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.

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.

Rhodium Brand Spirits Founders Cathy Plourde & Kara Larson

Rhode Island Spirits is the home of Rhodium brand premium gins, vodkas, and liqueurs. The company is the brainchild and full time occupation of Cathy Plourde & Kara Larson, who are the founders, owners, and distillers.

Drew Bledsoe & Josh McDaniels of Doubleback & Bledsoe Family Winery

A great episode and the fascinating story of an amazing individual and his journey from NFL to amazing wines! For former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe, owning a winery has been a longtime aspiration that would allow him to combine his passion for fine wine and the love of the Walla Walla Valley. We got to chat with Drew and his winemaker Josh to learn more about how they got to where they are - the creators of a truly amazing portfolio. Grab a glass and join us!