Senegal to Napa: How a Filmmaker Built a Wine Brand Worth Talking About Pt. 1-5
Descripción del Episodio
- Maba Ba — founder of Flying Whale Wine, based in New York; originally from Dakar, Senegal; serial entrepreneur, filmmaker, WNBA enthusiast.
- The Flying Whale name is rooted in the Dogon people of West Africa, whose ancient cosmology centered on the Sirius star system — they believed an amphibian being called the Nommo flew to Earth in a whale-like ship to deliver the first humans
Maba grew up in Dakar — a peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic, the westernmost point of Africa — with a lifelong connection to the ocean and whales breaching
His whale philosophy: "They keep trying to get out of the ocean and fall back in — so I gave them wings"
The wine partnership began in June 2022 at a Miami lunch meeting; by August 2022 he was in Perpignan, south of France, meeting winemaker DJ Rodriguez (flies into Barcelona, drives to meet him)
Flying Whale Gold (Red) — 2023 vintage Grenache Noir/Syrah blend; inspired by big California Cabs but crafted silkier, rounder, less tannic; meant to be enjoyed slightly chilled or with a meal; soft launched at Aspen Food & Wine, June 2025; fully launched August 2025
Flying Whale Rosé — Grenache/Syrah; fuller body, dry, strawberry/peach with citrus balance; designed as an "all season" rosé — equally at home by the fireplace or poolside
Flying Whale White Gold (in development) — a Viognier that drinks like a Chardonnay; floral nose and finish of Viognier + buttery/greasy mouthfeel of Chardonnay; inspiration struck at Miami Vine Expo
Maba's creative process: ideas come at 4–5am; keeps notebooks everywhere including bedside
Bottle design philosophy: "striking simplicity" — the medallion/coin aesthetic was designed to feel like a collector's item and a gift
Writing the tasting notes was harder than the visual design — references the Pascal quote about not having time to write a short letter
Partnership dynamic: Maba brings a beginner's mind and bigger dreams.
flyingwhalewine.com
@thebestwinepod
Discover More from The Best 5 Minute Podcast Network:
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Episodios Recientes
Más podcasts de Sociedad y Cultura
Ver toda la categoría →
Prenderse Fuego: Las Voces de Pedro Lemebel
By shows
<p>Serie sonora y biográfica que recorre la vida, obra y legado de Pedro Lemebel a través de su voz. A partir de archivos radiales, entrevistas inéditas, testimonios íntimos y documentos personales, este viaje sonoro reconstruye al artista, narrador, cronista, performer y figura pública desde su registro más icónico: su forma de hablar, de relatar y de provocar. Cada episodio explora una etapa distinta de su vida, enfatizando en su voz —como herramienta estética y política— y cómo fue transformándose hasta el final de su vida.</p> <p>Prenderse Fuego es una coproducción de GAM y Podium Podcast Chile.</p>
Testigo Directo
By shows
Testigo Directo es un video podcast de periodismo investigativo que te sumerge en las historias más impactantes de Colombia y América Latina. Desde el narcotráfico y el crimen organizado, hasta casos de corrupción, desapariciones y luchas sociales, cada episodio revela verdades ocultas y voces silenciadas. Con una narrativa ágil, testimonios exclusivos y análisis de fondo, Testigo Directo va más allá de los titulares para mostrar lo que otros no cuentan. 🔍 Escucha. Cuestiona. Sé Testigo Directo.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
By shows
In "Hardcore History" journalist and broadcaster Dan Carlin takes his "Martian", unorthodox way of thinking and applies it to the past. Was Alexander the Great as bad a person as Adolf Hitler? What would Apaches with modern weapons be like? Will our modern civilization ever fall like civilizations from past eras? This isn't academic history (and Carlin isn't a historian) but the podcast's unique blend of high drama, masterful narration and Twilight Zone-style twists has entertained millions of listeners.
Mick Unplugged
By shows
Everybody talks about your WHY. Mick Hunt goes deeper. Mick Unplugged is the leadership and personal growth podcast built on one idea: your BECAUSE is the purpose underneath your purpose, and it is the most powerful force you own. Hosted by Mick Hunt, USA Today bestselling author and the voice of Modern Leadership, every episode sits across from a high performer, founder, athlete, or culture-shaper and asks the one question they cannot fake an answer to. What is your BECAUSE? Past guests include Shark Tank stars Daymond John and Kevin O'Leary, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, motivational legend Les Brown, Chef Robert Irvine, comedians Rickey Smiley and Earthquake, NFL Hall of Famer Jared Allen, hospitality mogul David Grutman, and World Series champion Jeremy Guthrie. No scripts. No surface-level fluff. Just the real fire behind why they refused to quit. If you are a leader, an entrepreneur, or someone who is done coasting on motivational quotes, this is your show. You will walk away every week with mindset shifts, leadership strategy, and the kind of straight talk that actually moves you forward. New episodes drop weekly. Follow Mick Unplugged on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube so you never miss one. Your BECAUSE is your Superpower. Go Unleash It.
Creators Inc. Podcast
By shows
Andy Bachman's Creators Inc. Podcast is an unfiltered podcast where top content creators talk honestly about how they grow, go viral, and make real money online. We break down strategies, mistakes, algorithms, and the behind-the-scenes moments nobody posts — plus personal stories, internet drama, and whatever wild shit is happening in their world. Smart, funny, and unscripted. Swear words included. If you’re building an audience or just want to know how the creator economy really works, this is creators thinking out loud.
Coffeez with Joe Shalaby
By shows
Hosted by Joseph Shalaby, Founder and CEO of E Mortgage Capital, this isn’t your typical business podcast. Each episode brings you inside the minds of high-level entrepreneurs, investors, athletes, celebrities, and cultural voices shaping today’s economy — not just what they do, but how they actually win. From raw origin stories and early struggles to the real mechanics behind how money is made, scaled, and sometimes lost, Joe cuts through the noise to get to what matters. No fluff. No surface-level answers. Set inside the world of Coffeez, every conversation unfolds with intention — how they started, how they built, what it cost them, and what separates them now. Whether you're building something, investing in something, or simply trying to understand how the game really works, Coffeez with Joe Shalaby delivers unfiltered insight from people who are actually in it.
Tomorrow, Today
By shows
What if humans lived 300 years? What if AI replaces friendships? What if consciousness could be uploaded?Tomorrow, Today is hosted by Shekhar Natarajan, founder and CEO of Orchestro.AI and former senior executive at American Eagle, Walmart, Target, and Disney, where he led global innovations in technology and supply chain. Having shaped how industries adapt to disruption, Shekhar now considers the questions that will define humanity’s next era.Blending cinematic storytelling, raw conversations, and unfiltered perspectives, Tomorrow, Today explores breakthrough ideas before they become mainstream. Each episode brings together world-class experts, cultural voices, and everyday people to unpack the opportunities and risks of a rapidly evolving future.The future is coming. Tomorrow, Today helps us decide what to do about it.
