Go With Your Palate

Joe Wagner, 5th Generation Winemaker, presents the podcast "Go With Your Palate." A podcast about wine, entrepreneurship, and whatever the F else. So buckle up - this isn't your normal wine podcast.

Go With Your Palate is a business podcast hosted by Joe Wagner, with 175 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Joe Wagner hosts Go With Your Palate, a business show with 175 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #104

  E104 Matt Heil Vineyard Update | Joe Wagner

  Sep 24, 202633 minS1

  Harvest started in JULY?! And apparently, the robots are coming for the vineyards... and maybe a few other things. Our resident vineyard mastermind Matt Heil returns for a firsthand look at Harvest 2026—from promising fruit and age-old winemaking traditions to UV-C technology, AI, and a wine draft featuring the varietals and regions worth watching. Old-school traditions. New-school technology. One wild vintage. ️ Go With Your Palate: Harvest 2026 | Matt Heil, Vineyard Innovations & the Future of Wine It's harvest season, baby! We're bringing back one of our favorite familiar faces, Matt Heil—Director of Fruit Supply & Grower Relations at Copper Cane Wine & Spirits, resident vineyard mastermind, and the man who helps find the grapes behind some of your favorite bottles of Belle Glos and Quilt. With Harvest 2026 underway, Matt joins Joe and Fat Mario for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most exciting, unpredictable, and downright demanding times of the year in wine country. From an unusually early start to harvest (we're talking JULY!) to the challenges, surprises, and promising fruit shaping this year's vintage, the boys give us a firsthand look at what goes into making a great bottle long before it ever reaches your glass. We explore the fascinating intersection of old-school winemaking traditions and cutting-edge vineyard technology—from the annual Blessing of the Grapes to UV-C machines helping combat vineyard pathogens, the rise of AI and robotics, and the age-old question of whether technology could ever replace the instincts of a seasoned vineyard expert. Let's just say the conversation takes a few unexpected turns when Joe discovers some of the more... personal applications of modern robotics. We also pull back the curtain on Copper Cane's immersive harvest experience, where members of the wine industry trade their usual routines for a hands-on journey from dirt to bottle. It's a reminder of the incredible people, craftsmanship, and hard work behind every glass—and why experiencing harvest firsthand can completely change the way you appreciate wine. And because we couldn't resist a little friendly competition, it's time for the 2026 Vintage Draft! Joe and Matt put their wine knowledge to the test, making their picks for standout varietals, exciting California regions, and the under-the-radar grapes they believe deserve a spot in your future cellar. Fat Mario, naturally, assumes the highly questionable role of draft commissioner. It's tradition meets innovation, vineyard wisdom meets a little technological madness, and a whole lot of laughs with two guys who live and breathe the world of wine. Whether you're a lifelong cork dork, an aspiring vino geek, or simply curious about what really happens before your favorite bottle hits the shelf, consider this your backstage pass to Harvest 2026. The grapes are coming in, the future is looking bright, and the robots are apparently getting a little too comfortable.

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  Episode #103

  E103 Jess Pryles pt 2 | Joe Wagner

  Sep 17, 202644 minS1

  Think you know how to cook a steak? Jess Pryles might make you question everything. Hardcore Carnivore creator and meat science expert Jess Pryles joins us to break down beef grading, perfect sears, meat myths, overlooked cuts, and the surprising similarities between tasting great wine and great meat. Science. Fire. Wine. And a little bit of bullsh*t-busting. ️ Go With Your Palate: Jess Pryles | Meat Science, Myth Busting & Cooking Like You Mean It This week, we’re joined by Jess Pryles - creator of Hardcore Carnivore, meat science expert, author, live-fire cook, entrepreneur, and judge on Food Network’s Pitmasters . Originally from Australia and now based in Texas, Jess went from being intimidated by the meat counter herself to becoming one of the most trusted and influential voices in the world of barbecue and meat education. We dive headfirst into the science behind what actually makes great meat great - from how beef is graded in the U.S. to aging, sourcing, fat, doneness, and whether some of the “rules” we’ve all been taught about cooking steak deserve to be thrown straight into the fire. Jess also helps us rethink the perfect sear, bust a few meat myths, and somehow sends Fat Mario down a rabbit hole involving an old-school Mexican meat-drying technique that may or may not have inspired thoughts of a giant magnifying glass. Do not try this at home. One of our favorite parts of the conversation is discovering just how much wine and meat have in common . Joe and Jess compare tasting panels, quality, craftsmanship, terroir and technique, and why sometimes the most interesting flavors come from the overlooked cuts - or varietals - you weren’t expecting to love. The deeper you go, the more you realize both worlds reward curiosity over rules. We also get into Jess’s journey from one life-changing encounter with Texas barbecue to building the Hardcore Carnivore brand, judging elite pitmasters, navigating the wild world of Meat TikTok, and swapping a few hunting stories along the way. And with her new book Prime Cuts arriving this October, Jess gives us a glimpse into what more than 15 years of studying meat has taught her about buying smarter, wasting less, and understanding what’s really on our plate. Whether you’re a backyard grill warrior, certified carnivore, wine geek, or someone who just wants to stop ruining expensive steaks, this one is packed with knowledge, laughs, and plenty of reasons to fire up the grill. Pour something good. Light the fire. And cook meat like you mean it. Look for Jess’s new book: Prime Cuts - October 6, 2026 Follow Jess / Hardcore Carnivore: @jesspryles

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #103

  E103 Jess Pryles | Joe Wagner

  Sep 10, 202654 minS1

  Think you know how to cook a steak? Jess Pryles might make you question everything. Hardcore Carnivore creator and meat science expert Jess Pryles joins us to break down beef grading, perfect sears, meat myths, overlooked cuts, and the surprising similarities between tasting great wine and great meat. Science. Fire. Wine. And a little bit of bullsh*t-busting. ️ Go With Your Palate: Jess Pryles | Meat Science, Myth Busting & Cooking Like You Mean It This week, we’re joined by Jess Pryles - creator of Hardcore Carnivore, meat science expert, author, live-fire cook, entrepreneur, and judge on Food Network’s Pitmasters . Originally from Australia and now based in Texas, Jess went from being intimidated by the meat counter herself to becoming one of the most trusted and influential voices in the world of barbecue and meat education. We dive headfirst into the science behind what actually makes great meat great - from how beef is graded in the U.S. to aging, sourcing, fat, doneness, and whether some of the “rules” we’ve all been taught about cooking steak deserve to be thrown straight into the fire. Jess also helps us rethink the perfect sear, bust a few meat myths, and somehow sends Fat Mario down a rabbit hole involving an old-school Mexican meat-drying technique that may or may not have inspired thoughts of a giant magnifying glass. Do not try this at home. One of our favorite parts of the conversation is discovering just how much wine and meat have in common . Joe and Jess compare tasting panels, quality, craftsmanship, terroir and technique, and why sometimes the most interesting flavors come from the overlooked cuts - or varietals - you weren’t expecting to love. The deeper you go, the more you realize both worlds reward curiosity over rules. We also get into Jess’s journey from one life-changing encounter with Texas barbecue to building the Hardcore Carnivore brand, judging elite pitmasters, navigating the wild world of Meat TikTok, and swapping a few hunting stories along the way. And with her new book Prime Cuts arriving this October, Jess gives us a glimpse into what more than 15 years of studying meat has taught her about buying smarter, wasting less, and understanding what’s really on our plate. Whether you’re a backyard grill warrior, certified carnivore, wine geek, or someone who just wants to stop ruining expensive steaks, this one is packed with knowledge, laughs, and plenty of reasons to fire up the grill. Pour something good. Light the fire. And cook meat like you mean it. Look for Jess’s new book: Prime Cuts - October 6, 2026 Follow Jess / Hardcore Carnivore: @jesspryles

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #102

  E102 Will Marcencia pt 2 | Joe Wagner

  Sep 3, 202650 minS1

  Everyone said local radio was dying. Will Marcencia decided it was worth fighting for. The man behind Napa Valley’s KVYN The Vine, KVON MegaMix, and Wine Down Media finally steps out from behind the microphone to talk community, representation, entrepreneurship—and why local voices matter now more than ever. Local radio. Local voices. One big Napa heart. ️ Go With Your Palate: Will Marcencia | Local Radio, Big Heart & Keeping Napa Connected This week, we’re keeping it local with one of Napa Valley’s own Local Legends—Will Marcencia , owner and operator of hometown radio stations KVYN The Vine & KVON MegaMix , and co-founder of Wine Down Media alongside his wife, Julissa. In a world becoming more digital by the day, Will has built his career around something refreshingly human: making sure local stories, local businesses, and local voices still have a place to be heard—in both English and Spanish. We turn the microphone around on the guy who’s usually running the show and dive into Will’s journey through radio, entrepreneurship, and the community he calls home. He shares the story behind expanding Spanish-language radio in Napa Valley and recognizing just how important representation and accessible local information can be—especially when a community needs it most. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes radio isn’t just entertainment; it’s a lifeline and a neighbor. We also get a peek behind the curtain at what it takes to keep local media thriving in the age of streaming, social media, podcasts, and AI—and why Will continues betting on the power of community when so much of the world seems to be betting against it. From supporting local businesses and nonprofits to amplifying the people who make Napa Napa , his philosophy is pretty simple: community still matters. And because this is Go With Your Palate , Will certainly didn’t show up empty-handed—literally. Let’s just say he brought a couple of very Napa-approved surprises to share, and somewhere along the way we also discovered that if this whole radio thing doesn’t work out, Will may have a suspiciously good future narrating true-crime podcasts. ️ It’s local entrepreneurship, representation, media, community, plenty of laughs, and a great conversation with someone who’s spent years giving everyone else a voice. Now it’s Will’s turn. Tune in, pour something local, and meet one of the people helping keep the heartbeat of Napa Valley on the air. ❤️

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #102

  E102 Will Marcencia | Joe Wagner

  Aug 27, 202649 minS1

  Everyone said local radio was dying. Will Marcencia decided it was worth fighting for. The man behind Napa Valley’s KVYN The Vine, KVON MegaMix, and Wine Down Media finally steps out from behind the microphone to talk community, representation, entrepreneurship—and why local voices matter now more than ever. Local radio. Local voices. One big Napa heart. ️ Go With Your Palate: Will Marcencia | Local Radio, Big Heart & Keeping Napa Connected This week, we’re keeping it local with one of Napa Valley’s own Local Legends—Will Marcencia , owner and operator of hometown radio stations KVYN The Vine & KVON MegaMix , and co-founder of Wine Down Media alongside his wife, Julissa. In a world becoming more digital by the day, Will has built his career around something refreshingly human: making sure local stories, local businesses, and local voices still have a place to be heard—in both English and Spanish. We turn the microphone around on the guy who’s usually running the show and dive into Will’s journey through radio, entrepreneurship, and the community he calls home. He shares the story behind expanding Spanish-language radio in Napa Valley and recognizing just how important representation and accessible local information can be—especially when a community needs it most. It’s a powerful reminder that sometimes radio isn’t just entertainment; it’s a lifeline and a neighbor. We also get a peek behind the curtain at what it takes to keep local media thriving in the age of streaming, social media, podcasts, and AI—and why Will continues betting on the power of community when so much of the world seems to be betting against it. From supporting local businesses and nonprofits to amplifying the people who make Napa Napa , his philosophy is pretty simple: community still matters. And because this is Go With Your Palate , Will certainly didn’t show up empty-handed—literally. Let’s just say he brought a couple of very Napa-approved surprises to share, and somewhere along the way we also discovered that if this whole radio thing doesn’t work out, Will may have a suspiciously good future narrating true-crime podcasts. ️ It’s local entrepreneurship, representation, media, community, plenty of laughs, and a great conversation with someone who’s spent years giving everyone else a voice. Now it’s Will’s turn. Tune in, pour something local, and meet one of the people helping keep the heartbeat of Napa Valley on the air. ❤️

  ListenShow Notes

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