In this episode of the Drinks.com Podcast, host Brandon Amoroso sits down with Carson Benham, newly promoted VP of West Coast Sales at family-run Martin Ray Winery. Carson explains how his team is turning California’s current grape surplus into a $20 Napa-Cab bargain, why focusing on the right 20 percent of markets drives most of their revenue, and how e-commerce and digital storytelling are helping younger drinkers feel welcome in the world of wine.
Carson also unpacks the ripple effects of a major distributor leaving California, shares simple website tweaks that boost six-bottle carts, and makes the case for clear “better-for-you” labeling—think low-alc, vegan, and sustainable—to meet modern demand. Whether you sell wine, study the industry, or love a good deal at dinner, this conversation delivers practical takeaways you can use right away.