Fresh from the DTC Conference and Unified Symposium, the guys sit down with two out-of-state winemakers who are making waves in their regions.

Todd Bostock – Dos Cabezas WineWorks, Sonoita, Arizona

Dos Cabezas WineWorks – Website – Instagram

Kent Foulker – Cedar Ridge Winery, Swisher, Iowa

Cedar Ridge Winery – Website – Instagram

Tap your play button for a fascinating conversation about winemaking in unexpected places, the challenges and rewards of working in non-traditional wine regions, and how passion drives these winemakers to create something truly unique. [Ep 359]

The Marathon – Winemakers, Industry Leaders & The Reason for the Season, Steve Gross

In our final dispatch from the 2025 DTC Wine Symposium, we sat down with industry leaders, keynote speakers, and winemakers from across the country to explore the biggest conversations happening in the wine world.

The highlight, as always, was Steve Gross from the Wine Institute, the foremost expert on wine shipping regulations. If you’re a winemaker who relies on direct-to-consumer sales or a wine lover who enjoys having bottles shipped straight to your door, you have Steve to thank—and y’all better go to Free the Grapes and sign up now!

This episode is packed with countless insights, deep discussions, and incredible guests. Dust off a bottle (or two), settle in, and get ready—this one is an epic.

The Guest Rundown:

Rishad Tobaccowala – AI expert, futurist, thought leader, and author focusing on marketing and the future of work—now a bona fide friend of the pod.

Susan Kostrzewa – Acclaimed wine writer and editor with extensive industry experience.

Jason Haas – Our longtime inspiration and friend. Partner and General Manager of Tablas Creek Vineyard, advocate for organic farming.

Steve Gross – The great and powerful Vice President of State Relations at the Wine Institute, focusing on industry policies.

Jessah Diaz – Director of Direct-to-Consumer Sales at Cakebread Cellars.

Susan DeMatei – Founder of WineGlass Marketing, specializing in digital and DTC wine sales.

Kasey Helt – Director of Hospitality at Center of Effort Wines.

Anne Zwink – Winemaker at Soldier Creek Winery in Iowa. She heard last year’s show and came to the conference this year. It’s working!

Anne Robie – Writer, speaker, and leadership expert focusing on workplace culture.

Stephanie Wycoff – General Manager of Gary Farrell Winery in Sonoma.

An essential listen for winemakers, industry insiders, and anyone passionate about the future of direct-to-consumer wine sales.

The DTC Wine Symposium Podcast Extravaganza – Part 2: The Wines and the People of Monterey County

Okay, we admit it—we’re Sonoma homers. Occasionally, we branch out and interview someone from Napa (gasp!). But despite our regional prejudices, the growers and winemakers of Monterey County welcomed the podcast crew—not to mention 700+ DTC Wine Symposium attendees—with open arms!

Jokes aside, the Monterey County wine community were fantastic hosts all week long. We were lucky enough to sit down with friend of the pod, Adam Lee—a longtime proponent of Monterey fruit—and let him guide us through a fascinating conversation with some luminaries of the Monterey wine scene.

Adam introduced us to legendary grower Gary Franscioni, owner of ROAR Wines, who helped develop and farm the vineyards that put the Santa Lucia Highlands on the winemaking map. We also met Sabrine Rodems, winemaker at the acclaimed Wrath Wines and owner/winemaker of Scratch Wines—an awesome lineup of wines that scratched an itch for the acid-driven, racy wine lovers among us. And we spoke with Rhonda Motil, VP of Marketing at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, a family-owned winery with deep roots in the region. Jerry Lohr was one of the first to believe in Monterey’s potential back in the early ‘70s, and today, J. Lohr continues to produce intricate, terroir-driven wines from over 4,000 planted acres.

Of course, this was just a fraction of Monterey County’s wine story. Steeped in agricultural history, the Salinas River Valley and surrounding hillsides make up one of the most important farming regions in the country—possibly the world. We learned about the power of the Monterey Canyon, the vast and deep submarine trench off the coast that plays a defining role in the region’s climate. We also explored the rapid shifts in temperature, soil composition, and terroir that unfold as you travel north-south and east-west across this fertile wonderland.

All in all, we hope we didn’t make total fools of ourselves—because the wines were beautiful, the vineyards were stunning, and the people were fantastic. Here’s hoping they invite us back!

Monterey Vintners

Rhonda Motil

Adam Lee

Gary Franscioni

Sabrine Rodems

We kicked off our annual pilgrimage to the DTC Wine Symposium with one of the biggest names in wine: Karen MacNeil. Yes, the Karen MacNeil—winner of nearly every major wine writing award, founder of the Culinary Institute of America’s Professional Wine Program, Stanford University wine educator, and global authority on all things wine.

You know her from WineSpeed in your inbox, from PBS and Netflix in your living room, and from Come Over October, a movement championing wine’s place in culture. And, of course, she’s the author of The Wine Bible—Volumes 1 through 3, with Volume 4 in the works.

But behind the accolades is an incredible story: a determined high school runaway who discovered wine through an $0.89 Bulgarian jug red, bootstrapped her way through college working in restaurants, launched her food and wine writing career at just 19, and bulldozed her way to the top of New York’s wine world.

It was fascinating, inspiring, and educational—the perfect way to start our epic week in Monterey.

KarenMacNeil.com

Professor Phil  wrapped up teaching a master class in regenerative organic agriculture to a group of Harvard and MIT grad students at Liquid Sky Vineyard in Sonoma’s Moon Mountain AVA.

After experiencing firsthand the vineyards and tasting the wine they helped study, John sat down with the students to discuss how they plan to take the principles of regenerative organic farming into the world through their future careers.

This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of some of the brightest and most innovative thinkers in agriculture today.

Tune in and enjoy!

This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with winemaker Isabel Gassier and viticulturist Phil Coturri to discuss their collaborative project, À Deux Têtes, which began in 2017 with the late, renowned French winemaker Philippe Cambie. Isabel has been crafting wine simultaneously at her family’s Domaine Gassier in France and Sonoma’s Winery Sixteen600, where all the grapes are organically farmed under Phil’s care.

Together, Phil and Isabel share insights into their approach and decisions for the challenging 2022 vintage. They discuss the new releases of Oakville and Rossi Ranch Grenache, as well as the 2023 Rosé of Grenache, offering a rare glimpse into the collaboration between grower and winemaker.

It’s an engaging conversation about their shared philosophy, their passion for organic farming, and the exciting results of their partnership. [Ep 354]

Follow their work:

Adam Frisch, a Los Angeles-based cinematographer, took an unconventional path to winemaking, diving in with no formal training to produce wines from historic varieties like Flame Tokay and Mission.

Adam’s approach to winemaking is as bold as it is thoughtful. “I tend to go for more restrained oak usage for the best expression, but I’m not opposed to oak if the wine demands it (and some do). My wines are typically bone dry, naturally fermented, with no added chemicals, and low in sulfites. I try not to filter or fine.”

We love passionate and adventurous winemakers like Adam, who defy trends and follow their dreams with reckless abandon. His portfolio is diverse, fascinating, and utterly delicious.

Adam joined us for this episode after being evacuated due to the fires in Southern California—proof of his dedication to his craft. You can find his wines through his website or follow his journey on social media. [Ep353]

Check them out:

This week, we spoke with Martha Stoumen, a winemaker crafting unique wines from the warmer regions of Northern California. For the past decade, she has been building her own label and gaining attention with her eye-catching designs and surprising grape varietals. Her commitment to sustainable farming has set her apart, appealing to wine lovers who value quality and ethics. With a focus on natural acidity, her wines remain fresh, vibrant, and incredibly drinkable.

Martha spent eight years apprenticing around the world before launching her own journey as a winemaker. Starting as a self-funded, first-generation vintner, her goal was to answer a simple question: “What does California taste like?” She believes Mediterranean grapes thrive in Northern California’s warm climate, allowing her to create joyful, balanced wines. Her unexpected varietals and fresh takes on California classics offer something truly unique.

“We do things the right way,” Martha says, “even if it’s not the easiest or coolest way.”

Every year, Martha produces nearly two dozen wines. The blends and flavors may change, but her dedication to natural winemaking stays the same. Her wines are a celebration of the simple pleasures of drinking something authentic and thoughtfully made.

This conversation offers a fascinating look at Martha’s vision and her quest to showcase the best of California winemaking. If you’re passionate about wine, don’t miss it! [Ep 352]

marthastoumen.com

@marthastoumen

When we last checked in on Gloria Ferrer, the winery was undergoing a significant transition. With a new general manager in place, they were moving toward organic farming across their 300 acres, while also preparing for the retirement of their original winemaker and vineyard manager. Enter viticulturist Brad Kurtz, who not only spearheaded the shift to organic farming but also took a deep dive into re-evaluating every block of their estate vineyards—matching clones and rootstocks to specific soils for optimal results.

In early 2024, Kyle Altomare joined as Director of Winemaking. With experience at Raventos Codorniu and as Associate Winemaker for Artesa Vineyards, Kyle is now instrumental in crafting Gloria Ferrer’s sparkling wines and elevating the style and prestige of their estate. The goal: to refine and develop a signature house style defined by the purity of estate-grown fruit.

As this is the final show of the year, we encourage you to open a bottle of bubbles—preferably one made right here in California—and raise a glass to the bright future of California wine.

Thank you all for your amazing support of the podcast. Here’s to a sparkling 2024. Happy New Year [Ep 351]

gloriaferrer.com

Brooke Delmas Robertson is one of our favorite people, and for good reason. Her Delmas SJR Vineyard Syrah was just named #10 on Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 100 Wines of 2024, and shortly after, her Viognier earned a spot in Decanter’s Top 50. Her family has been raising the bar in the Rocks District of Walla Walla for years, producing only about 1000 cases annually—flying under the radar, but with outstanding quality.

Brooke’s commitment to sustainability and family legacy shines through in her approach: “We want our vines to outlive us and be sustainable and strong for generations to come. That expectation requires daily oversight and a commitment to sustainability and healthy plants,” she says. “The driving vision to create a small, family-estate operation has been a family dream since my brother and I were kids. My work on behalf of the estate will continue to be a tribute to my late brother, whom the vineyard is named after. To life!”

In addition to her winemaking, Brooke serves on the Board of Directors of the Oregon Winegrower Association, representing Eastern Oregon. She’s a Level One Mentor with Bâtonnage (Women in Wine) and founded the Vineyard Technical Group for the Walla Walla Valley, partnering with Oregon State University and the Rocks District Winegrowers to provide ongoing education for wine growers in the region.

We highly recommend getting your hands on these wines, especially the Viognier and SJR Vineyard Syrah. Better yet, plan a trip to Walla Walla, Washington, and see firsthand the incredible work being done there. [Ep350]

www.delmaswines.com