It's the Wine Dog Wine Blog

“Wine Boy,” they called me.

I hated it. Never challenged it, but I hated it.

Fresh off six years at Wine Spectator, it was my label to wear. I had parlayed an editorial role in wine journalism into a dream job in baseball.

At the ballpark, I wasn’t necessarily trying to outrun my wine-soaked past. I just didn’t want to be viewed as a novelty. I wanted to spend less time talking about wine and more time talking baseball. Remember when Mark McGwire told Congress he wasn’t there to discuss the past? Well, any good scout could have told you that, with my speed, I wasn’t outrunning my past.

In reality, being (mostly) affectionately hazed as Wine Boy was a small price to pay. After a few months on the job, I graduated from Wine Boy to Wine Dog, a nickname I was happy to embrace.

Twenty years ago, wine got me in the door. I can appreciate now how my unique entry to the front office required the right time, place, and people – especially the people. Today, with identical qualifications, I’d be lucky to be serving wine at Petco Park.

The Wine Dog Wine Blog was inspired by a former colleague who still solicits me regularly for real-time wine advice. One of the highlights for me each baseball season is when this friend, now a scout for one of the league’s better teams, reaches out from a nice restaurant to ask which wine he should order for the table. Sometimes it’s via text, sometimes there's video of the wine list, every now and then I answer a FaceTime. No matter how we communicate, I appreciate being included in the moment. I may not be in the starting lineup anymore, but I’ve been around long enough to know how I can help the team.

I turned in my scouting credential several years ago. These days, I’m happy to claim the role of Special Assistant to Wine-Drinking Personnel.

I love running into scouts and hearing about wines they recently enjoyed. Naturally, they ask for recommendations – they wonder if I’ve had anything lately they should try. That’s what the Wine Dog Wine Blog is for.

A baseball ops crew celebrating an arbitration win might order off a different part of the wine list than minor league coaches and amateur scouts out to dinner on their per diem. We’ll cover all budgets.

The Wine Dog Wine Blog is where the vineyard meets the ball yard. So let’s get to it!

Owners, Presidents of Baseball Operations, and General Managers: Are you looking for an edge this October? It’s in your best interest to gift your manager with a mixed case of wine as quickly as possible.

Oh, wait, you want data? Well, the last three World Series-winning managers — Dusty Baker, Bruce Bochy, Dave Roberts — are knowledgeable and sophisticated wine drinkers.

The playoff field is wide open. In a short series, you never know what might make the difference. A.J. Hinch is handy with a corkscrew. Did that make the difference for Detroit in Game 3 against the Guardians? I can’t tell you it didn’t. And after last night’s extra-innings win in Seattle, we should start to believe it.

In a league where analysts are constantly mining the margins for an advantage, here’s an idea that combines empirical evidence with gut-feel.

It’s the Wine Dog Wine Blog’s mixed case befitting a World Series winner: Twelve bottles of red wine that will have you spraying Champagne.

Clemente Cabernet: Sourced from California and bottled in Pittsburgh, this wine honors the two-time World Series champion whose legacy off the field shines as brightly as his accomplishments in the game. Executive director of The Clemente Museum, Duane Rieder, is also the head vintner of Engine House 25 Wines. Seems like the right bottle to start any case.

Château Mouton Rothschild 1990: When MLB Network’s Matt Vasgersian asked Dave Roberts last October how he was going to celebrate the Dodgers’ NLCS victory, the manager mentioned first-growth Bordeaux. Blue-chip wines for a Dodger Blue lineup seems very appropriate. I also found it revealing. The man who was less than two weeks from delivering another championship to Los Angeles could have easily plugged his own wine, Red Stitch, to a national television audience. But that’s not who Doc is. His pennant-winning cellar selection helped me better understand the beloved manager. It’s not about Doc; it’s about the players and the team.

I caught up with Roberts before a game earlier this season to learn what he drank after winning the World Series: first-growth Bordeaux again – Château Mouton-Rothschild 1990, to be specific. Many vintages of this Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy blend play well today. Put a bottle of this French superstar in the case and save it for a big win.

Viña Montes Purple Angel: One of Chile's top producers harnesses the lesser known Carmenère grape. It will open up your manager’s eyes to new possibilities. This could be the wine that inspires pennant-winning bullpen management. And, for you smaller-market teams with budget constraints, the Wings bottling from Montes offers high quality at a more – shall we say – sustainable price.

Hall Jack’s Masterpiece: When you ask Bruce Bochy which wines he drank to celebrate the World Series, you’d better be ready for a long answer. After all, four championships can make a man awfully thirsty. Boch turned to Napa Valley’s Hall for Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a big, bold wine in most vintages. It’s a wine that wears a size 8 1/8 fitted hat.

Hourglass Cabernet Sauvignon: Remember what I just said? If you’re going to ask Boch for his World Series wines, you had better leave some room in the case. It’s another big red for a big win. And it’s a commitment from the former Giants manager to drink local! Oracle Park is only 60 miles from Napa Valley.

Screaming Eagle: The man knows how to celebrate. The final wine Bochy mentioned was none other than one of the original California cult classics. We’re going to test some teams with this wine. If you’re even able to get your hands on a bottle, it will set you back about $2,000. Take it out of next year’s free agent budget. Win now!

Baker Family Wines Hammerin’ Hank Cabernet Sauvignon: Baker, as in Dusty. And Hammerin’ Hank as in, yeah, 755. From the Fair Play AVA (American Viticultural Area) due east of Sacramento, Baker’s winery honors the Hall of Famer with this bottle.

Quintessa: This estate red blend from Napa Valley was a lucky charm for Kevin Towers — the man who helped me build a bridge from baseball to wine — during the Padres 1998 World Series run. Yes, those Pads fell to the Yankees in the Fall Classic, but how many teams would gladly accept that result this year?

Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir: We’ve gotten pretty heavy in the Napa Cabs with this list. Let’s soften things up with a Pinot Noir from the Santa Rita Hills, north of Santa Barbara, by winemaker Greg Brewer. Various bottlings are priced from $50-$85, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. The most expensive single-vineyard bottling is called Machado. I’ll let you decide which is right for you.

Antinori Toscana Tignanello: Let’s travel to Italy and tap into one of the country’s most outstanding wine-making families. This blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc is built to age, but many vintages are approachable right away, which is helpful if your manager is on the hot seat.

Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage: This is 100% Syrah from Northern Rhone, and closer to an everyday wine than some of the other special-occasion bottles on this list. If pronouncing all those French words is too much, keep an eye out for the Kirkland Signature Gigondas 2022 for about $15. The Mariners should have a weekly delivery of Costco’s finest. After 48 seasons and no championships, it’s time to start drinking – right, Jerry?

Monte Rio Cellars Zinfandel Old Vines: We’re going to finish this case with a feisty underdog at a price point that even the Marlins, A’s, and Pirates can’t shouldn’t complain about. Winemaker Patrick Cappiello left the day-to-day grind of a New York City wine director’s life and now farms the soil (organically) in Lodi, where Zinfandel thrives. At $25, it’s even easier to like. In fact, almost all varietals from Monte Rio are around that price. Plus, Cappiello is an outspoken voice in support of domestic wineries. His wines have that fighter’s spirit.

There it is. A mixed case that just might be the difference maker this postseason. And with managerial vacancies in Anaheim, Atlanta, Baltimore, Colorado, Minnesota, San Francisco, Washington – and the newly hired Skip Schumaker in Texas – let this be a roadmap to early success in 2026. Hire accordingly and the Champagne will follow.