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EP 853 Legendary Wine Importer Kermit Lynch Visits Wine Library TV – Part 1

Gary Vaynerchuk invited Kermit Lynch, a legendary importer of fine European wines, to come and talk about how he got into wine, the origins of his business, and his thoughts on the wine industry.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2008 Kermit Lynch Sunflower Cotes Du Rhone BlancCotes du Rhone Blanc
2007 Cherisey Blagny Puligny MontrachetPuligny Montrachet
2007 Pallieres Gigondas Racines Gigondas


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luca bercelli

93/100

line of the day – ‘Another band was broken up by drugs again’

Fascinating…important guest, interesting story

Tags: Kermit Lynch, red, review, Video, white, wine, wines

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  • Lyman

    If that isn't the ultimate definition for “timing is everything”, I don't know what is. But also for a musician to have that kind of business savvy, unheard of.

    It's always the drummer.

    Great show! Mott, you're killing me, man!

  • Thanks for the email tip-off to watch. Great show so far – finished like an Episode of LOST – goes to commercial right when it heats up…

    Looking forward to part deux..

  • B dot

    ahhhhhhhhhhh. Awesome story so far.

  • sharon

    Very nice. I love the rags to riches part of the story as well as the reason he decided to focus on French and Italian wines. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

  • marc_chinawinetours

    Very interesting! Reminds me of my very first job at age 15 as an auditor of the sales staff of United Vintners in San Francisco (1967). Google United Vintners for some more great history!

  • TheNougat

    Oh my God! Kermit's wines rock. I can't wait to view these episodes and get to know him.

  • NIB

    Uhhhh, I am truly speechless, what an amazing story!!!!

  • Montanaandy

    Can't wait for Part II. I am a big, big KL fan as my cellar will attest. Fascinating to learn the history behind the man/label.

    So how are the Jets looking for next season GV? My Bears upgraded their pass rush big time with Peppers and are filling in the holes at the other postions (running back, safety). If Cutler can play to his potential I think we are looking at a truly great season. Montanaandy

  • I just have to say, I think Parker would be a much bigger guest because of the name. Not a lot of people know who Kermit (the distributor) is.

  • agentorange

    Wow, a cliff hanger!

    Gary, Kermit, thanks. Cheers to a job well done. We'll look forward to part 2.

  • waynoooo daaaaa winoooo

    Yo Allan, NOOOOOOO SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT……..
    :O)

  • lawrenceleichtman

    Love to listen to all of this since I started drinking wine in 1968 about the same time Mr. Lynch started out.

  • SO happy to see Kermit on the show! He's my absolute favorite person in the industry. Hope you cover Adventures on the Wine Route in the 2nd half, best wine book EVER!

  • Can't wait to hear part 2. The story about his willingness to endure misunderstanding rather than disappoint his good friend is priceless. It gives a new and richer meaning to the saying, “From wine what sudden friendship springs!”

    Also appreciated the story of how Kermit got started in the business. When one is passionate not even a deep recession can stand in the way!

  • Wow, is all I have to say, I'm enthralled by this episode and I love the fact that you left that cliffhanger at the end!

  • I've been watching the show for a while (though this is my first comment), and I'm part of the CKC, so I don't know much, but I just wanted to say that Mr. Lynch seems like a truly amazing person. That he made such an important and lasting decision simply to avoid hurting a friend is the most extreme illustration of loyalty I've encountered in a long time.

  • cellarrat5

    Hey Randi, looking to start a winery. Just trust me; you will fall in love with me when you meet me, you in? 😉

  • Catherine

    What a fantastic interview, Gary! So rich with detail, fun tidbits about how a career was begun and then carefully spun. Thank you — and I can't wait for Kermit Lynch, Part Deux! 😀

  • SteveC

    Nice cliffhanger ending, LOL.

  • RANDINTHECITY

    LOL! Do I make the check out to “Cellar Rat 5” or to cash? 😉
    That was funny.

  • cellarrat5

    Enough people have said how epic this guest is, so I will just say thank you. You have definitely had many people on WLTV that have changed the wine world.This seemed more like a conversation than an interview, which was perfect. Amazing story from an amazing man.

  • scottEJ

    Fantastic Ep. 1. I'm greatly looking forward to tomorrow. BTW – That Sunflower white rhone was a major hit a recent gathering.

    Until tomorrow….

  • DAveAll

    Kermit. fun name. loads of brand, even if mostly green frogs. I'm not into distributors, it's like interviewing the truck driver that delivers my UPS packages. ugh? Isn't it what's in the box, not the middleman? ok, so i'm ignorant. don't shout at me!
    He was a very informed and charismatic personality, I liked his information. $5000 to make this empire, amazing today it would take a million.
    Fascinating guest! Can't wait for part Duo. Do you drink wine in that one? snicker.

  • Tim from MI

    Gary once again delivers a great show with a great guest! This makes me want to study up on Kermit and learn more about French wines!

  • chrisny2

    What cost $5000 in 1972 would cost $25356.51 in 2009.
    -http://www.westegg.com/inflation/infl.cgi

    What a generous girlfriend you had Mr. Lynch!

  • Cool_Dave

    Hey Gary and my fellow Vayniacs,
    I am still at work but will be home at 11:00 CST to watch this show with a glass of Domaine Drouhin.
    I love Kermit Lynch and Neal Rosenthal. If I'm not sure about a wine and I see one of their names on the lable I buy it.

  • Cool_Dave

    Welcome exlurker!!!

  • Cool_Dave

    Kermit Lynch is the guy preventing the UPS driver from delivering something bad.

  • Cool_Dave

    Me too!

  • dsallen

    Noooooo… Well, okay.

  • TommyBoBoofWI

    Clifhanger!!! THIS is why I love this site,,, this is an awesome interview… can't wait for part II. Tks Gary, Love the WineLibrary

  • holy moley! gotta get home and start the download!

  • canadapete

    GV – what a feat to have this great man and storyteller on the show!

    Great show. Can't wait for part 2

  • jimkay

    Nice cliffhanger…

  • canadapete

    His Book '..on the wine route' – was the most enthralling wine book I've ever read. His passion and prose would make anyone an instant wine lover.

  • CTLIE

    Amazing. ITB. And have been following the show here and there. Best guest to date- Gary, you are literally videotaping history. Cheers man (By the way, can you buy the Giants instead?).

    Kermit rocks!

  • RonD

    Fabulous interview so far. We tasted some Kermit Lynch selections at a local Seattle wine shop (Seattle Wine Co) last weekend. Looking forward to “Part 2” [air quote]

    …Gary – be who you are, air quotes and all!

  • binarycache

    Great show and awesome cliffhanger!

  • Haha now we have to wait for part 2

  • Cool story, I'm hanging on to hear more.

  • Kevin

    Nice conversation going on there. Great story about building a business from the bottom up and a cliffhanger to boot. What was the betrayal!?

  • kosmik

    How inspiring. Great interview, many thanks Mr Lynch for sharing such great stories and thoughts in such a way…
    Great grrreat show Gary. Thumbs up!

  • ray

    very interesting show got to see part two
    and why so little interest in california or oregon pinot?

  • SourGrapesFC

    Epic. I can't wait for tomorrow.

  • stumpe

    Great episode. As a still relatively young retailer, Kermit is a HUGE inspiration. I had a great time at his tasting yesterday – wished it could have been a 12 hour affair.

  • SourGrapesFC

    GV's interviewing skills have shot through the roof. (Maybe he will be the one who finally pushes Leno out of the Tonight Show…)

  • SourGrapesFC

    I'm reminded of a Ben Franklin quote… something about “speaking and removing all doubt.”

  • Great show…waiting for the “Betrayal by Cali” with baited breath. Can't wait.

  • Thank you Joan Connolly!!!

  • capncrunch

    Great guest! Looking forward to part II.

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