Live Broadcasts for Trade & Consumers
June 12, 2020, Santa Maria, CA — The Miller family is pleased to announce live broadcasts every weekday as part of Miller Family Wine Company’s virtual outreach programs directed toward educating and connecting wine industry professionals.
Miller Family Wine Company’s two virtual broadcast initiatives — “Somm School” with Master Sommelier Will Costello and “Day Drinking with Wes Hagen” — are the result of the company’s efforts to provide wine industry professionals and enthusiasts an educational platform and broaden industry-wide connections. While each show is unique in tone and format, both “Somm School” and “Day Drinking” are designed to delve into a wide range of topics relevant to the wine world, from blind tasting to wine trends and service, while highlighting different perspectives and insights from numerous well-respected leaders in the industry.
Presented every Tuesday and Thursday, “Somm School” is hosted by Will Costello, Master Sommelier and Estates Ambassador for Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills. Costello, who was named “Top New Sommeliers 2013” by Wine & Spirits Magazine, brings his vast knowledge of and experience in wine to this educational interview series, which features a rotating list of prominent wine professionals discussing a range of relevant industry concepts. Held through Facebook Live on the Bien Nacido & Solomon Hills Estate Facebook Page, topics range from the previously recorded ‘How to Find Outliers in the Wine World,’ featuring Andrew Adelson of the Three-Michelin-Star The French Laundry (held on May 26), to the upcoming ‘Vineyard vs. AVA vs. Region’ with Evan Hufford of the Three-Michelin-Star Single Thread Farm on Thursday, June 11. (A full schedule can be found below). Attendees are encouraged to participate live, but videos of previously recorded “Somm School” sessions are also available to watch online.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Miller Family Wine Company presents “Day Drinking with Wes Hagen,” a more casual digital forum hosted by industry veteran Wes Hagen, which covers a broad range of consumer-friendly and industry-specific topics. The only U.S. winemaker to have authored and researched the establishment of four American Viticultural Areas, J. Wilkes’ Winemaker and Brand Ambassador Hagen brings over 25 years of experience to “Day Drinking,” and offers viewers meaningful content that is both educational and entertaining.
While each show starts with a wine tasting, “Day Drinking” covers a wide range of subjects related to wine, winemaking, vineyards and food, divided into themes by day: Mondays are dedicated to basic wine knowledge and history; Wednesdays cover vine production and advanced wine education; and Fridays feature guest winemakers and other industry leaders to discuss various topics. Attendees are invited to participate and ask questions during live sessions, while all previously recorded shows can be found on the J. Wilkes Wine YouTube Channel.
Somm School Schedule:
Tuesday, June 16 – How to Speak About Rhone Varietals. Guest: Joshua Orr MS, Broadbent Selections
Thursday, June 18 – How to Price a Wine to Sell! Guest: Augusto Ferrarese, Cucina Restaurant Group, San Diego
Tuesday, June 23 – What is the State of Natural Wine These Days? Guest: Martin Winters, Maitre d Chai Wines
Day Drinking with Wes Hagen Schedule:
Friday, June 12 – Blending for Style, Balance and Value. Guest: John Crandall, Ballard Lane Winemaker
Friday, June 19 – Bright, Vibrant Wines from Paso Robles. Guest: Roxie Ward, Smashberry Winemaker
Friday, June 26 – Moving from Cool to Warm Climate as a Winemaker. Guest: Jonathan Nagy, Barrel Burner Winemaker
