Episode 29 is super fun as we spend all day visiting wineries in Sonoma Valley which is basically the Carneros area.

The trolley does a number of tours but this one was really different with a full sit down lunch at one of the wineries.

I feel like I am always visiting wineries because I need to stay up to date but there are still so many I have not got to.

Listening to the history and driving throught the backroads on a beatiful summers day, really emphasizes the beauty of Sonoma County. Of course there is so much more to see than just wineries, but they are truly a piece of art.

Also if you are thinking of booking with them use PROMO: Californiatastings to get 10% off at checkout for a day tour.

While you are here, don't forget to take a 2 Hour wine class with us so you feel like a pro when you visit the wineries.

Cheers and don't forget to subscibe to our channel as we would love to bring you more fun experiences.

In this episode, Nilu Afshar, the host of Beyond the Pour podcast chats about French wine with our guest, Henrik Poulsen. This is another episode of France in a Glass and for this episode I pick up a bottle of 2023 Gabriel Meffre, Cotes du Rhone Village, Saint Mapalis, Plan de Dieu.

This is that blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. We talk about the area, how the climate affects the vines and what a great price point this bottle has.

As always we are tasting and talking about a bottle of French wine that to us is very well priced and tastes great.

So next time you are out at the store, you may want to grab a bottle and show off a little of your French label knowledge because why not?

In this episode, Nilu Afshar, host of Beyond the Pour podcast gets to chat with an up and coming Sommelier in New Zealand. Her name is Samira Kakh and she completely immersed in the world of wine education and moving up the ladder of difficult exams.

She talks to us about Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc and what New Zealanders want to be known for. They do not like to be called Laid back and want to be known to be intense. They are pretty serious in whatever they do.

We talked about a number of restaurants being awarded Michellin Stars and what it means for the country.

When you listen to this episode you see what hard work looks like and what dedication to become one of the top Sommeliers in New Zealand looks like.

In this episode, Nilu Afshar, the host of Beyond the Pour podcast gets to chat with Jason Kho who owns a liquour licensing business. What Jason and his team do is maneouvre around all the obstacles and paperwork you would need to get permits for wine, beer, and spirits. It is a job that none of us want to do and he does it with ease and grace.

Asking him about what he sees in 2026 as problems for the wine world and what it will take to change for the better.

A great conversation that you do not want to miss!

Hosted by me, Nilu Afshar the host of Beyond the Pour podcast, and my guest is Henrik Poulsen of Release Winery.

We explore the elegance, structure, and global influence of Burgundy. Our goal as always is to find really great bottles from France, that are very well priced. We also want wines we can find in California.

We like to compare what we see in Napa and Sonoma with what we see in France.

In this episode, we chat through the region’s unique character, the role of the Gamay grape, and what makes Beaujolais so much more than its reputation. Together, we explore the famous Crus, highlighting what sets each one apart, with a special focus on the structure and depth of Moulin-à-Vent.

In this episode, I sit down with Ben Koenig IV to talk about his exciting new venture, George and Kin’s Diner—bringing a fresh diner concept to Napa, where you don’t see many spots like this. After 10 successful years running Heritage Eats with his wife Ali, Ben is taking things in a new direction while staying rooted in the same location. We dive into what inspired the shift, the challenges of evolving a well-loved restaurant, and what guests can expect from this new chapter. It’s a great conversation about risk, creativity, and redefining what a Napa dining experience can be. Give it a listen and let me know what you think...... By the way there may or may not be some croaking going on in the background, as Ben was running to an event, and stopped at a golf course to talk with me..... LOL! This is what makes our conversations so real, and raw because it is real life, and we are here for it! follow along and join the ride!

In Episode 21 of Season 2, I get a chance to talk to Erwan Leo, who opened a Tasting Room/Wine Shop in Paris, France, called "The Secret Wine Door" just before Covid. That did not stop him from pursuing his dreams! Online wine classes are where he started talking about France's small producers, and later back in his fun and cozy Tasting Room on the 15th Arrondissement. He only offers 2 classes a day, and these classes are held by Erwan himself, where he pours 6 different French wines, and pairs them with local cheeses. He told me reservations are made a good week prior to the date. Erwan is on his path to becoming a "Master of Wine" which means he would be one of approximately 400 people in the world to achieve this prestigious title. He is at level 4 and says he has to get through the last level to accomplish this. I learned his style of teaching, his views on Natural wine, and his unique Wine Club. He gave us some great tips on relaxing by the Seine River & the Eiffel Tower with a bottle of wine, cheese and of course a baguette or two. This conversation will take you to Paris and is one that invites you to grab a bottle of wine, stroll past quaint boutiques, and let the Eiffel Tower guide your daydreams! I hope you enjoy out chat as much as I enjoyed the conversation.

In this episode, we explore Derek Bromley's passion for crafting the perfect cup, how OHM got its name, his band "Mama Said" and how his background as a sommelier has allowed him to blend wine, coffee and guitar riffs. At Ohm Coffee, every roast strikes the perfect chord between craftsmanship and creativity. Founded by guitarist and sommelier Derek Bromley, the roastery is inspired by the world of vintage guitar amps — where tone, balance, and intensity matter just as much as they do in a great cup of coffee. Just as Derek carefully selects notes and nuances when playing guitar, he approaches coffee with the same refined palate he developed as a sommelier. Each blend is thoughtfully chosen and named according to its intensity — from smooth, low-voltage profiles to bold, high-ohm roasts — reflecting the depth, character, and complexity inside every bag. For Derek, roasting coffee is like composing music or pairing fine wine: it’s about harmony, structure, and feeling. Ohm Coffee isn’t just about caffeine — it’s about flavor turned up to eleven. Derek says coffee amps you up! He and his wife, Jennifer Knight who is the Creative Director of OHM coffee roasters are bringing it all together from music, coffee and community!

Allo Gilinsky is a Sonoma County native and Certified Cicerone with 10 years of front-of-house hospitality experience. He has engaged people online and founded his own business, with a persona widely known as "The Craft Beer Concierge". His favorite thing about the world of beer besides the liquid itself, is the community it cultivates and stories behind the glass. He once worked at Russian River Windsor leading tours and credits his time there for spurring his beer education passion. You can almost always find him waxing poetic about lagers and sipping Saisons, and other great beers around Sonoma County. He is a Certified Cicerone, which is similar to a Certified Sommelier in the wine world. That means he has tasted a lot of beer and can distinguish the aromas and flavors between them.