Why This Episode Matters

What actually makes a great wine pairing
How younger diners are changing wine culture and what that means for restaurants
Where real wine value exists right now (hint: not where everyone’s looking)
Why hospitality, not knowledge, is still the key to selling wine
The evolving role of sommeliers in a less formal, more competitive dining world

The Banter

Mark Pascal and Francis Schott open the show swapping stories about “elevating” takeout by adding better ingredients, dialing in details, and chasing that last 10% that turns good into spectacular.

The Conversation

June Rodil, Master Sommelier and partner in Goodnight Hospitality, shares her path from serving at Olive Garden to shaping some of the most thoughtful wine programs in the country. She breaks down how wine pairing really works not as rules, but as taste memory, experience, and constant adjustment.

The conversation explores the shifting role of wine in dining, from everyday staple to luxury competitor, and the challenge of connecting with a younger, less wine-focused guest. June emphasizes that great service, not intimidation or hierarchy, is what brings people into wine, and that curiosity, accessibility, and value matter more than ever.

They also dig into where smart wine buyers should be looking today, from South Africa to overlooked Old World regions, and why finding one great, under-the-radar bottle can define a program more than a massive list.

Timestamps

00:00 – The quest to elevate every bite
06:00 – June Rodil’s path: from server to Master Sommelier
10:45 – Understanding wine pairing synergy
12:00 – How great pairings are actually built (and tested)
21:00 – Who is ordering wine in the dining room?
26:00 – How to appeal to guests and sell wine today/presenting cork
33:00 – Where the real value is in wine right now
38:00 – Final takeaway: “Just drink more.”

Bio

June Rodil is a Master Sommelier (2015) and partner at Goodnight Hospitality in Houston, where she oversees award-winning wine programs and hospitality operations. She is widely recognized for her leadership in modern wine service and mentorship within the industry.

Info

Goodnight Hospitality Group https://www.goodnighthospitality.com/
Southern Smoke Festival https://southernsmoke.org/festival/ssf-2026/

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