The Grape Nation

Matt Taylor is a third-generation Sonoma Coaster hailing out of Occidental Cali. Extensive world travel to Argentina, New Zealand, Spain and France along with learning Biodynamic farming in Switzerland, helped him formulate his winemaking and vineyard skills, along with stints at Joseph Swan, the Araujo's, Reuling, and Dujac. Fourteen years ago, Matt acquired property close to his childhood home to make Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for his Matt Taylor Wines at his Komerabi Vineyard. He is also the winemaker at Ink Grade, an historic vineyard on Howell Mtn. producing high elevation mountain grown Cab Sauv, Merlot and Sauv Blanc. Matt makes wine that honestly reflects the land and climate of the site while keeping an eye on the long-term health of the land. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

In 1992, Stella di Campalto received a parcel of rugged, abandoned farm land for her wedding, located in San Giuseppe, near Montacino in Tuscany. Stella, a fiercely independent soul, with no wine experience, went on to start her own eponymous winery. She has created a Manifesto of Diversities, quotes Emmanuel Kant, and was an early adapter of Biodynamic farming in the region. Along with her daughter, Beatrice, they follow their own path and make the most sought-after Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino's anywhere. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Rarely do I sit down with three guests at one time for the podcast, today we are talking with Stephanie Mercier Voyer, a Montreal based writer and author. She has edited magazines, is now a freelancer and the driving force behind “Spilled” Zev Rovine is not just a wine importer, but an OG in the natural wine world. He put all is chips on one bet almost two decades ago and founded Zev Rovine Selections, with a curated, diverse portfolio of the best winemakers in the world. David McMillan is a former chef/restauranteur, you may know him from Joe Beef in Montreal and his cookbooks. He is now a farmer at his Hayfield Farms in Quebec, a viticulturist, winemaker and now a fellow podcaster. Along with their friend/photographer, Xavier Tera, they have just published “Spilled: Natural Winemakers Stories & Recipes”, a fusion of a wine book, cookbook and reference book that more importantly tells the story of not just the wine, but the people and culture that make it.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Our 300th Episode- Raj Parr has been a friend of The Grape Nation podcast from the beginning. He has been on multiple times to talk about his wines, books, and new projects.He is an award-winning Sommelier, author, winemaker and the most soulful and spiritual guy I know in wine. He also has the greatest uncertified palate on the planet! Raj makes thoughtful wines at Phelan Farm, now part of the Parr Collective at Stolo Vineyards in Cambria, California, along with Stolo, Brij Wines, Scythian Wines and Colete, each unique wineries. Raj Parr pursues his love of the most interesting varietals from around the world at Phelan Farm, while practicing regenerative farming in his own permaculture.Thank you to Eric “Benny” Bloom and Ryan Zoidis from the world's greatest funk band “Lettuce” for composing The Grape Nation theme song. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Texas born Jeff Porter and Jersey Boy Raj Vaidya have spent over 4 decades in wine and hospitality. Jeff at Tra Vigna, Babbo, Del Posto, Raj at Gary Danko, Per Se and over a decade at Daniel to name a few. Jeff went on to consult while Raj joined Pressoir, responsible for La Paulee, La Fete du Champagne, La Tablee, Pressoir Events and now with Jeff Porter, Convivio del Vino. Jeff currently resides in Turin Italy, while Raj is based out of New York. Convivio del Vino, coming up the end of April, is an Italian wine fair dedicated to a curated list of winemakers from historic family estates to a new generation of growers. The inaugural Convivio del Vino will feature over 30 winemakers pouring over 150 wines, including themed dinners during the week.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Three Per Se Alum walk into a bar, you know that joke, have a drink, and decide to open a Hawaiian restaurant in the East Village. Jin Ahn is the co-owner, general manager and beverage guru at Noreetuh. He spent decades in service, hospitality and wine at places like Jean Georges and Per Se, where he worked with his other co-owners, Chef Chung Chow and Gerald San Jose. Jin has created one of the most interesting and unique wine destinations in the country championing German Riesling and Hawaiian food. Noreetuh just celebrated their 10th anniversary this month. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Straight outta DC, Carlton McCoy made his Grandma proud receiving a scholarship to the Culinary Institute in NY studying to become a chef, eventually moving to NYC and back to DC to work in some of the hottest restaurants including Aquavit, Per Se and City Zen. His love of food started shifting to wine and Carlton headed west and hit the slopes in Aspen at the legendary Little Nell, rising to Beverage Director and receiving his Master Sommelier certificate. Carlton met Gaylon Lawrence Jr. at Little Nell, where Gaylon brought him on to run storied Heitz Cellars in Napa. The fun just begun when Gaylon and Carlton started Lawrence Wine Estates and acquired Burgess Cellars, Stony Hill Vineyard, Haynes Vineyard, Lascombes to name a few, and founded Demeine Estates, a fine wine import and marketing company. Carlton McCoy also co-founded the Roots Fund, a non-profit organization aimed at creating educational and employment opportunities for Black and Indigenous individuals in the wine sector. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Josh Bergstrom is a second-generation Oregon winemaker. His dad emigrated from Sweden as a teenager to Portland, eventually becoming a surgeon and later buying property in the Willamette Valley. After receiving a postgraduate degree in Viticulture and Enology in Beaune, France, Josh joined his dad in 1999 establishing Bergstrom Wines on what is now over 70 acres of estate vineyards in the Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge. Josh makes beautiful cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah biodynamically. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Born in Milan…and not from a wine or mapping family, Alessandro Masnaghetti, the “Mapman” is the preeminent wine and mapping expert in the world. As a budding epicurean he found wine, began tasting and writing about it, started to map wine regions and the rest they say is history. Alessandro's company Enogea publishes detailed books and maps on wine regions around the world that are visually stunning, truly accurate, and gives context to that place.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

For the third year in a row, we attended the annual Union Grand Cru Bordeaux tasting in NYC this past January. Over 125 wineries attended and poured their current releases as we talked about and tasted the 2022 vintage discussing climate, challenges, farming practices, sustainability, aging, drinkability and more.This was a large, loud boisterous tasting attended by some of the best chateau in Bordeaux, so excuse all the noise and some of the audio quality.In this order, we spoke with Xavier Serin at Chateau Valandraud in the St. Emilion, Clara La Cam from Rauzan Segla in Margaux, Coralie Bernard from Chateau Guiraud in Sauternes, Lillian Barton-Sartorious from Chateau Leoville Barton in St. Julien and Count Stephan von Neipperg from Chateau La Gaffeliere in St. Emilion.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

There is no lack of superlatives to describe Dominique Lafon, The Maestro, the Master, the Magician and the Mentor of Mersault. The Lafon family has been making wine in Burgundy for over 100 years. Dominique Lafon joined the family winery in the ‘80's and now oversees Domaine de Comtes Lafon in Mersault, Les Heritiers du Comte Lafon in the Macon, makes wine in Oregon with the Lingua Franca people, and his eponymous winery, Domaine Lafon in Beaune with his son and winemaker Guillaume. The Lafon's are producing some of the greatest white wines in the world…and red too! Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Music man turned wine man, Dan Keeling left the record business to pursue his love of wine in London, England, after getting bored signing Coldplay. Dan has changed the way we read about wine co-founding and editing Noble Rot magazine. Dan along with partner Mark Andrew own three award winning Noble Rot restaurants, imports wine through his Keeling Andrew Wine Company and brings wine to the people from Shrine to the Vine, his retail outlet, all in the UK. Dan just wrote his second book, “Who's Afraid of Romaneé-Conti?: A Shortcut to Drinking Great Wines”.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Markus Altenburger's family has been farming in Austria since the 16th century. Markus took over the family farm in Jois, in Burgenland, Austria, a half hour away from Vienna over a decade ago. He views himself as much a grower as he is a winemaker, making low intervention, organic wines. Burgenland is well known for their Blaufrankisch and to quote Markus “Blaufrankisch is my passion” and he is making some of the best! Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Eric Asimov has been writing for the New York Times for over three decades, serving as the Chief Wine Critic since 2004. Although Eric is known for his great wine evaluation and recommendations, his stories go far beyond the glass, discussing culture, history, science, the producers and more, yet never forgetting the simple pleasure of wine. His column “The Pour” appears weekly online at nytimes.com and in-print every Weds.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

This is our final show of 2024 and we bring you our annual wine and Champagne recommendations from the experts. We talk to Ryan Bailey, Kato restaurant, Los Angeles, Yannick Benjamin, Beaupierre Wines and Spirits, Wheeling Forward and Wine on Wheels and Aldo Sohm, Le Bernadin and Aldo Sohm Wine Bar.Thank you to Eric "Benny" Bloom and Ryan Zoidis from the world's greatest funk band "Lettuce" for The Grape Nation theme song.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Pascaline Lepeltier is the most knowledgeable, influential, approachable, awarded, hard-working, person in wine today. She has graced the airwaves of The Grape Nation many times, if it was up to me, I would have her on every week! A native of the Loire Valley, destined to become an academic in philosophy, Pascaline shifted to wine, to became a Master of Wine, a Sommelier, Un des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France - Sommellerie”, she won the Best French Sommelier, produces Chepika wine in the Finger Lakes with Nathan Kendall, and just placed 2nd in the Best Sommelier in Europe, Africa and Middle East, to name a few accomplishments along with author. Pascaline Lepeltier is a partner at Chambers in NYC and just released the English version of her new book “1000 Vines, A New Way to Understand Wine”.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Isabelle Legeron first joined us on The Grape Nation podcast eight years ago on Oct. 19th 2016. She has virtually joined us every year since, to talk about her Raw Wine Fair and as a voice and evangelist for natural wines. I remind you Isabelle is a Master of Wine, author, consultant, founder of the Raw Wine Club and The Raw Wine Fair. With the NY Raw Wine Fair behind us there are four fairs coming up between now and early 2025 including Toronto, Montreal, Berlin and Paris.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Kelli White is an educator, Sommelier, and an award-winning journalist and author. After Somming at two of America's great wine restaurants, Veritas and Press, Kelli continued her love of wine by writing about it for Vinous, Somm Press and GuildSomm among others. She published her first book, “Napa Valley Then and Now” in 2015, a doorstop of essential reading about the Napa Valley. She is now the Director of Education at The Wine Center at Meadowood in Napa Valley. Kelli just published her latest book “Wine Confident” a book for all people with a love and interest in wine.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Doreen Winkler got her start as a Sommelier at the young age of 22 in Hamburg, Germany. After a few more gigs in Hamburg, she bopped over to the US, spent some time in Australia and settled in NYC. 2013 was a turning point and a focus towards natural wines. She helped to develop natural-thinking wine lists at Aska, Aldea, Prime Meats and Sel Rrose to name a few. Her love of natural wine led her to start Orange Glou, an orange wine subscription club, Orange Glou, the only brick and mortar orange wine store in the world in NYC and the Orange Glou Wine Fair in NY coming this November 3rd, dedicated exclusively to orange wines.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Jeff Sivayathorn and Kiss Sookcharoen are partners in life and at one of the hottest Thai restaurants in NYC, rhetorically and in reality. James O'Brien, from Popina has consulted them on one of the tightest and best Thai wine lists anywhere. Along with Chef Ohm and Kiki Supap, Kru, Brooklyn taps into tradition and ancient recipes with an emphasis on bringing the heat. Kru is located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Three things drive Valerie Kathawala, writing, Germany and wine. She has melded all three and is co-founder, Editor and Publisher of Trink Magazine, an independent digital publication exploring the wines of Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Previously, as a student of German language and culture, she began her career as a translator at the United Nations before pursing her three loves. You can also find Valerie's writing in Noble Rot, Pipette, and Meininger's, to name a few. Valerie lives and writes in NYC with her family.

Born in NYC to a family of lawyers, Dean Fuerth is a proud Hunter College drop-out. He left school to become a Production Assistant on 30 Rock and Law and Order. To make additional money, Dean worked at some of NYC's better-known restaurants including Bar Boulud and settling in as a front server at legendary NYC restaurant Bouley eventually becoming a Somm. After time at Betony, he joined Sushi Nakazawa in 2017 as the Beverage Director, now overseeing NY and DC and soon in LA.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Spain and now Argentina, Piero Incisa della Rocchetta has traveled the globe. Piero was born in Tuscany around wine royalty, the della Roccchetta family, he did not initially pursue a career in wine, but chose banking. After many years he bagged banking, not returning to his wine family, but to the southern end of Argentina, to grow, of all varietals, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at his Bodega Chacra in Mainque in the Rio Negra region of Patagonia. Piero makes highly acclaimed, sought after wines in one of the most interesting wine regions in the world.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

What happens when two friends, a writer/producer and an artist get together to pursue a passion, you get an innovative, new craft spirits company. Aaron Fox Sing and Daniel de la Nuez started making gin, aperitivos, and amaro in the kitchen sink, transforming into a sought after and admired craft distillery in Brooklyn, Forthave Spirits. Since 2016 they have making spirits from over 200 different types of herbs, roots, barks, flowers, and fruits to name a few, with a commitment to natural and organic ingredients.  

Hailing from NYC and born into a prolific legal family, Dan Abrams is an attorney, media personality, media entrepreneur, and author. His background includes Court TV, Nightline, and MSNBC. He is the Chief Legal Analyst for ABC News, a founding anchor on News Nation, host/producer of On Patrol Live, SiriusXM, founder of Mediaite, and now winemaker. Dan is the proprietor of Ev and Em Vineyards on Long Island's North Fork in Laurel NY.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Jon Fine is the Editor in Chief of “The New Wine Review”. He is an award-winning writer, including a James Beard, and served as Executive/Acting Editor-in-Chief of “Inc. Magazine” along with stints at Business Week, Vanity Fair, GQ & Food & Wine. He has also documented his life as a musician in his book, “Your Band Sucks”. The New Wine Review is a next generation wine publication and has set out with the goal of making it the most interesting place on the internet for people who love wine.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Sophie Menin is a journalist, Editor, and Author, living and working in NYC. With a Masters Degree in Cultural Reporting and Criticism from NYU, a professional degree in the Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and an advanced WSET certificate, Sophie is an award-winning writer focusing on how wine connects us with our sense and the rhythms of the natural world. She has written for the NY Times, Wine Spectator, Barron's, Saveur and Punch, to name a few. Sophie's new book “A Year in the Vineyard” offers an insider's look into the yearlong cycle of the vine. The book is on sale June 4th.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Pax Mahle is an old soul in the new California wine establishment. He made his way to wine country in 1997, launching his own winery in 2000, and has been making wine for over 25 years. Pax has changed the way we think about California Syrah and has shown us Chenin Blanc, Trousseau Gris, Gamay Noir, and Vermentino, among others can flourish in California. He has mentored and influenced a generation of winemakers and is now working on Halcon, his new estate grown Syrah project.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

For Part 2 of our visit to Blackberry Farm, we check out sister property Blackberry Mountain, a 5200 acre haven nestled in the Smoky Mountains. We speak with Logan Griffin, Director of Food and Beverage at BBM, along with Andy Chabot, to discuss the vast wine program, mixology, and one of the best spirits collection in the country. We further pursue our "Feast for the Ears" wine and food pairing session with Chefs Joey Edwards, PM Exec.Chef at Three Sisters and Joel Werner, Exec. Chef at the Firetower. Logan and Andy selected six wines to pair with our chefs creations.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

New Englander and wannabe chef, Andy Chabot attended the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park in NY. His love for food turned into a passion for wine. After CIA, Andy headed west to work at wine mecca Little Nell in Aspen, eventually heading back east to settle in at BlackBerry Farm with second generation owners Sam and Mary Celeste Beall. Sam, along with Andy wanted to transform Blackberry Farm into a true wine destination…mission accomplished, two decades later, Blackberry Farm has over 150K bottles in their cellars, is the recipient of the James Beard Award for “Outstanding Wine Program” along with two “Best Chef” awards, and numerous Wine Spectator Grand Awards. Andy Chabot is the SVP of Food and Beverage at BBF and BlackBerry Mtn. We tour the wine cellars with Andy, Asst. Bev. Dir, Kelly Schmidt, and Somm John Schlicting and select wines to pair with our dishes from Exec. Chef Cassidee Dabney, The Barn, and Trevor Iaconic, The Dogwood at BBF.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Growing up in Angola, Luis Seabra returned to Portugal in the 1970's. He studied viticulture at Vila Real and his obsession with terroir led him to work in soil research in Vinho Verde. He launched a revolutionary still wine program while working at Nierpoort, eventually starting his own small winery in 2013, Luis Seabra Vinhos. To Luis, it is all about making wines he enjoys drinking: elegant, fresh, terroir-driven wines that are also age-worthy. Luis Seabra is the most exciting winemaker in Portugal today.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

How the hell does a guy who was a Big Ten defensive lineman, still plays the trombone, loves jazz, got an MBA in Business at Univ. of Chicago, another one at U Cal Davis in Viticulture and Enology, and sometimes bartends during the week…make some of the best wines in the world? That's Chris Carpenter and he'll tell us. He is The Drinks Business Master Winemaker of the Year for 2024. He has been working with Jackson Family Wines for decades as the winemaker for Cardinale, Lokoya, La Jota, and Mt. Brave in Napa and Hickinbotham in Australia. Chris is in that rare air of high altitude and highly regarded wines.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Stephen Bitterolf has been on the New York wine scene for decades, morphing from retail to importer. He is the founder of Vom Boden, a wine import company representing and supporting small growers and really, what they do. Stephen has been instrumental in finding and bringing the best growers to the market, specializing in Germany. Think, Keller, Stein, Becker, along with the upcoming and avant-garde, that's Vom Boden! He is the creator of Rieslingfeir and just wrote his first book, “Vom Boden: Ten Years of Hocks and Moselles”. A personal and informative journey. Purchase book here: https://www.vomboden.com/vom-boden-ten-years-of-hocks-moselles/ Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Born in Champagne, Mathieu Roland-Billecart is the 7th Generation CEO of one of Champagnes longest standing family-owned estates. After 15 years working in finance in London, Mathieu came home to the family business in 2018, also the bicentennial year of Billecart-Salmon. He continues to further tradition and innovation at this legendary Champagne house, also loved by critics and Somms. Mathieu leads the charge in philanthropy and sustainability with an eye towards people and the environment.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Hailing from Lake Placid, NY, Grant Reynolds realized it was easier to pursue a career in wine than ski-jumping. After college in Boulder, he wound up in the greatest wine incubator at Bobby Stuckey' Frasca. He went on to work in Burgundy, Piedmont, and Noma, before settling in NYC to open Charlie Bird as wine director and partner, later opening Parcelle Wine. Grant, is a true entrepreneur and believer of wine and e-commerce. He recently opened a new restaurant near Parcelle called Tolo. Besides being an awarded Sommelier, Grant recently published his second book, “'The Wine List'”, Stories and Tasting Notes Behind the World's Most Remarkable Bottles”.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Born in Indiana, summers and college in Vermont, dancing their way into each-others hearts, Dierdre met her Husband Caleb Barber at Middlebury. Both loved food, influenced by Italy, opened an Italian restaurant, grew their own produce, then eventually grapes, and practiced farm to table before it was a thing. Loyal to the terroir and indigenous fruits, Deirdre went on to make alpine wines in the mountains and lakes of the great state of Vermont. Her first vintage was in 2010, her innovation, commitment, influence and mentorship has not only put Vermont wine on the map, but how we think about wine, sparklers, and cider. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

I recently attended the Union Grand Crus Bordeaux tasting in NYC. Over 125 producers pored the 2021 vintage. We spoke with five different producers including Chateau Clinet, Domaine de Chevalier, Chateau Lagrange, Chateau Guiraud, and Chateau Giscours, from different growing regions on the right and left banks in Bordeaux. We'll get some insight into the wines, climate, challenges of the vintage, ageability, and more for the 2021 vintage.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Tira Johnson migrated east a decade ago to work in wine and hospitality at some of NY's best, including Beauty & Essex, Crown Shy, Terroir, and Crown Club at Barclays, to name a few. Along the way she received her Somm certification. Tira is now the Wine Director at Ilis, from Mads Refslund, a Co-Founder of Noma. Ilis' much anticipated opening in Brooklyn is truly one of the most fascinating and unique dining experiences today. Tira's love for wine is only superseded by her true love for dogs!  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Pepe Raventos' family has been around for a long time, like since the 1400's. Pepe is a 21st generation winemaker at Raventos i Blanc in Spain. His family led the development of Penedes into one of the world's leading sparkling wine regions in Conca del Riu Anoia. Pepe traveled to Burgundy, the Loire, Germany, and the US to hone his craft before settling in to the family winery. Pepe creates pure wines that speak from their origin, making wines with minimal intervention and a focus on minerality.  Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

As the year winds down and we celebrate the holiday season, we want to make sure you are drinking and gifting the right wines and Champagnes. We asked three of our expert friends to guide us through the myriad of wine and bubbly choices out there. We will be talking with Jhonel Faelnar, Katja Scharnagl and Aldo Sohm. Get your pen and paper out for some great recommendations.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Josh Greene is the long time Editor, Publisher and owner of Wine and Spirits Magazine. Josh also serves as its critic for Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Portugal, Rioja, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. He has traveled extensively to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and throughout the US. You can also find feature stories and commentary by Josh in each issue. Josh Greene is always generous with his time and is appearing for the seventh year on The Grape Nation for “2023, The Year in Review”.  Photo Courtesy of Sam Benrubi.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.

Stacked, jacked and whacked with every award, including a James Beard, Food and Wine's Best Chef, LA Times Best Restaurant of the Year, and a NY Times America's Best Restaurants, Justin Pichetrungsi is the second-generation owner of Anajak Thai in California. More importantly, he is preserving the legacy of his family's 40-year-old restaurant along with transforming it. After 10 years at Disney as an Art Director and Imagineer, working on Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar, he left to join his family restaurant when his father became ill in 2019. Justin's innovation and love of natural wine have made Anajak one of the great food and wine destinations in America.  Image Courtesy of Sam Benrubi.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.