Elaine Chukan Brown is an author, journalist, sought after speaker, consultant and a champion of diversity and inclusion in the wine biz along with her mentorship. Their footprint is global and their work is ubiquitous. Elaine currently works with Wine Enthusiast, wrote a column for Decanter, was a contributing writer for Wine & Spirits, the executive Editor/US for Jancis Robinson.com and contributed to both the “Oxford Companion to Wine” and the “World Atlas of Wine”. Elaine also focuses on California wine, leaning into the intersection of sustainability, climate action and reducing gatekeeping in the wine industry, Elaine Chukan Brown’s new book, “The Wines of California” from Academie du Vin Library is now available.
 

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Straight outta Sonoma, Braiden Albrecht grew up around wine. His parents have been friends with his viticulturist since he was a kid! With a degree in Viticulture from UC Berkley and extensive travel to New Zealand and Australia, Braiden came back to California to dig in. He joined legendary and historic Mayacamas Vineyards in 2013, becoming only their third winemaker in 2018, working for new owners, the Schottenstein family. He is committed to tradition, the Mt. Veeder terroir, and a low intervention approach to his farming and winemaking.
 

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Annie Shi is the Beverage Director and partner at beloved NYC restaurants King and Jupiter. She defied her Chinese parents by leaving her Yale education and a career in finance to work in the restaurant biz. Annie balances work/life as a mom and restaurateur. She just had her second child, so, to make life easier, she is opening her own wine bar in Chinatown called Lei. Lei features low intervention wines from established and up and coming producers from around the world along with a tight Chinese menu.

 

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Matt Taylor is a third-generation Sonoma Coaster hailing out of Occidental Cali. Extensive world travel to Argentina, New Zealand, Spain and France along with learning Biodynamic farming in Switzerland, helped him formulate his winemaking and vineyard skills, along with stints at Joseph Swan, the Araujo’s, Reuling, and Dujac. Fourteen years ago, Matt acquired property close to his childhood home to make Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for his Matt Taylor Wines at his Komerabi Vineyard. He is also the winemaker at Ink Grade, an historic vineyard on Howell Mtn. producing high elevation mountain grown Cab Sauv, Merlot and Sauv Blanc. Matt makes wine that honestly reflects the land and climate of the site while keeping an eye on the long-term health of the land.

 

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In 1992, Stella di Campalto received a parcel of rugged, abandoned farm land for her wedding, located in San Giuseppe, near Montacino in Tuscany. Stella, a fiercely independent soul, with no wine experience, went on to start her own eponymous winery. She has created a Manifesto of Diversities, quotes Emmanuel Kant, and was an early adapter of Biodynamic farming in the region. Along with her daughter, Beatrice, they follow their own path and make the most sought-after Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino’s anywhere.
 

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Rarely do I sit down with three guests at one time for the podcast, today we are talking with Stephanie Mercier Voyer, a Montreal based writer and author. She has edited magazines, is now a freelancer and the driving force behind “Spilled” Zev Rovine is not just a wine importer, but an OG in the natural wine world. He put all is chips on one bet almost two decades ago and founded Zev Rovine Selections, with a curated, diverse portfolio of the best winemakers in the world. David McMillan is a former chef/restauranteur, you may know him from Joe Beef in Montreal and his cookbooks. He is now a farmer at his Hayfield Farms in Quebec, a viticulturist, winemaker and now a fellow podcaster. Along with their friend/photographer, Xavier Tera, they have just published “Spilled: Natural Winemakers Stories & Recipes”, a fusion of a wine book, cookbook and reference book that more importantly tells the story of not just the wine, but the people and culture that make it.
 

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Our 300th Episode- Raj Parr has been a friend of The Grape Nation podcast from the beginning. He has been on multiple times to talk about his wines, books, and new projects.

He is an award-winning Sommelier, author, winemaker and the most soulful and spiritual guy I know in wine. He also has the greatest uncertified palate on the planet! Raj makes thoughtful wines at Phelan Farm, now part of the Parr Collective at Stolo Vineyards in Cambria, California, along with Stolo, Brij Wines, Scythian Wines and Colete, each unique wineries. Raj Parr pursues his love of the most interesting varietals from around the world at Phelan Farm, while practicing regenerative farming in his own permaculture.

Thank you to Eric “Benny” Bloom and Ryan Zoidis from the world’s greatest funk band “Lettuce” for composing The Grape Nation theme song.
 

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Texas born Jeff Porter and Jersey Boy Raj Vaidya have spent over 4 decades in wine and hospitality. Jeff at Tra Vigna, Babbo, Del Posto, Raj at Gary Danko, Per Se and over a decade at Daniel to name a few. Jeff went on to consult while Raj joined Pressoir, responsible for La Paulee, La Fete du Champagne, La Tablee, Pressoir Events and now with Jeff Porter, Convivio del Vino. Jeff currently resides in Turin Italy, while Raj is based out of New York. Convivio del Vino, coming up the end of April, is an Italian wine fair dedicated to a curated list of winemakers from historic family estates to a new generation of growers. The inaugural Convivio del Vino will feature over 30 winemakers pouring over 150 wines, including themed dinners during the week.

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Three Per Se Alum walk into a bar, you know that joke, have a drink, and decide to open a Hawaiian restaurant in the East Village. Jin Ahn is the co-owner, general manager and beverage guru at Noreetuh. He spent decades in service, hospitality and wine at places like Jean Georges and Per Se, where he worked with his other co-owners, Chef Chung Chow and Gerald San Jose. Jin has created one of the most interesting and unique wine destinations in the country championing German Riesling and Hawaiian food. Noreetuh just celebrated their 10th anniversary this month.
 

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Straight outta DC, Carlton McCoy made his Grandma proud receiving a scholarship to the Culinary Institute in NY studying to become a chef, eventually moving to NYC and back to DC to work in some of the hottest restaurants including Aquavit, Per Se and City Zen. His love of food started shifting to wine and Carlton headed west and hit the slopes in Aspen at the legendary Little Nell, rising to Beverage Director and receiving his Master Sommelier certificate. Carlton met Gaylon Lawrence Jr. at Little Nell, where Gaylon brought him on to run storied Heitz Cellars in Napa. The fun just begun when Gaylon and Carlton started Lawrence Wine Estates and acquired Burgess Cellars, Stony Hill Vineyard, Haynes Vineyard, Lascombes to name a few, and founded Demeine Estates, a fine wine import and marketing company. Carlton McCoy also co-founded the Roots Fund, a non-profit organization aimed at creating educational and employment opportunities for Black and Indigenous individuals in the wine sector.

 

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