James Peden, the Director of Operations for Liberty Entertainment Group is back for his second appearance. 

Bovine Wine Club is a brand-new private wine club opening up in Toronto.

It is brought to you by the same people behind Don Alfonso, Blueblood Steakhouse, Cibo Wine Bar and so many other wine forward restaurants. 

What I appreciate the most about this new venture and the work that James is doing is that when you strip away all the high-end designs and features you would come to expect from Liberty this wine club is, at its heart, all about the wine.

James and his entire team of 'Wine Avengers' are just as nerdy about wine as the members and treat each bottle with the respect it deserves. 

My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Four-Time James Beard Foundation Journalism Award winner Natalie MacLean.

In my near 200 episodes this interview is the most serious I have been a part of.

We discuss excessive drinking, dealing with divorce and her darkest days back in 2012 when her entire career was on the brink.

This is a candid and honest conversation that I promise is balanced with plenty of lighter fare as well.

On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast my guest is International Olive Oil Expert Fil Bucchino. His company Abandoned Grove is all about rejuvenating and sustaining thousands of olive trees all over Florence.

What a fascinating conversation with a man who went from the music industry to producing and protecting high end olive oil.

*Yes, there is wine tie ins as well! 

On the latest Wine Podcast Matt is joined by the remarkable winemaking team of Head Winemaker Rob Power and Assistant Winemaker Yvonne Irvin from Creekside Estate Winery, located in the Beamsville Bench, Niagara.

Creekside produces some of the best Ontario Syrah's and their entry level Syrah is one of the best value Canadian wines. 

Been a fan of this winery for years so it was a thrill to chat about their respective journey's, making Syrah in Niagara and just how different the Niagara wine scene is now versus when Creekside first launched.

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I’m joined by wine novelist Steven Laine.

His latest book ‘Jupiter’s Blood’ is a fast-paced wine thriller that is part ‘Da Vinci Code’ and part Decanter Magazine. 

You don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy this hard to put down novel.

One of the coolest developments in the Ontario wine scene is the creation & growth of Niagara Custom Crush Studio.

Started in 2022 it is part production facility to help small independent winemakers make/sell their wine and a kick ass wine bar in the middle of Niagara wine country.

My guests on the Podcast is Graham Rennie, Founder and CEO of Niagara Custom Crush Studio and their new Chief Operating Officer and Head Winemaker Kevin Panagapka. Kevin has been on the pod before talking about his virtual winery, 2027 Cellars.  

Meet Melissa Devore, the president of Amici Cellars, a powerhouse of a winery located in Napa! 

Melissa went from graduating Rice University with a Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry degree to working with wineries in Chili to now heading up an iconic California winery.

She's my guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast.

Of course, I spend my final night in Japan at a wine store that ONLY sells Canadian wine! If you find yourself in Tokyo, you have to check out Heavenly Vines and their excellent selection of all things Canadian vino. My guest on the podcast, making his return is the co-owner, Jamie Paquin.

Hey, look its famed winemakers Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble back on the podcast!

BUT this time there’s a twist.

Beyond making world class Ontario wines Ann and Peter have been making wine in Mendoza.

The wine is called Versado and their latest release, the 2018 vintage is out now!

This was a fun deep dive into their South American adventures … I always learn something new whenever this Dynamic Dionysus couple come on the Podcast. 

On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast’ I sit down the winemaker for Stoneleigh Winery, Jamie Marfell.

Always love when I can do a deep dive on all things New Zealand wine.