Episode Details

Darin sits down with winemaker, designer, and storyteller André Hueston Mack to talk about his Five Rules for Building a Life You Don’t Want to Escape From. From walking away from the corporate grind to finding unexpected inspiration in reruns of Frasier, André shares how betting on himself, mastering his craft, and embracing contradiction have shaped his path. They talk wine, family dinners, legacy, and why telling your story—your way—matters. It's honest, funny, and packed with wisdom for anyone ready to take that first leap. Pour a glass of Maison Noir and press play.

Photo by Danielle Simone

A message from the Independent Hospitality Coalition for those being affected by ICE raids in Los Angeles:

Attention restaurant owners, be prepared. Thank you to everyone who has shared information that has allowed us to plan.As if restaurant owners and hospitality workers did not have enough to worry about. Our kitchens are what they are because of are immigrant community. ICE is plucking people from our community in the name of law and order, we know the truth.History will remember this moment.

Un mensaje de la Independent Hospitality Coalition para quienes están siendo afectados por las redadas de ICE en Los Ángeles:

Atención dueños de restaurantes: prepárense. Gracias a todos los que han compartido información que nos ha permitido organizarnos.

Como si los dueños de restaurantes y trabajadores de hospitalidad no tuvieran ya suficientes preocupaciones. Nuestras cocinas son lo que son gracias a nuestra comunidad inmigrante. ICE está arrancando a personas de nuestra comunidad en nombre de la ley y el orden —pero nosotros conocemos la verdad.

La historia recordará este momento.

(00:00:00):

Hello, and welcome to Five Rules for the Good Life.

(00:00:02):

I'm your host, Darin Bresnitz.

(00:00:04):

Today,

(00:00:04):

I'm joined by Andre Houston Mack,

(00:00:06):

sommelier at large and winemaker whose Maison Noir wines are some of the best

(00:00:11):

tasting and best designed wines to come out of America these days.

(00:00:16):

He shares with us his five rules for building a life you don't want to escape from.

(00:00:20):

We chat about his proverbial fork in the road when he chose to bet on himself.

(00:00:24):

how being present at your own family table is just as important,

(00:00:29):

if not more so than sitting in the boardroom and how tossed salad and scrambled

(00:00:34):

eggs gave them the confidence to step into the wine world.

(00:00:37):

Let's get into the rules.

(00:00:42):

Andre, so great to see you.

(00:00:44):

First chat of the summer officially.

(00:00:47):

And I couldn't think of a better person to kick the season off with than you.

(00:00:51):

Thanks for sitting down.

(00:00:51):

Thanks for having me, man.

(00:00:52):

I'm super excited.

(00:00:53):

Yeah, definitely kind of first day of summer.

(00:00:55):

I just shipped my family off to Vermont early this morning.

(00:00:57):

So I have the house to myself and I'm feeling pretty proud and relaxed to have this

(00:01:01):

conversation.

(00:01:02):

It can seem like such a simple thing,

(00:01:03):

getting your family off on summer vacation,