Guide to Wine Podcast: Episode 127

Will AI Ruin Winemaking or Help Wineries Thrive? (Part 2)
An Interview with John Tan

​Air Date: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025

Listen to the Podcast!

What if the future of wine wasn’t about choosing between tradition and technology, but finding a way to let both thrive together?

In this episode, you’ll hear from John Tan, founder of CorkVision, an AI-powered copilot for wineries. After years in the tech world, John found himself in Napa Valley, blending his expertise with a deep passion for wine. The result? A platform designed to help wineries sell smarter, protect tradition, and connect more personally with customers.

John shares how wineries are responding to AI, why data matters more than ever, and how technology can actually preserve, rather than replace, the artistry of winemaking. He also explains how AI can help wineries adapt to challenges like climate change while keeping human creativity at the heart of every bottle.

So, if you’re curious about how tradition and technology can work together in the wine world and want to hear how AI may shape the future of winemaking without losing its artistry, this episode is for you.

And don’t miss part 1 of my episode with John where we talk about his journey from tech to wine and explore how AI is transforming customer experiences and winery operations.

Resources: 
 Txakoli Podcast Episode:  Exploring Spain’s Basque Country Signature Wine

Thank you to the following brands for sponsoring this podcast:

• Vacu Vin: Go to us.vacuvin.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 20% off your order!
• BonChocolats: Go to bonchocolats.com to order some delicious artisan chocolate (that actually pairs well with wine)!

Episode Highlights:

• Why AI is a tool to support, not replace, winemakers
  
• How wineries can use AI for climate change planning and long-term vineyard health
  
• The balance between science, tradition, and artistry in wine
• Data privacy concerns (and why org-wide policies matter to prevent accidental leakage)
• Common hesitations wineries have about AI (privacy, cost, and job security)
  
• How CorkVision helps small family wineries stay competitive
  
• The role of data quality in building meaningful customer relationships
  
• The future of wine personalization: recognizing guests, tailored offers, and smarter marketing
  
  

Connect with John
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntan/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/corkvision
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runfatboyrun7/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cork.vision/
Website: https://www.corkvision.com/