Episode #9
Why the Wine Industry Needs to Learn From Whisky | Graeme Sutherland
Why the Wine Industry Needs to Learn From Whisky | Graeme Sutherland What can two of the world's oldest drinks industries learn from each other — and has whisky become better at innovation than wine? In this episode of the Whisky Wealth Warrior Podcast, Glen Palmer sits down with Graeme Sutherland, founder of the Good Brothers Wine Group in Edinburgh, for a wide-ranging conversation about wine, whisky, entrepreneurship, hospitality, sustainability, investment and legacy. Graeme has spent more than two decades in the wine trade, with a career that has taken him from working in Burgundy to senior sales roles before eventually building his own portfolio of businesses. But his entrepreneurial journey nearly faced disaster before it had properly begun. In February 2020, Graeme left a secure corporate position to focus on his businesses. Just weeks later, Covid hit. With hospitality effectively shutting down overnight, Graeme had to rethink the business rapidly. Good Brothers pivoted into home delivery, supplying everything from wine and spirits to fruit, vegetables, cheese, charcuterie, fish and meat. That decision helped keep the business moving, kept the brand visible and provided an extraordinary lesson in entrepreneurship and adaptability. Graeme also shares what years in the wine trade taught him about relationships, trust and premiumisation — and why successful drinks businesses can't simply compete on price. We explore sustainability, organic and biodynamic winemaking, the changing hospitality industry and why customers increasingly want memorable experiences rather than simply products. Then we bring the worlds of wine and whisky together. Graeme believes wine can learn from the willingness of whisky producers and independent bottlers to experiment, innovate and challenge convention. We also explore whisky and wine as collectibles, secondary markets, investment risk and why both industries have faced problems with fraud. And Graeme shares an extraordinary story involving six bottles of 1973 Ardbeg bought for just £10 each — some of which he and his friends simply opened and enjoyed. Would he change that decision knowing what they're worth today? Absolutely not. In this episode: Graeme's journey into the wine industry Learning the craft in Burgundy Building Good Brothers while working full-time The reality of entrepreneurial burnout Leaving corporate life just before Covid Pivoting a hospitality business during lockdown Why relationships and trust drive long-term business Premiumisation in wine and hospitality Sustainable and responsible business practices Organic and biodynamic wine Why hospitality needs to create experiences Making wine less intimidating What wine can learn from whisky Innovation and experimentation in whisky Wine versus whisky collectability Alternative investment and secondary markets Fraud and risk in wine and whisky The incredible £10 Ardbeg 1973 story Why wine and whisky should ultimately be enjoyed Building a business around family and legacy Towards the end of the conversation, Graeme explains what success really means to him. It isn't about creating a 50-site empire, earning millions or owning a private jet. It's about supporting his family, travelling with his wife, building something his children could potentially inherit and helping the people who have worked alongside him build fulfilling lives of their own. Connect with Graeme Sutherland LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graeme-sutherland-77367016/ Connect with Glen Palmer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-palmer-online/ Whisky Wealth Mastery: https://whiskywealthmastery.com Download your FREE Whisky Investment Guide: https://whiskywealthmastery.com/free Book a complimentary 15-minute whisky cask discovery call: https://app.onecal.io/b/glen-palmer/15-minute-discovery-call ️ Want to be a guest on the Whisky Wealth Warrior Podcast? https://app.onecal.io/b/glen-palmer/whisky-wealth-warrior-podcast #Whisky #Wine #WineIndustry #WhiskyIndustry #WineBusiness #ScotchWhisky #Entrepreneurship #Hospitality #WineInvestment #WhiskyInvestment #GoodBrothers #GraemeSutherland #WhiskyWealthWarrior