Mark Phillips is one of the nation’s most popular wine speakers. The main reason for his popularity is that he has such a humorous, non-snobby approach to wine that resonates with the wine consumer. He is the founder of the Progressive Approach to wine which is a modern and practical approach to wine vs. the Traditional Approach that other wine experts espouse. Because of Phillips’s approach, PBS asked him to host a wine special which made its debut in March 2006. The show, “Enjoying Wine with Mark Phillips” shattered all records by being picked up by over 300 stations. The show was originally scheduled to air for just two years but it’s still going and has become the most watched wine show ever. His current book, Swallow This is a #1 bestseller and he has several other products that he has created.
His tastings can cost as little as $15 per person. Wine is extra as is travel and lodging if necessary.
View a clip from his PBS show.
Letters from Recent Clients
The client appreciation event was a huge hit because you are such an engaging and entertaining speaker. You took the snob aspect out of tasting wine and made it fun. This was the reason that I searched for you after seeing your show on PBS. Our clients still talk about how much they enjoyed your presentation.
Lisa R. Featherngill – Heritage Wealth Advisors
Your wine tasting program was a big hit. In fact, many of our lawyers are still talking about it! The talk was informative and very entertaining. Everyone in attendance raved about the event. An audience of lawyers can be intimidating but you read the group and adjusted your presentation to fit the mood and the crowd. I enjoyed working with you and we intend to invite you back to the firm for future events. You get a perfect score of 10 from me.
Tom Rodriguez – Spriggs & Hollingsworth
Thank you so much for joining us and leading the blind tasting. It was a total blast and everyone enjoyed it very much. I have gotten so many thanks from my colleagues, who really had a great time. So thank you. Thank you!
Peggy Henderson – International Finance Corporation
Besides the fact that I was already sold on your performance BEFORE your arrival, the fact that my boss (co-owner of the vineyard) had the “best time ever drinking wine” is the end all.
Julia Zimmerman – White Fences Vineyards
Thanks for such a fantastic event – we truly enjoyed every part of your discussion and are still talking about such things as the “nose”, wine in a microwave etc. You were so right about having the right speaker – it made all the difference. You got rated an overwhelming 5 on a scale of 1-5 and everyone, bar none, gave you a high-5! Congratulations and thanks again for a wonderful session.
Arun Sardana – Morgan Stanley
I received so many great compliments about you and your presentation. I really appreciate your taking time to stay around to talk with us. You and your presentation were exactly as I had hoped!!! It was awesome!
Beth Adeson – ITT
I just wanted to let you know how well I thought the tasting went on Saturday night. We received numerous compliments on the format for the evening and your presentation in particular. We will not hesitate to recommend you to our partner companies and others.
Linda Grote – Tiger Team Consulting
Thank you very much for putting on such a fun and presentation last Saturday night. I still continue to receive compliments on how professional, informative and light hearted the night was. Again, thank you for helping make it such a success. You can chalk me up as another individual who will personally push your services.
Matt Pettinelli – CapGrow Partners
After my husband and I stumbled across your program on PBS, we became huge fans! Completely amused and educated all at once! I came to work raving about your show and how we were entertained by your unique way of teaching us common folk about wine. So it was such a thrill to have you come and speak to our team. You’re even better in person and you were a huge hit!
Karen McGlamery – Capital One
Thanks so much for your presentation. You were very engaging and made learning about wine fun and entertaining. I learned many helpful skills in the art of tasting wine that I’ll remember forever. I’ve been to wine tastings before, but this was the first time I have not been intimidated by the experience. We really appreciated your relaxed, down-to-earth style.
Gerry Stanton, Director of Meetings, Capital One
I would like to take the opportunity to extend a very heartfelt thank you for your participation and presentation at this year’s Michigan Wine Expo. As you know this was our first year event and it was an outstanding success. Much of this success was the result of your presentations and the attendees’ familiarity with you from you PBS Special. We did have a chance to talk to quite a few attendees who came specifically to hear your witty and educational seminar. Post show comments continue to resonate and we have already been asked to make sure that you come back next year for the event. Mark your knowledge of wine, combined with the wit and easy-going style, make you one of the most popular speakers we’ve worked with in our 17 years of promoting shows.
Todd Smith, President, Show Promotions, Inc.
Just a Few Comments from Recent Clients
For the past few years, Mark Phillips has done one of his wine tasting programs for the attorneys in my office. I can say, without a doubt, that this is the most well attended event year after year.
He is charismatic, engaging, and really knows how to read the crowd so that he is able to get everyone involved. Even the attorneys who have participated year after year still ask when “the wine guy” is coming back.