Welcome to Inside Winemaking, your go-to resource for all things winemaking, designed for those already immersed in the wine industry and anyone with a passion for the art and science of crafting the perfect bottle.
Inside Winemaking was created to provide direct access to the people in charge of creating world-class wines and for listeners looking for a non-traditional, informative, and entertaining take on winemaking.
Our mission is to be a comprehensive resource hub for winemaking, providing valuable content to enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Your host Jim Duane (Napa Valley winemaker) interviews some of the top winemakers in California and beyond.
Each episode features a winemaker, grape-grower, or technical wine pro and dives deep into their background and expertise. Wine newbies and expert enophiles will be entertained by winemaking stories and learn more about growing grapes and making wine.
Join us on Inside Winemaking as we uncork the secrets of winemaking, share valuable insights, and create a vibrant community of wine enthusiasts and industry professionals. Subscribe now and elevate your winemaking journey!
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
In this episode, winemaker Shawn DeMartino shares his journey from Argentina to becoming a winemaker in Napa Valley. He discusses his experiences working with renowned mentors and the significance of hands-on learning in winemaking. Shawn also highlights his innovative work building the Sentinel Vine Manager app, a program leveraging high fidelity geospatial technology to monitor vineyard health and production. The episode explores the balance between tradition and innovation in winemaking and o...
Dan Person of Carboniste discusses the art and science of sparkling winemaking in this episode. The conversation covers technical aspects of winemaking, including sugar and CO2 pressure management in Pet-nat production, the impact of acidity and pH on wine quality, and the evolution of American sparkling wines. Dan also talks about the unique packaging and branding of Carboniste, aiming to bring a fresh perspective to the sparkling wine market. Whether you're a novice or an experienced connoisse...
In this episode, winemaker Jon-Michial Carter shares first-hand knowledge on building a successful boutique winery, emphasizing the importance of direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales and personal relationships with club members. Jon-Michial discusses his unique business model, which focuses on maintaining quality and personal touches by capping production at 3,000 cases and 1,000 club members. The conversation covers various aspects of winery operations, including grape sourcing, innovative shipping t...
In this episode, we have a conversation with Peter Devison, the winemaker behind Devison Vintners, as he shares how he moved from Vancouver's dining scene to becoming a winemaker in Washington. Peter discusses his winemaking education in New Zealand and the experience that led him to Washington. He explores the challenges and successes of launching his own label and working as a consultant for other wineries. We talk about the potential of white wine production in Washington, touching on the uni...
In this episode, we discuss contemporary winemaking with insights from industry pioneer Britt Richards. Britt Richards of Head High Wines shares her inspiring journey from early influences to hands-on experiences at Fresno State and various esteemed vineyards, highlighting the balance of science and art in crafting exceptional wines. We explore the complexities of producing high-quality Chardonnay, emphasizing the importance of fruit quality and minimalist winemaking techniques. We also cover th...
In this episode, we have a conversation with Greg La Follette of Marchelle Wines. We discuss Greg's extraordinary journey from nearly becoming a professional bagpiper and priest to becoming a celebrated winemaker renowned for his expertise in mouthfeel and Burgundian techniques. Listeners will hear the importance of patience, community support, and strategic winemaking practices. Greg also shares his deep knowledge of yeast health, nutrient balance, and the meticulous process of long, slow ferme...
Join me today for a look into the world of winemaking at Patz & Hall Winery in Sonoma, where tradition harmonizes with cutting-edge technology. My conversation with Patz & Hall winemaker James McCeney offers a deep dive into the meticulous cleanliness and mental preparation required for the winemaking process. Discover how innovative techniques, such as reduced frequency of racking, and advanced technological tools like the BarrelWise system and TankNet, have transformed their daily oper...
In this episode, we sit down with Vincent Fritzsche of Vincent Wine Company. Vincent shares his journey from California to Oregon, where he has built a unique one-man operation in the Willamette Valley, focusing on crafting high-quality Pinot Noir. Our conversation spans a range of topics, including the impact of mentorship and online wine communities, the balance of technical knowledge and passion in winemaking, and the intricacies of vineyard selection and harvest workflows. Vincent also offer...
In this episode, Guillaume Large from Resonance Winery takes us on an oenological journey to discover the Willamette Valley in Oregon, where tradition and modernity. Sharing his experience from his early days in Burgundy to the making of wines in the United States, Guillaume discusses the evolution of winemaking methods and the search for balance between innovation and heritage. The episode offers an in-depth look at Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, highlighting the importance of clonal selection and ...
In this episode, we have a conversation with viticulture specialist Fritz Westover. He shares his knowledge of vineyard management, focusing on cane pruning and shoot management methods. We discuss the significance of fruit drop timing, approaches to prevent powdery mildew and the advantages of maintaining a sustainable vineyard floor. We also go over the emerging wine regions of the U.S., the choice of appropriate trellis systems, and the problems posed by climate change and pests to grape cult...
In this episode, we journey with Jesse Fox, a former small-town chef who followed his passion all the way to becoming a master winemaker in Napa Valley. From his humble beginnings in his mother's kitchen to the hallowed educational halls of Cornell and the culinary scenes of Paris and New York, Jesse's story is one of transformation and tenacity. Listeners will be treated to behind-the-scenes insights into the worlds of both high-end cuisine and meticulous winemaking, learning about the parallel...
Listen in for the secrets of winemaking and the stories behind the vines in our latest episode with Rusell Bevan of Bevan Cellars and Adversity Cellars. Russell recounts his journey into the heart of the industry, proving that passion and self-education can create extraordinary success. In this episode, we discuss the meticulous processes defining today's top wines, from the artful sorting of Oakville grapes to the strategic application of glycol-cooled tanks and pulse air systems. We get into c...
In this episode, Avery Heelan, the talented winemaker at Larkmead Vineyards, shares her personal voyage from the pharmaceutical industry to the heart of Napa Valley's viticulture scene. Listen in as she recounts the challenges and growth she experienced while transitioning to a career that aligns with her passion. Our conversation takes a worldly twist as we recount the invaluable lessons learned from winemaking internships across the globe. Avery brings her experiences full circle, detailing th...
Join me as I bring back viticulturist Fritz Westover to unpack questions from our dedicated Inside Winemaking community. Listen in as we discuss the intricacies of vineyard management, sustaining vineyard health and productivity over time, and the crucial steps involved in preparing a vineyard for replanting, with a particular focus on the nuances of soil health. Whether you're looking to increase your planting density or enhance soil fertility with innovative practices like biochar, this episod...
Join us as we explore the life of Josh Phelps, a seasoned player in the wine industry, from his roots in restaurant work to the strategic cultivation of his winemaking empire. Listen in as Josh recounts his time at Kimberly Jones Selections where he honed his skills in sales and faced the tough skin-building challenge of rejection, and shares how he scaled his initial 100-case winemaking venture to an impressive 40,000. Discover how Josh and his father work together to manage their wine brands w...
I recently sat down with Shawn Johnson of Amulet Estate, who shared the revolution in winemaking processes brought by innovative software and fermentation techniques. His story intertwines with mine as I recall my years learning the winemaking craft from mentors like Mark Harold and the brilliant minds at Nicholson Ranch. Come with us behind the scenes of Amulet Winery, where attention to detail and a passion for quality over quantity yield wines that evoke the land and the artists who shape the...
Listen in as I sit down with Dan Limoges, a winemaker and grape grower from North Georgia who has truly immersed himself in the craft. Dan shares the narrative of his transition from Iowa to the wine-laden landscapes of Georgia, where he and his wife have established Limoges Cellars. His passion for the vine-to-bottle process is evident as we talk about their hands-on approach to developing their vineyard and winery. In this conversation, we uncover the challenges of starting a vineyard in the u...
Join the conversation with viticulturist Fritz Westover and discover the alchemy of grape growing in climates that challenge even the most seasoned growers. From the humble Pennsylvania plant lover to an acclaimed viticulturist, Fritz unpacks his storied journey and the problems faced by vineyards far from Napa Valley. Learn how Fritz helps vineyards weave through the complexities like market saturation and extreme weather while also considering how variety selection can make or break the succes...
In this episode, Pavle Milic takes us through a journey of his life, passions, and entrepreneurial spirit. Starting with his roots in Colombia and transition to the hospitality scene in New York, Milic has carved out a unique niche in the culinary and wine world in Arizona. The discussion navigates through the landscapes of Colombia and the burgeoning wine industry of Arizona, underscoring the importance of location, experimentation, and tasting room design. Delving deeper into the realms of vit...
Collin Cranor and Craig Ploof - Grape Culture In this episode, Colin and Craig discuss their journey from Livermore Valley to establishing their own winery in Napa Valley. They explain their focus on single-vineyard wines and the importance of site-driven winemaking. Our discussion included the role of data and technology in their winemaking process, including the use of Wine X-Ray and the Pulsair system for cap management. They express their excitement about being part of the Napa Valley wine c...
This episode features Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse, who, together comprise Birdhorse Wines. Our conversation covers their winemaking backgrounds, the creation of the Birdhorse brand, the vineyards they have partnered with, oxidative white winemaking, novel winemaking techniques, and the hustle of building a brand with full-time jobs. Birdhorse Wines Plasticbags.com San Francisco Chronicle featuring Birdhorse This podcast is sponsored by Innovint . Has your winery turned into a complete Excel she...
This episode features Kira Ballotta, owner and winemaker for the two brands celebrating past and present trailblazing women. If a wine brand was a historical fiction novel, Olivia Brion would be the main character in that novel. Each bottle of wine tells a different "chapter" of her story. Life being somewhat more surprising than fiction, the stories of Olivia Brion are inspired by the full lives of real trailblazing women from history. Cantadora is the natural evolution of Olivia Brion. Where O...
This episode features Amy Whiteford and Dave Phinney in a conversation about the development of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Barbara County AVA. Both Amy and Dave have independently been on the podcast before Amy back in 2014 and 2016. Our conversation ranges from their shared work background, the reasons for developing a vineyard in Santa Rita Hills, the characteristics of the site, the diversity of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay selections, challenges of hill...
Mike NuÑez - NuÑez Vineyard Management This episode features Mike Nuñez, who owns and operates Nuñez Vineyard Management, a farm labor contractor and vineyard development specialist based in Napa Valley. Mike and I discuss the barn we made wine together in back in 2004, Mike's career path, the services that his company manages, and then an in-depth outline of how Mike plans every critical step in planning, designing, planting training, and managing a new vineyard. There's no way we could have co...
This episode features the return of Ben Matthews, who was a part of Episode 83 in 2018, and went on to found Terratorium, which is the focal point of conversation for this episode. Ben has been a long-time podcast listener and he and I met when he came out to Napa for the Deep Winemaking (wine camp) in 2017. A year later Ben came back to Napa to work harvest with me at Seavey Vineyard. Upon returning to Cincinnati and founding Terratorium Ben brought me into the business to help with vineyards a...
Greg Brewer - Brewer-Clifton, Datom, and Ex Post facto This episode features Greg Brewer, founder and winemaker at Brewer-Clifton, which is a winery in Santa Barbara producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Our conversation runs the gamut from Greg's background, his experience working with grapes from Santa Rita Hills, harvest and processing logistics, my jealousy for Santa Rita's huge picking window, DIAM corks, Greg's stainless bin fermentors, his philosophy in sourcing a block for vineyard design...
This episode features Megan Gunderson, Vice President of Winemaking for Hall Wines. Megan oversees the production of wines for the Hall, WALT, and BACA brands. Our conversation ranges from Megan's professional background, the stories Hall wines from Napa, the WALT wines from Oregon to Sta Rita Hills, the BACA Zinfandel wines, production logistics, partnerships with grapegrowers, fermentation tank materials, and Innovint's winery production software. Hall Wines - Napa Valley WALT - Pinot Noir and...
This episode features Scott McLeod, winemaker, and one of the founders of WineXRay. Our conversation covers Scott's background building the Francis Ford Coppola brands, the development of WineXRay with his business partner Gianni Colantuoni, the color and tannin components that the WineXRay technology measures, its practical uses in a winery, the basic traits of anthocyanins and tannins in wine, the effects of temperature on red-grape phenolic development in the vineyard, consequences of the Sep...
Winemaker and innovator Clark Smith shares his unique perspective on winemaking, from pioneering alcohol adjustment and microoxygenation to challenging conventional "modern" practices and the "natural wine" movement. He advocates for "postmodern winemaking," emphasizing the crucial role of a balanced microbiome and artisanal techniques for crafting age-worthy wines. Smith also details his comprehensive video course, offering practical, chemistry-accessible insights for aspiring and experienced winemakers.
This episode features Matt Parish, who is one of the top winemakers within Naked Wines. Our conversation wove through Matt's international corporate winemaking, his work with Naked Wines as an employee and later as a winemaker, the tools and tactics Matt uses to build wines in various styles, and his current international collaborations.
