Ep. 053 Mike Gibbs, Toast Winery

🎧Mutuality in a Bottle: The Story of Toast Winery

In this episode of The Value of Values, I chat with Mike, co-owner of Toast Winery on Seneca Lake, to explore the unexpected, inspiring journey from first-time Finger Lakes tourist to hands-on winery owner. This grounded conversation blends business savvy, personal philosophy, and a shared love of the region.

To be totally transparent, I knew Mike from another life, which resurfaced recently. We both worked for a company in New Jersey and worked not closely, but enough to know each other. I had NO idea he was a winery owner now! It was only thought my posts in a FB group associated with FLX wines that we reconnected. It’s the old, dreaded message from social media - for those of us who were alive before social media - “hey, are you the (insert name) from (insert time of life you are unaware if you were an @sshole to this person)?” I’m glad Mike remembered me and reached out, because he is the same GREAT GUY, I remember him to be (can’t say the same for myself).

This episode explores:

• The wild story of how Mike ended up with that specific winery

• Why “mutuality” and “attention to detail” are a few elements of the Toast culture (more to learn from this aspect)

• How Mike and Jane’s shared dream became a business rooted in purpose, not ego

• The emotional and strategic journey from corporate finance to full-time winemaking

• Innovation in the glass: why Mike and Toast are pushing the industry

• And what happens when you ask your partner: “What do you think our values are?”