I'll Drink to That! Wine Talk

Esther Mobley is the wine writer for the "San Francisco Chronicle."Esther talks about her previous work at "Wine Spectator" magazine, how her approach to writing has evolved since joining the "San Francisco Chronicle", and what she has found compelling amongst the stories and issues surrounding California wine today. Esther also shares a lot of insight into how she goes about her job for the "Chronicle" and how she views her work as different from her predecessors at that newspaper.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Louis-Benoit Desvignes and his sister Claude-Emmanuelle Desvignes work together at Domaine Louis-Claude Desvignes in Morgon, in the Beaujolais area of France.Louis-Benoit discusses the challenges of the climate, the farming, and the market for a producer of Morgon wines today. He describes a changing area that is inheriting great vine material and building on the the hard work of previous generations, but also actively searching for approaches to address a different set of problems. Louis-Benoit details the changeable nature of the harvest in Beaujolais, explaining the work that has been required in different recent vintages. He also explains the character of the different parcels of land that he and his sister farm, such as the Côte du Py and Javernières. There is in addition a lot of discussion in this interview around the particularities of how the Desvignes family make wine, and what some of those techniques imply.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erin Scala speaks with Burgundy vigneron devoted to the Aligoté grape variety and explores the challenges and rewards associated with Aligoté today.Erin narrates a tour of Burgundy cellars and vineyards, piecing together conversations with multiple vigneron to find a through thread for Aligoté.This episode contains interviews and commentary from vigneron and wine professionals working with Aligoté, including:Roland Rapet and Vincent Rapet (Domaine Rapet Père et Fils)Fanny Sabre (Domaine Fanny Sabre)Sylvain Pataille (Domaine Sylvain Pataille)Pierre de Benoist (Domaine A. & P. de Villaine)Frédéric Lafarge (Domaine Michel Lafarge)Anne Morey (Domaine Pierre Morey)Jean-Marc Roulot (Domaine Roulot)Lauren "Lolo" Brelin (La Dilettante Restaurant, Beaune)Hai Tran (The Rittenhouse Hotel, Philadelphia)Translation assistance provided by:Rachel Signer (Terre Magazine)This episode was made possible with the assistance of: Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

António Maçanita is involved with several wine projects throughout Portugal, including Fitapreta in the Alentejo, Maçanita Vinhos in the Douro Valley, and the Azores Wine Company on the Azores Islands.António discusses the rapid change that is happening on the island of Pico, as hundreds of hectares of vineyard are being replanted after over a century of decline. He explains the winemaking history of the area, and points to the reasons why there is a resurgence in interest in grape vines on Pico, an island in the Azores. António also uses his knowledge of old texts to provide commentary on the changes. He further discusses the Alentejo region, and the winemaking history of that zone, while detailing the characteristics of some of that area's signature grape varieties. And António divulges the unorthodox approach that he is taking to winemaking in the Douro Valley of Portugal. This interview provides both an overview of important Portuguese wine regions, and an analysis of how they have changed over time.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Arvid Rosengren is the Wine Director of Legacy Records, the restaurant in Manhattan. He won the World's Best Sommelier title in 2016.Arvid shares his memories of growing up in a household of limited means, and what that brought later in his life to his attitude as a competitor and a working sommelier. He recalls his wine studies in Sweden, and his work in restaurants in both Denmark and Sweden before his move to New York. He also recounts the process of winning the World's Best Sommelier Competition, and what he did to train and compete in that event. Now looking back, Arvid reveals some of his thoughts about sommelier competitions as well.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lee Hudson is the owner of Hudson Ranch and Vineyards, in California's Carneros district.Lee recalls his early days in Texas and in France, as well as the experience of working the 1975 harvest in Burgundy at Domaine Dujac. Lee describes founding his own ranch and vineyard in California, and gives a grape by grape guide to different grape variety characteristics and how the ways they are grown can affect them. Those interested in Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, and Pinot Noir will find a lot to learn from what Lee has to say about how those grapes behave in the vineyard. Lee also discusses his classmates at the University of California, Davis, many of whom have gone on to notable careers in wine in the decades since they were in school with Lee.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will Predhomme operates Predhomme, Inc. a wine communications firm based in Toronto, Canada. He is also a partner in Pearce Predhomme, a wine label sourcing wines from Oregon and South Africa.Will traces his history with restaurants and wine, from humble beginnings in Windsor, Ontario to sommelier jobs in Calgary and Toronto. He discusses how his goals changed over time, and how he approached a transition off the floor and into working for himself. Will addresses the potential pratfalls of self-employment, and describes why someone who has worked within the sommelier culture might not want to leave it behind. Real life examples are provided to illustrate the points made to those looking to make a move off the restaurant floor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James Conaway is the author of "Napa: The Story of an American Eden," "The Far Side of Eden: New Money, Old Land, and the Battle for Napa Valley," and "Napa at Last Light: America's Eden in an Age of Calamity," a trilogy of books about wine and wineries in California's Napa Valley.James argues that serious changes are needed if the Napa Valley is to survive as an agricultural eden in the future. He points out threats to the Valley from climate change, limited resources, increased vineyard and winery development, and an emphasis on welcoming more and more tourists to the area. He explains that for him wine has a moral component which is often ignored, and argues that a wine choice is also a political choice.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dominique Tourneix is the Director General of DIAM Bouchage, a company specializing in reconstructed cork closures for wine.Dominique discusses the causes of cork taint in wine and the presence of volatile compounds within traditional cork. He examines the part that wine cork plays in both preventing and allowing for the oxidation of wine, as well as the useful life of a cork. He also explains the alternative solution that his company offers to the traditional wine cork, and how it can be seen as a winemaking tool. Dominique further gives an overview of the global market for wine closures, comparing the relative attributes and market share of synthetic closures, screwcap, traditional cork, and reconstructed corks like DIAM.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Enrico Pozzesi is the owner of Fattoria Rodano, the winery located within Castellina in Chianti, in Tuscany, Italy.Enrico discusses his wines and vineyard property in this episode, as well as the varying conditions that were presented by different vintages. He also discusses his friendship with an advisor to his winery, Giulio Gambelli. Gambelli in the years since his death has become a legendary figure, known for his incredible wine tasting ability and for the wines he helped create at many properties, including Rodano, Case Basse, Montevertine, and Bibbiano. Though mostly unheralded during his own lifetime, Gambelli is now considered one of the most important figures in the history of Tuscan wine. Enrico recalls many details from Gambelli's life and work in this interview.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anne Parent and her sister Catherine run Domaine Parent, based in the Burgundy village of Pommard. They also control the micro-négociant known as Jacques Parent et Compagnie.Anne describes the differences between the key crus of Pommard, relating how Pommard Epenots is distinct from Pommard Les Rugiens. She also describes her vineyard holdings on the hill of Corton. Anne recounts the difficulties of recent vintages in the area, and discloses some of her favorite years for her wines. She talks about different vineyard and winemaking decisions that have resulted from the conditions of varying harvests, and gives her opinion about the effect climate change has had in the region of the Côte de Beaune.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ray Coursen is the owner and founding winemaker of Elyse Winery as well as Jacob Franklin Wines, in California's Napa Valley. He is also involved with winemaking for Purple Heart Wines, benefiting the Purple Heart Foundation.Ray relates how he arrived in the Napa Valley in the 1980s, and shares conversations he had with several wine world figures at that time. He discusses the history of some key vineyard sites, as well as the attributes of numerous grape varieties that he works with. Ray also divulges some of his unusual winemaking techniques. Further, Ray points out what has changed in the Napa Valley over the last several decades.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chisa Bize runs Domaine Simon Bize et Fils in Burgundy's Savigny-les-Beaune.Chisa describes her own upbringing in Tokyo, and explains how a chance meeting with Patrick Bize led her to Burgundy, where she is now in charge of the Bize family domaine. Chisa details the differences between the various crus that Bize cultivates, and explains how her approach to farming has shifted over time. She also shares her thoughts on personal growth in response to some tough events.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aldo Vacca is the Managing Director of the Produttori del Barbaresco, in the Barbaresco zone of Italy's Piemonte region.Aldo discusses the foundations of Barbaresco as a delimited zone, and talks about the origins of the Produttori del Barbaresco. He gives a sense of how the winemaking at the Produttori has evolved over time. He also describes the characteristics of some of the important crus of the Barbaresco area, and addresses the differences between some recent vintages and those of the past. While explaining how Barbaresco has developed over the course of a century and more, Aldo points out some of the key changes that have occurred in the region.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jean Gonon works with his brother Pierre at Domaine Pierre Gonon in the Northern Rhône Valley of France, within the Saint-Joseph appellation.Jean speaks about the importance of farming, vine selection, and constant care in this discussion, while asserting that the winemaking that follows is quite simple. He also gives a history of Saint-Joseph as an appellation, and as a terroir. Jean explains why his wines taste as they do, in relation to where they come from and the type of vines involved. And he gives his impressions of different grape varieties, like Syrah, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Chasselas.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dominique Lafon is the Managing Director of Domaine des Comtes Lafon, with cellars in the Burgundy village of Meursault. Dominique also founded the Mâcon winery Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon, and the Burgundy négociant label Dominique Lafon. He consults in Oregon at Lingua Franca Wines.Dominique discusses his firsthand meetings with some of the greats of Burgundy of a previous generation, people like Henri Jayer, Pierre Ramonet, Gérard Potel, and Hubert de Montille. He also assesses the contribution of his own generation in Burgundy, and talks about the importance of his stint working for Becky Wasserman. Dominique relates the qualities of the Meursault, Beaune, and Volnay crus he vinifies, and gives his observations about the Montrachet vineyard. He gives his opinion on the merits of various cellar techniques, and talks about what is important to him in his own winery and vineyard work in the Côte de Beaune, the Mâcon, and in Oregon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erin Scala explores the renaissance of winemaking happening today on the Greek island of Crete.Erin narrates a tour through the Crete wine regions near the towns of Heraklion, Chania, and Sitia, and gets answers about grape varieties like Vidiano, Thrapsathiri, Malvasia di Candia, Kotsifali, Liatiko, Plyto, and more.This episode contains interviews with winemakers and wine professionals working on Crete, including:Nikos Douloufakis (Douloufakis Winery)Antonis Dourakis (Dourakis Winery)Zacharias Diamandakis (Diamandakis Winery)Abbot Filotheos Spanoudakis (Toplou Monastery)John Masaoutis (Oenologist)Yiannis Stilianou (Stilianou Winery)Nikos Paraskevas (Paraskevas Winery)Bart Lyrarakis (Lyrarakis Winery)Afshin Molavi (Manousakis Winery)Nikos Gavalas (Gavalas Winery)Maria Tamiolakis (Rhous Winery)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Patrick Comiskey is a wine writer for "Wine & Spirits" Magazine as well as the "Los Angeles Times." He is also the author of the book "American Rhône: How Maverick Winemakers Changed the Way Americans Drink."Patrick recounts the origins of Rhône grape varieties like Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne in America, and points out some of the winemakers who brought those varieties to prominence in California and Washington State. He provides a timeline for the development of those Rhône grapes in the United States, and discusses some of the market successes and challenges for the wines made from them.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Samuel Guibert is a co-owner and winemaker at the Mas de Daumas Gassac winery, in the Languedoc region of France.Samuel goes into detail about the unusual red and white wines of Mas de Daumas Gassac, a winery that blends Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Tannat and a number of other grape varieties together with Cabernet Sauvignon for their red. Samuel explains the setting of the individual vineyards that compose Mas de Daumas Gassac, the wine history of the surrounding Languedoc region, and the evolution of the winemaking at his winery.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lodovico Antinori is a partner in Tenuta di Biserno, in the Maremma area of Tuscany, and was the founder of Ornellaia in Bolgheri. He is also a partner in Tenuta Campo di Sasso.Lodovico is open and frank in his assessment of his career, discussing his family's position within Tuscan wine, his own important trip to California, and the rise of Super Tuscan wines like Ornellaia. He describes founding Ornellaia with the help of Andre Tchelistcheff, the later influence of Michel Rolland, and the rise to fame of Ornellaia and Masseto. He then discusses what led him to sell Ornellaia to the Robert Mondavi company, and his current projects in the Maremma of Tuscany, in Italy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Peter Liem is the publisher of ChampagneGuide.net, as well as the author of the book "Champagne: The Essential Guide to the Wines, Producers, and Terroirs of the Iconic Region."Peter Liem returns to the show for an interview about Champagne. Peter has been tasting the wines of Champagne professionally for twenty years, and has lived in that region for the last ten years. In this interview he discusses the terroirs of the Champagne region, and gives tips for better evaluating the wines. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Doug Frost is both a Master Sommelier and a Master of Wine, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Doug does wine and spirits consulting in a range of fields, and works as a wine writer.Doug reflects on his career in restaurants, distribution, writing, and consulting in this conversation, touching on his varied adventures in the wine and spirits trade. He remembers cellar visits in the Rhone Valley, describes the wine scene in Kansas City over the years, and speaks to the changes within the Master Sommelier program. He also articulates his thoughts on hospitality, service, and tasting.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Victor Hazan wrote the book "Italian Wine", which was published in 1982. He also co-wrote several Italian cookbooks with his wife, the late Marcella Hazan.Victor Hazan speaks about his lifelong search for authentic Italian ingredients and expressions, an ethusiasm he shared with his wife of many years, Marcella Hazan. Victor details the start of his wine writing career, and confesses why he left off writing his second book on Italian wine. He also provides portraits of some of the key vintners he met along his travels, such as Antonio Mastroberardino and Renato Ratti.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Becky Wasserman-Hone is the founder and co-director of Becky Wasserman & Co., an exporter of wines from Burgundy and other regions of France and Europe.Becky looks back on her career in this interview, and talks about what would be become a key period for Burgundy, as it increasingly found an audience amongst American consumers. She also recalls some of the keys friends and mentors she made along the way, including Michel Lafarge, Gerard Potel, Hubert de Montille, Lalou Bize-Leroy, Aubert de Villaine, Richard Olney, and others. And Becky divulges her personal descriptions of key Burgundy communes, such as Gevrey-Chambertin, Flagey-Echezeaux, Vougeot, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanee, Beaune, Volnay, Chambolle-Musigny, and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill Easton is the proprietor and winemaker at both Easton Wines and Domaine de la Terre Rouge in Amador County, California.Bill describes an era of post-Prohibition California winemaking that has largely disappeared, and explains why he decided to pioneer Rhone grape varieties in a corner of the state that was little known. Bill also is frank about his stylistic choices, and his decision not to embrace the fashionable 1990s style of big wines.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Totte Steneby is the Beverage Manager of Portal Restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden. He is also an importer of Burgundy wine into Sweden, and a European brand ambassador for both the Sandhi and Domaine de la Cote wineries of California.A former child actor, Totte Steneby discusses his sommelier career, having worked at a number of top restaurants in Sweden. He shares some of the difficult moments he has experienced during restaurant work as well, including one hard opening gone wrong. Totte also describes the Swedish wine market, which has dramatically changed in recent years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gianluca Garofoli works with his family at the Garofoli winery, in the Marche region of Italy.Gianluca Garofoli discusses in-depth the wine history of the Marche, as well as the native grape varieties Verdicchio and Montepulciano. This conversation is an insider's guide to the Castelli di Jesi sub-zone of the Marche, and Gianluca provides rich detail about the winemaking there. Vineyard characteristics, vine training, weather conditions, soil types, vintages, and winemaking styles are all covered, as well as the changes in the wines of region over time.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Giampaolo Venica works with his family at the Venica winery, in the Friuli region of Italy.Giampaolo Venica describes the Friuli as a region that has changed significantly in recent decades, and which is still in flux today. He notes the many changes in grape plantings and wine styles within the Collio, and questions what types of wines from the Friuli may find resonance with consumers in the future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marchese Umberto Fracassi Ratti Mentone is the sole producer of a Barolo from the Cherasco sub-zone of Italy's Piemonte region. His family has owned vineyard land in the Cherasco area for centuries, and the Marchese, who is now over 80 years old, tends to the family parcel at the edge of the Barolo zone.This is a rare encounter with the Marchese, who rarely grants interviews. The conversation ranges across decades and even centuries of history in the Piemonte, covering the Roman period, the reign of the Savoy Dukes, World War II, and the great growth of Barolo production in the last few decades.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stephen Brook is a prolific author of anthologies, travel books, and a wide range of wine books published over the last thirty years, including "The Complete Bordeaux," "The Wines of Germany," "The Wines of California," "Wine People," "The Wines of Austria," and "Bordeaux: People, Power, and Politics."Stephen has also been a Contributing Editor to Decanter Magazine since 1996. Stephen revisits his wine writing career in this interview, recounting his adventures and undertakings in several different wine producing countries, and recognizing how those places and the people he has met have changed over time. He also takes a look at the generation he has been a part of within British wine writing, and considers what happens next in his own career and for wine writing generally.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elena Pantaleoni is the proprietor of the La Stoppa winery in Italy's Emilia.Elena Pantaleoni was pulling out international grape varieties from her vineyard in the mid-1990s, just when the acclaim for such wines was highest. And she embraced a Natural wine approach long before it became fashionable in the market. Why did she make those moves? Elena discusses in this interview the decision making that has set her apart from the pack in the Emilia and in Italy. In the end, she says, she didn't want to copy someone else from someplace else.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christian Moueix is the president of Etablissements Jean-Pierre Moueix, based on the Right Bank of Bordeaux, France. He oversees several properties in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion, including Chateau La Fleur-Petrus, Chateau Trotanoy, and Chateau Hosanna. Christian is also the owner of the Dominus Estate and Ulysses wineries in the Napa Valley of California.Christian opens up about his family life and career in this interview, touching on the post-war era of Pomerol, through the 1980s in Napa Valley - which turned out to be a fulcrum period of change for that region - and up through his recent business dealings and purchases in both California and Bordeaux. Fans of Chateau Petrus will find plenty of insight from Christian about that wine in this interview, as he discusses his forty years overseeing the property. Those curious about wineries that he owns today will also find plenty of detail, as well as many amazing anecdotes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Victoria James is the Wine Director of Piora restaurant, in New York City's West Village, and the co-author of "Drink Pink: A Celebration of Rosé."Victoria discusses her shift from diner waitress to fine dining sommelier, and opens up about the process of co-authoring a book with a new boyfriend. This episode will take you to all sorts of unexpected places, including Piemonte's Saluzzo, a lunch table in Provence, into a legendary Lower Manhattan wine cellar, and ringside for a knife fight at a Greek diner.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Garner co-authored the book "Barolo: Tar and Roses - A Study of the Wines of Alba" and is writing the forthcoming "Amarone and the Fine Wines of Verona."Michael Garner helped write one of the classic texts on the Piemonte and Barolo. In this episode Michael narrates a lively journey through his meetings with Giovanni Conterno, Bartolo Mascarello, Violante Sobrero, Luciano Sandrone, Lorenzo Accomasso, Beppe Colla, and many more Great names and personalities of the Langhe region in Italy. Plus Michael provides a bonus sneak peek on the topics of his forthcoming book, "Amarone and the Fine Wines of Verona," giving an overview of the wines of Valpolicella and Soave. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beppe Colla, who was born in 1930, literally defined what Barolo is today through his work at the Prunotto winery in the Piemonte of Italy.Beppe Colla was one of the first to introduce single vineyard Barolo to consumers, and he helped lay down the guidelines that shape the wines of the region today. This is a rare interview with Beppe Colla, who is now blind and lives in retirement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steven Spurrier is a Consulting Editor for Decanter Magazine.Steven is famed for conducting the "Paris Tasting" of 1976, wherein wines from California bested the French in a blind tasting. He discusses that day in May '76 in this episode, providing a front row seat to what happened. He also shares surprising details from his life before and after.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alessandro Masnaghetti is the editor of Enogea, a wine newsletter that has published several groundbreaking maps of wine regions.Alessandro discusses how he went from nuclear engineer to mapman, and the influence that Italian wine journalist Luigi Veronelli had on his career. He also talks about Beppe Colla, a key figure in the history of the Piemonte, and discusses the rationale for focusing on specific crus from that region. And Alessandro gives some well thought out advice to those looking to better understand the crus of Barolo and Barbaresco. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erin Scala delves into the evolving conversation around whole cluster, one of the biggest questions in winemaking. One hundred percent whole cluster? Not all wines are, but this episode sure is.Why might a winemaker choose to use the stems, as well as the grapes, in their winemaking? Or why might they discard those stems? Erin Scala looks at the reasoning presented by some key winemakers from around the world.This episode features interviews with:Jean-Nicolas Meo of Meo-Camuzet (Burgundy)Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Burgundy)Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac (Burgundy)Greg Harrington of Gramercy Cellars (Washington State)Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent (Oregon)Sashi Moorman of Domaine de la Côte, Sandhi, Piedrasassi and others (CA & Oregon)John Lockwood of Enfield Wine Co. (California)Kate McIntyre of Moorooduc Estate (Victoria, Australia)Ronnie Sanders of Vine Street ImportsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Frederic Lafarge operates Domaine Michel Lafarge with his family, with cellars located in the Burgundian town of Volnay, in France. Frederic and his wife Chantal also recently began the Lafarge-Vial domaine, with holdings in the Beaujolais crus of Fleurie, Chiroubles, and Cote de Brouilly.In this interview Frederic goes deep into the explanation of his winemaking for the various crus and grape varieties (including Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay, and Aligote Doree) that he works with. There are several surprising revelations, and Frederic explains quite well why, for example, he chooses to use stems with Gamay when he avoids them for Pinot Noir, and his thinking about the different crus. This interview comes full circle when Frederic describes how a technique he started using in 2015 is the same method that was used at the family domaine in the early 20th century, before his own father was born. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At the time of this interview, Randall Restiano was the Wine Director of the Eli Zabar restaurant group as well as the Eli's List retail shop in Manhattan.Randall Restiano discusses wine buying strategies for restaurants and for retail. He suggests finding out what you don't like, thinking for the long term, being careful about large purchases, and focusing in on no more than two countries of origin for wine. Randall also has several principles that he keeps in mind when he evaluates every potential wine purchase. He shares those principles and more from his personal experience of wine buying in this interview.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Patricio Tapia is the author of the "Descorchados" wine guide to South America. He is also a Senior Correspondent for "Wine & Spirits" Magazine, responsible for covering the wines of Argentina, Chile, and Spain.Patricio Tapia describes both the history and the future for wine in South America, looking at each generation of siginificant winemakers in Argentina and Chile, and discussing the diversity of grape varieties, winemaking methods, and regions across Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay. Patricio makes clear that each country is distinctly different, with an individual history of immigration shaping the realities for the different sectors today. And he points out some regions that may become better known for quality wines in the future.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Marika Vida-Arnold is the Wine Director of the Ritz-Carlton Central Park New York City and also has her own consulting business, Vida et Fils.Marika discusses her strategies for balancing sommelier work with her priorities as a mother of two children. How does she find balance with her schedule, commitments, and budgets to best get to the sort of life she wants for herself and her family? What are the important ins and outs of working with wine in a luxury hotel? And what needs to be kept in mind when operating as a wine consultant? Marika addresses all of those topics, and gives plenty of straight from the heart advice to those parents who have made wine their career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Arnaud Lambert manages Chateau de Breze and Domaine de Saint-Just in the Loire Valley of France. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Philippe Newlin is Head of Duclot La Vinicole USA, the importer and distributor of Bordeaux wines from France. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Erin Scala takes a tour of Syrah and Grenache vineyards throughout California, and talks with winemakers working with Rhone grape varieties in that state.The following winemakers and vineyard professionals are interviewed within this episode:Chris Pittenger (Skinner Vineyards)Gideon Beinstock (Clos Saron)Randall Grahm (Bonny Doon Vineyard)David Gates, Jr. (Ridge Vineyards)Bob Lindquist (Qupe)Ryan Roark (Roark Wine Company)William Allen (Two Shepherds)Larry Schaffer (Tercero Wines)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fred Merwarth is the winemaker and vineyard manager at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, a winery and vine nursery in the Finger Lakes of New York State that Fred also co-owns. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Larry Stone returns to the show to speak about his Lingua Franca winery and LS Vineyards, both located in Oregon. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Stefano Almondo works with his family at Giovanni Almondo, a producer in the Roero zone of Italy's Piemonte. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Frederic Mugnier is the proprietor of Domaine Jacques-Frederic Mugnier, located in the Burgundy village of Chambolle-Musigny, in France. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ehren Jordan is the proprietor of the Failla winery, located in St. Helena, California. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.