This Week Uncorked

In this week's episode, we are discussing how winemakers may fudge alcohol levels more than you think, Gen Z's drinking habits may be shifting, and Oregon oak barrels could reshape American winemaking. This week's features include Sanger Family Wines in Solvang, the 2022 Marianello Cielo Rubio, and Hank's Fine Steaks & Martinis in Henderson, NV.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ Winemakers Are Fibbing About Alcohol Content — Here's Why They're Getting Away With It

♦️ Gen Z Not Shunning Alcohol As Much As Thought, Says Survey

♦️ 50% off SOMM TV Monthly Subscription for One Year👉 https://bit.ly/somm_tv_50

♦️ Oregon Oak: Wooden It Be Nice?

♦️ 2025 Tasting Room Survey Report

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ Sanger Family Wines in Solvang, CA

♦️ 2022 Marianello Cielo Rubio

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ Hank's Fine Steaks & Martinis in Henderson, NV

♦️ Corkage Fee is $35 Per Bottle / Max 2 / Can't be on their Winelist

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/july-7-2025-are-winemakers-lying-about-alcohol-content/

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🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/

In this week's episode we discuss Silicon Valley Bank's 2025 DTC Wine Report reveals vital trends for small wineries, New York updates its alcohol laws to support on-premise businesses, and a new benchmark wine region report highlights shifting global tastes. This week we feature Flying Goat Cellars in Lompoc, the 2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Florimont," and In Bloom in Paso Robles, CA.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ 2025 Direct‑to‑Consumer Wine Report is here

♦️ Legislature Approves Retail-To-Retail Alcohol Sales

♦️ Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey

♦️ Navigating Wine's New Benchmark Regions

♦️ Will Gen Z Ever Drink Wine?

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ Flying Goat Cellars in Lompoc, CA

♦️ 2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru "Florimont"

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ In Bloom in Paso Robles, CA

♦️ Corkage Fee is $40 Per Bottle / 2 Max

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/june-30-2025-direct-to-consumer-wine-sales-surge-for-small-wineries/

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💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings

🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/

In this week's episode, we discuss a new push for interstate wine shipping freedom takes center stage, alongside a sobering look at how poor marketing dooms great winemakers and a major consulting shake-up at famed Tuscan producer San Felice. This week we visit Ampelos Cellars in Lompoc, sip their 2020 Syrah Gamma, and grab dinner at 888 Japanese BBQ in Las Vegas.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ The Fight for Wine Freedom

♦️ Wine Chronicles: Making Wine Is Great. Selling It Is a Nightmare.

♦️ Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey

♦️ San Felice and Thomas Duclos: A Strategic Collaboration to Elevate the Winery's Three Tuscan Estates

♦️ UC Davis Launches Small-Batch Wine Label

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ Ampelos Cellars in Lompoc, CA

♦️ 2020 Ampelos Syrah Gamma

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ 888 Japanese BBQ in Las Vegas, NV

♦️ Corkage Fee is $40 Per Bottle / No Limit

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/june-23-2025-how-middlemen-are-controlling-your-access-to-wine/

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💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings

🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/

Roederer Estate earns the first-ever 100-point score for a U.S. sparkling wine, tariffs crush American wine exports abroad, and Sicily's Mount Etna erupts just miles from local vineyards. This episode features Dark Water Winery in Lompoc, their 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Happy Canyon, and Corner Restaurant in Austin, Texas.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ The World's 50 Best Restaurants Recognizes Healdsburg's SingleThread

♦️ The Latest Victim of Trump's Tariff War? American Vintners

♦️ Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey

♦️ Roederer Estate Receives First Ever 100-Point Score Awarded to U.S.-Made Sparkling Wine

♦️ Why Etna's eruption was not as bad as it looked

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ Dark Water Winery in Lompoc, CA

♦️ 2017 Dark Water Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Happy Canyon

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ Corner Restaurant in Austin, TX

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/june-16-2025-wine-enthusiast-awards-roederer-a-perfect-100-for-lermitage/

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💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings

🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/

This week, we explore how government staff cuts could put AI in charge of wine labeling, Bernard Arnault's defiance of investment freezes in the US, and the debate over pairing wine and ice cream. Plus, we're featuring Bridgeview Vineyard & Winery in Oregon, the 2014 Meteor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Perseid, and Martini's Seafood House in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ Opolo Vineyards Officially Introduces "Vranac" To American Wine Industry

♦️ Cuts Could Leave AI in Charge of Wine

♦️ Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey

♦️ Arnault Rejects Macron's Call To Freeze Investment In Us

♦️ Wine and Ice Cream Are a Terrible Pairing, So Why Are Bars Selling Them Side By Side?

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ Bridgeview Vineyard & Winery in Cave Junction, OR

♦️ 2014 Meteor Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Perseid

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ Martini's Seafood House in Fredericksburg, TX

♦️ Corkage Fee: $60.00 Per Bottle / No Limit

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/june-9-2025-government-staff-cuts-leave-ai-in-charge-of-your-wine-labels/

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💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings

🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/

In this episode, we discuss Texas wine country faces boozy challenges as tourism booms, the global wine industry finds hope in a bottoming-out market, and America's wine industry reveals jaw-dropping economic impacts. This week we feature the Crush Pad Wine Bar in Las Vegas, NV, the 2016 Ferretti Brunello di Montalcino, and Hill & Vine in Fredericksburg, TX.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ "What's the Most Expensive Wine You've Ever Sold?" 9 Sommeliers Spill

♦️ Texas Wine Country Confronts the Challenges of Its Boozy Boom

♦️ Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey

♦️ Guess What? There's Actually Good News for the Wine Industry

♦️ 2025 US Economic Impact Study

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ Crush Pad Wine Bar in Las Vegas, NV

♦️ 2016 Ferretti Brunello di Montalcino

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ Hill & Vine in Fredericksburg, TX

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/june-2-2025-texas-wine-tourism-grows-and-locals-sound-the-alarm/

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💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings

🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/

In this episode, we discuss how private equity is flowing into California wineries, Japan's Asahi CEO blames digital entertainment — not health fears — for declining alcohol sales, and New Jersey blocks a bill that would have helped winery events. This week's highlights include Montemar Winery in Lompoc, the 2022 Laguna Canyon Due Viti TWO-POINT-O Reserve, and The Cave restaurant inside Ventura Wine Co. in Ventura, CA.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ A New Type Of Investor Is Buying Up California Wineries

♦️ Alcohol Sales Hit More By Screen Time Than Health Fears, Asahi Head Says

♦️ Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey

♦️ Top Wineries in Sonoma County

♦️ New Jersey Governor Vetoes Bill to Ease Rules for Winery Events

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ Montemar Winery in Lompoc, CA

♦️ 2022 Laguna Canyon Due Viti TWO-POINT-O Reserve

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ The Cave / Ventura Wine Co in Ventura, CA

♦️ Corkage Fee: $20.00 Per Bottle / No Limit

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/may-26-2025-private-equity-pours-into-california-wine-country/

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💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings

🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/

Bordeaux wine prices hit a 20-year low, U.S. Cabernet drinkers shift to lower-cost bottles, and New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc sales begin to slip after years of growth. This week we feature The Wine Cellar at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, the 2017 Giorgio Sandrone Barolo del Comune di La Morra DOCG, and VooDoo Steak with its impressive view and uneven ambiance.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ 'Worst Market In 20 Years'. Bordeaux Wine Producers Slash Prices

♦️ US Cabernet Drinkers Trade Down

♦️ Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey

♦️ After Decades of Growth, Could Sliding New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Sales Spell Trouble?

♦️ Wine Fraud Rocks Switzerland

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ The Wine Cellar at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, NV

♦️ 2017 Giorgio Sandrone Barolo del Comune di La Morra DOCG

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ VooDoo Steak in Las Vegas, NV

♦️ Corkage Fee is $35 Per Bottle / Max 2

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/may-19-2025-bordeaux-wine-prices-plunge-to-20-year-low/

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💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings

🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/

In this episode, we discuss the California grape growers face stiff foreign competition, the EU has the most to lose in U.S. wine tariff talks, and experts weigh in on Napa's uncertain economic future. This week's featured winery is Tobin James Cellars in Paso Robles, with the 2023 GlassMen Wines Sonoma County Pinot Noir as our wine of the week, and Don Vito's in Las Vegas as the restaurant spotlight.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ Congress Resists Biden Liquor Guidelines

♦️ The Plight of California's Grape Growers

♦️ Find Restaurant Corkage Fees on Cork & Journey

♦️ Wine Accounts for Over Half of EU Alcohol Exports

♦️ Uncertainty Makes for a Gloomy Economic Road Ahead, Yet there's Still Economic Development Opportunity for Napa

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ Tobin James Cellars in Paso Robles, CA

♦️ 2023 GlassMen Wines Sonoma County Pinot Noir

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ Don Vito's in Las Vegas, NV

♦️ Corkage Fee is $20 per Bottle / No Limit

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/may-12-2025-a-toast-to-trade-imbalance-e16-8-billion-in-wine/

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💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings

🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/

In today's episode, we discuss Napa's most searched wines show little surprise, white wine may protect your heart, and Ecluse Winery in Paso welcomes new owners. This week's featured winery is Stags' Leap Winery, along with the bold 2022 Cooperativa del Cadalso, Vinos de Madrid, Granito Cadalso Garnacha. Our restaurant spotlight takes us to Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen in Lake Tahoe for an unexpectedly excellent fine dining experience.

Wine News Round-Up:

♦️ A New Chapter for Écluse Wines

♦️ Michelin Guide Buenos Aires & Mendoza 2025: Winners Revealed

♦️ White Wine Could Reduce Your Risk Of Cardiac Arrest, Study Claims

♦️ Custom Wine Cellar Vendors in Las Vegas

♦️ Tasting Panel and SOMM Journal Reviews Available on Wine-Searcher

♦️ Napa's Most Wanted Wines of 2025

Wine & Winery of the Week:

♦️ Stags' Leap Winery in Napa, CA

♦️ 2022 Cooperativa del Cadalso, Vinos de Madrid, Granito Cadalso Garnacha

Restaurant & Corkage of the Week:

♦️ Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen in Lake Tahoe, CA

♦️ Corkage Fee: $50 Per Bottle / No Limit

📄 SHOW NOTES 📄

Read all the stories discussed on the show

♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/may-5-2025-napas-most-searched-wines-are-as-predictable-as-they-are-pricey/

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💰 RESTAURANT CORKAGE FEES 💰 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/listings

🍷 WINE REVIEWS 🍷 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/wines/

🏠 WINERY REVIEWS 🏠 ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/travel/wineries/

🍽️ RESTAURANT REVIEWS 🍽️ ♦️ https://corkandjourney.com/category/food/restaurants/