Fernando from Casa Ferreirinha on Douro and Portuguese Wines

In this episode, Sean Ou sits down with Fernando Garcia-Agulló Guedes of Casa Ferreirinha for a deeper look into one of the most important names in Portuguese wine.

For many wine students and enthusiasts, the Douro Valley is often associated first with Port. But Casa Ferreirinha has played a major role in showing the world that the Douro is also capable of producing some of Portugal’s most compelling still wines. In this conversation, Fernando shares the story behind the house, the identity of the region, and how factors such as altitude, old vines, blends, climate and vineyard location shape the final wines in the glass.

We also explore what makes Casa Ferreirinha distinctive, from the freshness and food-friendliness of its whites to the concentration, balance and elegance of its reds, including the legendary Barca-Velha. Along the way, this episode offers valuable context for anyone studying Douro wines, Portuguese wine regions, wine terroir, climate influence, wine blending, and food pairing.

Whether you are a wine student preparing for exams, a sommelier building regional knowledge, or simply a drinker curious about the wines of Portugal, this is an episode packed with insight into heritage, style and what continues to make Douro one of the world’s great wine regions.

Have questions on the Douro or Portuguese wines? Leave a comment, send them in, and follow the podcast for more conversations with producers, sommeliers and drinks educators from around the world.

Wines Tasted:

Welcome to the first featurette of our Sommelier Mini-Series—where we spotlight the people shaping how Asia drinks today. In this episode, I sit down with Yeo Xi Yang, the mind behind Convivial, Singapore’s sparkling-wine-forward bar built around one simple idea: bubbles should feel welcoming, not intimidating.

We talk about Yang’s philosophy on hospitality and what it really means to curate a drinks program that balances fun, precision, and accessibility—without losing its soul. From how he thinks about pairing sparkling wines with real-world dining habits, to how trends and supply shifts have changed what ends up in our glasses, this is a conversation about sparkling wine as a culture, not just a category.

Whether you’re a Champagne die-hard, a pet-nat curious drinker, or someone who just wants to learn how sommeliers choose bottles that work for guests—this episode sets the tone for the mini-series: human stories, practical insights, and better drinking.

If you enjoyed this episode, hit Follow / Subscribe on the podcast so you don’t miss the next drop. And tell me what you’re drinking while listening—comment or DM me on Instagram: @so.thirsty.traveler.

Andy Burchell on Mount Gambier Wine, Volcanic Soils and Cool Climate

Most people can name Barossa, Margaret River, maybe Coonawarra… but Mount Gambier? In this Episode 23 field chat (recorded right at the start of 2024 vintage), I sit down with Andy Burchell of Good Intentions Wine Co. to unpack why this corner of the Limestone Coast deserves way more attention.

We get into the terroir story that makes Mount Gambier genuinely different: a region shaped by limestone and volcanic activity, sitting in a cool, maritime-influenced part of South Australia. From there, we zoom into Andy’s winemaking philosophy, his definitions (and push-backs) around what “natural” even means, and how those choices show up in the glass.

If you like honest conversations about place, farming, and minimal-intervention wine—this one’s for you.

If you enjoyed this episode, hit Follow / Subscribe on the podcast so you don’t miss the next drop. And tell me what you’re drinking while listening—comment or DM me on Instagram: @so.thirsty.traveler.

A field recording from our Bordeaux Educator program in the Blaye region, where Damien Lecomte of Vignobles Bouillac walks us through a working vine nursery—from vine material being nurtured in the fields to a cool storage facility where vines are held before being shipped locally and overseas. A rare, behind-the-scenes look at the start of a vineyard’s life.

Key moments / chapter markers