In Part 2 of our conversation with Xander Soren, we pick up where we left off: with a drink in hand.

If you haven't heard the Part 1 episode, we recommend listening to it here first.

This time, we move from sake to wine and the story behind Xander Soren Wines. Xander explains how a personal project making small batches of California wine grew into a second career, and why Japan and Japanese food have been central to it from the beginning.

We talk about what makes a wine work with Japanese food. Xander also shares how Japanese design influenced his branding, and how relationships with chefs and restaurants helped him establish the wines in Japan.

We also cover cocktail bars, dining in Japan, Google & Tabelog ratings and the value of leaving room in your itinerary for places you didn't plan in advance.

And to close out our conversation, Xander shares some practical advice for first-time visitors to Japan.

Learn more about Xander Soren Wines

https://xandersorenwines.com/

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Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro & Overview

(01:32) Sake to Wine

(06:00) Xander's Wine Story

(27:10) Pairing with Japanese Food

(30:50) Drinks in Japan Beyond Wine

(35:44) Dining in Japan

(44:34) Travel Tips

(47:41) Closing Thoughts

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Music:

Island Travel - by Anonyment

旅ゆけば - by Tinymemory

Investor Night - by Anonyment

(all tracks with Dova Syndrome Music Materials License (dova-s .jp)

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