Episodes

  • The Wine Makers – Ray Isle, The World in a Wineglass

    The Wine Makers – Ray Isle, The World in a Wineglass
    Nov 22 2024
    This week on the podcast we have Ray Isle the Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine and the Wine & Spirits Editor of Travel + Leisure. His articles about wine, beer, food and spirits have appeared in a wide range of national publications. He speaks regularly on wine at events around the country and is a frequent guest on national media, appearing on programs such as NBC's Today, CBS Mornings, CNBC’s Squawk Box and many others. With those qualifications you might ask, what's he doing on The WineMakers Podcast...We were able to catch him while he was in Sonoma County while he was promoting his recent book The World in a Wineglass. Enjoy this great conversation that we had with Ray covering all sorts of current topics in the wine business. [Ep346] Follow his wine exploits on Instagram @rayisle
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    1 hr and 34 mins
  • The Wine Makers – Aaron Pott, Pott Wines

    The Wine Makers – Aaron Pott, Pott Wines
    Nov 15 2024
    Aaron Pott is a true legend in wine country. Starting his career at newton Vineyards in Napa, he left the U.S. for a position as winemaker at Château Troplong-Mondot, a Premier Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion, France. Aaron then moved to Château Troplong- Mondont after a year to become director at Château La Tour Figeac, a Grand Cru Classé located in Saint-Emilion. He spent five years there and, in the process, earned a degree in Viticulture from the Université de Bourgogne in Dijon, France. Aaron eventually returned to Napa and accepted the position of head winemaker in charge of international brands for Beringer before taking over as general manager and winemaker at Quintessa in 2004. After buying a piece of property on Mt. Veeder, Aaron and his wife Claire started Pott Wines, making Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Grenache. He continues to consult for numerous wineries, when he’s not surfing or watching soccer. All the wines are stellar, but that Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc are still on my mind. [Ep345] pottwine.com @aaron_pott
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • The Wine Makers – The River Club

    The Wine Makers – The River Club
    Nov 8 2024
    This week on the podcast we welcome The River Club, a collaborative wine tasting space brought to you by two family-owned wineries, Belong Wine Co. and Paper Planes Wine Co. Just south of downtown Napa off the beaten path along the river in Napa's Tannery District this hidden gem offers epic river views and a refreshingly modern tasting experience. Sourcing from vineyard sites from the Sonoma Coast to the Sierra Foothills, they met in Napa where they became friends in 2017 and soon began making their wines at the same winery. Realizing their shared passion, they were determined to open a space where they could share their wines that exemplify their spirit of exploration and sense of community. A great conversation about not only these two distinct wine companies but also about opening a tasting room with a modern look and feeling. Check out this episode and make a reservation to go tasting at The River Club soon. [Ep344] https://www.exploretock.com/riverclubnapa https://www.paperplaneswine.com/ https://belongwines.com/
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    1 hr and 26 mins
  • The Wine Makers – Isabel’s in Town!

    The Wine Makers – Isabel’s in Town!
    Nov 1 2024
    Isabel Gassier is in Sonoma this week for one of her semi-annual visits to taste and blend the Sixteen 600 and À Deux Têtes wines. Naturally, we had to ask her—how are the vineyards looking in France? Isabel is joined by Jack Sporer of Fres.co wines and our very own Phil Coturri. Together, they opened some old wines and some brand-new ones, letting the conversation flow. There's plenty of harvest wrap-up, vineyard talk, and fascinating blending discussion. Plus, we tease an exciting new collaboration wine between Fres.co and Sixteen 600. And most importantly... GO VOTE! [Ep 343]
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • The Wine Makers – Peter Mathis Wines

    The Wine Makers – Peter Mathis Wines
    Oct 25 2024
    Peter Mathis, an old friend of the podcast and an extraordinary winemaker, stopped by the Sixteen 600 Tasting House this week to update us on his new releases and share stories from his life working alongside Joel Peterson to build the Ravenswood brand, as well as his experiences in Sonoma County Wine. Enjoy as we hear Peter's fascinating stories and taste a bottle of his 2010 Grenache and his 2020 UberBlend. Sit back, pour a glass, and enjoy! [Ep342] mathiswine.com
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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • The Wine Makers – Harvest 2024

    The Wine Makers – Harvest 2024
    Oct 4 2024
    Harvest is in full swing here in Sonoma, the guys take a moment to discuss how things are going, what to expect, and how the wines are tasting so far. The weather has been almost perfect, but a heat spike in the last few days may have affected some of the fruit, Sam has been out there every morning and weighs in on the issues. A compacted growing season has wine makers jockeying for tank space and press time, let's see what the guys have to say. [Ep341] danecellars.com winerysixteen600.com
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • The Wine Makers – Paul Grieco

    The Wine Makers – Paul Grieco
    Sep 28 2024
    Paul Grieco has a storied career in wine and hospitality, beginning in his family’s Italian restaurant in Toronto and working his way to the heights of Manhattan dining rooms. He worked with the famed Danny Meyer and the-now celebrity chef Tom Colicchio when they opened the fabled Gramercy Tavern where Paul began as a server and eventually became beverage director. Despite all the accolades that come with hallowed halls of fine dining, Paul is most revered acclaimed and revolutionary wine bar Terroir and its now legendary Summer of Riesling. The guys had a chance to sit down with Paul and Tanner Walle of Valley Bar and Bottle when the Summer of Riesling hit Sonoma. We discuss the state of wine and hospitality in wide ranging and appropriately non-linear conversation. In short, the Summer of Riesling collided with International Grenache Day as we approached the Autumnal Equinox on the back porch of the tasting house…and the results are spectacular. [Ep340]
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • The Wine Makers – Bibiana Gonzalez Rave, Cattleya Wines

    The Wine Makers – Bibiana Gonzalez Rave, Cattleya Wines
    Sep 20 2024
    Bibiana is an absolute powerhouse in the wine industry, and we've been fans since she first appeared on the podcast 6 or 7 years ago. Her journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Raised in Medellin, Colombia, she dreamed of making wine as a teenager in a country with no real wine culture. Determined, she moved to France, graduated with honors from the University of Bordeaux, and went on to work at prestigious estates like Haut-Brion. She gained experience in Cote-Rotie with Michel and Stephane Ogier and Domaine Clusel-Roch, then moved to Alsace, Burgundy, South Africa, and finally, California. In California, she worked for renowned wineries such as Peay, Qupe, Au Bon Climat, Lynmar, and Pahlmeyer before establishing her own labels: Cattleya and Alma de Cattleya. She also co-founded Shared Notes with her husband Jeff Pisoni—yes, that Pisoni. On top of her winemaking success, Bibiana now imports coffee from Colombia to roast in Sonoma County for a dedicated customer base. Oh, and did we mention she’s also a mother of two? Her wines are remarkable, known for their generous acidity, depth, and length. She was recently featured in *Sonoma Magazine*, where she was photographed by James Joiner, with the photos even developed in her favorite wine. If you haven’t tried her wines yet, you're missing out! [Ep339] winesbybibiana.com cattleyawines.com sharednoteswine.com sonomamag.com
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    1 hr