Podcasts about Winemaker

Our upcoming somewhat-annual Ribollita and Nebbiolo party // Russ Flint owner of Rain Shadow Meats // Porchetta, I love ya! Tips and tricks for one of our favorite dishes // October is National Seafood Month – we dive into wild Alaska Pollock and Mentaiko with Craig Morris and Captain Dave Helmersen // How to make the best tzatziki at home // Chris Upchurch, Head Winemaker at Upchurch Vineyard // And of course, we’ll wrap up today’s show with Food for Thought: Tasty Trivia!!

The highly anticipated visit of Luke O'Cunneagain, acclaimed winemaker at Vergelegen Wine Estate, to Kenya for an exclusive trade visit. Vergelegen, meaning “situated far away,” is one of South Africa's most iconic wine estates. Established over 300 years ago in the heart of Stellenbosch, the estate spans 3,000 hectares, with approximately 130 hectares dedicated to vineyards. Renowned for its elegant Bordeaux-style blends and premium varietal wines, Vergelegen's wines are shaped by the unique terroir of granite soils and cool maritime influences, earning admiration both locally and internationally.

Join me as I sit down with Esther Mobley, Senior Wine Critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Esther shares her fascinating journey from an English major to a wine journalist, starting with a harvest internship in Napa Valley and subsequently working in Mendoza, Argentina. Her career path led her through Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator before landing at the Chronicle in 2015, where she has since become a prominent voice in wine journalism. Throughout our conversation, Esther discusses her approach to wine writing, emphasizing her role as a reporter who explores wine through broader lenses of society, climate change, immigration, and culture. She explains that her job goes beyond traditional wine criticism, focusing instead on telling compelling stories about the wine industry in California. The episode offers listeners an insider's view of wine journalism, tracing her professional evolution and her unique perspective on covering the dynamic world of wine.   Resources from this Episode San Francisco Chronicle Wine Drinking with Esther Newsletter “The original ‘cult' wine: How I discovered California's strangest vineyard” Published 2018   This episode is sponsored by Harvest Pillar concrete trellis posts. Want to know why more growers are going for concrete? It's because Harvest Pillar is the last trellis post you'll ever need.   Check out the Fundamentals of Winemaking Made Easy video course

How much of what we perceive about the taste of wine is actually shaped by psychology? Are vineyard soils important contributors to a wine's tasting profile? Why do so many wine producers highlight their soils as a unique factor that makes their wines stand out? Where do the “minerals” we taste in wine originate from? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dr. Alex Maltman, author of the new book Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate: A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Alex Maltman's terrific book, Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate. A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What did a Dutch research study show about identifying soil type through blind tasting? Is there any geological evidence to support volcanic soils imparting certain characteristics to wine? Why can vines access nutrients from soil but not larger rock layers? Should we consider the root stocks of vines and the type of yeast used for fermentation when analyzing the taste profile of a wine? How does consumer psychology influence our perception of the taste of wine? Which aspects of geology and wine is Alex planning to write about in the future? If Alex could share a bottle of wine with anyone outside the wine world, who would that be?   Key Takeaways How much of what we perceive about the taste of wine is actually shaped by psychology?  It's the psychology that people think, “Oh, heavy bottle. This must be a classy wine.” For many wine drinkers, what the wine expert says will override the more academic factors, rather like a clinician saying, take these tablets, you'll be better, if the wine authority says you're going to taste vanilla. Yeah, I'm getting vanilla. Are vineyard soils important contributors to a wine's tasting profile? In one experiment, several growers planted four different grape varieties, each in different soils, and then tried to grow the grapes, vinify the grapes uniformly, and then sent the finished wines off to a completely independent expert tasting panel. The panelists were only able to group the wines according to variety. Soils didn't come through at all.   For wine producers, soil is one of the only factors that are difficult to replicate, so they're going to say their soil is special. It's a great selling point. When some wine commentators are saying they're tasting minerals from the soil because it's been taken up by the vine root and transmitted through to the wine. Well, no, that doesn't happen like that. But in any case, any nutrients that were taken up by the vine root and did make it all the way through to the finished wine, almost certainly, in practice, will have originated in the humus.   About Dr. Alex Maltman Alex Maltman is Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University, in Wales, U.K. Alongside a decorated career in university teaching and research, Alex has for fifty years grown vines and made wine at his home. And through this, perhaps inevitably, he became interested in vineyard geology and its fashionable but poorly understood relationship with wine. This led to numerous publications in both the popular press and academic journals. Alex is the author of the acclaimed Vineyards, Rocks, and Soils: A Wine Lover's Guide to Geology and newly released Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate. A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/357.

In this episode of Vineyard Underground, Fritz continues his conversation with winemaker and Inside Winemaking podcast host Jim Duane on what it takes for grape growers to successfully step into winemaking. Following part one, which covered equipment, compliance, and basic chemistry, part two dives deeper into the realities of balancing vineyard management with winery responsibilities. Fritz and Jim explore how harvest decisions shift when you're making wine from your own fruit, weighing risks like weather and pests against the pursuit of higher quality. Jim shares how winemakers must rethink priorities, and they also break down which lab analyses should be done in-house versus outsourced. The discussion covers the intense workload during harvest, how to plan labor needs, and the value of building a team to avoid burnout. Jim stresses the importance of advance planning to manage the overlapping demands of the vineyard and the winery. He also highlights common mistakes growers face when starting out, including mismanaging SO2 additions, misinterpreting acidity, and relying on incomplete fermentation data. The episode closes with practical advice and resources for aspiring winemakers, from small-scale home fermentations to structured courses and workshops. Fritz and Jim encourage growers to start experimenting, make manageable mistakes, and seek mentorship to build both confidence and competence before fully scaling their operations. In this episode, you will hear: How harvest decisions shift when growers begin making their own wine Why budgeting for laboratory analyses is non-negotiable in commercial winemaking Common mistakes with SO2, acidity adjustments, and fermentation management The importance of advance planning to balance vineyard and winery demands Practical resources and training opportunities for new winemakers Follow and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more listeners.

Why is geology essential for vineyard management but overrated when it comes to wine taste? Do soils get too much credit for wine flavour, when invisible factors might be the real drivers? What does “minerality” in wine really mean? Rock, nutrient, or just taste perception? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Alex Maltman, author of the terrific new book, Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate. A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Alex Maltman's terrific book, Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate. A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights How did a good teacher spark Alex's lifelong fascination with geology? What initially attracted Alex to wine and how did his curiosity evolve over the past 50 years? How did Alex's background in geology support his career as a wine writer? In what ways does Alex's first book, Vineyards, Rocks and Soils, differ from his new book, Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate? Why does Alex believe that the influence of geology on wine is overstated in contrast to its influence on beer? What impact did geology have on how beer first developed? How do geological minerals, nutrient minerals, and the taste perception of minerality differ? What is the relevance of geological age to the growing vine in the bedrock? Does knowing the soil type of the vineyard tell us anything about the wine's characteristics? Why do so many wine drinkers and writers love to talk about geology? How has the concept of terroir been misunderstood and oversimplified? Why is it important to distinguish between the importance of geology for vineyard management versus its influence on the taste of wine in the glass?   Key Takeaways Am I tasting the limestone, smelling the slate? No, you can't. The grower needs to know about his soil. The geology will influence so many things in the vineyard, so the grower may well want to dig soil pits and see what the roots are doing to inform his vineyard management. But this is not the same thing as the flavor that develops in fermentation through to our wine glass. People look at, say, a hill slope with vines on it, and year after year, the wines from here always taste different to the wines from there. What's different? Oh, it's the soil. But at the same time, there's a whole host of invisible factors operating on that hill slope that we know these factors influence how grapes ripen and how the flavor precursors in the grape develop, which are going to go on to in the fermentation make the wine taste like it does. I tend to use the word geological mineral for those compounds that are making half of the vineyard soil and that come together to make rocks. And nutrient mineral, which are single elements, which we need, as well as vines, in order to function. And this word minerality, that's a taste perception. I don't know what it means or what causes it, but that's a different third meaning of the word mineral.   About Dr. Alex Maltman Alex Maltman is Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University, in Wales, U.K. Alongside a decorated career in university teaching and research, Alex has for fifty years grown vines and made wine at his home. And through this, perhaps inevitably, he became interested in vineyard geology and its fashionable but poorly understood relationship with wine. This led to numerous publications in both the popular press and academic journals. Alex is the author of the acclaimed Vineyards, Rocks, and Soils: A Wine Lover's Guide to Geology and newly released Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate. A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/356.

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This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Joel Wright, Red Winemaker, Chateau Ste Michelle, Woodinville, Washington, defining the term “Scratchy”.  Learn more by visiting ste-michelle.com

Most people don’t realize that Washington is the second largest wine producing state in the US featuring over 20 AVAs. But beyond that, Washington wines are diverse and exceptional. Chateau Ste Michelle is based in Woodinville, just outside of Seattle. Joel Wright is the red winemaker at Chateau Ste Michelle and I was able to [...]

In this episode of Five Questions, we sit down with Matthieu Bordes, Managing Director and Winemaker at Château LaGrange in Saint-Julien. Château LaGrange is one of Bordeaux's most historic Left Bank estates, with a vineyard history dating back to 1607 and one of the largest contiguous blocks of vines in the Médoc.Bordes shares insights into:The vineyard location and grape varieties of Château LaGrangeThe estate's four pillars: history, authenticity, technical innovation, and uncompromising qualityWine regions and styles outside Bordeaux that inspire him, from the Rhône to Ridge Monte BelloStandout vintages that have shaped his career, including the 2009 and 2007The future of Château LaGrange, with a focus on sustainability, team legacy, and continuous pursuit of excellenceWhether you're passionate about Bordeaux or simply curious about how a historic Grand Cru Classé estate balances tradition and innovation, this conversation offers a rare window into the philosophy and vision behind Château LaGrange.

Why is Serra Gaúcha the best place to start exploring Brazilian wine and what does this stunning region look like if you want to visit? Which grape varieties thrive in Brazil and have any unique varieties been successful? What's happening with wine culture in Brazil? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Tufi Meyer, author of the terrific new book, Wines of Brazil. You don't need to have listened to part one from last week first, but if you missed it, go back and have a listen after you finish this one. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Tufi Neder Meyer's terrific book, Wines of Brazil. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What's the story behind Casa Verrone's "Purple Cow” and what was the tasting experience like? How does Brazilian wine law define noble wine? Which types of Brazilian wood are being used for barrel aging and how do they impact the wines? What are the most successful grape varieties that are native to Brazil? What's happening with wine culture in Brazil? What does it mean for a wine to have a foxy aroma? Does Brazil produce dessert wines? What do you need to know about the Serra Gaúcha wine region? Which cities and wine regions should you visit on a trip to Brazil? How have heavy taxation and bureaucracy impacted the development of the Brazilian wine industry? What is the one message Tufi would like to share with international wine lovers about Brazilian wines? What does Tufi see for the future of the Brazilian wine industry? Who would Tufi like to be able to share a bottle of wine with?   Key Takeaways Serra Gaucha is a hilly, almost mountainous region, north of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, a state in the south. It has a long tradition of winemaking and it's a very beautiful region with a very well-developed tourist structure. It's certainly the first region in Brazil where you should go when you start to get to know our wines. Almost every winery has a tasting room, and they are open to visitors. Good restaurants, good hotels, good towns to see. And it's not far from the state capital. In Brazil, like in Argentina, the United States, Canada or Chile, European grapes are the most successful - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc - and these are the most successful grapes so far. But we also make our Vinifera wines, varieties developed here in Brazil. The most successful so far is Lorena, which you will not find anywhere else. We have developed a crossing. It's a white grape, very aromatic, Muscat-like or reminds us of Gewurztraminer. It's very successful, growing in popularity. Brazil has tried to develop some exclusive red grapes, but so far, not with very good results. So you won't find red grapes that are equivalent to Lorena, for instance. We must content ourselves with grapes from other countries, but we have a lot of them. The wine consumption in Brazil is growing, although we would like to be faster. I presume this is because wine is fashionable, wine is very good with food, and people are curious about wine. Wine education is progressing. All this may explain this situation, and our national wine industry is growing too.   About Tufi Neder Meyer Tufi Neder Meyer, a graduate of UFMG Medical School with a PhD in surgery, has studied wines since before college and has been a wine educator since the 1990s. He lives and works in Brazil's south-east, teaching at The Wine School Brazil (WSET approved). Tufi authored ‘Wines of Brazil', a part of the Classic Wine Library of L'Académie du Vin.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/355.

Episode 638 also features an EW Poetic Piece titled " Embrace." Our music this go round is provided by these wonderful artists: Thelonious Monk, Dr. Dog, Charley Crockett, of Montreal, Branford Marsalis & Terence Blanchard. Commercial Free, Small Batch Radio Crafted in the West Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania... Heard All Over The World. Tell Your Friends and Neighbors

Many vineyard owners eventually consider moving beyond grape growing into winemaking, whether to create a new revenue stream, take control of their fruit, or explore a more creative outlet. In this episode, we welcome winemaker and podcaster Jim Duane of Seavey Vineyard and the Inside Winemaking podcast for the first part of a two-part discussion on how growers can make this transition successfully. The conversation discusses the mindset, skills, and resources needed to move from vineyard to cellar. Jim shares why a formal chemistry degree isn't required to produce quality wine, how growers can build confidence in their palate, and which common flaws are most important to recognize early. He also outlines three stages of winemaking where growers need to focus their attention: harvest chemistry, fermentation management, and post-fermentation protection. Listeners will also gain insight into the required equipment for red and white winemaking, the importance of temperature control at each stage, and why barrels can be a turning point for quality. Fritz and Jim round out the discussion with advice on navigating licensing, compliance, and regulatory hurdles, plus a look at custom crush facilities as an option for growers who want to test the waters without a full winery investment. This episode delivers practical, confidence-building advice for any grower curious about making wine and lays the foundation for part two, where the focus shifts to how vineyard practices change once you're also the winemaker. In this episode, you will hear: Why a chemistry degree isn't necessary to make quality wine Three key stages of winemaking where growers must focus their attention The most common wine flaws every new winemaker should learn to detect Equipment essentials for red and white winemaking at a small scale How custom crush operations can help growers test the waters before fully committing Follow and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more listeners.

Richard da Silva is a terroir-driven Vigneron-Winemaker who clearly does things his way.  Sometimes controversial, occasionally unconventional, but always with care and a deep understanding of his many vineyards and terroirs scattered throughout a few established GI's that he commandeers with his wife Twylla and winery team.His family roots go way back to the mid '50's when they emigrated from Portugal and settled in the South Okanagan to become fruit growers & purveyors.  With his family's traditions in place and a foundation in those exigencies, he eventually made his way to wine and is now one of the most respected GRAPE growers--vignerons--in both Naramata and the entire Okanagan valley. Part of his world encompasses a great Mexican + Portuguese influenced tapas style on-site kitchen-restaurant "The Kitchen" with longtime friend and chef Abul Adame and theirs is the longest partnership of its kind in BC spanning well north of a decade.  We broached many subjects from skiing to favorite restaurant dishes and of course wines including a tasting of his proprietary field blends on a great sunny Okanagan afternoon just prior to harvest 2025.  Enjoy the conversation but more, seek out da Silva wines on restaurant lists and in wine boutiques around the province.  Or consider joining the wine club! You're always in for a treat and you'll be rewarded with some of the most expressive and rare wines locally made + available throughout BC.www.dasilvavineyards.com375 Upper Bench Road NorthPenticton, BC V2A 8T2IG: @dasilvawinesRemember to HEART, subscribe, SHARE the link & share the LOVE. With Gratitude,Wine Guy Ty.P.S. The best wines are those shared with friends. Let's share my next DROP together!Follow WineGuyTy's adventures! Head on over to IG: @WineGuyTy

ON THE ROAD with MR CA WINE is about California's cool, aspirational lifestyle and awesome wines hosted by Chuck Cramer, a California native, living in London and is the Director of European & Asian sales & marketing, Terlato Wines. This is a wine journey covering the hottest topics in the world of California wine, chatting along the way with the key influencers in the industry who make it all happen. This week's episode includes an interview with Trey Fletcher, senior winemaker, Sanford Winery. 

Why are the sparkling wines the most successful wines? What is it about the wines of Brazil, the terroir, that really makes them excel? How does double pruning and winter harvesting help Brazilian vineyards produce higher-quality wines? How did family farming traditions shape Brazil's wine regions, and what is the crossover between coffee and grape cultivation? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Tufi Meyer, author of the new book Wines of Brazil. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Tufi Neder Meyer's terrific book, Wines of Brazil. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights Where did Tufi's love for wine come from? Why do red sparkling wines from southern Brazil pair so well with the traditional dish feijoada? Which characteristics make Brazilian sparkling wines particularly successful compared to other wine styles? What's the biggest misconception about Brazilian wine? How does Brazil's annual wine production compare to other South American producers? Why hasn't Brazil's wine industry developed as large as those of Argentina and Chile? How did Portuguese colonial policies impact the development of Brazil's wine industry? How does Brazil's size and climate diversity influence viticulture? How has the legacy of land ownership and agricultural practices from the coffee industry shaped modern Brazilian viticulture? Is there any crossover between the coffee and wine industries? How do the different types of viticulture practiced in Brazil differ? What is unique about tropical viticulture in Brazil? Why do some Syrah wines from Brazil resemble those from the northern Rhône in France more than Australian Shiraz? What challenges do Brazilian vineyards face due to the humid climate in certain regions?   Key Takeaways Brazil has all sorts of sparkling wines, from traditional method, made like champagne to sweet, made from Muscat in zesty fashion, passing through tank methods, sparklers. But all of them have a very important character. It's fruit ripeness. Fruit is forward in Brazilian wines. Maybe elegant sometimes, or very well declared at other times, but it's easy to perceive and it's easy to like it. There's a fresh character to our sparklers. If you plant vines in Brazil in places where it is too humid and too warm at that harvest time, you won't get good quality grapes. But if this place has a winter which is not too cold, which has sunny days and cool nights, if you've succeeded in having the harvest during such a time, you have good grapes. That's precisely what double pruning makes. You prune in January, you start a new growth cycle, and the vines will be ripened during our winter. So the winter harvesting. Dry time, sunny days, cool nights. When the Italian immigrants arrived, they were given pieces of land. That's what is today Serra Gaúcha, our main wine-producing region. The relations between coffee and wine have started very much more recently, when double pruning and winter harvest developed here in a coffee region. And today the vines are planted in the same places where coffee does well. In slopes with little risk of frosts, better drain the terrain and many times together, side by side, grapes and coffee groves.   About Tufi Neder Meyer Tufi Neder Meyer, a graduate of UFMG Medical School with a PhD in surgery, has studied wines since before college and has been a wine educator since the 1990s. He lives and works in Brazil's south-east, teaching at The Wine School Brazil (WSET approved). Tufi authored ‘Wines of Brazil', a part of the Classic Wine Library of L'Académie du Vin.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/354.

Are we closer in size to an atom or the universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Paul Mecurio answer grab-bag questions about Hawking Radiation, power on the moon, and whether our universe is inside a black hole.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-black-hole-universe/Thanks to our Patrons Raj Gaddam, Jason Thurman, Foosoul, Jeff, Micheal Flint, Charles Watson, Sn3aky Viking, Chotch Kam, Nick the Winemaker, David Perez, Greg Haile, Daniel Smith Jr, Ryan Herchenbach, Demetrius Green, Wong Tang clan, Yash Vardhan, Enrico Klau, Micheal, Prakhar jai kumar, Dom, Stepphanie Young Raszagal1045, Leigh Hunt, Adam Hinckley, Adventure Music, MadHarold, Josh Edenfield, Noah Benoit, CN Scott, Andriy Knysh, Erkka Lehtonen, Eduardo Mancilla, Emil Roman, Brandon van Hinte, Eli The Great, Jonne Ticklén, T W, Murderbot, otto mann, Bob Binion, Stephen Pelo, Héywud Xiablomé, Morgan Greenhalgh, Mary Beebee, Kacey Biggs, Barry INgram, Host - History of Money, Banking, and Trade, Stefan, George Evans, Tyler Zarzeka, Jim Kirkpatrick, Jason acosta, Vincent L., C Edward George, Daniel Hester, Fahad Sheikh, Thor Maier, Msemaji Nlan, De'Saun Thomas, steve chilcote, Kevin, and hedrick sanabria for supporting us this week. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of StarTalk Radio ad-free and a whole week early.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

The Luxury Collection was released on the 4th September with four estate grown small batch wines, including Chardonnay, Grand Manseng and Saperavi!Andrew Santarossa, Winemaker shares his knowledge and love of Grand Manseng and Saperavi and why we need a little of both in our lives and Sam Isherwood becomes a convert. @thewineshowaustralia@gapsteadestate

The wines of the Monterey Peninsula, and particularly those of the Carmel Valley, are exquisite. It is always just so interesting to have the some grape grown in different parts of the world and be so different...soely on the location and environmental influences of the vineyard. When tasting Bernardus wines, you taste complexities entirely different than anywhere else in California. These wines are something special and Jim McCabe is responsible. I also had to alert him to the famed folk guitar store, McCabes in Santa Monica. You might say Jim McCabe's side hustle—building guitars—makes him a craftsman twice over, but it's his day job as winemaker at Bernardus Winery that will have you tuning your curiosity to new frequencies. In this episode of Wine Talks, I invites you to uncork not just bottles, but the entire lived experience of crafting wine in California's stunning Carmel Valley. You'll learn why great wine isn't just about the grapes, but the ebb and flow of history, land, and a willingness to embrace both tradition and careful, gradual innovation. Jim doesn't just talk barrel aging or fermentation science; he brings you to the heart of winemaking's enduring mysteries—the art of blending picks from different harvest moments, the challenge of warding off smoke taint during wildfire years, and the ever-changing dance with nature that means no two vintages are ever the same. What does it take to draw younger generations to honest wine when technology and taste are shifting faster than vines grow? Jim and I candidly dissect the battle between old-school storytelling and the rise of social influencers, while reflecting on the timelessness of grassroots, word-of-mouth enthusiasm. Along the way, you'll pick up on the slow, patient work behind the scenes—why relationships with grape growers matter, why incremental rather than drastic change is key, and how history and tradition shape every bottle. By the end of the conversation, you'll come away with more than the technical notes of Bernardus' famed Pinots and Chardonnays; you'll understand the emotional charge that a simple sniff of a great wine can trigger, and why, whether you're a seasoned sommelier or new to the wine world, this is a craft that always keeps you guessing, learning, and savoring just one more glass. Bernardus Winery Website: https://www.bernardus.com Hotel Amarano Website: https://www.hotelamarano.com McCabe's Guitar Shop Website: https://www.mccabes.com   #winepodcast #CarmelValley #MontereyPeninsula #BernardusWinery #PaulKalemkiarian #JimMcCabe #winemaking #wineindustry #boutiquewineries #winemakerstories #winehistory #vineyardmanagement #wineinfluencers #socialmediawine #SauvignonBlanc #PinotNoir #Chardonnay #winetourism #winetasting #winetrends #mccabesguitarshop    

How can vines for wine thrive in Mount Etna's rocky, volcanic soils on the island of Sicily? Mount Etna is a perpetual baby in terms of its vineyard soils; constant rejuvenation of the soil through ash and lava impacts the vine's health and the resulting grape characteristics. The lava flows are centuries old and vary widely. So, how would a producer choose one flow over another for planting? How does Mount Etna still have pre-phylloxera vines that are over 200 years old? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Ben Spencer, the award-winning author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Why did Ben find Fabio Costantino of Terra Costantino such a fascinating and emblematic person from Etna's wine community? What is the landscape of Mount Etna like, and what makes it unique and beautiful? How do producers on Etna choose which lava flow to plant on? What does it look like to grow grapes in a place as fertile as on Etna? How do Etna wines compare with other volcanic wines? Are field blends of different grape varieties still common in Etna's vineyards? How does Nerello Mascalese compare to Pinot Noir grapes? Why is Nerello Cappuccio mostly used in blends rather than as a single varietal wine? How does Carricante, Etna's signature white grape, develop the kerosene or petrol aroma often found in aged Riesling? What were some of the oldest vines Ben has seen on Mount Etna? How can you get the most out of a trip to Etna? Who would Ben love to share a bottle of wine with?   Key Takeaways How can vines for wine thrive in Mount Etna's rocky, volcanic soils on the island of Sicily? It's very, very fertile and you can plant just about anything. The vines are only part of that biodiversity. You can put a grafted vine selection, masala, cutting from your own vineyard into the earth. What it taps into will sort of define what that vine will be. We see 95% of the vines take because the soil is so fertile. Mount Etna's lava flows are centuries old and vary widely. How would a producer choose one flow over another for planting? Sometimes it's a simple budgetary decision or a farming decision, whether to take over an old vine vineyard or to buy something and replant new vines, whether you want to face the contours of the mountain, or if you want to ease into it with tractor or some sort of mechanized labor, not that many producers do much more than use a tractor in the vineyard, it's very difficult to use heavy machinery on it, and everybody harvests by hand. But certain contrada, certain lava flows, the age of the soil, the slope, east, north, south, they have different flavors. They have different spices, and it's all that lasagna layering of the mountain. It has its own style. How does Mount Etna still have pre-phylloxera vines that are over 200 years old? On Etna, we don't have a lot of clay. So we do have these very, very old vines. The soils need about 3% clay to incubate phylloxera over the winter. And so the soil isn't old enough to have that much clay in it. There's also the snow up at elevation, so it's just inhospitable to the louse. But the oldest vines that I've seen are either Nerello Mascalese or possibly Minnella. The trunks can get really, really big. They can get really long. They look like they're prehistoric.   About Benjamin Spencer Benjamin Spencer is the Director of Etna Wine School and the award-winning author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. In addition to holding a Diploma from the London-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust, Ben is a journalist, wine judge, and a professional winemaker with two decades of experience working with artisan and internationally traded wine brands in California and Italy.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/353.

For this episode, the Marys are on location with Rob Sinton, winemaker at El Dorado County's Starfield Vineyards. This is where the grapes meet the sky, as they say, thanks to high altitude vineyards reaching upwards of 2400 to 3000 feet in elevation.Here at Starfield Vineyards, you gaze at the vineyard views surrounded by evergreens in every direction. This mountain terroir gives El Dorado wines their distinct herbal and spicy flavor, or Sierra spice, as it's called in these parts, a flavor profile that makes them stand out among other California wines. We're so excited to be speaking with Rob Sinton at this gorgeous property set with lakes and miles of walking trails, where you can soak up the wine country experience and enjoy some darn good wines. Starfield is also the dream of Rob and his father Tom, whose love of wine led them on a quest to find the best place to grow Rhone and Italian varietals. Their search sent them into the Sierra Foothills and El Dorado County. Today Rob is not only making wine, he's reinventing wine labels using solargraphy, championing forgotten grapes, and even creating his own vermouths.We're sure that once you hear Rob's story, you'll want to plan a visit to this and other wineries in the mountainous El Dorado wine country.

Friend of the show and winner of NZ Best Winery of the Year two years running, the brilliant Blair Walter chats to Jill Upton and Sam Isherwood about his beautiful wines and the importance of taking people through a journey. His wines will be on show at the Wine Weekend at The Rees Hotel 7th to 9th November.@thewineshowaustralia@feltonroadwines

Jill Upton and Sam Isherwood chat to chief winemaker at Neudorf, Todd Stevens, about his fabulous wines. To taste some back vintages and very special Neudorf Wines, book your ticket at The Rees Wine Weekend to be held on the 7th to 9th November.@thewineshowaustralia@neudorfwines

John Hamel, visionary Winemaker & Director of Wine Growing for Hamel Family Wines, is known for crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines that have earned him acclaim and a devoted following. John shares his journey from vineyard to bottle and the philosophy that guides every decision in the cellar

How do elevation and slope influence the style of volcanic wines of Mount Etna? What can volcanic wine made on Mount Etna in Sicily teach us about life? How is Mount Etna's wine scene evolving? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Ben Spencer, the award-winning author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Which aspects of Ben's first trip to Sicily in 2007 left a lasting impression? What stood out about Ben's first experience tasting Etna wine in Sicily? Which early experience exploring Etna's vineyards fundamentally changed Ben's understanding of the region and its wines? What do the wines of Etna show us about the relationship between winemaking and life? What are the biggest differences between winemaking in California and Etna, outside of terroir? What does the future look like for Etna wine? Are there limitations to the Etna DOC classification and what is the viable elevation range for vineyards? How do the wine characteristics vary between vines grown in different areas of the mountain? How do the periodic eruptions affect the soil in the vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna? What was Ben's vision for the Etna Wine School and which programs are now available? How did Ben's poetry background influence his transition into wine writing? What can you expect from reading The New Wines of Mount Etna? What was the most surprising thing Ben discovered while writing The New Wines of Mount Etna? Why was researching the book particularly challenging for Ben?   Key Takeaways How do elevation and slope influence the style of volcanic wines of Mount Etna? At lower elevations, we're seeing more ripeness, earlier ripening, more boldness in the fruit. You see more opulent wines at lower elevations. Also, on the south slope, you're getting more development in the growing season because of the way the sun passes from the east along the south slope. The North Slope, we see a little bit more deflected light, especially in the shoulder seasons, so early spring and fall, and so you're getting more elegance. What can volcanic wine made on Mount Etna in Sicily teach us about life? To be patient, to watch, to listen, to learn from what's happening here, and to learn from everybody, because everybody has a different take on what's happening. Etna always moves outside of what we expect it to be. In the glass, we see a white wine, but all of a sudden there's white jasmine and orange flower together in the same field, and there's this juicy fruit and salinity and savory herbs and saltiness, and you get some repeated elements. How is Mount Etna's wine scene evolving? With Etna being at the beginning of a new wave of production, we are seeing a lot of people trying to define what that is, what Etna can be and will be. It'll be a study of the different elevations, of the different soil types, of the different districts where the wines are being made. But also Etna is a 10,000 foot tall cone. So there's a lot of different aspects to mountain wind, to sunlight, to the sea breezes, to old soils, young soils, and so there's a lot of things happening. So I think Etna will become a benchmark for variety, for exciting wines made from Carricante, the white grape variety here, and also Nerello mascalese, the red grape, which is made into sparkling wines, Rosés and red wines quite successfully.   About Benjamin Spencer Benjamin Spencer is the Director of Etna Wine School and the award-winning author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. In addition to holding a Diploma from the London-based Wine & Spirit Education Trust, Ben is a journalist, wine judge, and a professional winemaker with two decades of experience working with artisan and internationally traded wine brands in California and Italy.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/352.

In the latest blind tasting episode of GuildSomm: Into the Glass, host and Master Sommelier Chris Tanghe chats with Erica Orr, a Washington winemaker and enologist. Erica crafts the wines for her own label, Orr, and also has a lab service providing wine analysis and consulting for other Washington wineries. Chris pours her a white, a rosé, and a red. After Erica tastes the wines blind, she and Chris discuss winemaking cause and effect. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please consider leaving us a review, as it helps us connect and grow the GuildSomm community. Cheers! Erica ran analysis on the wines that she and Chris tasted, which you can find on our website. Click over only when you're ready for the wines to be revealed! https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/podcasts/b/guild_podcasts/posts/tasting-with-winemaker-erica-orr  Find out more about Erica's wine lab: https://www.orrwinelab.com Learn about Orr Wines: https://ericaorrwines.com Read our Tasting Study Guide: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/study/w/study-wiki/2683/tasting Discover more GuildSomm blind tasting resources: https://www.guildsomm.com/learn/blind-tasting/

Virginia Willcock the newly crowned WMOTY joins Simon Nash and Jill Upton for a great chat about what it means to win this prestigious award.@thewineshowaustralia @vassefelix @winecompanion

GUESTS: Merry Edwards Dan Kosta Don Baumhefner Jim Fetzer John Buechsenstein

It’s harvest time for many grape farmers and the vineyards are full. But there are not enough hands on farms to pick and many, many farmers are serving in the military reserves, some for hundreds of days. Volunteers are still needed to help. Farmer and winemaker Daniel Peretz has spent over 450 days in reserves since the war began. He put out a call for volunteers and dozens of Israelis showed up at dawn this week at his vineyard and picked six tons of grapes that will be made into his award-winning wine. (photo: Arieh O'Sullivan) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Had a great time interviewing Canadian Music Hall of Famer and 3-time Juno Winner Deborah Cox on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast!  Deborah has partnered with Chateau Margilliere, located in Provence, France to create her own Rosé, Kazaisu. Named after her three children this project is a labour of love from someone who is deeply passionate about making organic wine. This was such a unique and entertaining conversation with such a talented individual.  You'll love it!  Side note: If you are in Southern Ontario Deborah will be performing at Casa Loma on August 27th! 

We love a good wine comeback story where the little guy wins!On today's show, a story that stopped the wine world in its tracks and made seemingly everyone cheer. It's a "Let's Hear It For The Little Guy" tale, a David versus Goliath story with a dreams do come true plot. We're talking with James Hall, founding winemaker of the illustrious Patz & Hall Winery California's Sonoma County. He's the guy who pulled off the unimaginable when he bought back his winery from one of wine's biggest conglomerates. James is here today to share his story and his wines with us, and to catch us up on how things are going since the buyback more than a year ago.

KCBS Radio's Foodie Chap Liam Mayclem speaks with Buena Vista Winery's Winemaker, Ryan Lynch, about the history of the winery. They share tasting notes on many of the wines that are named after family members of the original founder.

Wine Road Podcast Episode 233 Summary Hosts Marci Gordon and Beth Costa welcome Miro Tcholakov, winemaker at Trentadue Winery, for a lively discussion about wine, winemaking, and his journey in the industry. Key Highlights: Featured Wines: Miro introduces a Rosé of Sangiovese (Rosato) and a Sauvignon Blanc under the La Storia label. The Rosato is made using the "bleeding" method from old and new vineyards, while the Sauvignon Blanc marks a shift in branding for Trentadue. Winery Overview: Trentadue Winery, located in Geyserville, is one of Sonoma County's oldest wineries, bonded in 1969. Miro has been with the winery for 26 years, overseeing significant updates and producing estate-grown wines like Sangiovese, Malbec, and Montepulciano. Miro's Background: Originally from Bulgaria, Miro shares stories of his winemaking roots, including childhood memories of family winemaking and his early career in the U.S. He started his own label, Miro Cellars, focusing on Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Events at Trentadue: Upcoming events include the Taste Destination 128 Barbecue Cook-Off (Aug 23) and the Lobster Feast (Sept 13). The winery also offers gondola vineyard tours and hosts weddings. Cultural Insights: Miro reflects on his upbringing in Bulgaria, his family's winemaking traditions, and his adventurous spirit, including spelunking expeditions in Europe. Additional Mentions: Lodging Recommendation: The Stavrand in Guerneville, a luxurious property surrounded by redwoods, was highlighted for visitors. Harvest Wine Trail: A one-day event on Sept 12 featuring 30 wineries offering unique harvest experiences. Miro's passion for winemaking and storytelling shines throughout the episode, making it a delightful listen for wine enthusiasts.

Peter Jakob Kühn made the wines at Weingut Peter Jakob Kühn in Germany's Rheingau region for many decades before retiring and passing the family winery on to his son Peter Bernhard Kühn.Peter Jakob, who was born in 1954, alludes to the constrained economic situation that existed in the German countryside following the Second World War. He recalls his grandfather, who had lived through two World Wars, and the relationship that his grandfather had with the rest of the family. Peter Jakob then describes meeting his wife and taking over the family winery in 1979 in the wake of his father's death. He recalls what steps he took to improve the quality of the wines and add to the size of the estate in the early days after assuming control. He contrasts his approach to the vineyards with the post-War emphasis on high yields that some of neighbors pursued. Peter Jakob speaks about a trip to Burgundy that served as an early inspiration. He also describes the setting and landscape of the area within the Rheingau where the winery is situated.Peter Jakob converted the estate to Biodynamic farming, and he describes the very personal reasons for that and other key decisions. As the quality of the wines improved, so did Peter Jakob's level of satisfaction with his own wines and their renown in the critical press. Peter Jakob describes how his mindset changed in response to both praise and some failure from others to understand the direction he was taking the wines. Specifically, he addresses the 1999 vintage for the winery and the malolactic conversion that took place in that year and others afterwards. He then talks about how a malolactic conversion changes the characteristics of a Riesling, and describes his vision for what a Riesling can be. Then he contrasts that vision for a Riesling with the stereotype of a racy, fruity German Riesling, which he was trying to avoid. Looking back from this vantage point, Peter Jakob describes the importance of his experimental phase in the early 2000s, as he tried different techniques in the winery. He also pinpoints his motivations for making those experiments and changes in the winery. He further discusses dry Germany Riesling and his thoughts on the topic, which are intertwined with a change in the climate as well as his personal experience. As the interview comes to a close, Peter Jakob talks about handing off the winery to his son Peter Bernhard and how he has experienced the change.This episode also features commentary from:Clemens Busch, Weingut Clemens BuschTomoko Kuriyama, ChanterêvesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast' is on one hell of a Napa Valley run! My guest, John Giannini, is the Winemaker for Mount Veeder Winery. This winery has been making classic Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet sauvignon since the early 1970's. Thrilled to learn more about this historic winery.

For our listeners I have to note that we conducted this interview in the lobby of a busy Sonoma hotel on a lovely Spring afternoon. I met up with Blair Guthrie who makes his eponymous wine in Sonoma. Blair is from New Zealand and after spending a bit of time in the US making wine, [...]

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Blair Guthrie, Proprietor & Winemaker, Guthrie Family Wines, Sonoma County, defining the term “Mouse”.  Learn more by visiting guthriefamilywines.com

Gergely Makai, General Manager and Winemaker of Tokaj-Hétszőlő, joins us to discuss the history of the estate and its significance in the region, organic farming in Tokaji, and what gives these wines their signature acid and concentration. Give the episode a listen and go pick up some of these special wines!For fantastic bonus content, including extra episodes and a discussion of this interview, sign up at Patreon.com/CorkTaint. Thanks everybody

How does your perspective change when you start looking at life one vintage at a time, divided into seasons? What does it look like when wine is so deeply connected to a region that it shapes work, landscape, community, and what a culture values most? Why is Languedoc becoming a popular choice for organic, biodynamic, and natural winemaking? What makes a “bon moment” and why is it worth taking seriously? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Steve Hoffman, who has written an award-winning memoir called A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Steve Hoffman's terrific new book, A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What was Steve's favourite aperitif discovery in France? How did a funny mispronunciation lead to an embarrassing introduction? How did stuffed cuttlefish challenge Steve's ideas about strong flavours and aromas in food? How does the historical connection between wine and work show up in French culture today? Why has the Languedoc remained in the shadow of Bordeaux and Burgundy, despite having the largest vineyard area in the world? What surprised Steve the most about the process of blending wine? Why does the latitude of a vineyard matter when learning about tasting wine? How can you have the best experience while visiting the Languedoc?   Key Takeaways How does your perspective change when you start looking at life one vintage at a time, divided into seasons? You start thinking about the unfolding year as not months and days, but as seasons, and you look forward to the next season. And you participate fully, and then you let that season be done, and don't mourn it, because you know it's going to come around again. It forces you to be present in the moment, because it's not like, if I just wait long enough, things are going to get better. What does it look like when wine is so deeply connected to a region that it shapes work, landscape, community, and what a culture values most? In wine country, wine is not just a pleasant accompaniment to life; it literally forms everything. The vines themselves actually form the landscape and just becomes a part of everything. It's work, it's what creates revenue that the village can survive, but then it's also something that you have with almost every meal. Why is Languedoc becoming a popular choice for organic, biodynamic, and natural winemaking? It's still an affordable place to buy a hectare of vines, and so young winemakers can come in and they can afford to experiment with organic, natural or biodynamic winemaking. A lot of the chemicals to avoid spoilage - the Languedoc naturally doesn't have much of that. What makes a “bon moment” and why is it worth taking seriously? It's translated as a good moment, but in France, it has all kinds of other connotations. I think everybody who's listening will recognize one of those moments where you're sitting with people that you care about, where there's good wine and there's good food. That's the centerpiece, that's the excuse to be together. But then the moment unfolds into something greater than itself.   About Steve Hoffman Steve Hoffman is a Minnesota tax preparer and food writer. His writing has won multiple national awards, including the 2019 James Beard M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award. He has been published in Food & Wine, The Washington Post, and The Minneapolis Star Tribune, among other publications. He shares one acre on Turtle Lake, in Shoreview, Minnesota, with his wife, Mary Jo, their elderly and entitled puggle, and roughly 80,000 honeybees.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/349.

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How can you create a life you don't need a vacation from? What can we learn from the French about slowing down, savoring meals, and making conversation the heart of gatherings? What's it like living in the “other southern France”? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Steve Hoffman, who has written an award-winning memoir called A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Steve Hoffman's terrific new book, A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What do tax preparation and writing have in common? What inspired Steve to write about the Languedoc, which he refers to as the other Southern France? What were the major hurdles to getting A Season for That published? How did Steve shift from an article to a book mindset? What helped Steve find the balance between writing beautifully and the need to move the story forward? What important lessons did Steve learn from his editor, respected cookbook author Francis Lam? What was it like to move across the world with two young children? Are there insights about French parenting and family life that Steve continues to apply? How did Steve choose the specific village he wanted to live in? How do vulnerability and curiosity help with cultural immersion?   Key Takeaways Steve says that we're often sold the idea that our lives are boring and that we need relief from our lives. He believes in leading a life that doesn't require evacuation. That your life itself, if you are careful about it and a little bit intentional about it, can be the thing that you want to dive into every day. Steve mentions Thanksgiving as one of the very few occasions where he and his family commit to slowing down and making conversation around the table, and a great meal. There was something about the French willingness to let conversation be the point and a way of passing time that was really refreshing. Steve settled in 2012 as a family for an extended fall semester in the Languedoc region, which he refers to as the other southern France, because it is, to some extent, the poor cousin of what most people think of as southern France, primarily Provence and the Côte d'Azur, the Riviera, which was extensively touristed and a lot of money got brought into that region. Peter Mayle, Princess Grace, and F. Scott Fitzgerald made it a wealthy playground. Languedoc is the portion of Mediterranean France to the west of the Rhone. So the Rhone divides the country in two, east of the Rhone is Provence, and the Riviera west of the Rhone is Languedoc and eventually Roussillon. He had the kinds of experiences he had because they weren't in the grips of a tourist haven.   About Steve Hoffman Steve Hoffman is a Minnesota tax preparer and food writer. His writing has won multiple national awards, including the 2019 James Beard M.F.K. Fisher Distinguished Writing Award. He has been published in Food & Wine, The Washington Post, and The Minneapolis Star Tribune, among other publications. He shares one acre on Turtle Lake, in Shoreview, Minnesota, with his wife, Mary Jo, their elderly and entitled puggle, and roughly 80,000 honeybees.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/348.

In this episode of SuperPsyched, host Dr. Adam Dorsay interviews Austin Hope, the president and winemaker at Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles, California. They discuss the intricacies of winemaking, the history and unique terroir of Paso Robles, and the personal journey and passions that drive Austin's success. Austin shares insights into the wine community, the challenges he faced, and his commitment to quality and community. The conversation highlights the meaningful aspects of wine, from its production to its role in bringing people together, and underscores the importance of love and open-mindedness in both life and winemaking.00:00 Introduction to SuperPsyched00:28 The Mystique of Wine01:00 Interview with Austin Hope03:37 Austin's Journey into Winemaking05:36 Challenges and Triumphs07:03 Lessons from Mentors14:50 The Joys of Winemaking22:34 Family and Legacy26:41 Family Influence in Winemaking27:35 Promoting Paso Robles29:34 Terroir and Microclimates35:41 Community and Collaboration39:22 Innovative Wine Marketing43:08 The Importance of Overdelivering48:01 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsHelpful Links:Hope Family WinesAustin Hope WikiDr. Rachel Herz's research cited from the excellent book Why You Eat What You Eat https://a.co/d/aXvmRB9

This episode features my conversation with Tom Sherwood, the owner and winemaker of BXT Wines in California. BXT is an exploration of Californian viticulture through the lens of traditionally made sparkling wine. The idea of “Bubbles by Tom“ (BXT) is to take a grower-Champagne mentality and apply it to hand-crafted sparkling wines from grapes grown throughout California, and Tom seeks out interesting vineyard sites to work with for producing his small batches of these wines. He started this project in 2018 inspired by grower Champagne, but he grew up in Australia where he says he stumbled into wine making when he attended Adelaide University and studied Viticulture and Enology. He not only discovered a love for this career but he also me his now wife, Britt, who also works in the wine industry as the Director of Winemaking for Lawrence Wine Estates in Napa, CA. Tom was not afraid to get a little nerdy while talking about the details of his grape growing and winemaking practices, and you'll appreciate his transparency during our discussion about wine pricing and the state of the market for domestic sparkling wine. You can visit www.bxtwines.com to learn more about the portfolio, and you can connect with Tom by following @bxtwines on Instagram.Recorded July 20, 2025

This week on our Vino Lingo segment we feature Ashley Herzberg, Winemaker, Innumero Wines, Sonoma County, defining the term “Vibes”.  Learn more by visiting innumerowines.com

Many that visit wine country dream of becoming a vintner or winemaker, but few make the dream come true. Sheree Thornsberry and her husband Brian did in fact, make the dream come true and then some. I met with Sheree and Winemaker Ashley Herzberg at Grand Cru Custom Crush just a few weeks ago, where [...]

How does music, even types you dislike, make wine more enjoyable? Can curated playlists in tasting rooms and wine bars influence how customers drink, eat, and experience wine? What happens when you stop overthinking wine and music and just enjoy? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Susan Lin, a Master of Wine and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Piano and Musicology. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights How does a low-pitched, slow-tempo musical piece impact the perceived fruitiness of wine? What does "timbre" mean in musical terms? How do different musical characteristics influence the perception of wine's effervescence? Did the participants' music preferences correlate with their enjoyment of the wine? What might surprise you about how the wines tasted in silence compared? Why does the influence of sound on our perception tend to go unnoticed? How are some winemakers using music in their wineries? Are there retail applications for Susan's research into the influence of music on the perception of wine? What would be Susan's ideal live concert and wine pairing scenario? What are some of the possibilities in the future for AI-generated music for wine experiences? Is there an interest in similar research on the intersection between dance and wine perception? What future research areas is Susan considering in terms of music and wine perception? What three objects would Susan display in a museum representing her life and passions? If Susan could share a wine with anyone outside the wine industry, who would it be and why? How can you start being more intentional about exploring sensory experiences with wine and music?   Key Takeaways How does music, even types you dislike, make wine more enjoyable? Susan says that in her experiments, the wine that was consistently the worst, least balanced, was the wine tasted without music. Even if somebody said I really didn't like this music, it was a way better wine to them than without music. Even for the wine experts, the wines were much more palatable without music. I think that's why sound can be a very, very powerful thing. Can curated playlists in tasting rooms and wine bars influence how customers drink, eat, and experience wine? Susan has worked with tasting rooms and wine bars to curate their playlists in terms of the experiences that they want their customers to have. You want to have people be a little more relaxed in the morning, but then, you start amping it up for the evening. I put together a complete journey, that sort of sonic seasoning for different expressions of their wines, for big bold red versus for their light, youthful white wines. What happens when you stop overthinking wine and music and just enjoy? Susan says that with the melding of music and wine, there's still so much to learn. Keep trying things. Don't worry about whether it's right or wrong. Just enjoy the experience. Let everything come in sensorially and enjoy that and embrace again the mystery of things. We can't explain everything through data, and that's a good thing.   About Susan R. Lin Susan R. Lin is a Master of Wine and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Piano and Musicology. Susan's MW research paper ‘Influences of Classical Music on the Sensory Perception of a Brut Non-Vintage Champagne' and subsequent work on the interaction of music and wine have been featured in Decanter, Food & Wine, GuildSomm, and others. Each of Susan's creations is rooted in academic research and inspired by a deep respect for the essence of wine and music.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/347.

Golden mussels are a dangerous new invader in California's water supply. Also, a documentary about the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the country. Finally, a memoir about the first winery in Fair Play, Calif.

Last fall, I met Francesco Galgani and tried his wines and I was completely blown away. I always think of Vernaccia as a more historical Pinot Grigio -- light on flavor, boring, and not anything to get excited about. But then I visited Cappella Sant'Andrea. HOLY CRAP!! This is the BEST Vernaccia on earth. Francesco and Flavia, the owners and winemakers, are truly the Masters of Vernaccia di San Gimignano. You will never taste Vernaccia like this.    In the show Francesco and I discuss the long history of Vernaccia, wine in San Gimignano, why there is so much crappy Vernaccia, and how they do it right. Their Rialto and Prima Luce, especially are stunning. I can't sing their praises more.   Two things mentioned in the show:  Follow Francesco on IG, he's a brilliant artist: @francescogalgani If you want to order directly from Francesco, and have the wine shipped from Italy, please visit their website: https://www.cappellasantandrea.it/chi-siamo1 and you can contact them for orders and pricing!      Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Join the community today! www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople _______________________________________________________________   This show is brought to you by my exclusive sponsor, Wine Access – THE place to discover your next favorite bottle. Wine Access has highly allocated wines and incredible values, plus free shipping on orders of $150 or more. You can't go wrong with Wine Access! Join the WFNP/Wine Access wine club and get 6 awesome bottles for just $150 four times a year. That includes shipping! When you become a member, you also get 10% all your purchases on the site. Go to wineaccess.com/normal to sign up!   

As consumer preferences shift towards healthier lifestyles, the non-alcoholic wine sector is poised for unprecedented growth. With the no- and low-alcohol drinks market expected to expand by over $4 billion by 2028, join us as we explore how innovative winemaking techniques and strategic insights are reshaping this industry with winemaker Duncan Shouler.In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of non-alcoholic wines with Duncan Shouler, a renowned Director and Winemaking Consultant at Enobev Consulting. With a background in Marine Biology, Duncan's wine journey began in 2004, leading him to work with prestigious producers like Château Angelus and Giesen Wines, where he served as Chief Winemaker. Notably, Duncan was awarded Winemaker of the Year at the New Zealand International Wine Show in 2023 for his exceptional work with Giesen's wines.A pioneer in the non-alcoholic wine space, he played a key role in launching a best-selling collection of premium de-alcoholized wines in the USA and continues to advocate for innovation within this growing category. In our conversation, we'll explore his unique journey, the innovative techniques behind alcohol removal, and the grape varieties best suited for producing exceptional non-alcoholic wines. Duncan also addresses common misconceptions about this category and shares insights into the challenges and future trends that lie ahead.Connect with Duncan on Instagram @DuncanShouler, or on LinkedIn. Reach out to Duncan if you're looking to learn more about his services at Enobev Consulting.  Since 2016, Bottled in China brings you into the food and drink scene through conversations with the some of the most happening personalities. Hosted by Emilie Steckenborn, the show is your one spot for all things food, beer, wine and spirits from across the world. Connect with us on LinkedIn or Instagram @bottled.in.china Podcast available on iTunes, Spotify , online or wherever you listen to your episodes! Subscribe to Bottled in China to follow the journey!Check out our new website & find out more at https://www.thebottledshow.com