Brutal Podcast

On today’s episode I interview Lucie Morton, Ampelographer and Viticulture Consultant from Charlottesville, Virginia. Lucie is an internationally renowned author, lecturer and consultant and was recently recognized as one of the Most Influential People in the North American Wine Industry… Lucie helps people like me grow healthier vines, more flavorful fruit and ultimately better wines.

On today’s episode I interview Joseph Brinkley, Biodynamic Farmer and Viticulture Consultant from Floyd, Virginia in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Joseph has managed the largest certified organic vineyards in the country and consults farmers to help them better understand their land as a living, breathing organism. The Farm is a complex system of interacting substances and processes, like a human body. This understanding is a fundamental starting point of biodynamics.

On today’s episode I interview Joe Krawczyk, co-founder and fungiphile at Field and Forest Products in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Field and Forest was founded on a Commitment to promoting timber stand improvement practices to generate the beginnings of a mushroom farm. More than 36 years later, they have the same goal, and continue to look at new possibilities in the world of mushroom cultivation that are compatible with overall sustainability in the environment around each of us.

In this episode, I interview Ian Hertzmark -- founder and farmer at Migrash Farm. Migrash was founded on a Commitment to a Sustainable, Regional Grain Economy. Migrash grains are grown locally and organically in the Chesapeake Bay region on family farms including their very own. Their grain is stone ground and packaged by hand on their farm to preserve the nutrition, tastes, and artisanal culture that nature intended.

In this episode, I interview Michael Foulk & Jason Malumed @ MFW Wine Co. MFW is a wine distributor that operates in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania AND Washington, DC. It was founded on the principle of empathy, where the needs of their producers, customers, and employees are always put first.

In this episode, I interview Bill Jensen, co-founder of Tail Up Goat & Reveler’s Hour in the Adams Morgan enclave of Washington, DC. Bill is a veteran of some of DC’s finest restaurants, he’s an incredibly knowledgeable wine professional, and – most importantly – uses his time, talents and resources for good in the community.

In this episode, I interview Zev Rovine, founder of Zev Rovine Selections in Brooklyn, NY. Zev is an importer and purveyor of natural wines from around the world.

Episode #9: Laura Brennan Bissell by Drew Baker

In this episode, Drew interviews Andrew Jones, winemaker and owner of Field Recordings in California. Field Recordings strives to make unique wines loaded with personality from diamonds in the rough: that is vineyard sites that are unknown or under-appreciated but hold enormous untapped potential.

In this episode, Drew inters Scott Janish, brewer, beer blogger, author of The New IPA: A Scientific Guide to Hop Aroma and Flavor and co-founder of Sapwood Cellars in Columbia, MD. Sapwood Cellars is dually focused on barrel-aged mixed-fermented beers and fresh hoppy ales.

In this episode, Drew interviews Earnest “Bubba” Beasley, Geologist & Founder of HydroGeo Environmental in Charlottesville, Virginia. To put it simply, Bubba helps people figure out what’s going on under the ground. He does this using Subsurface Imaging, electromagnetic mapping, test pits and overall landform evaluation. Bubba and I worked together on a mission to find the perfect hillside to plant a new vineyard, which ultimately led us to Burnt Hill. Here's the story...

In this episode, Drew interviews David Barboza, a Maryland Native and James Beard Nominated Chef. David is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in NY and has cooked in top-notch restaurants all over the country. Also, full disclosure: David recently joined our team at Old Westminster Winery and will spearhead our new outdoor restaurant concept called Pizza Together which is a project dedicated to great food, supporting local farmers and nourishing our community.

In this episode, I interview Kimberly Johnson, co-founder and vintner of Philosophy Winery in the great state of Maryland. Philosophy Winery is the first black owned winery in the mid-Atlantic and they’re not only making history, they’re making incredible wines! Trust me, their 2019 Rosé is fire.

In this episode, Drew interviews Megan Bell, winemaker and owner of Margins Wine in the Santa Cruz Mountains on the central coast of California. Margins Wine produces low-intervention wines using organic grapes from underrepresented regions, vineyards, and varietals.

In this episode, Drew interviews Marty Winters, winemaker and co-owner of Maître de Chai in California. Maître de Chai translates to cellar master and is a project that launched in 2012 to produce low-intervention wines from single vineyards throughout California.

In this very first episode I’ve invited my part time co-host, business partner and littler sister, Ashli Johnson, to interview me. She knows me VERY well and will ask questions to help you get to know me, too.