Episode 131 - Randy Bennett, Winemaker and General Manager for Sojourn Cellars

This episode features Randy Bennett, the Winemaker and General Manager at Sojourn Cellars in Sonoma, California. We recorded this conversation in front of a live audience of wine professionals and enthusiasts while Randy was visiting Atlanta, so you’ll also hear a few wine pours as guests were tasting Sojourn wines throughout the show. Randy started as Sojourn’s Assistant Winemaker in 2008, but he is now responsible for making all the Sojourn wines and overseeing cellar operations and vineyard management activities. He works closely with their growers and cellar crew while also running the day-to-day operations of the winery’s production, marketing, and business operations. We talk about his career before entering the wine business as he holds a degree in Business Information Systems from Cal Poly and worked for 13 years at Accenture leading large-scale business transformation projects for major financial services firms. He describes how that experience prepared him to pursue his passion for wine and to overcome challenges each vintage. At the end of the show, we made a little bit of podcast history because guests in the audience came up to the mic to ask Randy questions as well, so for the first time, we have some live Q&A action from fellow atlanta wine professionals. You can see some photos of the live recording event posted on @acorkintheroad on Instagram, and make sure you give us a rating or review wherever you are listening to the podcast today. You can follow @sojourn_cellars for more info on the wines and planning your vists.

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This whole experience was sponsored by Tower Beer Wine and Spirits, a family owned business for 76 years, who continue to elevate the Atlanta wine scene creating access to craft beverages, and all of Sojourn wines we taste on this episode are available for purchase at the Piedmont location in Atlanta (@toweratl)

www.towerwinespirits.com/buckhead

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Recorded June 2, 2024 with a LIVE audience at Vine Club in Atlanta, GA.

You can follow @thevineclubatl and visit www.thevineclub.wine for more info on their wine-driven social club memberships and events.