MJ’s guest is owner and winemaker of Monte Rio Cellars, Patrick Cappiello. Patrick got his start in restaurants, starting his wine career in 2002 as a Sommelier at Tribeca Grill. As time progressed his roles changed to Wine Director and restaurant owner over the next 15 years. Through connections with countless winemakers and after meeting his current business partner Pax Mahle, the transition to Winemaker was a natural progression for Cappiello. He still serves as Wine Director of Walnut Street Café in Philadelphia. He is Food & Wine host for Playboy and founding member of Winemakers & Sommeliers for California Wildfire Relief.

His 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, and Sommelier career has given him access to four of the world's greatest wine cellars. All have been recipients of Wine Spectator's "Grand Award"; TriBeCa Grill, Veritas, GILT, and Pearl & Ash. Mr. Cappiello was named "Sommelier of the Year 2014" by Food & Wine Magazine, "Wine Person of the Year 2014" by Imbibe Magazine, and "Sommelier of the Year 2015" by Eater National. Once described as the first “punk sommelier” Patrick is still determined to disrupt the wine status quo. MJ and Patrick have a lively discussion on everything from the highly debatable definition of natural wine to Patrick’s current devotion to making amazing wine at affordable prices in Lodi, California. The passion runs high and the conversation is deep in this one friends.

A huge thank you to Patrick Cappiello!

Follow him on IG @patrickwine

Follow Monte Rio Cellars on IG @monteriocellars

Keep up with all things Monte Rio Cellars and purchase his wines at @ https://www.monteriocellars.com/

This episode’s in studio wines:

MRC

Skull “White Wine”

2020

Monte Rio Cellars

Lodi

Mission

Monte Rio Cellars

Mendocino

2020 Chardonnay

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

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