EIL40: The Art of Winemaking: Old World vs. New World Management with Tom Meadowcroft

The future of winemaking is moving towards quality over quantity. Both Tom Meadowcroft and Dr. Katrina Burrus acknowledged this shift in consumer preferences towards affordable luxuries and high-quality products.

The challenge lies in the differences between old world and new world winemaking practices.

In this podcast, Tom Meadowcroft, a viticulturist with his own winery in California discusses the evolving trends in the wine industry, emphasizing a shift towards quality over quantity.

He highlights the importance of leadership in the wine-making process, showcasing a collaborative approach in decision-making within a flat organizational structure. Tom also delves into the business aspect of winemaking, comparing the management styles between Europe and the United States.

Overall, the episode provides insights into the intersection of wine trends, leadership strategies, and business practices in the ever-changing world of winemaking.

A must-listen episode.

What You’ll Learn From this Episode
⦁ Discover the benefits of the holistic European winemaking approach that combines viticulture and oenology, compared to the specialized American system.
⦁ Learn about the differences between European and American leadership styles in the winemaking industry, and how collaboration and hierarchy influence decision-making.
⦁ Explore the shift towards quality over quantity in the wine industry and understand how California's position in the global market compares to regions like South America.

"I look at winemaking from the standpoint that people are gravitating towards quality, not quantity.” - Tom Meadowcroft

Topics Covered:

• 02:00 - Education Differences in Winemaking, Tom explains the differences between viticulture and oenology education in Europe and the U.S., emphasizing the integrated approach in Europe.
• 03:13 - Career Transition to Vineyard Management: Tom shares his journey from construction to managing vineyards in California for top wineries.
• 04:39 - Role of Vineyard Management Companies: Discussion on how companies bridge the gap between vineyards and winemakers in the U.S.
• 05:40 - Comparison of Old World and New World Winemaking: Contrasting traditional European land management with the innovative U.S. approach.
• 07:09 - Leadership Styles in Winemaking: Differences in leadership between European and American wineries.
• 10:00 - Employee Experience in Europe vs. U.S.: Tom reflects on his work experiences in European and American wineries, noting cultural and operational differences.
• 11:05 - Impact of Labor Laws on Winemaking: Recent changes in California labor laws and their effects on winemaking costs and schedules.
• 11:55 - Management Philosophy and Team Dynamics: Tom's collaborative management philosophy and the importance of communication in his winery.
• 13:05 - Future of Winemaking and Global Competition: Positioning of California wines globally, competition with South America, and the shift towards quality over quantity.
• 14:05 - Influence of South American Wines: Predictions on the growth of South American wines in the U.S. market due to cultural ties and competitive pricing.
• 16:02 - Cultural Influences from Living Abroad: How Tom's multicultural background from living in Switzerland has shaped his perspectives and management style.
• 19:58 - Where to Find and Purchase Tom's Wines: Information on purchasing Tom's wines online and navigating state alcohol regulations in the U.S.

Connect with Tom Meadowcroft

⦁ Website: https://www.meadowcroftwines.com/
⦁ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drinkmeadowcroftwines
⦁ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meadowcroft_wines/

Connect with Katrina Burrus

⦁ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinaburrus/
⦁ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katrina.burrus
⦁ Twitter: https://twitter.com/katrinaburrus?lang=en
⦁ More Impactful Episodes at https://mkbconseil.ch/eil-podcast/