In this final episode of Season 5, and the last chapter of our mini-series on diversity, equity and inclusion in wine, Janina sits down with the incredible Aidy Smith – award-winning broadcaster, content creator, drinks educator and the only global TV host living with Tourette’s Syndrome. He’s also the founder of Drinklusive and a powerful advocate for representation, empathy, and accessibility in the wine world.

Aidy brings his signature energy and honesty to this conversation, sharing his path into wine and the moments that shaped his mission. From supermarket favourites and wine hacks to wineries doing amazing work in inclusion – this episode is heartfelt, informative and a perfect way to close the season.

You’ll also discover:

[03:32] – Aidy’s first step into the drinks world (in a crumpled suit and a glass of Napa Cabernet!)

Follow Aidy on Instagram

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Alex De Cata, Senior Manager of Global Development at WSET, joins Janina to explore how wine education can break barriers and create opportunity. From adapting materials for visually impaired students to funding wine courses in Angola and South Africa, WSET’s reach goes far beyond the classroom.

They discuss how education—through tasting, theory, and structured approaches—empowers people to understand and enjoy wine, regardless of their background or budget.

Along the way, you’ll learn why blind tasting is such a powerful tool for wine education, how cultural context shapes the way we perceive aromas, and why exploring lesser-known grapes like Fetească Regală or Xinomavro can offer incredible value. Alex also reflects on the emotional connection we form with wine through meaningful moments, and how staying curious—and truly listening—can help build a more inclusive and diverse industry.

This inspiring conversation will leave you rethinking what wine education really means—and who it’s for.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

If you are wanting to explore more the qualifications available at the WSET, find all details on their website: https://www.wsetglobal.com/

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

Carmen shares her incredible journey, from being rejected by winemaking school because of her race to founding the first 100% Black-owned winery in Stellenbosch. She discusses her love for Carménère, how South African terroir shapes her wines, and why she chooses to highlight what Mother Nature gives her in every vintage.

Janina also tastes Carmen’s UK-exclusive Catoria red blend, available through Naked Wines for just £14.99, and reads a heartfelt note Carmen wrote to the wine club’s “angels.” But Carmen’s impact goes far beyond wine—she’s also the founder of the Carmen Stevens Foundation, which has served over 48 million school meals to children in need.

Tune in for inspiration, resilience, and a celebration of what wine can do for communities.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

[03:35] – Becoming South Africa’s first Black female winemaker and the strength needed, and challenges faced

[20:24] – Who is Carmen Stevens the winemaker? Exploring small-batch blending through Sauvignon Blanc and the unique expressions of different vineyard parcels.

[25:38] – Discovering Carménère as a flagship grape

[30:04] – South African vs Chilean Carménère

[34:13] – Janina tastes the UK-exclusive red blend Catoria 2022

[36:19] – Great value: £14.99 through Naked Wines

[37:38] – A heartfelt message to the Naked Wines Angels

[41:18] – The story behind the Carmen Stevens Foundation

[46:07] – How the wine industry can give back

[47:37] – Mentoring and choosing young talent

[51:46] – The dream of owning vineyards in Stellenbosch

[52:58] – Dreams for the next 10 years

[55:33] – Where to find Carmen’s wines internationally

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

Until next time - cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

In this episode, we head to the iconic Napa Valley to meet Amber Mihna, Global Sales Director at Staglin Family Vineyard — a family-run winery known not only for its exceptional Rutherford Bench Cabernet Sauvignon, but for embedding mental health advocacy into the very core of its mission.

Amber dives into the story of how the Staglin family built their estate with a clear sense of purpose, from reclaiming historic vines to pioneering sustainability and championing inclusivity in the wine industry. They explore what makes the Rutherford Bench so special, how the “Rutherford dust” shapes the character of their wines, and the winemaking philosophy behind their elegant, age-worthy style.

They also taste the Salus Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine with a difference: 100% of its profits are donated to brain health research through the family’s foundation One Mind. Expect mocha-dusted tannins, autumnal aromas, and a full-bodied texture that feels featherlight — a wine Janina calls “plush, polished and profoundly humane.”

If you’ve ever wondered why Napa Cabernet is worth the price, or how wine can be a true force for good, this episode is for you.

Pour yourself a glass and enjoy.

 [02:34] – The history of Staglin Family Vineyard

[04:37] – What makes the Rutherford Bench so unique

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

Until next time - cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

In this episode, we are talking with Julia Moore, Communications Specialist at Bosman Family Vineyards, a South African winery at the forefront of ethical wine production and regenerative farming. With a 26% worker-ownership model, award-winning viticulture, and deep investment in education and inclusion, Bosman is redefining what sustainability in wine truly means.

We explore the impact of shared ownership, the challenges and beauty of farming as a community, and the power of giving future generations opportunities beyond the vineyard. From vine nurseries to old vine Chenin Blanc, this conversation is rich in knowledge and purpose.

Two wines are tasted during the episode: the affordable Generation 8 Chardonnay, supporting early childhood education projects, and the prestigious Optenhorst Chenin Blanc, sourced from the third-oldest Chenin vines in South Africa.

Whether you’re interested in equitable business models, viticulture innovation, or wines with purpose, this episode delivers inspiration in every sip.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

Until next time — cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

In this powerful episode, we head to Australia to meet Wayne Quillam and Ben Hansberry, the co-founders of Mt Yengo Wines—a First Nations–owned winery built on reconciliation, cultural expression, and community.

Mount Yengo is more than just a wine label: it's a movement for inclusion and truth-telling through art, ancestral storytelling, and connection to the land.

From the symbolism behind each label to their practices with growers across South Australia and New South Wales, every bottle is rooted in purpose and tradition.

Whether you're interested in inclusive winemaking, Indigenous leadership, or simply looking to connect more deeply with the story behind your next glass of wine, this episode will stay with you.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

[17:58] – Mt Yengo Wines is showcased Wine Paris  / Vinexposium,

[19:27] – Riverina wines: moving beyond bulk production toward quality.

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

Until next time - cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

In this episode, we head to the mountains of Northern Lebanon to meet Michelle and Claudine, neighbors, best friends, and the visionary founders of Heya Wines, a natural winery rooted in inclusion, heritage, and community.

Heya Wines (meaning “She” in Arabic) is more than just a label, it’s a movement. From championing gender equity and employing Syrian refugee women, working with indigenous grapes and fermenting with apples in response to Lebanon’s energy crisis, every bottle tells a story of purpose and place.

We dive into their hands-on winemaking approach, explore the beauty of high-altitude terroir, and taste their soulful wines, from Nour, a textured white blend of direct press Obeideh & White Grenache to Kanz, a red made with carbonic maceration and aged in amphora. We also hear about the challenges of making wine in a region grappling with instability, and how the power of community, resilience, and female solidarity fuels every step.

This is a story of women rewriting what it means to make wine, not just in Lebanon, but everywhere. Whether you're curious about natural wine, socially conscious farming, or planning a trip to the Levant, this episode will inspire you to pour with intention.

1:23 - Founding Heya Wines: friendship, passion, and a mission for equity

13:38 - Heya’s location: high-altitude terroir (1450m) near the Syrian border

14.07 - The region of Dimane, North Lebanon and it’s terroir

18.03 - What does Merwah taste like?

20.46 - What does Obeidah taste like, and how it compares to Merwah?

 29:06 - Tasting Kanz (red Grenache-Syrah): carbonic maceration in amphora Gnarly Vines - £28

 29:34 - Kanz: “Treasure”: why it’s their most playful and textural wine

30.44 - How ageing in amphora affects the wine

42.17 - One message for listeners working in a vineyard, cellar or boardroom who can shape the future of wine

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

Until next time - cheers to you!

In this episode, we head to Oregon’s Willamette Valley to meet Remy Drabkin — winemaker, civic leader, innovator, and unapologetic champion for LGBTQ+ visibility in wine.

Remy is the force behind Remy Wines and the founder of Queer Wine Fest, and in this conversation, we explore how equity, intention, and creative problem-solving are not just buzzwords, but daily practices in her winery and beyond.

We get into everything from the power of thoughtful hiring and building inclusive spaces (yes, even bathrooms!) to the unexpected intersection of winemaking and carbon-sequestering concrete. You'll hear how Remy uses wine as a platform for change — whether it’s advocating for sustainable water solutions, supporting the ACLU through sparkling wine, or redefining what leadership in wine can look like.

We also dig into the volcanic soils of the Dundee Hills, explore her love affair with the Italian grape Lagrein, and learn why she’s aging wine in chestnut barrels — and what all of this has to do with place, purpose, and legacy.

Whether you're here for the terroir or the truth bombs, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a reminder that wine, at its best, is about people, progress, and pouring with purpose.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

2.45 - How intention shapes everything in the winery

5:38 – Creating Inclusive Wine Spaces

7:19 – The simplicity of building a thoughtful restroom and how this impacts the team

8.30 - Being thoughtful where job adverts go out

9.30 - Inventing Carbon Sequestration structural concrete called Solid Carbon

11.00 - Creative solutions to water challenges

13.24 - The importance of team meetings

17.20 - Creating Queer Wine Fest

22.30 - Winning the Governor's Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

26:34 – Why Willamette Valley Matters

26:15 – The Importance of Speaking Out. Finding your voice

28:50 – Locating Remy’s Vineyards in the South Dundee Hills

28:56 – Soil and Terroir in the Red Hills (volcanic Jory soil)

29:49 – Describing the Local Climate and landscape in Willamette Valley

32:49 – Planting Italian variety Lagrein, what it offers, and why it works here

38:09 – Using Chestnut Barrels and extended aging

42.28: Black Heart Méthode Champenoise wine that supports ACLU

47:15 – What’s next

50.00 - What is one action that someone running a small winery can take this year to create a more inclusive business model?

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat

🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat

🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time – cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST. 

Welcome back, wine friends!

This episode is all about the rebels — the wild ones — the winemakers who’ve ripped up the rulebook and gone their own way. We’re diving deep into the world of declassified cult wines: the bottles that said "no thanks" to tradition-bound wine laws, and yet, somehow became some of the most expensive, most desired, and most obsessively followed wines on the planet.

But before we get to the juicy stuff, let’s set the scene.

You know those cryptic acronyms on European wine labels — AOC, DOCG, and even Qualitätswein? They’re steeped in history, tradition, and legal frameworks that protect the where, the what, and the how of a wine. They're there to ensure quality, consistency, and authenticity. 

And yet, to some, those same laws can feel more like shackles than structure. Want to plant Syrah in Bordeaux? Or fancy making an orange wine in Chianti? You can't under AOC or DOCG rules. Even if your wine is mind-blowingly good, if it doesn’t fit the mould, it gets dumped in the “Vin de France” or “Vino da Tavola” pile.

So in this episode, we raise a glass to the misfits, the rule-breakers, and the game-changers — winemakers who said, “Forget the label, let the wine speak for itself.”

We’ll travel from the storied vineyards of Bordeaux to the wild Loire, up through Tuscany, and back again — featuring the most expensive wine in the world, a Brunello scandal, and some unicorn bottles you’ve probably seen worshipped on Instagram.

Throughout this episode, whilst telling the tales of some of the most iconic and rebellious wines, you’ll also learn more about: vine density plantings in Bordeaux, the impact of phylloxera, the historic grape varieties of Bordeaux, what Bordeaux might have tasted like before the 1855 classification, the scandal of Brunellogate, the difference between Sangiovese in Montalcino vs Chianti, Chianti’s rigid and outdated regulations, and a few legends of the natural wine movement.

Get ready for trailblazing tales, creative freedom in a bottle, and a reminder that some of the best wines in the world never needed permission to be great.

Episode Chapters:

3.30: Introducing Liber Pater – the most expensive wine in the world

10.00: Introducing Louis-Benjamin - Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Asteroide – the holy grail of Sauvignon Blanc

15.30: Introducing Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana Sangiovese – The wine making the most dramatic exit from Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

23.00: Introducing Le Pergole Torte from Montevertine – a 100% Sangiovese from the Chianti Classico region

26.10: Introducing the wines from Domaine des Miroirs in the Jura region – a Japanese winemaker producing ‘unicorn wines’.

32.30: Introducing a declassified super affordable wine for contrast: Gran Cerdo from Gonzalo Grijalba

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

 📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat

 🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 

 🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time – cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST. 

In this episode, we are talking to Harry Crowther, founder of Tiny Wine, to explore how technology, sustainability, and storytelling are reshaping the wine world. In this episode, we unpack how Tiny Wine is using innovative tech from Coravin Vinitas to bring iconic bottles to curious palates in small, perfectly preserved 100ml tubes.

We'll talk Super Tuscans, Bordeaux, and about Harry's time in the Douro, fermenting separately the big five black grape varieties.

So get ready to learn the difference between Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cão, and how each contributes to the blend. You'll also hear some of Harry’s stories working with Jean-Claude Berrouet, the long-time winemaker and technical director at Pétrus.

So whether you’re a seasoned collector or just wine-curious, there’s plenty of name-dropping in this episode—and a few bottles you’ll definitely want to track down.

Episode Guide (Chapters)

6:08 – Launching Tiny Wine in partnership with Coravin and their Vinitas technology.

7:10 – How the Vinatas works: ‘The smallest bottling line in the world’.

To connect with Harry: Linked In and Tiny Wine Website

📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]

 📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat

 🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 

 🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time – cheers to you!

THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.