The Wine Podcast & Wine Events

Mario & Ginevra Piccini on the Future of Italian Wine

Piccini 1882 website >

Wine Industry Legend Howie Rubin

We welcome the iconic Howie Rubin to the show! Howie moved to San Francisco in 1975 in search of a good time at age 21, and ended up helping open up America's first wineries bar, the London Wine Bar. They served wines by the glass and had winemaker dinners back then, and he was bitten by the wine bug. He traveled to wine regions all over California and carved himself quite a niche at the wine bar, where wine was really coming into its own. 2 years later he worked a crush at Mayacamas Vineyards on top of Mt. Veeder, and he got a real education and appreciation for how much work goes into producing a bottle of wine.

Julia Zuccardi of Santa Julia Wines

We welcome the amazing Julia Zuccardi of Santa Julia Wines to the show! There are many reasons why a winery chooses its name. In this case, Santa Julia was inspired by Julia herself, the first daughter of José Zuccardi. However, it also serves as a way to showcase their values, history, and the community they are part of.

Alex Hildebrandt of SUYO Pisco

Alex is a Peruvian American who created SUYO with his partner Ian to reconnect with his roots and celebrate his culture by sharing Peru's beloved flagship spirit, Pisco.

Marc Farrell - Founder of Ten To One Rum

As someone born and raised in the Caribbean, Marc has been a student of rum, and its place within a myriad of settings, his entire life. With this has come a deep sense of appreciation for both the heritage of rum, as well as the broader role it plays in the Contemporary Caribbean culture.

Johnny Livanos & Greece's First Wild Gin - Stray Dog

We sit with the founder of Stray Dog, Johnny Livanos, and discuss his vision and journey into developing Greece's first wild gin. As a Greek American growing up in the restaurant industry, Johnny walks us through a moment in his life after realizing how many exotic and unique herbs and botanicals grow in Greece that would be the perfect recipe for a stellar gin. Upon this eureka moment, Johnny went right to work sourcing his ingredients and assembling his team to create the brand, Stray Dog Wild Gin.

What Am I Drinking? Alpha Estate Eco Xinomavro

A savory xinomavro with superb drinkability. Mediterranean spices, sage and thyme on top of the strawberries and red plums. Bright and succulent on the palate with immaculate, chalky tannins. Linear and juicy finish. Vegan.

Yiannis Boutaris of Kir Yianni Estates

The family tradition continues in this episode as we sit down with Yiannis Boutaris, the grandson of the legendary Godfather of Xinomavro, the elder Yiannis Boutaris.

Domaine Skouras Straight From the Source

Dimitris Skouras walks us through his family’s journey of building a winery in Greece and the regions they focus on. Their wines prove just how complex Greek wine can be and doesn’t fail to impress co-hosts Claudia and Fotios. Grab a glass and explore these fun and foreign varietals with us.

Chianti Classico and Beyond with Alessandro Cellai from Vallepicciola

Dive into the history of Vallepicciola, the various regions of Chianti, and Italian wine labels with Alessandro Cellai and cohosts Fotios and Claudia. Alessandro has been making wine since age six (yes age six) and knows the ins and outs of Tuscany. If you’re looking for a deep understanding of Chianti and how to shop for Italian labels, this is the episode for you.

"The New Normal" - why the UWC digital platform is great for the industry

This episode features our new co-host, Claudia Leitzmann, with Fotios Stamos discussing the “new normal” in the beverage industry and what those challenges and opportunities look like in 2024. From supplier to consumer, each tier is touched upon and describes the many ways the beverage space has never looked more different.

What Am I Drinking? Makarounas Vineyards Cabernet Franc

What Am I Drinking? Locatelli Sauvignon Blanc

I'm exploring this refreshing and crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the northern regions of Italy. Most of us would immediately think of New Zealand when drinking Sauvignon Blanc, but Italy is putting out some great selections. This selection hit the spot for a light and vibrant offering during lunch time.

Virtual Wine Tasting with JAHAN to Support Women for Women International

In celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8th) and Women’s History Month, we’re partnering with the new woman-owned spice company JAHAN - https://eatjahan.com/

Intro to Burgundy

Learn all about the amazing French wine region of Burgundy with our friend and guest host Nathan Derri, district manager of Dreyfus, Ashby, & Co. Burgundy is a truly wondrous place that produces some of the finest wines in the world. Nathan gives us a 101 intro class about what makes Burgundy so special. Grab a glass and join us!