Ep. 045 John McGregor, McGregor Vineyard
/🎙️ Love and Legacy with John McGregor of McGregor Vineyard
In this deeply personal and reflective episode, I talk with John McGregor of McGregor Vineyard, one of the oldest vinifera producers in the Finger Lakes.
John shares how his parents' bold leap from corporate life into winemaking planted more than just vines — it planted the roots of a life built on love, compassion, and presence. With a background in philosophy and anthropology, John brings a rare lens to his leadership, blending hands-on farming with thoughtful reflection.
Together, we explore:
🧬 The influence of family legacy — and how his father’s quiet integrity still guides the winery
🪵 Growing up with both independence and structure — from vineyard truck beds to competitive swimming
📚 How Daoist thought, Eastern philosophy, and the idea of “doing without doing” shaped his worldview
💭 The difference between information and knowledge — and why presence is everything
🍷 What it means to put your energy, your values, and even your ego into the wine itself
🛠️ Reclaiming the idea of terroir — not just as soil and slope, but as the character of the people who tend it
💡 Why “fun with integrity” may just be the guiding light McGregor has followed all along
This episode is about more than wine — it’s about knowing when to listen, when to let go, and what happens when you build something that reflects who you are.
📍 Learn more: https://www.mcgregorwinery.com