From Manila to Japan and finally NYC, Jhonel Faelner landed in the Big Apple to pursue his love of wine after a stint in fashion and being swept up by the wine culture in Japan. He worked his way thru One Five Hospitality and The Nomad before running the wine program at one of the country’s hottest restaurants. Jhonel is an Advanced Somm studying for his MS; he is a Wine and Spirits Best New Sommelier for 2018 and the Wine Director at Atomix in NYC The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast See P...
Jan 17, 2019•53 min•Ep. 96
Hailing from Pennsylvania, Stephen Bitterolf left for New York to study art, eventually becoming an artist. His love and interest in wine brought him to wine retail and ultimately wine importation. Stephen is the creator of Rieslingfeier , a celebration of Riesling and the proprietor of vom Boden, a boutique wine import company specializing in German wines. The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...
Jan 09, 2019•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 95
Gaelle Goossens was born in Reims France and grew up in the countryside of Champagne. She studied abroad, but was drawn back to her Champagne roots eventually getting a postgraduate degree in Biochemistry and a National Diploma in Oenology (2012). She spent five years at Champagne house Bollinger. Gaelle joined Veuve Clicquot in 2016 in Development, Innovation, and Communication of Oenology, responsible for winemaking, communication, pressing and vinification. The Grape Nation is powered by Simp...
Dec 19, 2018•56 min•Ep. 94
Josh Greene is the Editor and Publisher of Wine & Spirits Magazine , a five-time James Beard Award winner for “Excellence in Wine Writing”. Wine & Spirits Magazine caters to the wine professional as well as the consumer. Josh has been at the helm of the magazine since the mid-eighties and besides publishing and editorial duties is also a critic for wines of the Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Port, Rioja, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The staff at Wine & Spirit...
Dec 12, 2018•57 min•Ep. 93
We talk about the wines of Portugal, specifically the regions of Porto, Douro and Alentejo. Paolo Russell Pinto oversees promotions and communication for the Institute of the Wines of Douro and Porto in Portugal. Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein is one of the nations most prolific food and wine writers and a wine veteran with an expertise in Portueguese wines and the Alentejo region. The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy N...
Dec 05, 2018•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 92
Terry Theise is an importer of highly curated boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne. He has played a critical role in exposing this country to the joys of great Riesling, Gruner Veltliner, grower Champagne, and more through his portfolio, Terry Theise Estate Selections. Terry won the James Beard Award recognizing him for "Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional. Terry is also a prolific author and wine writer penning "Reading Between the Wines" and his brand new book "What Makes ...
Nov 28, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 91
Jorge Riera has been drinking and promoting natural wines in New York almost longer than anyone. He started as the Manager/Sommelier at Balthazar , worked with Arnaud Erhart at 360 in Brooklyn, spent many years at the Ten Bells , Contra and Wildair , among the first all natural wine bars in NYC, and is now the Wine Director at Frenchette , one of NYC's most talked about restaurants serving only natural wines. Jorge Riera is a bigger than life guy and a true believer and evangelist of natural win...
Nov 14, 2018•57 min•Ep. 90
Born in Calcutta, armed with a degree in hospitality from India, and a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Raj Parr morphed from food to the world of wine. Raj worked with the best in wine including Larry Stone, Michael Mina, Rubicon, Fifth Floor, and RN74. Always thirsty for more wine and wine challenges, Raj moved into the world of winemaking. He is now the proprietor of Sandhi and Domaine de la Cote in CA, and Evening Land in Oregon. Raj Parr is a James Beard award-winning author, ...
Nov 07, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 89
Master Sommerlier Dustin Wilson is the proprietor of Verve Wine in NYC and SF, a retail and online marketplace for Sommelier curated wines. Thomas Pastuszak oversees the wine program for Daniel Humm and Will Guidara's Nomad in NYC, LA, and Las Vegas. Dustin and Thomas came up through the ranks of Frasca, Colicchio and Sons, and Eleven Madison to name a few. Dustin Wilson appears in the new Somm 3 movie and Thomas is making some great wine in the bottle and can. They are the creators of Reboule d...
Oct 31, 2018•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 88
We talk to two masters for our show. Isabelle Legeron is an award winning Master of Wine, author, wine consultant, and founder of Raw Wine and The Raw Wine Fair in London, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, and Montreal. Raw Wine is the largest community of low-intervention, organic, biodynamic, natural wines, their growers and makers and those who love drinking them. Nate Ready is a Master Sommelier earning his chops at Frasca and the French Laundry. Nate's interest shifted to winemaking and logged...
Oct 24, 2018•59 min•Ep. 87
Daniel Johnnes is the multi-award winning wine impresario, Sommelier, and creator of La Fete du Champagne, Pressoir Wine, and La Paulee. He is the Corporate Wine Director for Daniel Boulud's Dinex Restaurant Group, a wine importer, and entrepreneur. Our friend Jay McInerney dubbed Daniel Johnnes "The Dean of American Sommeliers" mentoring a generation of wine people. Daniel is a true Francophile! The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califo...
Oct 17, 2018•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 86
Athena Bochanis was a disaffected and disillusioned NYU Law School graduate. She had already done an unpaid internship in Hungary and returned for another visit, Athena had fallen in love withe the country, people, food, drink, and culture and was determined to expose New York and the world to Hungarian wines. She started Palinkerie, a Hungarian wine import company in Brooklyn and the rest is Hungarian wine history. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
Oct 10, 2018•59 min•Ep. 85
Matthew Conway got his start at his Mom's restaurant in N. California before moving to NYC in 2003. He took a job with Chef Grey Kunz as Sommelier and Bev. Dir. at Cafe Grey, eventually leaving to hook up wth Marc Forgione in 2007 at Marc's eponomously named restaurant. Over ten years later he is the General Manager and Bev. Dir. of Restaurant Marc Forgione in Tribeca. Matthew is a Coffee Sommelier, a Star Chefs "Rising Star", Zagat "30 Under 30" and has certifications from the ASA for Viticultu...
Oct 03, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 84
Josh Nadel is a Master Sommelier and the beverage director for Andrew Carmellini's Noho Hospitality Group. He spent nearly a decade as head Sommelier at revered and award winning restaurants Veritas and Cru in NYC before joining Carmellini in 2009. Josh oversees the beverage and wine programs at Locanda Verde, The Dutch, Lafayette, Bar Primi, Little Park, Leuca, Westlight, Rye St. Tavern and more. Josh launched Gothic Wine in 2009, producing cool climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rose from the...
Sep 27, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 83
Advanced Sommelier Hristo Zisovski was raised in Greek diners working the grill, eventually taking him to the Culinary Institute of America. Hristo gravitated to the "front of the house" first working with Wayne Nish at the 3 star restaurant March, spent seven years at Jean Georges, earning a 2010 James Beard Award for "Outstanding Wine Service". He joined the Altamarea Group in 2010, serving as the Corporate Beverage Director since 2014. Hristo is a Wine and Spirits Magazine "Best New Sommelier...
Sep 19, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 82
Ray Isle is the Executive Wine Editor at Food and Wine Magazine for the past 10 years. He was Deputy Wine Editor at American Exprss Publishing, Managing Editor at Wine and Spirits Magazine, and has contributed to Fortune and Travel and Leisure magazines among others. Ray Isle cut his teeth in wine as a cellar rat, working harvests, and as a wine supplier rep for a Port company. Food and Wine is celebrating it's 40th Anniversary including Ray Isle's story about "The 40 Wines that Changed the Way ...
Sep 12, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 81
Gary Vaynerchuk is Chairman of VaynerX, a media holding company, and the CEO of VaynerMedia, a full-service advertising agency, both cutting edge. Gary is a 5X New York Times best-selling author, a sought after speaker and prolific angel investor. Gary is ubiquitous online. check him out on DailyVee, The GaryVee Audio Experience, Ask Garyvee, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, You Tube and on and on! Gary got his start in wine, in the family wine biz and not long after launching the wildly popular In...
Sep 05, 2018•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 80
Roger Trinchero is the Chairman of Trinchero Family Estates in Napa, Califonia. Roger along with his brother Bob built Sutter Family Winery into one of the largest premium wine companies in the US. Roger introduced the country to White Zinfandel, and the rest they say is history. Trinchero Family Estates is made up of over 45 well known brands including Folie a Deux, Menage a Trois, Neyers, and Joel Gott to mention a few. Roger also launched the family's luxury brand Trinchero Napa Valley. The G...
Aug 01, 2018•41 min•Ep. 79
Federico Carletti's father Dino started the Poliziano Winery in 1961 in Tuscany. Federico took over in 1981 overseeing 300 plus acres eventually bringing in his son Francesco. Poliziano produces estate grown Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Rosso di Montepulciano, Cortona and more including Asinone, Lohsa, Le Stanze and In Violas to name a few. Poliziano wines are well known for great quality and value. The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and ...
Jul 25, 2018•52 min•Ep. 78
Didier Mariotti joined Champagne house GH Mumm in 2003 and became the Chef de Caves in 2006 at the world's third largest and France's number one Champagne house. Didier oversees hundreds of acres of grapes in eight villages in the Champagne region producing the iconic red-banded GH Mumm Cordon Rouge. Didier Mariotti also travels the world as Brand Ambassador for GH Mumm. The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at h...
Jul 18, 2018•50 min•Ep. 77
Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi is a 30th generation winemaker and President of the Frescobaldi family winemaking dynasty in Italy. Frescobaldi has been producing wine in Tuscany for over 700 years and is the maker of some of the most iconic wines in the world including Castel Giocondo, Nipozzano, Pomino, Luce, Masetto, Ornellaia, and Gorgona to name a few. The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com...
Jul 11, 2018•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 76
Bordeaux is known for some of the greatest red wines in the world. but we will talk to three women making terrific white Bordeauxs. Dr. Valerie Lavigne is a global consultant and one of the top experts in the vinification and aging of dry wihite wine. Corinne Comme from Chateau Champs des Treilles is a celebrated Bordeaux viticulturist, international consultant, and champion of Biodynamic viticulture. Valerie Vialard is the first women winemaker from the Pessac-Leognan region and has led Chateau...
Jun 27, 2018•41 min•Ep. 75
Jenni Guizio is the newly appointed Associate Director of Wine for Danny Meyer's Union Sq. Hospitality Group. Jenni is the Wine Director at Maialino, Marta, & Vini e Fritti, overseeing the wine programs for the company's Italian eateries. Jenni has worked at some of the best restaurants in NYC including Scarpetta, Del Posto, & Felidia. Jenni Guizio also spent a few years on and off in Sicily's Mt. Etna working hospitality and harvests. The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast See Privac...
Jun 20, 2018•59 min•Ep. 74
Sharon Harris is the proprietor of Rarecat Wines, Napa,CA. She is a winemaker and entrepreneur committed to empowering women using wine as a tool to elevate women and promote diversity. She just completed a 23-city tour preaching these issues. Beth von Benz is a wine consultant, sommelier and worked in wine retail. Beth has had a long career in wine in NYC at some of the finest restaurants including Milos, Judson Grill, The US Open, and Porterhouse. Beth was slinging wine before becoming a somme...
Jun 13, 2018•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 73
Beth Novak Milliken is President and CEO of Spottswoode Winery in Napa, California. Spottswoode is one of the few wineries in Napa run by women. After the passing of her dad Jack, Beth's mom Mary decided to continue to run the winery, eventually bringing Beth into the fold at this multigenerational family business. All Spottswoode wines are estate grown and certified organic. Beth Novak Milliken has also devoted herself to philanthropy and the community in addition to wine. The Grape Nation is p...
Jun 06, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 72
Mark Oldman is an award winning author, Internet entrepreneur, speaker and wine expert. You can find Mark speaking at major food and wine festivals around the country injecting his own style, humor, and wine expertise. Mark is a graduate and board memeber of Stanford University with a BA, MA, and JD, he now teaches a course in entrepreneurship at Stanford. Mark's current book is "How to Drink Like a Billionaire: Mastering Wine with Joie de Vivre". The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast See Pr...
May 30, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 71
California born and current Brooklyn resident Sam Anderson innovated at some of New York's coolest bars including Freeman's, Hotel Delmano, Gold Bar, and Salvation Taco before landing at Danny Bowien's Mission Chinese on the Lower East Side of NYC. Sam is the Beverage Director at Mission and oversees wine, beer, spirits, and tea. Sam's wine list at Mission Chinese is an ode to the natural winemakers of the world. Sam is an avid runner and serious marathoner. The Grape Nation is powered by Simple...
May 23, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 70
Raj Vaidya grew up in a family obsessed with food and wine in Bombay, Singapore and New Jersey. Raj cut his teeth in New Jersey going from baking bagels to pouring the finest Burgundies. He went on to work at some of the best restaurants in the country including Cru, Per Se, Gary Danko, and Seeger's while receiving his advanced certificate and diploma in wine. Raj is the Head Sommelier for Daniel Boulud's eponymous Daniel Restaurant in New York City, overseeing four somms and a massive wine list...
May 16, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 69
Steve Matthiasson studied philosophy in college, but thankfully moved on to horticulture in grad school at UC Davis, finding his way into the vineyards and orchards working for a small sustainable agriculture firm. Steve started consulting on vineyard practices and helped co-write the book on these practices in California. In 2003 Steve started primarily focusing on his family farm and winemaking operation Matthiasson Wines. The SF Chronicle and Food and Wine Magazine named Steve "Winemaker of t...
May 09, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 68
Dan Petroski is the winemaker at Larkmead Winery and owns Massican, a winery devoted to crafting Italian white grapes like Ribolla Gialla and Tocai Friulano. The SF Chronicle name Dan Winemaker of the Year for 2017. Jason Heller is a Master Sommelier, ran wine programs for Thomas Keller and Richard Reddington, sales at Harlan, Bond, and Dana and is currently a partner at Scale Wine Group. Dan and Jason along with five other Napa wine friends started the Band of Vintners. They make a cabernet ble...
Apr 18, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 67
