00:00 – Introduction to episode and vine nursery guide, Damien Lecomte

01:33 – Welcome by Damien, and introduction of Vignobles Bouillac

03:50 – What grafting is, relation to France and overseas market

13:11 – Seeing the nursery blocks and growing conditions

19:30 – Inside the cool storage: why cold chain matters for vines, shipping considerations: local vs overseas

24:23 – Takeaways

 Useful context

Credits / acknowledgements

Guest/Guide: Damien Lecomte, Vignobles Bouillac

Recorded during: Bordeaux Educator Program (Blaye region)

Format: On-location field recording (ambient audio; some questions may be less audible)

Nursey : https://www.linkedin.com/company/scea-du-vieux-puit-vignobles-bouillac/
Damien Lecomte : https://www.linkedin.com/in/damien-lecomte-75242925b/

If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes episode, share it with a fellow wine pro—and tell me what you’d like to hear more of: vineyard practices, cellar operations, or the “hidden logistics” that keep the wine world moving. Drop a comment on my IG @so.thirsty.traveler and let’s compare notes, my drinking comrades.

In this episode, Sean catches up with Steve Baraglia of Pikes Wines right after they wrapped up judging at the 2025 Wine Show of Western Australia.

The conversation dives deep into Clare Valley – its unique growing conditions, why it’s such a special place for Riesling, and the range of wine styles coming out of the region. Steve shares his winemaking philosophy, his ideas on what truly makes a good wine, and how he balances purity, drinkability and personality in the glass.

You’ll also hear a fun connection to the skies: Pikes Clare Valley Riesling is a regular feature on Singapore Airlines Business Class, so if you’ve flown with them, there’s a good chance you’ve already tasted Steve’s work at 30,000 feet.

Tune in if you love Riesling, have a soft spot for Australian wine, or just enjoy listening to thoughtful winemakers unpack their craft.

Connect with Sean on Instagram: @so.thirsty.traveler or The Beverage Clique Academy @thebeverageclique and share your thoughts on Riesling and Aussie wines.

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the history and evolution of California wine with Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein. Building upon Part 1, we now explore the modern era, key industry shifts, and what the future holds for this renowned wine region.

Once again, a huge thank you to Capstone California for making this episode possible and to the wineries that contributed to this masterclass. While many of these wines are from back vintages and may no longer be available, tasting the current releases from these iconic producers can still provide valuable insight into their winemaking philosophy and style.
 
Wines featured in this episode:
🍷 Hanzell Vineyards Sonoma Valley Chardonnay 2002
🍷 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate Bottled 1983
🍷 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1981
🍷 Bacigalupi Vineyards Russian River Chardonnay 2013
🍷 Robert Mondavi Reserve Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 1976
🍷 Shafer Vineyards Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District 2001
🍷 Dutton Estate Devil's Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
 
Join us as we wrap up this two-part series, reflecting on the resilience of California’s wine industry and its ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape of global politics, trade, and consumer trends. Tune in, and let’s raise a glass to California’s remarkable journey!

Tune in, drinking comrades and share your thoughts after the episode on @so.thirsty.traveler Instagram. Cheers! 

In this episode of The Beverage Clique Podcask, Sean Ou had a chance to sit through a Masterclass with esteemed Evan Goldstein MS for a deep dive into the rich history of California wine. A huge thank you to Capstone California for making this episode possible and for sharing their invaluable insights. We also extend our gratitude to the wineries that contributed to this masterclass, providing a rare opportunity to explore some remarkable wines that shaped California’s winemaking legacy.
 
While many of the wines featured in this episode are from back vintages and may no longer be available at retail, tasting current releases from these producers can still offer valuable insights into their winemaking philosophy and style.
 
Wines featured in this episode:
🍷 Miraflores Mision 1853, 2022
🍷 Carol Shelton Monga Zin 2013
🍷 Beringer Vineyards Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1978
🍷 Terra d'Oro Deaver Zinfandel 2021
🍷 Concannon Heritage Petite Sirah 2015
 
Stay tuned for Part 2 next month, where we explore the modern evolution and future of California wine!

Tune in, drinking comrades and share your thoughts after the episode on @so.thirsty.traveler Instagram. Cheers! 

In this episode of The Beverage Clique Podcask, Sean Ou sits down with François Dugoua from Ulysse Cazabonne, one of Bordeaux’s leading négociants and home to renowned brands like Rauzan Ségla. Recorded during Sean's recent trip to Bordeaux as part of the CIVB Bordeaux Educator program, this conversation delves into the challenges and future of Bordeaux wines amidst shifting consumer habits, increased competition, and the lasting impact of global events like COVID. 

Is Bordeaux losing its iconic allure, or is it simply adapting to a new landscape? Listen in as Sean and François explore the industry's responses and what’s needed to revitalize the wine scene.

Tune in, drinking comrades, and let’s dive into Bordeaux’s evolving legacy!

Check out our latest podcast episode this month with special host, Clement Lim (Principal Consultant of Tea and Sake at The Beverage Clique Academy), joined by special guest and brand story teller, Marc Checkley!

Join us as Marc shares his journey into the world of wine, how he hopped into creating bespoke European wine tours for visitors from all over the world, his experience in curating tours for the Asian market and more! 

That and more in this month's episode, you wouldn't want to miss it!

Check out our latest podcast episode this month joined by Cynthia Chaplin, a professional sommelier that wears many other hats such as a WSET certified educator and co-manager of the Vinitaly International Academy! 

Together with Sean, Cynthia shares about her experience with Wine in many different capacities, what are the motivations that moved her from her hometown in Ohio to eventually settling in Italy for the past decade. She also introduces the Vinitaly International Academy which was what brought Sean all the way to Verona, Italy! 

In this month's podcask, Sean catches up with his old friend, Mehdi, a French national who fell in love with sake at first sip so much so that he decided to move to Japan and embark on his journey of sake brewing! They discuss about the difficulties faced as a foreigner entering this highly guarded industry, how Mehdi persevered and eventually settled in at Terada Honke, a cozy sake brewery located in Chiba that brews natural sake! 

Surprise! We have a special episode of The Beverage Clique Podcask brought to you by the Japan Sake and Shochu Maker's Association!
 
In this special episode, Sean catches up with Olivia Chey, Sake and Shochu expert from Kurara on all things Shochu! 

They talk about the versatility of Shochu brewing (did you know there are over 50 different types of base ingredients you could use to distill shochu?), how shochu compares to other distilled spirits in the market and some common myths about Shochu that Olivia and Sean will bust in this episode.

That and more in this month's episode, you wouldn't want to miss it!