The Chronicle
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110 results across all types
- podcast· 1h 12m
The Wine Makers – Jamie Araujo, Trois Noix
Though she carries one of the most prominent last names in modern Napa Valley history, Jamie Araujo didn’t grow up a wine brat or even a Napa kid at all. By the time the Araujos purchased the iconic Eisele Vineyard and launched their wine brand, Jamie was already in college on the East Coast. And she kept going east—eventually all the way to London’s West End, where she built a career as a professional actor. We sat down with Jamie to talk about her fascinating journey: from theater and television to working with some of the biggest names in wine, and ultimately returning to the family business at Araujo Estate Wines. Along the way, we explored the next chapter for the Araujo family—Accendo Cellars—as well as Jamie’s own project, Trois Noix. Most importantly, we discussed how Jamie is working to help shape Napa Valley’s future for the better in meaningful ways. So pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine and settle in—you’re going to love this story. (Unless your favorite wine happe
- podcast· 1h 23m
The Wine Makers – The Sake Show!
What happens when the world’s leading non-Japanese Master of Sake Tasting joins forces with three sake brewery presidents and one of the most enthusiastic wine reps in the business? You get a deep, delicious dive into sake that’s equal parts educational and intoxicating—in the best way. In this highly anticipated installment, Bella Pearson returns with “the Godfather of Sake” himself, John Gauntner, to walk us through the fascinating world of sake—from the rice fields to the bottle. Gauntner, the only non-Japanese Master of Sake Tasting certified by the Brewing Society of Japan, brings unmatched insight into the complex processes and centuries-old techniques behind Japan’s national drink. Alongside Gauntner and Bella, we’re joined by sake brewery presidents from Takatenjin, Kawatsuru, and Rihaku, each offering up exquisite pours that showcased the staggering range of flavor profiles—from crisp and clean to rich and unfiltered. Though we barely scratched the surface of this vast and nua
- podcast· 1h 10m
The Wine Makers – Bruce Devlin, Ballentine Vineyards
Ballentine Vineyards, a Napa Valley staple since 1905, isn’t just a winery—it’s a living legacy. We dive into the story of a winemaker whose path to the vineyard wasn’t exactly a straight line. He started out aiming to be a brewmaster, dabbled in forestry and photography, but ultimately found his groove in Fermentation Science at UC Davis. A globe-spanning exchange program took him to Germany, South Africa, and Australia, shaping his winemaking style before he joined the family operation in 1999. Bruce and his wife Danielle also run their own project, Three Clicks Wines, a nod to the telegram code that signaled the end of Prohibition. A journey filled with science, tradition, and a lot of heart. [Ep 370] ballentinevineyards.com threeclickswines.com
- podcast· 1h 19m
The Wine Makers – On the Road in New Brunswick with Francis Schott & Mark Pascal
This week, Sam hits the road with MJ Towler—The Black Wine Guy—for a special crossover episode recorded live in New Brunswick, New Jersey. They sit down with legendary restaurateurs and OG podcasters Francis Schott and Mark Pascal, the co-owners of Stage Left Steak and Catherine Lombardi, and hosts of The Restaurant Guys podcast. Long before podcasts went mainstream, Francis and Mark were pioneering thoughtful, unpretentious conversations in food, wine, and hospitality, straight from their corner of the Garden State. Sam and MJ dive deep into Francis and Mark’s early days in the restaurant industry, the dramatic evolution of hospitality, and how New Brunswick emerged as an unexpected—and underrated—food and wine hotspot. The conversation also revisits the wild, early days of podcasting, raising a glass to names like DiSpirito, Trotter, and Bourdain. With behind-the-scenes restaurant stories, old-school podcast wisdom, and heartfelt reminders about the timeless power of passion and hosp
- podcast· 1h 03m
The Wine Makers – Cathy Corison, Grace Corison & Anna Brittain
Cathy Corison is a legend, pioneer, and true trailblazer in the California wine industry. In the 1970s, when most women were limited to lab work, Cathy set her sights on winemaking. She earned her place at Freemark Abbey and Yverdon, eventually becoming head winemaker at Chappellet in 1980. While the wine world leaned toward big, bold, hedonistic Napa Cabernets, Cathy stayed true to her vision—crafting restrained, elegant wines that initially flew under the radar of critics like Robert Parker. Today, under her own label, Corison, Cathy is celebrated as one of California’s most respected producers. Joining the conversation is Grace Corison, Cathy’s daughter and the future face of Corison Winery. Grace played a key role in getting their vineyards certified organic—a recognition of practices they’d followed for years. She recognized the importance of official certification for transparency and for connecting with a younger generation of wine drinkers. Also joining us is Anna Brittain, Exe
- podcast· 1h 01m
The Wine Makers & Bedrock Conversations – Introducing S.O.R.B.E.T.
What began with a few DMs dunking on misleading “cover crop” Instagram posts—or maybe even earlier, on Napa Valley school bus rides more than 25 years ago—has grown into something much bigger: a groundbreaking tasting event focused on the future of responsible winegrowing. In this first-ever crossover episode of The Wine Makers Podcast and Bedrock Conversations, Katie Bundschu, Morgan Twain-Peterson MW, and Sam Coturri join Chris Cotrell, Alli Badar, Brian Casey, and Bart Hansen to introduce S.O.R.B.E.T.—the Sonoma Organic Regenerative Biodynamic Education Tasting. This inaugural event celebrates Sonoma Valley’s critical role in sustainable and ecological winegrowing—past, present, and future. The only two rules for participation: 1) Wines must be farmed organically, regeneratively, or biodynamically. 2) Wines must come from Sonoma Valley. The result? A dynamic mix of wineries—from garagistes to corporate producers, from emerging natural wine stars to established legacy brands—offering
- podcast· 51:44
The Wine Makers – Napa Green RISE Symposium
This week on the podcast, we welcome Anna Brittain from Napa Green to talk about the upcoming Napa RISE Symposium . Napa Green is a global leader in sustainable winegrowing, known for setting the highest standards for sustainability and climate action in the wine industry. The organization provides wineries and vineyards with the tools, resources, and certification pathways needed to level up leadership from soil to bottle. The Napa RISE event series is designed to drive real sustainability and climate action across the entire wine industry and culture. Joining Anna are two RISE Leadership Award winners: Gita Mallya , Viticulturist and de facto Sustainability Lead at Domaine Carneros , who shares insights about their RISE Leadership Award for Energy , including their cutting-edge microgrid system. Sarah Richmond , Director of Operations at Clif Family , who discusses their RISE Leadership Award for Supply Chain , highlighting efforts like completing a full emissions inventory, switchin
- podcast· 1h 00m
The Wine Makers – Tie Dye Before the High
Live at The Vine Club in Atlanta with Kelly Cornett, Sam Coturri, Eric Crane, and Taylor Sublett. This episode was recorded live at The Vine Club in Atlanta, GA, the Tuesday evening before the annual High Museum Wine Auction, as a crossover episode with Kelly Cornett of The Cork and the Road Podcast. Sam was visiting Atlanta, and we threw a “Tie Dye Before the High” bottle share and vinyl party to celebrate a bunch of people who make the Atlanta wine community so vibrant. We sat down with Eric Crane, the Director of Training for Empire Distributors, and Taylor Sublett, the owner of The Vine Club, who hooked up his space for the party. Even though we are on Kelly’s turf, we brought the wine makers podcast style and had a great Atlanta time. Dig in for Eric Crane’s deep Grateful Dead knowledge, Taylor’s unique wine club rules, and Kelly’s trademark enthusiasm for all things wine and Atlanta related. You can follow @acorkintheroad @sixteen600 @chauneuf and @thevineclubatl on Instagram. Re
- podcast· 1h 09m
The Wine Makers – Dane Cellars Spring Releases & Listener Questions
This week, we’re tasting Bart’s Spring Releases from Dane Cellars. The only question is—will the Spring Offering hit your inbox just in time to match the release of this episode? We also opened the floor to the greatest fandom in podcast land and, as always, you came through with some excellent listener questions. And yes, there was a Signal text chain… let’s just say it ended in a lot of enthusiastic reactions. Check out the new wines at www.danecellars.com
- podcast· 1h 17m
The Wine Makers – Wines of California
Wines of California with Elaine Chukan Brown (aka Hawk Wakawaka) If you’ve been listening for a while, you know that when Friend of the Pod Elaine Chukan Brown—aka the legendary Hawk Wakawaka (or “Chuckavaka,” if you’re in the know)—is asked to write a book on a topic as broad as Wines of California , it’s not going to be your typical “Zinfandel was first planted in 18-blah-blah-di-blah” wine book. In this episode, Bart and Sam sit down with Elaine to talk about their new book, Wines of California , coming next month from Académie du Vin Library. Elaine delivers a powerful, deeply researched take on the history of California wine—connecting the evolution of wine in the Golden State to larger patterns in American history, global politics, and cultural change. With her trademark no-nonsense honesty, Elaine has written what might be called a tough-love letter to California wine—celebrating its innovation, leadership, and resilience while challenging the industry to reckon with its past an
- podcast· 56:56
The Wine Makers – Laurent Gomez, Domaine du Val de Rois
This week, we sit down with Laurent Gomez from Domaine du Val des Rois , a winery whose name translates to “Valley of the King,” paying tribute to Valréas’ rich winemaking history, first planted in the 9th century by King Charlemagne. Val des Rois is a 10-hectare estate in Côtes du Rhône, originally planted in 1965 by 9th-generation Burgundian winemaker Romain Bouchard. Located on the northern edge of the Southern Rhône in Valréas, the vineyard benefits from its unique altitude and southeast exposure, cooling nightly air from the Alps, and soils rich in limestone and deep clay. These natural conditions lead to wines with exceptionally high acidity, setting them apart from the typical Southern Rhône profile. At the hands of legendary winemaker Stéphane Vedeau, Val des Rois produces truly distinctive wines. We had the pleasure of tasting: A White Blend, An 80-year-old vine Grenache, A Grenache/Syrah blend, All wines are aged in concrete, giving them purity, vibrancy, and a true homage to
- podcast· 1h 24m
The Wine Makers – Ben Gordon, Bouchon Family Wines
Our friend Bella Pearson from Vine Connections introduced us to Ben Gordon from J. Bouchon Family Winery this week, and we were immediately intrigued by their deep history of farming Pais —known as Mission here in California. The Bouchon family’s winemaking story began in the late 19th century when young viticulturist Emile Bouchon left Bordeaux, France, for Chile. Today, Julio Bouchon and his children continue the family’s fourth-generation winemaking tradition in the Maule Valley , blending deep soil research with innovative techniques to craft distinctive, terroir-driven wines that honor the region’s rich history. One of the most fascinating aspects of their vineyards is how Pais grows up the trees along the vineyard’s edge, creating a stunning visual that had us imagining climbing ladders to harvest the grapes—definitely not OSHA-approved here in California! [Ep361] Check out more about their wines and history: J. Bouchon Family Wines Vine Connections
- podcast· 1h 06m
The Wine Makers – Podere Le Ripi Winery, Sophia Quercioli
This week, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Sophia Quercioli from Podere Le Ripi in Montalcino, Italy. Known for producing exceptional Sangiovese, the winery is farmed biodynamically by a team of young, passionate, and slightly crazy individuals. Founded in 1998 by Francesco Illy, Podere Le Ripi is home to one of the most fascinating vineyards in the world—the Bonsai Vineyard , a high-density planting that defies conventional wisdom. Their gravity-fed crush facility and cellar took eight people four years and 250,000 bricks to construct, a testament to the dedication and artistry behind their winemaking. “We don’t like to define where a vineyard begins and ends, because everything we do is based on an approach that considers what surrounds us in its entirety. Vineyards, woods, olive trees, gullies, rivers, all this is our ecosystem, and we want to take care of it without separating nature on the basis of production class. We accompany 34 hectares of vineyards inserted
- podcast· 1h 37m
The Wine Makers – Todd Bostock & Kent Foulker
Fresh from the DTC Conference and Unified Symposium, the guys sit down with two out-of-state winemakers who are making waves in their regions. Todd Bostock – Dos Cabezas WineWorks, Sonoita, Arizona Since 1995, Dos Cabezas WineWorks has been growing grapes and crafting wines in Southern Arizona. The winery and its 80 acres of vineyard were pioneered by the late visionary Al Buhl. Todd joined the team as winemaker in 2002, and by the end of 2006, the Bostock family took over operations. Dos Cabezas sources high-quality fruit from its two estate vineyards: Pronghorn Vineyard in Sonoita and Cimarron Vineyard in the Kansas Settlement. Curious about what grapes thrive in Arizona’s unique climate? Todd shares his insight on growing and making wine in the desert. Dos Cabezas WineWorks – Website – Instagram Kent Foulker – Cedar Ridge Winery, Swisher, Iowa The Quint family has a long history of farming and distilling spirits, and in 2005, Jeff Quint founded Cedar Ridge with a mission to put Iowa
- podcast· 3h 36m
The Wine Makers – Grand Finale from the DTC Wine Symposium
The Marathon – Winemakers, Industry Leaders & The Reason for the Season, Steve Gross In our final dispatch from the 2025 DTC Wine Symposium, we sat down with industry leaders, keynote speakers, and winemakers from across the country to explore the biggest conversations happening in the wine world. The highlight, as always, was Steve Gross from the Wine Institute, the foremost expert on wine shipping regulations. If you’re a winemaker who relies on direct-to-consumer sales or a wine lover who enjoys having bottles shipped straight to your door, you have Steve to thank—and y’all better go to Free the Grapes and sign up now! This episode is packed with countless insights, deep discussions, and incredible guests. Dust off a bottle (or two), settle in, and get ready—this one is an epic. The Guest Rundown: Rishad Tobaccowala – AI expert, futurist, thought leader, and author focusing on marketing and the future of work—now a bona fide friend of the pod. Substack Website LinkedIn Instagram Boo
- podcast· 1h 04m
The Wine Makers – DTC Show Pt 2, Monterey County Wine
The DTC Wine Symposium Podcast Extravaganza – Part 2: The Wines and the People of Monterey County Okay, we admit it—we’re Sonoma homers. Occasionally, we branch out and interview someone from Napa (gasp!). But despite our regional prejudices, the growers and winemakers of Monterey County welcomed the podcast crew—not to mention 700+ DTC Wine Symposium attendees—with open arms! Jokes aside, the Monterey County wine community were fantastic hosts all week long. We were lucky enough to sit down with friend of the pod, Adam Lee—a longtime proponent of Monterey fruit—and let him guide us through a fascinating conversation with some luminaries of the Monterey wine scene. Adam introduced us to legendary grower Gary Franscioni, owner of ROAR Wines, who helped develop and farm the vineyards that put the Santa Lucia Highlands on the winemaking map. We also met Sabrine Rodems, winemaker at the acclaimed Wrath Wines and owner/winemaker of Scratch Wines—an awesome lineup of wines that scratched an
- podcast· 1h 18m
The Wine Makers – DTC Show Pt 1, Karen MacNeil
We kicked off our annual pilgrimage to the DTC Wine Symposium with one of the biggest names in wine: Karen MacNeil. Yes, the Karen MacNeil—winner of nearly every major wine writing award, founder of the Culinary Institute of America’s Professional Wine Program, Stanford University wine educator, and global authority on all things wine. You know her from WineSpeed in your inbox, from PBS and Netflix in your living room, and from Come Over October, a movement championing wine’s place in culture. And, of course, she’s the author of The Wine Bible—Volumes 1 through 3, with Volume 4 in the works. But behind the accolades is an incredible story: a determined high school runaway who discovered wine through an $0.89 Bulgarian jug red, bootstrapped her way through college working in restaurants, launched her food and wine writing career at just 19, and bulldozed her way to the top of New York’s wine world. It was fascinating, inspiring, and educational—the perfect way to start our epic week in
- podcast· 1h 00m
The Wine Makers – Regenerative Agriculture Meets Academia
Professor Phil wrapped up teaching a master class in regenerative organic agriculture to a group of Harvard and MIT grad students at Liquid Sky Vineyard in Sonoma’s Moon Mountain AVA. After experiencing firsthand the vineyards and tasting the wine they helped study, John sat down with the students to discuss how they plan to take the principles of regenerative organic farming into the world through their future careers. This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of some of the brightest and most innovative thinkers in agriculture today. Tune in and enjoy!
- podcast· 1h 38m
The Wine Makers – Isabel Gassier & Phil Coturri, “Á Deux Têtes” Release
This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with winemaker Isabel Gassier and viticulturist Phil Coturri to discuss their collaborative project, À Deux Têtes , which began in 2017 with the late, renowned French winemaker Philippe Cambie. Isabel has been crafting wine simultaneously at her family’s Domaine Gassier in France and Sonoma’s Winery Sixteen600, where all the grapes are organically farmed under Phil’s care. Together, Phil and Isabel share insights into their approach and decisions for the challenging 2022 vintage. They discuss the new releases of Oakville and Rossi Ranch Grenache, as well as the 2023 Rosé of Grenache, offering a rare glimpse into the collaboration between grower and winemaker. It’s an engaging conversation about their shared philosophy, their passion for organic farming, and the exciting results of their partnership. [Ep 354] Follow their work: @domainegassier @enterprisevineyards @isabelgassierwine @winerysixteen600
- podcast· 1h 52m
The Wine Makers – Adam, Sabelli-Frisch
Adam Frisch, a Los Angeles-based cinematographer, took an unconventional path to winemaking, diving in with no formal training to produce wines from historic varieties like Flame Tokay and Mission. Adam’s approach to winemaking is as bold as it is thoughtful. “I tend to go for more restrained oak usage for the best expression, but I’m not opposed to oak if the wine demands it (and some do). My wines are typically bone dry, naturally fermented, with no added chemicals, and low in sulfites. I try not to filter or fine.” We love passionate and adventurous winemakers like Adam, who defy trends and follow their dreams with reckless abandon. His portfolio is diverse, fascinating, and utterly delicious. Adam joined us for this episode after being evacuated due to the fires in Southern California—proof of his dedication to his craft. You can find his wines through his website or follow his journey on social media. [Ep353] Check them out: Sabelli-Frisch.com Instagram: @sabellifrisch
- podcast· 2h 12m
The Wine Makers – Martha Stoumen
This week, we spoke with Martha Stoumen, a winemaker crafting unique wines from the warmer regions of Northern California. For the past decade, she has been building her own label and gaining attention with her eye-catching designs and surprising grape varietals. Her commitment to sustainable farming has set her apart, appealing to wine lovers who value quality and ethics. With a focus on natural acidity, her wines remain fresh, vibrant, and incredibly drinkable. Martha spent eight years apprenticing around the world before launching her own journey as a winemaker. Starting as a self-funded, first-generation vintner, her goal was to answer a simple question: “What does California taste like?” She believes Mediterranean grapes thrive in Northern California’s warm climate, allowing her to create joyful, balanced wines. Her unexpected varietals and fresh takes on California classics offer something truly unique. “We do things the right way,” Martha says, “even if it’s not the easiest or c
- podcast· 1h 39m
The Wine Makers – Gloria Ferrer – Kyle Altomare & Brad Kurtz
When we last checked in on Gloria Ferrer, the winery was undergoing a significant transition. With a new general manager in place, they were moving toward organic farming across their 300 acres, while also preparing for the retirement of their original winemaker and vineyard manager. Enter viticulturist Brad Kurtz, who not only spearheaded the shift to organic farming but also took a deep dive into re-evaluating every block of their estate vineyards—matching clones and rootstocks to specific soils for optimal results. In early 2024, Kyle Altomare joined as Director of Winemaking. With experience at Raventos Codorniu and as Associate Winemaker for Artesa Vineyards, Kyle is now instrumental in crafting Gloria Ferrer’s sparkling wines and elevating the style and prestige of their estate. The goal: to refine and develop a signature house style defined by the purity of estate-grown fruit. As this is the final show of the year, we encourage you to open a bottle of bubbles—preferably one made
- podcast· 1h 31m
The Wine Makers – Brooke Delmas Robertson, Delmas Winery
Brooke Delmas Robertson is one of our favorite people, and for good reason. Her Delmas SJR Vineyard Syrah was just named #10 on Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 100 Wines of 2024, and shortly after, her Viognier earned a spot in Decanter’s Top 50. Her family has been raising the bar in the Rocks District of Walla Walla for years, producing only about 1000 cases annually—flying under the radar, but with outstanding quality. Brooke’s commitment to sustainability and family legacy shines through in her approach: “We want our vines to outlive us and be sustainable and strong for generations to come. That expectation requires daily oversight and a commitment to sustainability and healthy plants,” she says. “The driving vision to create a small, family-estate operation has been a family dream since my brother and I were kids. My work on behalf of the estate will continue to be a tribute to my late brother, whom the vineyard is named after. To life!” In addition to her winemaking, Brooke serves on the Board
- podcast· 1h 28m
The Wine Makers – Stuart Spencer, St. Amant Wine & Executive Director Lodi Wine Growers
Stuart Spencer began his career with the Lodi Winegrape Commission in 1999 as the Program Manager where he was instrumental in conceptualizing and guiding many of the region’s successful marketing, research and education, and sustainable viticulture programs, including LODI RULES. His passion for Historic Vineyards runs deep and his knowledge of the local history in Lodi is impressive. Stuart wrote an article in March of this year that highlighted the growing concerns over foreign bulk wines flooding the California wine industry that is truly shocking. www.lodigrowers.com/imported-foreign-bulk-wine-the-dirty-secret-no-one-in-california-wine-is-talking-about Stuart also is the winemaker for St. Amant Wine, his family winery that first planted grapes in Amador County back in the eighties, then went on to make wines in Lodi. We had the opportunity to try some of his wines and they were “off the charts” amazing. Enjoy the show and pick up some of his wines. www.stamantwine.com @st.amant_wi