s incredibly passionate about—it felt like the perfect opportunity to tap into his insights.

Despite a minor connection glitch, we pulled together what I hope is an engaging and thought-provoking conversation. A huge thank you to Giles for joining me!

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Welcome to CDP Insights, a Cellar Door Podcast initiative where we stay up to date with market trends and get sharp industry insights. My guest is Joe Fattorini and in this episode we discuss the demystification of wine and whether its really a good idea from a marketing angle.

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I first had the pleasure of meeting Travis Fuller nearly two and a half years ago when he shared the story of Kilikanoon and its deep connection to the magical Clare Valley. If you missed that conversation, you can find it in Season 1, Episode 30.

Today, Travis returns with exciting updates—not only on Kilikanoon’s latest releases but also on the winery’s strategic focus on the Chinese market. In a constantly shifting global wine landscape, understanding your target market is crucial, and Travis exemplifies this with his depth of knowledge and adaptability.

Markets open, close, and evolve, making it essential for wineries to navigate them with insight and strategy. Travis offers invaluable perspectives on these challenges and opportunities.

A huge thank you to Travis for joining me once again!

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