Ep. 060 Mike Whitney, Adoria Vineyeards, Owner
/In this episode, I talk with with Mike Whitney, an American entrepreneur who left the corporate boardroom to build one of Poland’s first modern wineries. What began as a risk has become a story of quality, grit, and values shaping not only a business but a life.
We dive into what it means to hold firm to standards, how core values translate into wine and leadership, and why mistakes and humility might be the greatest teachers of all. Mike shares his journey from CFO and global executive to farmer, winemaker, and father—and what it takes to build something lasting from the ground up.
What this episode explores:
Building Poland’s first modern winery and the courage to start from scratch
How quality standards become non-negotiable values in business
Reflections on family, sacrifice, and choosing presence over corporate success
Insights from mentors, Stoic philosophy, and ancient wisdom
Why mistakes are essential to growth and freedom
A story of Easter eggs, cotton candy, and learning by failing forward