Taste Radio

“Give customers what they want” is a simple, yet often overlooked, business maxim. For Joe Wagner, the founder of Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, it’s the cornerstone of a business philosophy that has made him one of the most successful wine entrepreneurs in history. A fifth generation winemaker with a passion for Pinot noir, Wagner introduced his first brand, Belle Glos, over two decades ago. Wagner developed Belle Glos while eschewing traditional growing techniques and winemaking processes specific to Pinot noir, a methodology shared by his second brand, Meiomi. Launched in 2006, Meiomi is known for its bold and robust flavors and encourages consumers to “go with your palate,” a credo intended to empower people to drink wine they enjoy, as opposed to the recommendations of sommeliers and critics. The strategy delivered, and Meiomi rode a wave of demand that culminated in a $315 million non-asset sale to beverage alcohol conglomerate Constellation Brands in 2015. Wagner utilized the proceeds to build out Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, a portfolio company he launched in 2014 that features several Pinot noir-centric brands, including Belle Glos, along with fast-growing labels Elouan Wines, Napa Valley Quilt and Böen.    In an interview featured in this episode, Wagner spoke about the origins of his approach to winemaking and how he thoughtfully aligned his style with growing consumer demand for bold red wines. He also explained why he’s not affected by criticism from some within the wine industry, how reducing the price of Meiomi was key to mainstream adoption of the brand and how that brand’s sale was guided by his desire to pave the way for his family’s next generation of winemakers. Show notes: 0:51: Joe Wagner, Founder, Copper Cane Wines & Provisions – Wagner spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about his six kids, how he manages his personal and professional responsibilities and his family’s lineage in the wine industry. He also discussed a newspaper profile that examined his role in the evolution of the wine business, the challenges of working with Pinot noir early into his career and how the movie “Sideways” impacted awareness and demand for the varietal and his demand-based approach to the development of Meiomi. Later, he explained how a morbid subject was an important consideration in the sale of Meiomi, how the acquisition created “balance” for his company and staff and why his work with Copper Cane is about providing his children with a similar opportunity that his father gave him.    Brands in this episode: Belle Glos, Meiomi, Caymus, The Prisoner Wine Company, Elouan Wines, Napa Valley Quilt, Böen

When Kat Cole was appointed president and COO of fast-growing wellness brand Athletic Greens in December, the company highlighted her role in reviving and, in some ways, revolutionizing Cinnabon. Yes, that Cinnabon, which Cole led for several years before taking the reins of parent company Focus Brands, a multinational owner and operator of several fast-casual restaurants chains including Auntie Anne’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Jamba Juice.  On the surface, it might have been surprising to some that the former top executive of a company that sells cloying, indulgent and less-than-healthy food would be the right fit for Athletic Greens, which is known for its highly nutritious powdered beverages. However, in speaking with Cole, it becomes clear that her experience and business acumen, particularly in brand analysis and omnichannel strategy, could be applied to nearly any consumer industry. In an interview featured in this episode, Cole spoke about her decade-long tenure at Focus and her plans to support continued growth at Athletic Greens, which last month raised $115 million at a valuation of over $1 billion. As part of our conversation, Cole explained how she evaluated the potential for Cinnabon as a CPG brand, why she urges entrepreneurs to build a community around their brands, her personal investment philosophy and why Athletic Greens is incorporating NFTs and Web3 into its next stage of development. Show notes: 0:51: Kat Cole, President & COO, Athletic Greens – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif and Cole riffed on her passion for Burning Man and ​​oregano sinus spray, how she evaluated where Cinnabon had “permission to travel” as a CPG brand, the sustainability of its growth trajectory amid better-for-you trends and why indulgence still matters. She also discussed how wellness has always been an important part of her life and a key aspect of her funding strategy as an angel investor, why she credits Athletic Greens’ ability to build a community of consumers as critical to its success, how the company is attempting to educate new customers via cost-benefit messaging and how she efficiently consumes large amounts of information using a variety of ways and sources. Brands in this episode: Athletic Greens, Cinnabon, Sanzo, Immi, House of Wise

The Taste Radio team discussed a range of current topics including the implications of a groundbreaking countertop appliance that, according to the manufacturer, will be able to create a near-infinite number of beverage types at the push of a button; how Expo West exhibitors can amplify their presence at the show via BevNET and NOSH; and whether a YouTube megastar can leverage his online fame to sell chocolate bars IRL. They also spoke about a major funding deal for a fast-growing drink brand, a couple acquisitions in the better-for-you tea and meat snacks categories and offered high praise for several new snacks and beverages. Show notes:   0:37: Trek Tech, Beast Mode, Deal Time And Tempered Tastes – The hosts riffed on how Jacqui celebrated a milestone while high in the sky; why Mike is the logical, if not actual, “Trekkie” of the group; why taste will be the ultimate factor in Cana Technology’s forthcoming “beverage printer”; and why BevNET and NOSH Insiders will benefit from our pre-Expo West prep. They also spoke about how brands like Olipop are redefining soda for younger generations and offered congratulations to two sets of entrepreneurs on recent exits, all while enjoying some CBD infused beverages, better-for-you potato snacks, non-alcoholic cocktails and, of course, Honey Mama’s. Brands in this episode: Olipop, Shaka Tea, King’s Hawaiian, 4505 Meats, Feastables, Spudsy, Cloud Water, RXBAR, Andy Capp, Preston’s Ginger Beer, Flyers Cocktail Co., Romeo Gin, Sanzo, Honey Mama’s, Athletic Greens

Ghia, a pioneering brand of non-alcoholic cocktails, takes its name from an Italian car designer who wanted his vehicles to convey the sophistication of a Ferrari while being as accessible as Fiat. It’s not surprising that the beverage brand’s aesthetic and business strategy are similar in nature. Founded by former Glossier executive Mélanie Masarin, Ghia aligns three fast-growing beverage trends: premium ingredients, ready-to-drink cocktails and alcohol-free alternatives. Inspired by Mediterranean aperitivo culture, Ghia made its debut in June 2020 with flagship product The Aperitif, a glass-bottled, still beverage made with Riesling grape juice, gentian root, lemon balm, fig and elderflower. Ten months later, the company launched Le Spritz, a ready-to-drink, single-serve can made with Ghia’s signature formula and blended with sparkling water, yuzu and rosemary. In September, Ghia extended the brand once more with Ghia Ginger, a ginger-infused version of Le Spritz.  Lauded for its sleek package design, novel formulation and resonance with sober-curious consumers, Ghia is currently sold at several hundred retailers and direct-to-consumer via its website.   In an expansive interview featured in this episode, Masarin provided a deep dive into the origins, development and launch of Ghia, including the influence of her previous work experience at Goldman Sachs and Glossier, how the company pivoted when its plans to build as an experiential brand were sidelined by the pandemic and why she’s not thrilled about social media despite her prowess on Instagram. She also shared a remarkable story about how she won over Ghia’s brand and package designer, why “growing up in the right way” often means pumping the brakes and why she’s optimistic about achieving a lofty professional goal in the near future. Show notes: 0:51: Mélanie Masarin, Founder & CEO, Ghia - Masarin spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about her recent travels in Mexico and Ghia’s new headquarters in Los Angeles, her documentation of the brand’s development via an Instagram stories compilation and why she has so many reservations about social media. She also discussed the origins of the brand name, the importance of her experience at Goldman Sachs and gaining a financial skill set at the investment bank, how focusing on creating “IRL” experiences at Glossier helped create a new way for customers to interact with the company and how she conceptualized Ghia beginning with her own personal lifestyle. Later, she recounted literally chasing down a branding expert for A-list musicians and convinced his firm to take on Ghia as a client, how Sweetgreen co-founder Nicolas Jammet became a key advisor to the company and why she’s both excited and guarded about the rising tide for non-alcoholic beverages. Brands in this episode: Ghia, Sweetgreen

Adam Bremen embodies the belief that “anything that’s worth doing is tough.” Born with cerebral palsy, Bremen has used an electric wheelchair his entire life. His focus, however, has never been about the limitation of his physical abilities. Rather, Adam’s mantra has always been “It’s about what you can do, not what you can't.” After 15 years in sales at financial services company Charles Schwab, Bremen launched CanDo, a company with a stated mission “to inspire and empower everyone to live a healthier lifestyle every day.” In 2019, CanDo launched Keto Krisp, a brand of protein bars inspired by Bremen’s experience with the keto-based diet in which he lost 65 pounds. In the two years since its debut, Keto Krisp, which is promoted as low in carbohydrates and sugar and as having a superior taste to existing bar products, is available at Whole Foods, Wegmans, Walmart, Sprouts, and select Costco locations across the U.S.  In an interview featured in this episode, Bremen shared the details of his compelling life story and how a positive mental attitude and a passion for inspiring others led to the creation of Keto Krisp. He also discussed his prowess and process for winning over retail buyers, how he identified a CEO that aligned with Keto Krisp’s focus and business strategy and why he’s more focused on the journey of entrepreneurship than a specific end goal. This episode also includes the first installment of a new series of short interviews called “The Maxi Minutes,” which features Maxine Kozler Koven, the co-managing director of Los Angeles-based investment firm LDR Ventures. The Maxi Minutes is part of a broader focus for Taste Radio to incorporate voices from investors, distributors, co-manufacturers and other professionals representing the service and support side of the food and beverage industry.  Show notes: 1:00: Adam Bremen, Founder, Keto Krisp – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif and Bremen chatted about their respective siblings and how the brother of Keto Krisp founder has had a powerful influence on his life since childhood. Bremen also discussed the origins of his passion for surfing, why he wasn’t overly concerned about the challenges of entrepreneurship in the food industry and where he saw white space for a keto-centric bar brand. Later, he explained why he always “puts himself in the [retail] buyer’s shoes," how he won over a Publix buyer, why he regarded a pandemic pivot as an opportunity and how CanDo will evolve beyond the keto diet. 34:27: The Maxi Minutes with Maxine Kozler Koven – In this brief discussion, Koven spoke with Latif spoke about her first experience at BevNET Live, insights about retail and distribution gleaned from a cross country road trip and advice for entrepreneurs on how to give their best elevator pitch. Brands in this episode: Keto Krisp

On the heels of the Coca-Cola Co.’s latest foray into alcoholic beverages, the Taste Radio team discussed the potential for Simply Spiked and assessed the mission and mechanics of a new industry group focused on promoting low-sugar, better-for-you CPG brands. They also reviewed major investment deals in the meat stick and hard kombucha categories and riffed on new and notable products, including a line of non-alcoholic aperitifs launched by musician Katy Perry. Show notes: 0:37: Deja Vu. Snap Into A… Chomps? Ice Cream On Everything – It’s A Thing. – The hosts realized that they have a couple trademarks to file, discussed the prospects for Coke’s first hard lemonade brand and wondered about whether a seven-brand trade group is truly “aces.” Later, Ray hated on a legacy snack brand and shared the delights of an organic hard seltzer line and Lunar New Year-themed spirit, Mike and Jacqui praised the surging growth of better-for-you alternatives and they all weighed on how to use a horde of ice cream.  Brands in this episode: Simply, Fresca, Topo Chico, Super Coffee, High Key, Olipop, Lemon Perfect, Koia, Enlightened, Three Wishes, Slim Jim, Chomps, Flying Embers, Remy Martin, De Soi, Soda Bossa, Planted, Plant Snacks, Sfoglini

Manna Tree Partners, a private equity firm based in Vail, Colorado, describes itself as believing that “the future of health, well-being, and longevity is attainable through innovation in food.” The firm’s role in that vision? Invest in companies whose products are intended to make people feel and live better. Since its launch in 2018, Manna Tree has made mid-stage investments in 10 companies, including pasture-raised egg brand Vital Farms, indoor greenhouse pioneer Gotham Greens, organic kombucha maker Health-Ade, plant–based prepared food and beverage company Urban Remedy and The New Primal, a brand of clean-ingredient meat snacks and condiments. Manna Tree also holds stakes in tech-driven service and supplier companies including those focused on gut health and plant-derived ingredients.   In an interview featured in this episode, Ross Iverson, the co-founder and chief investment officer of Manna Tree Partners discussed the firm’s investment philosophy and how consumer education and accessibility factor into its funding decisions, why diligence plays a bigger role than innovation when evaluating companies and how Manna Tree assesses companies at pre-seed and Series A levels. Show notes: 0:44: Ross Iverson, Co-Founder & CIO, Manna Tree Partners – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif sat down with Iverson for an expansive conversation about Manna Tree’s vision and focus, including the reason for the firm’s office location, how the team incorporates its personal brand passions into the company’s funding strategy and the notion that Manna Tree believes in “a food-based approach to health care.” Iverson also discussed the firm’s ESG+H investment philosophy, how Manna Tree continues to thoughtfully deploy capital from its $141.5 million fund, how its team identified synergies and growth opportunities among portfolio companies and why reaching out to the firm via its website is preferable to (literally) knocking on its door. Brands in this episode: Biena, Vital Farms, Urban Remedy, Gotham Greens, Health-Ade, KeVita, The New Primal

Carlton Fowler is back for another round. The co-founder and managing partner of Goat Rodeo Capital, a venture capital firm that holds stakes in several fast-growing beverage alcohol, non-alcoholic drink and premium snack brands first joined us for an interview in October 2020. Fowler’s return to Taste Radio this week follows the recent launch of Goat Rodeo’s second fund, from which the firm has made investments in hop-centric beverage company HopLark and premium canister snack brand The Good Crisp. Those companies joined a portfolio that includes ready-to drink cocktail brand DRNXSMYTH, canned wine company Archer Roose and Lemon Perfect, a brand of cold-pressed lemon water drinks. As part of our discussion, Fowler reflected upon the data and business criteria that influenced Goat Rodeo’s initial investments and how that information is being utilized to make new funding decisions. He also spoke about how the firm evaluates non-portfolio DTC brands and their potential for omnichannel success, weighed in the continued blurring of lines within the non-alcoholic beverage and beverage alcohol industries and explained why Goat Rodeo’s second fund will not include investments in cannabis beverages, despite Carlton being bullish about the future of the space. Show notes: 0:44: Carlton Fowler, Managing Partner, Goat Rodeo Capital – Fowler and Taste Radio editor Ray Latif riffed on the investor’s role as a judge for BevNET’s Cocktail Showdown 2 competition and a tweet about two of his two passions appearing in a limited-edition product. Fowler also spoke about how Goat Rodeo has and continues to deploy capital for its second fund, his perspective on brands that attempt to create a new category versus seeking an addressable market for their products and how he evaluates brand success on Amazon. Later, he explained why he celebrates greater crossover among non-alcoholic, spirit and beer brands, the reason he sees a big runway for zero-proof drinks and why cannabis drinks are on his mind, even if not part of Goat Rodeo’s second fund. Brands in this episode: Golden Rule Spirits, Social Hour Cocktails, Arby’s, Lay’s, Guinness, HopLark, The Good Crisp, Lemon Perfect, Liquid Death, Tito’s, Mountain Dew, Twisted Tea, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Monster Energy, Topo Chico, Seedlip, Heineken, Budweiser, CANN, Levia

Taste Radio’s hosts reflected upon last week’s highly publicized deal between the Coca-Cola Co. and Constellation Brands in which the soda and spirit giants collaborated on a new Fresca branded RTD cocktail line, as well as other headlines from the past week, including a legacy beer company’s dip into a growing pool of hop-centric drinks and news of Liquid Death’s colossal funding round. They also discussed a flaming hot line extension for a not-so-NOSHy snack brand, why this month could be described as “Cannuary” for one member of the team and highlighted several new beverages and bites, including pancake-flavored puffs and a line of small-batch chai concentrates. Show notes: 0:37: The Softest Tee Ever. Plus, A Mixed Bag Of Bevs, Burning Bites And Big Apple Booze. – The hosts reminded listeners to review Taste Radio on the Apple Podcasts app and the team will send you a free T-shirt. John Craven explained why Fresca Mixed makes more sense than Jack & (branded) Coke, Jacqui Brugliera discussed emerging hop-portunities in the beverage industry and Mike Schneider offered a suggestion for a new Liquid Death flavor. Later, Ray Latif broke out the snacks and the hosts collectively riffed on brands that are likely familiar to listeners and their versions of “Dry January.”  Brands in this episode: Fresca, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s, Topo Chico, Sierra Nevada, HopLark, Liquid Death, Cocaine Energy, Doritos, Like Air, RIND, Fly By Jing, Recess, Kimbala, Jack & Annie’s, Wunder, Moon Intergalactic, Waterford Whisky, Strykk, Everleaf, Great Jones Distilling

If you’re not familiar with jackfruit, you’re not alone. The fruit, while long valued by the vegan community for its sinuous meat-like texture, is relatively unknown among Americans. Annie Ryu, the founder and CEO of The Jackfruit Company and sister brand Jack & Annie’s, is aiming to change that. Over the past decade, Ryu built the largest global supply chain for jackfruit, also referred to as “jack,” a high-yield yet underutilized crop that grows in warm and tropical climates. Amid a growing number of Americans embracing plant-based lifestyles, jackfruit has gradually appeared in natural and conventional grocery stores across the U.S. where brands like The Jackfruit Company process, package and sell it as a plant-based alternative to chicken, pork and beef.    Launched in 2015, The Jackfruit Co. markets jackfruit-based ready-to-eat meals and ingredients that are sold in approximately 6,200 stores across the U.S. In 2020, the company introduced Jack and Annie’s, a spin-off brand designed for mainstream consumers. Jack and Annie’s sells plant-based nuggets, wings, meatballs and sausages that are available at 1,500 stores including those of Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegmans, and Target. Last month, the company announced a $23 million Series B round which will be deployed to help expand distribution and build awareness of Jack & Annie’s. In an interview featured in this episode, Ryu spoke about her initial vision to support farming communities in India by incentivizing production of jackfruit, how she began building the company while still an undergraduate student at Harvard, how Jack & Annie’s is positioned within a competitive set for plant-based meat and what she’s learned about entrepreneurship and the value of persistence. Show notes: 0:44: Annie Ryu, Founder/CEO, Jack & Annie’s – Ryu and Taste Radio editor Ray Latif riffed on Jack & Annie’s plant-based sausages, why the entrepreneur became a vegetarian, how she became the valedictorian of her class at Harvard and why she shifted focus from a career in medicine to public health. Ryu also discussed jackfruit amid the rise in awareness and consumption of plant-based meat, identifying the right messaging to attract retail buyers and consumers and how she initially raised funds for the company via pitch competitions and angel investors. Later, she discussed the development of the Jack & Annie’s brand and its packaging, why she’s never been discouraged by the length of time it took to build her company, why education continues to drive her and how she aligns with like-minded advisors and investors. Brands in this episode: The Jackfruit Company, Jack & Annie’s, Impossible Foods, Beyond Meat