I could hardly believe the stories Don and Petie Kladstrup shared on this episode of Wine Talks. There I was, prepping my usual questions about historical bottles and legendary cellars, when suddenly, our conversation took this wild turn—one I never saw coming. It’s not often our guests have me on the edge of my seat, but with the Kladstrups, that’s exactly what happened.
Why did I enjoy this episode so much? Simple: Don and Petie didn’t just bring knowledge about French wine; they brought adventure. It’s easy for a wine podcast to get lost in the technical side of things—terroirs, tannins, vintages—but this time, we entered the realm of high-stakes World War II intrigue. The Kladstrups, with their wit and back-and-forth banter, turned a historical anecdote into a full-blown drama. The level of detail in their storytelling drew me in, especially when Don described—almost off-handedly—how French medics managed to transport a staggering 100,000 bottles of wine from Adolf Hitler’s infamous Eagles Nest.
Let me set the scene as they explained it: the Eagles Nest, perched atop a mountain, with only a narrow road winding up to it. As Petie described, it wasn’t just any road—you could barely pass unless you were at the beginning or the end. And to make matters even trickier, the legendary elevator, once installed for Hitler himself, was bombed out of commission. So, how did the wine get down? Hospital stretchers! Don explained that French medics, in a bit of historical one-upmanship against the Americans, used hospital ambulances parked at the mountain base while soldiers grappled stretchers laden with bottles, carrying precious wine down treacherous mountain paths. It’s the sort of mental image that sticks with you—not just for its ingenuity, but for the sheer audacity of it.
Another brilliant point that came up—and I have to admit, the little bit of national rivalry made me laugh—was the debate over who actually got to the Eagles Nest first. Petie pointed out she always thought it was the Americans or the Russians, echoing what many of us learned. But Don (with that tell-it-like-it-is tone) set the record straight: “That’s what the Americans want you to believe, but they didn’t. Apparently not.” It turns out, the French got there first, and were even ordered to take down their own flag so the Americans could put theirs up in a photo op! It’s a nugget of history I doubt you’ll find in most textbooks—and it added so much color to the tale.
Hosting Don and Petie wasn’t just informative—it was exceptionally entertaining. Their chemistry and playful interruptions made the whole segment feel like I was sitting at a family dinner table somewhere in Bordeaux, swapping stories over fine wine. That’s the power of great guests: they take us beyond the bottle, into the heart of history, and sprinkle in surprises you never expect. If you’re passionate about wine, history, or stories where the stakes are unexpectedly high, this episode is a must-listen. I promise you’ll come away with more than just wine knowledge; you’ll get a fresh perspective on how far people will go to protect what they love—even if it means hauling 100,000 bottles down a mountain!
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