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At the time of this recording, I’m in the heart of the Hunter Valley, right in the middle of vintage. Despite a few close calls with wet weather leading up to picking, there’s an air of optimism in the region. It’s the perfect time to reconnect with a true Hunter Valley icon and explore what makes this place so special.

Longtime listeners might remember my earlier conversation with Bruce Tyrrell—a name synonymous with the Hunter Valley and Australian wine. If you need a refresher on the incredible Tyrrells story, check out Episode 8 of Season 1. I was lucky enough to catch Bruce again for a quick chat just before he headed into the lab to taste samples. As always, time flew by in his company.

The Hunter Valley might not always chase the spotlight, but it holds a unique and treasured place as the spiritual home of Australian wine. This is where the country’s wine story began, and that story is far from over. Few people are better qualified to share the next chapter than Bruce Tyrrell himself.

A huge thanks to Bruce for joining me once again. 

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In today’s world of modern business, it’s crucial to hedge your bets, diversify your offerings, and have as many strings to your bow as possible. This rings especially true for the contemporary wine industry, where challenges are complex and ever-evolving. To navigate these challenges, solutions must be just as dynamic and multifaceted.

Italian Wine Cellars in inner Sydney is a shining example of this approach. They’ve prioritized creating a rich, immersive experience that goes beyond the singular pursuit of profit. Under the guidance of founder Claudio Pellegrino and Daniel Marcella, head sommelier at Italian Wine Cellars, the focus is on maintaining a temple dedicated not just to Italian wine, but to Italian culture as a whole. This vision extends to Italian cuisine, fashion, etiquette, and even language—crafting an experience that patrons can’t find anywhere else.

Innovation is at the heart of everything they do, with a constant drive to adapt and enhance the customer experience. Today, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Daniel Marcella to explore the origins of this vision, the driving forces behind it, and the exciting future ahead for Italian Wine Cellars.

A huge thanks to Daniel for joining me.

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The value of a great distributor is immeasurable. A distributor who truly understands the market, knows how to navigate it, provides meaningful support to their labels, and communicates clearly while setting realistic expectations can be a game-changer for successful market entry. Yet measuring a distributers impact is challenging — numbers shift with market trends, and intangible qualities like trust, relationships, and work ethic are difficult to quantify.

Occasionally, you meet someone who embodies what it takes to thrive in this space: someone with a sharp market IQ, a clear vision, and a genuine commitment to supporting their partners.

Enter Kosta Chernikov, founder of Saperavi Bros, an importer and distributor of Georgian wine. Despite moving to the U.S. at a young age, Kosta has stayed deeply connected to his Georgian roots. His entrepreneurial spirit and keen eye for opportunity inspired him to champion one of the world’s oldest wine regions.

Ironically, despite Georgia's role as the cradle of winemaking, its wines remain niche in global markets. Many consumers know little about the country, let alone its rich wine heritage. Undeterred, Kosta has set out to carve a space for Georgian wine in the highly competitive U.S. market.

Our conversation was both inspiring and insightful. Kosta’s deep market knowledge offers valuable lessons for any producer or label looking to establish themselves in the U.S. While not every producer can have a guide as dedicated as Kosta, his advice provides a roadmap for rethinking distributor relationships and setting better expectations.

It was the perfect first recorded conversation for 2025, and I’m deeply grateful to Kosta for sharing his wisdom.

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Long time listeners of the show will remember back to Season 1 Episode 24, the story of the adventurous Michael Juergens and the founding of the Bhutan Wine Industry. Well, ladies and gentlemen - Michael is back, and he’s back with a bang to give both you and me an update on all things regarding the development one of the world’s most exciting emerging wine scenes. 

Michael has been busy, from managing the Bhutan Wine Companies first release, and gathering support for the project, including welcoming Jancis Robinson onto the Company board as a consultant, to ensuring he doesn’t lose sight of his mission or of his passion for Bhutan. 

Michael brings enormous amounts of color to all his conversation and he had me in stitches for the majority of this interview. So, sit back, imagine yourself going on an adventure to the far away Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, and then make a little room for some Orange County color – Michael’s is one heck of an adventure, and this was one heck of a conversation. 

Bhutan Wine Odyssey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xf4waQ8uUk 

A huge thanks to Michael for joining me. 

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Welcome back to the Cellar Door Podcast! 2025 is shaping up to be an extraordinary year with fresh guests, compelling topics, and plenty of excitement. As we kick off the 5th season of the CDP, we're starting by releasing the final conversations recorded in the U.S. during 2024.

I'm thrilled to begin with a truly inspiring discussion with Raj Parr. Born in Calcutta, Raj moved to the U.S. to attend the Culinary Institute of America in New York. His journey then took him to San Francisco, where he worked alongside the legendary Larry Stone. From there, Raj went on to become a trailblazing winemaker in California, renowned for his work with whole cluster fermentation.

In our conversation, Raj shares his rise through the restaurant world, the profound influence Larry Stone had on his career, and his candid thoughts on the changing landscape of the wine industry. A celebrated figure in his own right, Raj underscores the enduring importance of soul and passion in winemaking.

For anyone in the wine industry feeling disconnected from their spark, Raj’s insights are both grounding and inspiring. I can't recommend his words and perspective enough.

A heartfelt thank you to Raj Parr for joining me.

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This conversation will likely close out what has been a fascinating 2024. I’m still in Massachusetts immersing myself in the East Coast trade. The year is quickly coming to a close – it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – and its bloody cold. In fact, I’ve come down with a cold and I’m struggling to fight it off. I honestly feel a bit mentally and physically challenged - No matter, there is one more important conversation to be had, with a distributor who has been championing Australian wine in the US for more than a decade. This conversation is with Gordon Little of Little Peacock Imports. 

Gordon launched Little Peacock Imports in 2011 – the same year I graduated from high school! So, he’s had plenty of time to succumb to market forces, the drop of the Australian dollar, the industry trends that appear to have punched the Australian export wine trade in the mouth – yet Gordon is still there, Little Peacock is still operating – and Gordon says there is lots to do. This was a great opportunity to quiz Gordon on what he considers to be the talking points for Australian wine in the US – I ask some questions and he gives some suggestions. Gordon acknowledges that there is lots of work to be done, but the challenge is worth the effort. 

The Australian industry needs to focus on depth, consistency, and reliability. It needs to focus on building, maintaining then strengthening relationships – matters challenged by the tyrant of distance but there is more than one way to skin a cat – sorry cats. Gordon very much considers all these things to be worth it, and it’s a cause the Melbourne born expat is very passionate about. Whether you are on the tractor, in the shop or doing anything else, I hope you find this chat insightful – and I hope I didn’t sniffle too much. 

Also, given this is likely the last chat of the year, it’s been an incredible year for the CDP and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for supporting the show. Merry Christmas to all, and I wish you all the blessings of the season. 

Now, let’s get on with the show. Ladies and gentlemen, I present Gordon Little of Little Peacock Imports.  

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Aaron Ridgway serves as Head of Market for Wine Australia in the Americas, overseeing efforts across the U.S. and Canada. Leading a team of four, his work focuses on education, business development, and market entry for Australian wine in the North American market. Since transitioning from Negociants to Wine Australia in 2016, Aaron has been at the forefront of promoting Australian wine and navigating its performance in a highly competitive landscape.

In my time in the U.S., I’ve interviewed various wine professionals—sommeliers, distributors, and wine directors—about the state of Australian wine. A common theme has emerged: the challenges are many, but the opportunities are equally significant. To complement these private-sector perspectives, I turned to Aaron for his expert view, knowing his role gives him a unique vantage point on the successes and hurdles Australian wine faces.

Although our 50-minute conversation only scratched the surface, it was enough to reveal Aaron’s candid take on the current state of the market and the work needed to unlock its potential. Recent discussions with the Wine Australia team have also strengthened my belief in the opportunities ahead. Success in the U.S. fine wine market—a massive and influential $60 billion industry—will require a united push from all stakeholders. Consistent effort, collaboration, and sustained market engagement are key to building the traction Australian wine needs to thrive.

A big thanks to Aaron for sharing his invaluable insights.

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Kate Webber bends over backwards to give strong representation to Australian wine on her restaurant wine lists. She presents legacy brands, through to brands that represent the unknown middle ground of Australian wine, where the true excitement, innovation and value propositions are to be found. She extends herself and fights to get wines on her lists that ordinary would not be available given the unique three tier system. Kates love affair with Australian wine dates back decades. She was invited to Australia in 2013 as the recipient of a Yalumba Scholarship, a trip allowing her to take a deep dive into Australia’s wine landscape. Shock horror – the experience changed her life. 

 Kate laments the current state of Australian wine in the USA, while admitting the challenges are complicated. In this conversation we discuss what Kate considers to be the important backdrop to the problem, and the role for both Australian and US stakeholders in stepping up in fighting for Australia’s place in the USA. The USA remains the world’s largest fine wine market, valued at over $60 billion in 2023. For Kate, the time to tackle the market is now, when the times are tough, when the industry is struggling. The industry will bounce and it's important for Aus wine to be a pivotal player in that market when it does. There is so much food for thought in this conversation – what is really a call to action for those in the Australian wine market who want a piece of this very important pie. 

At one point towards the start of the interview Kate and I had to manage two very loud patrons who decided to sit themselves right next to us in what was otherwise a very empty café. Kate and I soon relocated, so if you start to notice this, please stick with the interview as the listening gets much easier soon after. 

 A huge thanks to Kate for joining me. 

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One of the most perplexing aspects of the American wine industry is its three-tier system. Introduced post-Prohibition in 1933, the system was designed to prevent monopolies and address tax irregularities—issues rooted in Mafia activity at the time—while also aiming to reduce the social harm associated with alcohol consumption. In essence, the system mandates that alcohol reach consumers through three distinct tiers: producers, distributors, and retailers. For imported wine, the process begins with a licensed importer, who then passes the product to a distributor before it reaches retailers and, ultimately, consumers.

Over the years, this system has faced criticism for being outdated and overly complex. However, it remains the law of the land, making it essential for anyone entering the U.S. wine market to understand and navigate its intricacies. Distributors play a crucial role within this framework, influencing both sales and consumer education. Partnering with a skilled distributor can significantly impact success in the market.

I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Tryba, Portfolio Manager of the Connoisseur Division at Martignetti, one of New England’s oldest and most respected distributors. Our introduction took place at a Chester Osborn tasting event in Boston, organized by Martignetti. After an engaging conversation during the event, I was eager to explore Peter’s insights further.

Peter is passionate about championing exceptional labels through Martignetti, ranging from legacy brands to innovative new producers. With his deep understanding of the distributor's role, Peter brings a unique perspective to the industry. I was thrilled when he agreed to share his thoughts on Martignetti’s history, his own journey, and his views on the evolving U.S. wine market and the influence distributors have in shaping trends.

A heartfelt thanks to Peter for joining me in this fascinating discussion.

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Jeronimo Ramales is the Wine Director at Prima, an acclaimed Italian restaurant nestled in Boston’s historic Charlestown district. Originally from Mexico, Jeronimo’s journey into hospitality began after he moved to New York, where he discovered a world far removed from his non-drinking background. His curiosity was piqued by the intricacies of restaurant wine lists, sparking a passion for wine that would soon become his calling.

Jeronimo quickly advanced in the industry, taking on senior wine management roles for restaurants in New York then Boston where he has been director for both Capo and Prima restraurants. Our paths crossed during a D’Arenberg tasting hosted by the vibrant Chester Osborn in Boston’s North End, where Jeronimo’s enthusiasm for Italian wines was immediately evident.

In this episode, we sit down in Charlestown to explore Jeronimo’s story, the landscape of Boston’s hospitality scene, and his approach to crafting the ideal wine list for Prima’s patrons. A heartfelt thank you to Jeronimo for sharing his journey and insights with us.

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