Walking the aisles of the Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, a gentleman stuck a sparkling wine glass in my face and said “Do you like wine?” I responded, “Is this a joke?” He went on to tell me that this was an Italian non-alcoholic sparkling wine…
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 find out what…
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 rightful…
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 and wine production is a discipline…
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 California and if that wasn’t enough, they became the first…
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 influential people who help shape not…
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 speaking of the failure to…
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 were…
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…
From the Cornel School of Hospitality to 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 needle today with an invigorating conversation on diversity, wine, and marketing in…
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 knowledge to teach wine and to…
She 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 objective industry side. It takes the Justin Trabue’s of the world…
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 likes speaking wine-geek, but throttles herself when…
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 job” kinda…
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, a learned woman and her wines…
Sitting with Jess Landers is like sitting with your best friend. She is open, fun and interesting while at the same time, informative, cautious, and inspiring. You will learn that wine writing doesn’t come easy for most. Even the most experienced writers sometimes feel like they have run out of…
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 the table this…
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 research through the process of raising funds with the wines he has made. Such an…
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 research through the process of raising funds with the wines he has made. Such an…
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 walks us through her regular day…
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. Having vast experience in hospitality (currently the Maitre d’hôtel at Comodo in Gramercy…
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 straight forward about his goals. Teach his wine lessons live; meaning, he lets his followers in…
She was in the middle of a wine episode when she got word of her husbands illness; dropped everything to raise her twin daughters. Meet Monique Soltani from off the ropes.
Wine influencers are a thing. They are passionate about wine and know how to tell the stories. Paige Comrie is a classic example. Having been a XXXXXX, she learned of the “lifestyle” of wine and it was “Katie bar the door”. With both guns drawn, Paige set out to share…