In the Drink

Today’s guest on In the Drink is Laura di Collobiano, the woman behind Valgiano, an acclaimed vineyard in Tuscany. Since 1994 Valgiano has been in the hands of Moreno Petrini, his wife Laura di Collobiano and oenologist Saverio Petrilli, a trio that has defined a totally new era for the production of this particular microclimate, with an eye on tradition and another on producing wines that can compete on the international stage. After flirting with organic agriculture for many years, the Tenuta di Valgiano converted to biodynamic agriculture in 2001, and has not looked back since. Valgiano produces around 80,000 bottles from its 25 hectares, a number that can vary significantly depending on the harvest. The labels are divided between a red and white both called Palistorti after the crooked poles in the vineyard and a red reserve made from a selection of the farm’s very best grapes. Valgiano’s wines have been recognised nationally and internationally. This program was brought to you by Michter’s

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Today’s guest on In the Drink is wine legend Bruno De Conciliis. The Cilento region in southern Campania is not exactly known for winemaking. Bruno De Conciliis is one of those pioneers who set up vineyards in the beautiful coastal landscape. The vineyard’s founding year is 1995 and Bruno De Conciliis, supported by his father Alessandro, succeeds in giving the wines of the Domaine a very clear profile during the very first decade of its existence. De Consiliis chooses the two main varieties of the best-known wine region, the Avellino province in Campania, which is situated at the foothills of the Apennine Mountains, to plant them in the milder climate of the coastal region. The talented winemaker succeeds in making spicy, warm white wines from the variety Fiano. From the variety Aglianico he produces both a fruity, light red table wine (“Donnaluna”) and a storage type that is full of character (“Naima”). This program was brought to you by Visit Napa Valley.

–Bruno De Conciliis on In the Drink

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This week on In the Drink, Joe Campanale is talking about Italian wine with Jeff Kellogg, Beverage Director at Maialino. Jeff was naturally drawn to the restaurant industry and began waiting tables at the age of 18, which laid the foundation for his role at a restaurant group called 131 Main in Charlotte, NC, where he helped open four new restaurant locations and a wine bar. From there, Jeff strengthened his wine knowledge by working as a sommelier at the historic Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. He then moved to Napa in 2011 to work the harvest and served as a sommelier at the Michelin-starred restaurants Redd and La Toque. While there, Jeff passed the Advanced Exam of the Court of Master Sommeliers, receiving the prestigious Rudd Scholarship for the highest scoring candidate. After a stint working the harvest at Gramercy Cellars in Walla Walla, WA he relocated to San Francisco to become a sommelier at RN74. In June 2013, he moved across the country yet again to become Maialino’s new Beverage Director.

–Jeff Kellogg on In the Drink

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Joe Campanale kicks off the new year in style on a brand new episode of In the Drink. He’s joined by one of the most important New York wine figures, Jeff Porter, Beverage Director at B&B Hospitality Group. Jeff was born and raised in Texas. He became interested in wine at his first restaurant job in Austin. To learn all that he could about wine, Porter eventually took a stocking position at one of Austin’s best wine shops. He excelled there and was soon buying wine for the shop and traveling throughout Europe. Porter then moved to the West Coast where he first worked for a wine distributor in the Bay Area and then served as Wine Director at Tra Vigne Ristorante in St. Helena, where his passion for wine and hospitality took off. Most recently, Jeff held the positon of Beverage Director at Osteria and Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles. He moved to New York City in March of 2011 to head up the beverage program at Del Posto. He is recognized as an “Advanced Sommelier” by the Court of Master Sommeliers and is currently a candidate for the “Master Sommelier” designation. This program was brought to you by Michter’s.

–Jeff Porter on In the Drink

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Joe Campanale is joined by a real powerhouse in the wine world this week on In the Drink — Frank Cornelissen. Frank is one of the most renowned winemakers from Mount Etna. His farming philosophy is deeply rooted in the acceptance of the fact that man will never be able to understand nature’s full complexity and interactions. His “hands off” approach of letting nature take its course without imparting chemistry has led to the creation of some of the most unique, profound, and terroir-driven wines. This program was brought to you by Michter’s.

“There is something [existentially] bigger. You see this in the growing process in the wine. When you see a vine grows, it brings you fruit and then the fruit changes into the wine. Everything is there. It’s something very special which makes you very humble.” [14:00]

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This week on In the Drink, Joe Campanale is joined by Grant Reynolds, Wine Director at Charlie Bird. Grant began his career working in restaurants in his hometown of Lake Placid, New York. His passion for wine took him to Piemonte, Italy, where he lived for a year before returning to the United States to attend the University of Colorado. While in school, Grant worked in various restaurants and eventually found himself at to the renowned Frasca Food and Wine where he spent three years working on the floor as a sommelier under the influence of wine greats Bobby Stuckey and Matt Mathew. During Grant’s tenure, the wine team was nominated three times for Outstanding Wine Service by the James Beard Awards. After graduating, Grant went on to pass the Advanced exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers, worked harvest at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, and spent a few months at Noma in Copenhagen. In January 2013, Grant moved to New York City and began working for Grand Cru Wine Consulting under the leadership of Robert Bohr. He joined the Charlie Bird team in February 2013 and created the restaurant’s wine list with Robert. Less than a year after the opening of the restaurant, Grant was promoted to Wine Director. Grant was one of the finalists of the TopNewSomm competition, which recognizes excellence in the industry. He is one of the youngest Advanced Sommeliers in the country. This program was brought to you by Michter’s

–Grant Reynolds on In the Drink

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If Sicilian wine piques your interest – today’s episode of In the Drink is for you! Hear from wunderkind wine guy George Hock, Wine Director and General Manager of the newly opened Barchetta. Barchetta, Italian for ‘little boat’ captures the charms of the Mediterranean seaside. An Italian seafood trattoria, Barchetta is a partnership between Esca’s acclaimed Chef & Partner Dave Pasternack and John Meadow’s LDV Hospitality. Pasternack brings his passion of sourcing the freshest ingredients of the sea and expertise of Italian cuisine to Barchetta’s intimate yet bustling atmosphere inspired by the communal charm of the rustic trattoria experience. This program was brought to you by Michter’s

“We’re encouraging people to step out of the box.” [21:30]

“All of Italy is esoteric if you think about it – every region and town has its own grapes meant to go with its own food.” [28:00]

_–George Hock on In the Drink_4>

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Dane Campbell, Head Sommelier at The Musket Room in New York City. A Long Island native, Campbell’s passion for wine developed from his love of food, which he pursued at the Culinary Institute of America. While studying there, Campbell expanded his culinary proficiency under Professor and close friend Pierre LeBlanc. Since then, Campbell has focused on studying wine and is currently preparing for advanced certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, while already holding an advanced certificate from BarSmarts. Campbell gained experience working with sommeliers at several of New York City’s top restaurants, including Gotham Bar & Grill, where he was hired as Captain and Cellar Assistant in 2009. He has since gone on to work with Leonard LoRusso at Convivio and under Catherine Gerdes at ‘Inoteca, where he was the Assistant Wine Director. Campbell was honored to be a part of The Nomad opening team in 2011, and most recently, helped develop the wine list at Saxon + Parole. In addition to his restaurant work, Campbell successfully launched Indie Wines, a wine consultancy group with a roster of 60 clients. This program was brought to you by Michter’s.

–Dane Campbell on In the Drink

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Tune in to this week’s episode of In the Drink as Joe Campanale is joined by Rachel Ford, the National Brand Ambassador for Tanqueray gin, affectionately known as Lady Tanqueray. She is a spirits educator, contributing cocktail writer, and media personality, who has appeared on Spike TV’s Bar Rescue. They chat about her career, life as a brand ambassador and the current state of gin in the beverage world. This program was brought to you by Michter’s.

–Rachel Ford on In the Drink

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Celebrate Oktoberfest on a brand new episode of In the Drink as Joe Campanale is joined by Neil Witte, the Training and Technical Support Manager for Duvel USA, Boulevard Brewing Co. and Brewery Ommegang. Neil began his career in the Kansas City brewpub industry, moving to Boulevard Brewing Co. in 1997 as a brewer. In 2001, he took over field quality and training responsibilities and continues that role today with the new Duvel family of beers. With quality and education as a main focus, he works closely with the national sales and marketing teams on all technical and training matters. He also does extensive distributor and retailer training on all manner of beer related topics, including the brewing process, beer styles, draught systems and beer and food. He is BJCP Certified and is currently one of 7 Master Cicerones. He is co-author of the Brewers Association Draught Quality Manual, Draught Beer Quality for Retailers and a contributing author to the MBAA Beer Steward Handbook. This program was brought to you by Michter’s.

–Neil Witte on In the Drink

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