Guide to Wine Podcast: Episode 150

The People & Stories Behind Your Wine Glass w/ Heather Daenitz (Part 1)

​Air Date: Wednesday, April 1st, 2026

Listen to the Podcast!

What does it really look like behind those beautiful wine photos you see online?

In this episode, I’m joined by Heather Daenitz, a wine industry photographer and marketing strategist based in Santa Barbara wine country. Heather shares how she went from studying viticulture and working in vineyard management to launching her business, Craft & Cluster, where she now helps small wineries connect with their audiences through authentic behind-the-scenes photography and marketing strategies.

Heather shares what harvest actually feels like at 3 a.m., why grapes are picked at night, and the reality behind those dreamy sunrise vineyard shots. She also dives into why she chooses to work with small wineries, what consumers often misunderstand about wine pricing, and how many hands touch the wine before it reaches your glass.

So, if you are ready to see your glass of wine with a little more context and a lot more appreciation then this episode is for you.

Episode Highlights:

• How Heather found her way into wine
• From vineyard work to wine photography
• How Craft and Cluster began
• Why small wineries need marketing support
• What harvest at 3 a.m. really looks like
• Why grapes are picked at night
• The reality behind romantic wine photos
• The people behind every bottle
• Why wine costs what it does

Connect with Heather:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craftandcluster
The Wine Marketing Field Guide - https://www.winemarketingfieldguide.com/
Pour Memories Podcast - https://www.pourmemories.com/

Thank you to my quarterly sponsor, Last Bottle Wines, for sponsoring this episode.  Go to www.lastbottlewines.com and use code CORKANDFIZZ for 10% off your order! 📧 And be sure to sign up for their mailing list so you never miss a bottle!

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Don't Forget to Download my Free Wine Tasting Guide!
https://www.corkandfizz.com/free-wine-tasting-guide

Connect with me:
Cork and Fizz - https://www.corkandfizz.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/corkandfizz/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/corkandfizz/
Email - [email protected]