From Uruguay to Moldova: why emerging wine regions are on the rise

The Entrepreneurs28mApril 8, 2026

Get the full intelligence

Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “From Uruguay to Moldova: why emerging wine regions are on the rise” inside PodZeus.

AI-Generated Summary

This episode of The Entrepreneurs explores the rise of emerging wine regions through the story of Jack Blumson and Gleb Petrenko, co-founders of Other Wine, a brand championing wines from underrepresented areas like Moldova, Uruguay, Georgia, and Slovenia. Their journey began with a shared passion for wine and a transformative trip to Georgia, where they discovered ancient winemaking traditions and a deeply social, inclusive culture around wine. This experience sparked a vision to build a brand that combines storytelling, design, and authenticity—challenging the traditional, confusing wine market dominated by French and Italian labels. They emphasize provenance, craftsmanship, and community, offering limited-edition drops and hosting events like winemaker meetups and a book club to deepen customer connection. The episode also features Sylvia Mellor, founder of Sorate, a New York-based tea company blending Italian and Japanese traditions. Inspired by a solo trip to Japan, she created a calming, mindful tea experience rooted in the Japanese tea ceremony, now expanding through physical tea houses and retail partnerships. Both ventures reflect a growing consumer desire for meaningful, story-driven products and experiences in a fast-paced world.

Key Takeaways
1

Emerging wine regions are gaining traction due to consumer demand for authentic, story-driven products beyond traditional French and Italian labels.

2

Building a strong brand with consistent design and narrative is key to standing out in a confusing market and fostering repeat engagement.

3

Community-building through events, storytelling, and shared experiences creates emotional connection and loyalty beyond the product.

4

Gen Z is not abandoning wine—it’s shifting toward conscious consumption, quality, and meaningful experiences.

5

Physical spaces can serve as sanctuaries in urban environments, offering moments of calm and presence.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
3 min

Introduction: The Global Wine Journey

Tom Edwards introduces the episode, setting the stage for a global exploration of innovative beverage ventures, starting with Other Wine and Sorate.

3:10
4 min

The Birth of Other Wine: From Georgia to a Global Vision

Over there, there's not the same pomp or weirdness around wine. They're drinking wine out of horns at feasts and stuff, and it's just like very inclusive and fun.

Highlight
7:00
7 min

Challenging the Wine Status Quo: Branding Beyond Regions

We want to build a brand where you are happy to buy it again and enjoy it again but still appreciates the craft and the discovery.

Highlight
14:10
7 min

Gen Z, Conscious Consumption, and the Future of Wine

There's this thing around conscious consumption, around wanting to know the story behind what's in the bottle.

Highlight
20:50
8 min

Community, Events, and the Power of Storytelling

We got nearly 100 in the first day. So we're going to have to find a bigger venue.

Highlight
High-Impact Quotes
We want to build a brand where you are happy to buy it again and enjoy it again but still appreciates the craft and the discovery.
Jack Blumson9:57
Viral: 88.0
Over there, there's not the same pomp or weirdness around wine. They're drinking wine out of horns at feasts and stuff, and it's just like very inclusive and fun.
Gleb Petrenko0:33
Viral: 85.0
There's this thing around conscious consumption, around wanting to know the story behind what's in the bottle.
Gleb Petrenko11:55
Viral: 82.0
Speakers

Host

Tom Edwards

Guests

Jack BlumsonGleb PetrenkoSylvia Mellor
Topics Discussed
Emerging Wine Regions95%Brand Storytelling in Beverage90%Conscious Consumerism85%Community Building Through Events80%Cultural Fusion in Branding75%Gen Z and Alcohol Trends70%Mindful Consumption and Ritual70%Direct-to-Consumer Strategy65%
People & Brands

Other Wine

brand

18xPositive

Gleb Petrenko

person

14xPositive

Sorate

brand

12xPositive

Jack Blumson

person

12xPositive

Sylvia Mellor

person

10xPositive

Georgia

place

8xPositive

New York

place

6xPositive

Uruguay

place

5xPositive

Moldova

place

5xPositive

Monocle

media

4xPositive

Get the full intelligence

Search transcripts, export clips, track mentions, and explore all topics from “From Uruguay to Moldova: why emerging wine regions are on the rise” inside PodZeus.

Start discovering podcast insights today

Start with a 7-day trial and explore a growing catalog of popular podcasts. No credit card required.

No credit card required • 7-day trial • Cancel anytime