Hello Wine Lovers!
We sat down with the co-founders of Los Cuernos Wine to discuss their new kegs and prepping for one of the most exciting soccer events in San Jose history.
Keep reading to hear Zeke and Cory share the behind-the-scenes stories, philosophies, and passion fueling Los Cuernos.
Rio: Welcome back to another Los Cuernos podcast. I’m here with Cory and Zeke, and today we’re talking about a few things going on with Los Cuernos, from new formats to some seriously exciting soccer news. But first, say hey to the audience.
Zeke: Hey everyone, welcome!
Cory: Let’s get into it!
Rio: So, I want to kick it off with the story of the phone call I got from Cory while I was at a video shoot. You called me out of nowhere, told me to stop what I was doing—and said I was going to film Messi. I lost my mind.
Cory: Yup. I had to tell you right away. Los Cuernos is a sponsor of the San Jose Earthquakes, and when I found out Messi was coming to town, I called you immediately.
Rio: I mean, it’s not Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is Messi. He’s playing at PayPal Park next week. And it’s not just him—Suárez and some other huge names, too. This is a surreal moment for us, not just as soccer fans but as a brand.
Zeke: When we signed our partnership deal with the Earthquakes, we circled this game on the calendar. Messi hadn’t played here before. This is likely one of his last years playing. For him to come to such an intimate venue like PayPal Park? It’s a huge deal.
Cory: It took a massive investment to get him here. Tickets sold out immediately—we’re talking $300 minimum on resale. So Los Cuernos giving away two free tickets? That’s big.
Rio: And we’re doing it up for the event. You guys are sponsoring the VIP cabanas, bringing the winemaker, doing activations at the wine cart—it’s going to be wild.
Zeke: We’ll be sampling at the cart, selecting “Soccer Mom of the Match,” doing videos, everything. We even might get a selfie with Tim Cook.
Cory: That’s the dream. Apple was a huge part of getting Messi to the U., so having their team there drinking our wine? That’s a big win.
Rio: The energy in the Bay right now is next-level. And on top of that, Los Cuernos just dropped a whole new product format: kegs. Let’s talk about that.
Zeke: Yeah, this is big. As a small startup, we can move fast. We’ve personally visited over 1,000 accounts since launching. Enough people asked for kegs that we made it happen—from idea to execution in just eight weeks.
Cory: It’s all about listening to our accounts. Kegs let restaurants serve fresh wine at a better price point. We officially launched at Bar 1502, a legendary San Diego spot.
Zeke: The speed and cost-efficiency of this would be impossible at a big wine company. They take 18-24 months and millions of dollars to do what we did in two months.
Rio: That agility—how does it impact your partners?
Cory: It makes their lives easier. We don’t just sell wine. We train their staff, support with video, and make it simple to price and promote. That builds real value.
Zeke: Exactly. We want our partners wine to feel like their getting a really great product at a discount because of the value we add. Great product, great support, and we make them money. That’s our formula.
Rio: You also mentioned this connects with a generational shift—less binge drinking, more mindful consumption, higher standards.
Zeke: Yes. We believe wine is a natural product with a rich history. Today’s consumers want clean, consistent experiences. Los Cuernos delivers that.
Cory: Our cans and kegs give people a reliable, premium experience—without needing to open a full bottle. That matters to people who care what they put in their body.
Rio: Any final thoughts?
Zeke: We’re two years in. Still moving fast. Still obsessed with our customers. Thank you to everyone who’s been with us on this journey.
Cory: Big announcements coming soon. Stay tuned, and cheers!
Rio: Cheers to Los Cuernos. Let’s go!
For more updates, events, and wine news, stay connected with Los Cuernos everywhere @loscuernoswine.
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