Episodes
Feb. 28, 2023
The author of Sideways is up to his old shenanigans. Hear what Rex Pickett is doing.
Wine Talks first sat with Rex in 2021 as he was pondering a Sideways musical. In just a few years, the musical is touring Spain to sold-out crowds and he is holding Sideways concerts in Napa Valley. We caught up with Rex in Napa Valley recently to...
Feb. 23, 2023
This is one motivated woman in wine. Jessica Kogan is hell-bent on her agenda.
Once in a while, you run into someone who is a force of nature and come away with “I want her on my team.” This is Jessica Kogan. You must realize that sometimes there are people smarter than you and that there are people that have landed in their...
Feb. 21, 2023
It takes humility to be a proper winemaker. Jon Priest is the definition.
Etude is exemplary in its approach to sustainability. When Jon told me during our interview that the sheep were out on the south 40 aerating and churning the soil and mulching the vegetation, it conjured up a vision of old. This type of farming...
Feb. 16, 2023
Katrina Frey is the real deal. Try to keep up with her.
The concept of organic wine farming is really quite old. If you think about it, vineyards were organic for thousands of years before the invention and use of pesticides. Katrina and her husband were the first certified organic vineyards in...
Feb. 14, 2023
There are the greats and then the greats. Meet one of the latter, winemaker of Maison Louis Jadot, Frédéric Barnier.
The study of wine will take you all over the world. It is fascinating and intoxicating (pun intended). It is said that all roads of wine curiosity lead to Burgundy. The history, the lifestyle, the wines, and the people. Meet one of the most...
Feb. 9, 2023
I can’t take it anymore. Just hear me out on this. I tell it like it is.
The formidable Winc is in bankruptcy under the rules of Chapter 11. They were one of the largest Direct To Consumer wine companies in America and they failed. The business failing is one thing, and that happens all the time for various reasons. I am...
Feb. 7, 2023
They saw the story. They tell the story. Meet Don and Petie Kladstrup
Wine and war is a subject close to my heart. I had been studying it when I stumbled across the book of the same name. What a story about the Nazis and the French sparring during the Nazi occupation during World War II. The detail that Don and Petie...
Feb. 2, 2023
This guy gets wine. Because it is about the soul. Meet Keith Saarloos
After Mathew Kaner was on the show, we received a call from Keith stating he needed to come on and talk all things wine. After 30 seconds of our initial call, I said “when can you come on?”. This guy got it. Wine really is about the soul. It is...
Jan. 31, 2023
Get Educated Here. Seriously Educated. Maryam Ahmed Waxes Poetic On Wine.
From Cornell University studying Hospitality to becoming an entrepreneur stopping on the way for an Enology degree, Maryam Ahmed is learned and articulate. Engaging in conversation with a point of view is how the needle moves. We moved the...
Jan. 26, 2023
Who plants a vineyard in Virginia? Carolyn Covington does.
The enthralling Carolyn Covington, aka The American Wine Girl, had her aha wine moment on a trip to Florence, Italy where she learned that wine was an art form. This revelation took her to learn the industry and become WSET 3 certified; taking this...
Jan. 24, 2023
Bad Ass Wine Witch? I agree! Meet Justin Trabue
Justin Trabue drives back and forth between Paso Robles and Napa Valley to hone her craft. Between learning the value of each district, she is also working towards raising the people of color coefficient in the wine industry; an important...
Jan. 19, 2023
Meet your new “bougie” wine cousin, Chasity Cooper.
She wants wine to be an approachable beverage to all. Passionate about removing barriers for women and people of color into the wine industry, Chasity has covered the gamut of places to create the force. She enjoys the camaraderie of the trade and...
Jan. 17, 2023
Try and stump Mathew Kaner on all things wine. Can’t do it.
When he landed his first job at the iconic Wine Cask in Santa Barbara, he was asked to stock the fine Burgundy section in order of vineyards from north to south; this is a tough task for an experienced wine academic, let alone a “first day on the...
Jan. 12, 2023
Most Expensive Restaurant In America? Disneyland. Find out from the Matt Ellingson.
Some of you might know that Disneyland has a private club; Club 33. But did you know of the club named 21 Royale? In what was to be Walt Disney's apartment? and could be the most expensive restaurant in the country...and by all accounts, an experience...
Jan. 11, 2023
The Hollywood Dream is real. David Zucker, famed Director tells his story.
Sandra and I recently had dinner with famed director, David Zucker and all we did was laugh and talk about the future and what is in store. As he is preparing to release a new book, on the making of the movie Airplane, I thought it would be nice to...
Jan. 6, 2023
Season 13 Recap: A Look Back, and a Glimpse of What's to Come...
Season 13 has come to a close and we could not be more excited for our upcoming 14th season! This past season, we had the privilege of hearing from a variety of guests; Liam D'Arcy, who effectively calls himself the wine "idiot"; Kira Ballotta,...
Dec. 29, 2022
History, knowledge, and passion. That sums up Kira Ballotta.
When you listen to Kira speak about wine, you realize that there is still real passion out there in our industry. Winemaking is about passion or it is just work. Kira brings a whole new level of articulation in describing her approach and knowledge...
Dec. 27, 2022
Wine writing comes easy to Jess Lander. Her San Francisco Chronicle articles quickly gained attention.
Sitting with Jess Lander is like sitting with your best friend. She is open, fun, and interesting while also informative, cautious, and inspiring. You will learn that wine writing doesn’t come easy for most. Even the most experienced writers...
Dec. 22, 2022
Who has the guts to pour Bordeaux in a Napa Tasting room? Sharon Kazan Harris does.
Sharon Kazan Harris tells it like it is. She is unabashed in her opinion of what is happening in the wine trade and Napa particularly. With a home in Bordeaux France, she carries with her an appreciation of the old and new world wines and brings to...
Dec. 20, 2022
An incurable prostate cancer diagnosis changed his life. Winemaker Doctor Bob Hollander uses wine to raise support for research.
Imagine the diagnosis; “you have terminal prostate cancer.” Now what? Listen to this emotional testimony by Dr. Bob (Pulmonologist with the VA) as he walks us through the diagnosis, treatment, and post-realization efforts to support...
Dec. 15, 2022
She quit her day job to pursue wine and never looked back. Meet Brooke Martin
Despite Utah being one of the most strict post-prohibition states, Brooke Martin set up shop as a wine broker. Not knowing what would transpire, she just needed to make a change. Learn what it takes to go from wine enthusiast to wine influencer. She...
Dec. 13, 2022
Meet Justine Belle. They are setting the “winery” structure on its ear and can very well change the concept of a winery forever.
This is one driven and intelligent individual. Fighting through racism, sexism, and bureaucracy. Justine has prevailed in creating a new organizational pro forma for the wine business. This is no easy task and is faced with unknowns. ...
Dec. 8, 2022
Meet the Wine Wally, translated…”The Wine Idiot”...that is what he calls it. Hear why. Wine Blogger Liam D’Arcy spells it out.
A man after my own heart. I had to ask…what is a “Wine Wally?” His response..”Basically, wine idiot” That made me laugh. Liam takes a unique approach to speaking on wine and is very straightforward about his goals. Teach his wine...
Dec. 6, 2022
Adversity and perseverance frame her life. Meet Monique Soltani.
Monique Soltani is an award-winning journalist, TV News anchor, Mother, Wife, Host of Wine Oh T.V., and much more. She has accomplished so much and has been on a journey with her successful show, Wine Oh T.V. But in the midst of shooting a wine...