Bedrock Wine Conversations

By Bedrock Wine Co.Education Arts Food

Bedrock Wine Conversations episodes

December 04, 2025 067 - Pax Mahle of Pax Wines (Part Two)
In Part 2 of this conversation, Pax and Chris dive deeper into his winemaking, current roster of vineyards, the culture of sharing his cellar with others, his new project Halcon Estate, lessons learned and the future of wine.
1 hr 31 min
November 12, 2025 067: Pax Mahle of Pax Wines
Pax Mahle has been shaping California wine for more than 25 years. In Part One of this two-part conversation, Chris sits down with Pax to hear about growing up in Florida with two hippie parents, finding his way into the wine world through restaurants and retail, and ultimately building his namesake winery — losing it, then fighting to get it back. They also dive into the Wind Gap years, a project that helped define the fresher, more balanced "New California" style. Pax's journey is full of remarkable achievements, good times, and hard-earned lessons, all while producing wines in a wide variety of styles, working with vineyards across the state, and spending time with some of the most influential winemakers from around the world. This is a candid, fun, deep-dive conversation, packed with insight and stories from a true 21st-century California wine pioneer who is also a dear friend.
2 hr 24 min
October 20, 2025 066: 2025 Winter Release
Morgan and Chris breakdown the wines in the 2025 Winter Release. Mailing list offer goes live 10/28 and the first time buyers offer drops 11/5. Cheers!

2024 Bedrock Vineyard Heritage Wine - 00:14:45

2023 Alta Vista Old Vine Gewurtztraminer - 00:22:52

2024 Judge Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc - 00:28:40

2024 Belloni Zinfandel - 00:38:27

2024 Monte Rosso Zinfandel - 00:43:35

2024 Rossi Ranch Zinfandel - 00:48:30

2024 Nervo Ranch Heritage Wines - 00:55:31

2024 Oakville Farmhouse - 01:02:21

2023 Under The Mountain Heritage Wine - 01:07:30

2024 Evangelho Vineyard Carignan - 01:15:00

2024 Bien Nacido Syrah - 01:19:42

2024 California Syrah - 01:25:20
1 hr 48 min
July 12, 2025 065: 2025 Fall Release (Part 2)
Chris and Morgan discuss the 2024 California vintage, regenerative organic farming, and even take another pass at barbecue, all while breaking down the wines of the Bedrock 2025 Fall Release.

00:24 — 2023 Teldeschi Ranch Heritage Wine, Dry Creek Valley

13:52 — 2024 Dolinsek Ranch Heritage Wine, Russian River Valley

18:16 — 2024 Carlisle Zinfandel, Russian River Valley

31:06 — 2024 Old Hill Ranch Heritage, Sonoma Valley

40:02 — 2024 Bedrock Vineyard Carignan, Sonoma Valley

47:57 — 2024 Shake Ridge Barbera, Amador County

58:26 — 2023 Tres Bonné Red Wine, 51% Sonoma Valley/49% Oakville

1:06:55 — 2020 Calico Syrah, California
1 hr 20 min
July 12, 2025 065: 2025 Fall Release (Part 1)
Chris and Morgan discuss the 2024 California vintage, regenerative organic farming, and even take another pass at barbecue, all while breaking down the wines of the Bedrock 2025 Fall Release.

22:56 — 2023 Bien Nacido Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley

33:00 — 2024 Compagni Portis Heritage Wine, Sonoma Valley

42:02 — 2024 Cuvee Karatas, Sonoma Valley

50:03 — 2024 Old Vine Zinfandel, California

1:05:15 — 2024 Katushas' Zinfandel, Mokelumne River

1:11:10 — 2024 Evangelho Heritage Wine, Contra Costa County
1 hr 25 min
June 12, 2025 064: Regenerative Organic Certified!
In this episode Chris, Morgan and Director of Viticulture Jake Neustadt break the exciting news that Bedrock Vineyard is now Regenerative Organic Certified! This makes it one of 19 vineyards in the country and one of 24 in the world. They talk about the importance of the certification and dive into the pillars of regenerative viticulture- context, minimal disturbance, diversity, keeping the ground covered, and animal animal integration and how, fundamentally, regenerative farming is about letting nature heal itself while also growing a grape crop. The team also reflects on the wine quality improvements that have come with the integration of these practices and how vines having a greater conversation with the soil make for wines that speak more strongly of place.
1 hr 30 min
June 02, 2025 063: Doug Polaner of Polaner Selections
On this episode, Chris sits down with Doug Polaner of Polaner Selections in New York—one of the most influential importers and distributors of wine in the U.S. over the past 25 years. Doug has helped shape the tastes of the New York market, played a pivotal role in launching some of the world's most iconic wineries, and even influenced what winemakers produce and how they make it.

The world of wine distribution and importing is rarely in the spotlight—except recently, with all the talk about tariffs and the effects they could have on the wine business. Yet this often-overlooked part of the industry is essential to the success of wineries, restaurants, and retailers alike. Doug offers a rare and insightful look behind the warehouse and cellar door.

He's also been a key part of Bedrock's journey from the early days and remains one of our most trusted partners—and a dear friend. If you find yourself in a wine store or are a buyer in New York or New Jersey, seek out wines they distribute. You will never be disappointed by a wine they represent.
1 hr 48 min
May 16, 2025 062: May 2025 Under The Wire Release
In this episode, Chris and Morgan take a sparkling tour across California as they dive into the wines featured in the upcoming Under The Wire release, going live Tuesday, May 20th.
7:40 - 2021 Solomon Hills vineyard Sparkling Pinot Noir 15:50 - 2021 Brosseau Vineyard Sparkling Chardonnay 28:38 - 2021 Bedrock Vineyard Sparkling Old Vine Zinfandel 35:20 - 2020 Alder Springs Vineyard Sparkling Chardonnay 50:43 - 2020 Alder Springs Vineyard Sparkling Pinot Noir 52:48 - 2021 Alder Springs Vineyard Sparkling Pinot Meunier
1 hr 11 min
April 22, 2025 Announcing S.O.R.B.E.T. (Sonoma Organic Regenerative Biodynamic Educational Tasting) w/ Sam Coturri and Katie Bundschu
In the first ever cross-over episode between Bedrock Wine Conversations and The Wine Makers Podcast, Chris and Morgan along with Katie Bundschu (Gundlach Bundschu/Abbot's Passage) join Sam Coturri and the Wine Makers crew to discuss the first S.O.R.B.E.T.. Standing for Sonoma Organic Regenerative Biodynamic Educational Tasting the August 17th event at Fort Mason is San Fransisco will showcase wines from the 2500+ acres of responsibly farmed vineyards within the Sonoma Valley appellation. At around 20% organic, Sonoma Valley has been a historic leader in pushing forward the conversation about progressive farming practices (California agriculture in total is 4-5%) dating back to the 60s and 70s. Morgan, Katie and Sam, all multi-generational winegrowers (Katie is 6th!) explain the motivations for the tasting- chatting about the importance of farming for the next generation to putting a spotlight on the highly historic appellation of Sonoma Valley that is often confused with the greater Sonoma County. Vineyard participants will include Bedrock Vineyard, Montecillo Vineyard and Rossi Ranch while other wineries and wines will be featured from Bucklin, Donum, Hanzell, Hamel, Kamen, Guthrie Family Wines, Stewart Cellars, Repris, Fresc., Marioni, Korbin Kameron, Laurel Glen, Kivelstadt, Once&Future, Under the Wire and more.
1 hr 2 min
April 04, 2025 060 - 2023 Bedrock Detert Vineyard Release & an Interview with Tom Garrett, Winemaker & Owner of Detert Family Wines
In this two-part episode, Morgan and Chris talk about the upcoming special release of Bedrock's first vintage of Detert Vineyard Cabernet Franc on Tuesday, 4/8. They discuss the legendary, historically important site, the gravitas of working with the fruit, and how the wine came together. In part two, Morgan and Chris interview vineyard owner Tom Garrett, discussing his family's long history in Napa, his journey into wine—including founding his own wineries—the origins of the vineyard, and what makes Detert Vineyard the most historic and greatest site for Cabernet Franc in California and one of the finest in the world.
2 hr 34 min