Welcome to Season 2 Episode 1 of TRINKTalks! where we dive into the soulful, surprising, and often misunderstood world of Austrian wine and food. This is a thoughtful conversation with Monika Caha and Tara Q. Thomas—their deep industry experience bridges Austrian tradition, New York’s wine scene, and decades of culinary exploration.

Together, we unpack everything from Austria’s natural-wine reputation to the country’s deep regional diversity, from cherished grapes like Zierfandler and Rotgipfler to the rustic foods that shape the Austrian table.

If you would rather read the transcript you can!

Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

ABOUT TODAY'S GUESTS 

Tara Q. Thomas is the Managing Editor of JancisRobinson.com, one of the world’s most respected independent wine websites. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, she is a veteran wine journalist, critic, and editor. Before joining the Jancis Robinson team, she spent more than two decades at Wine & Spirits Magazine, where she served as Executive Editor/Lead critic for the wines of Austria, Germany, Greece, and Eastern Europe.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Tara’s deep understanding of wine is rooted in her early training as a chef. She "traded her knife kit for a wine glass" and has since become a leading voice on the intersection of food and wine. She is the Assistant Editor for the landmark 5th edition of The Oxford Companion to Wine (published in 2023) and has authored several books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Wine Basics.

Monika Caha is a true pioneer, she changed the way America drinks Austrian wine. Born and raised in Austria, she first conquered the New York culinary scene as the executive chef and owner of the acclaimed restaurant Kaffeehaus. In 2003, she pivoted from the kitchen to the cellar, founding Monika Caha Selections.

Over the last two decades, she has curated an elite portfolio of artisanal, family-owned estates, bridging the gap between centuries-old traditions and the modern American palate. From creating the 'training wheels' for Grüner Veltliner with her famous Grooner brand to championing rare indigenous varieties like Zierfandler, she is the primary architect of Austria’s success in the U.S. market. 

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag

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ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

⁠Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wines and wine cultures of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York. Her work appears in the pages of , Noble Rot⁠,⁠ The Art of Eating⁠,⁠ SevenFifty Daily⁠,⁠ Meininger’s and of course TRINK⁠. She is the author of the German Wine Scholar, a new course on German wines from the Wine Scholar Guild⁠. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated.

Thanks for listening and keep TRINKing!

Welcome to Episode 12 of TRINKTalks! In this episode, we discuss Camilla Gierda’s book Natural Trailblazers. This publication explores the intersection of natural wine, climate change, and sustainability, highlighting how organic farming, biodiversity, and alternative packaging can reduce the wine industry’s environmental impact. The journey to identify trailblazing producers committed to sustainable practices is both complex and rewarding, with new grape varieties offering resilience in the face of climate challenges. The natural wine movement, rooted in social good as much as rebellion, emphasizes the importance of consumer education and collective responsibility. It also celebrates the growing influence of women in wine and encourages collaboration among producers to drive innovative, climate-conscious solutions.

If you would rather read the transcript, you can!

Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

ABOUT TODAYS GUESTS 

Miki Smith is a Virginia-based entrepreneur, wine educator, and climate-conscious leader. With a WSET Level III certification and working toward her Diploma, she founded GoodWine in 2021 to spotlight planet-friendly producers committed to low-carbon farming and ethical practices. Through her platform and regional wine club, she educates consumers on sustainable wine choices and amplifies voices driving climate-focused change in the industry.

Christine Pieroth, known as Piri Naturel, is a pioneering natural winemaker from Germany’s Nahe region, where her family has farmed since 1781. After studies at Geisenheim and international vineyard work, she launched her label in 2019, crafting low-intervention wines from organic, regenerative vineyards. Christine integrates agroforestry and PIWI hybrid grapes to boost biodiversity and resilience, earning a feature in Natural Trailblazers for her climate-forward, terroir-driven approach.

Camilla Gjerde is a Norwegian-born, Sweden-based natural wine writer and advocate. A WSET Diploma holder with a PhD in Political Science, she’s the author of We Don’t Want Any Crap in Our Wine and Natural Trailblazers, profiling pioneering producers leading sustainable, low-carbon wine practices. Through her work, Gjerde champions authenticity, climate action, and social good within the global natural wine movement.

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag

https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/

https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated.

Thanks for listening and keep Trinking! 

Welcome to Episode 12 of TRINKTalks! In this conversation, Jule and Kai Schätzel discuss their journey into winemaking, emphasizing the importance of sustainable farming practices and the role of community in the winemaking process. They share insights on the philosophy of balance in winemaking, the transition to natural wines, and the challenges faced along the way. The discussion highlights the significance of innovation in tradition and the potential for winemaking to contribute positively to the world.

Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences.

Can’t listen in? Read the transcript instead! 

ABOUT GUESTS KAI & JULE SCHÄTZEL

Kai and Jule Schätzel are the visionary duo behind Weingut Schätzel in Germany’s Rheinhessen, where they’ve redefined what the region—and Riesling itself—can express. The Schätzel family has been rooted in Nierstein since 1350, with the first vines planted during that time. 

Since taking the helm in 2008, Kai transformed his family’s centuries-old estate into one of Germany’s most distinctive, terroir-driven wineries, anchored in minimalism and a relentless pursuit of purity. The arrival of Jule in 2020 marked a new chapter, as the couple guided the estate to full Demeter biodynamic certification and pioneered ecological practices like planting shade trees amid the prized Roter Hang vineyards to combat climate stress. Together, they craft wines of remarkable tension, clarity, and restraint, fermenting with ambient yeasts in their 800-year-old cellar where a naturally occurring flor yeast allows for unsulfured bottlings without oxidative character. 

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. 

Founders Paula Redes Sidore, based in Germany, and Valerie Kathawala, in New York, were brought together by their shared love for these wines and the conviction that a deep understanding of the cultural contexts in which they are embedded is essential to appreciating them fully. 

TRINK launched in 2020. From the outset, their mission has been to deepen the understanding of how wine intersects with and impacts the narrative, culture, history, and geography of the European spaces where German is common cultural currency. 

LEARN MORE:

https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag

https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/

https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. TRINK is the natural extension of that pursuit. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated. She lives on the northern wall of wine growing with her family in Bonn, Germany.

Thanks for joining us today and remember to Keep Trinking!!

Welcome to Episode 11 of TRINKTalks! In this episode we sit down with Marco Simonit, renowned Italian agronomist and co-founder of Simonit & Sirch, the world’s leading vine pruning consultancy. Marco shares the story of what first drew him to the art of vine pruning, how he developed his pioneering gentle pruning technique, and why it’s transforming vineyards across the world.

We delve into the unique challenges facing German and Austrian viticulture, the lessons learned from old vines, and the incredible resilience of grapevines. Marco also discusses the future of vineyard management, the role of innovation, and how digital education is reshaping viticultural training for a new generation!

Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

Our Episode Transcript is coming soon!

ABOUT GUEST MARCO SIMONIT

Marco Simonit is an Italian agronomist and co-founder of Simonit & Sirch, the world’s leading vine-pruning consultancy and training group. Hailing from Friuli, Italy, Simonit developed a passion for vine care that led him to revolutionize pruning practices through his "gentle pruning" method. This approach focuses on making smaller, strategic cuts to preserve the vine’s internal structure and sap flow, thereby extending vine longevity and enhancing grape quality. His techniques have been adopted by over 130 prestigious wineries worldwide. Simonit’s commitment to education is evident in the establishment of the Simonit & Sirch Vine Master Pruners Academy, which offers both in-person and digital training programs. 

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. 

Founders Paula Redes Sidore, based in Germany, and Valerie Kathawala, in New York, were brought together by their shared love for these wines and the conviction that a deep understanding of the cultural contexts in which they are embedded is essential to appreciating them fully. 

TRINK launched in 2020. From the outset, their mission has been to deepen the understanding of how wine intersects with and impacts the narrative, culture, history, and geography of the European spaces where German is common cultural currency. 

LEARN MORE:

https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag

https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/

https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. TRINK is the natural extension of that pursuit. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated. She lives on the northern wall of wine growing with her family in Bonn, Germany.

Thanks for joining us today and remember to Keep Trinking!

Welcome to Episode 10 of TRINKTalks! In this episode, we dive into Austria’s organic wine movement with two highly respected winemakers — Fred Loimer and Gerhard Wohlmuth. From biodynamic practices to the unique terroirs of Kamptal and Südsteiermark, discover how these pioneers are redefining quality and sustainability in Austrian wine. 

Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

ABOUT TODAYS GUESTS 

Fred Loimer of Loimer Winery is one of Austria’s most respected and forward-thinking winemakers, known for his commitment to biodynamic viticulture and expressive, terroir-driven wines. Based in the renowned Kamptal region of Lower Austria, Fred took over his family’s winery in 1997, infusing it with both a reverence for tradition and a bold spirit of innovation.

After studying enology at Klosterneuburg and gaining international experience in places like Germany and California, Fred returned home with a clear vision: to craft wines that truly reflect the character of their origin. In 2006, he converted his vineyards to biodynamic farming, emphasizing a holistic, sustainable approach to viticulture.

Fred is particularly celebrated for his elegant Grüner Veltliner and Riesling, as well as for his distinctive sparkling wines and natural wine projects. As a founding member of Respekt-BIODYN, a biodynamic certifying group, Fred has been instrumental in shaping the modern identity of Austrian wine on the global stage.

Gerhard Wohlmuth of Weingut Wohlmuth is a highly regarded Austrian winemaker from Südsteiermark, known for crafting precise, expressive wines that capture the dramatic slopes and unique soils of the region. As the current steward of his family’s winery — which dates back to 1803 — Gerhard blends deep-rooted tradition with a sharp, modern sensibility.

Specializing in Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay, his wines are celebrated for their clarity, minerality, and age-worthiness. Gerhard’s meticulous vineyard work on some of Austria’s steepest vineyards, combined with a restrained, thoughtful approach in the cellar, has earned him recognition both at home and internationally.

Beyond his role as a winemaker, Gerhard is an advocate for preserving Südsteiermark’s distinct identity, championing its complex terroirs and continuing his family’s multi-generational legacy with passion and precision.

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag

https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/

https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en

ABOUT THE HOSTS:

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated.

Thanks for listening and keep Trinking! 

Welcome to Episode 9 of TRINKTalks! Today TrinkTalks gives the floor to contributing writer Christoph Raffelt, a fellow podcaster and German wine pioneer. Tune in as Christoff interviews Mosel region wine producers Tobias Feiden, Gernot Kohlmann, & Jonas Dostert on their approaches and challenges when it comes to producing great pinot noir wines. 

Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

ABOUT TODAYS GUESTS 

Tobias Feiden works closely with his wife, Rebecca Materne at Materne & Schmitt. While they collaborate, he focuses entirely on red wines, especially his passion: Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). He cultivates approximately 5,000 m² of vineyards in the Gemarkungen Winningen and Moselsürsch, in the heart of the Mosel’s finest terraced vineyards. His red wines receive equal treatment, with subtle differences emerging from the various vineyard locations and terroir.

Jonas Dostert is a dynamic young vigneron based in Nittel on the Mosel River near Luxembourg, where his limestone-based vineyards on gentle 30-degree slopes are ideal for the lesser-known Elbling grape. Working with both young vines and older, organically certified parcels, Jonas produces fresh, balanced wines with a moderate 10–12% alcohol content. 

Gernot Kohlmann is the visionary winemaker behind Weingut Batterieberg, nestled in the heart of Germany’s Mosel region. Embracing the unique slate soils and steep slopes that define his vineyards, he combines traditional methods with innovative, minimal-intervention techniques to produce wines that truly capture the region’s distinctive terroir. Committed to sustainable viticulture and meticulous craftsmanship, Gernot’s approach allows the natural character of the grapes to shine.

ABOUT TODAY'S GUEST HOST

Christoph Raffelt is one of an exciting new vanguard of voices when it comes to German wine. And voices is not a euphemism here, as it is indeed his voice together with his stellar cast of winemakers and guests that come together on his monthly podcast Originalverkorkt.de; while his words appear in his online magazine of the same name. Christoph has been on the road since 2016 with Büro für Wein & Kommunikation as a freelance journalist, copywriter and all-round wordsmith. His work has appeared in such esteemed publications as Meiningers, Weinwirtschaft, Weinwelt, Sommelier, Champagne-Magazin and Schluck.

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag

https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/

https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated.

Welcome to Episode 8 of TRINKTalks! Join Paula and Valerie as they sit down with Sophie Christmann of Weingut A. Christmann, in the Pfalz region, Germany's second largest wine growing region. Sophie talks to us about her background and transition into the Christmann winery, working with her father and focusing on Pinot and Riesling. We also get to hear about her thoughts on the selección masal from Burgundy, and her implementation of her fathers advice to experiment with plantings,  first before pulling up and replanting everything. Her earnest passion is evident and we hope you enjoy  this conversation as much as we did!

Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences. 

ABOUT GUEST SOPHIE CHRISTMANN

Weingut A. Christmann, located in Gimmeldingen in the Palatinate region of Germany, has been a family-run winery since the 16th century. Specializing in Riesling and Pinot Noir, the estate is renowned for its commitment to biodynamic viticulture, a practice it has embraced since 2003. 

Sophie Christmann, the 8th generation to have a hand in the winery, is a graduate in viticulture and oenology from Geisenheim University. She gained experience in various German wine regions as well as in Bordeaux and Australia and she now works alongside her father, bringing her international expertise to the family business. Together, Steffen and Sophie are dedicated to producing exceptional wines that embody the character of their esteemed vineyards, including the renowned Idig, Ölberg, Mandelgarten, and Reiterpfad sites. 

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. 

Founders Paula Redes Sidore, based in Germany, and Valerie Kathawala, in New York, were brought together by their shared love for these wines and the conviction that a deep understanding of the cultural contexts in which they are embedded is essential to appreciating them fully. 

TRINK launched in 2020. From the outset, their mission has been to deepen the understanding of how wine intersects with and impacts the narrative, culture, history, and geography of the European spaces where German is common cultural currency. 

LEARN MORE:

https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag

https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/

https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. TRINK is the natural extension of that pursuit. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated. She lives on the northern wall of wine growing with her family in Bonn, Germany.

Thanks for joining us today and remember to Keep Trinking!!

Welcome to Episode 7 of TRINKTalks! Join Paula and Valerie as they sit down with Hoss Hauksson of Hauksson Weine, in Klingnau Switzerland. In this episode Hoss discusses his passion for biodynamics and his research into Shamanism and plant communication. He also elaborates on his experimentation when it comes to the plantings within his vineyard plots. This is truly an interesting topic you are not going to want to miss!

Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences.

ABOUT GUEST HOSS HAUKSSON

Originally from Reykjavik, Iceland; in 2009 Hoss Hauksson moved to Switzerland where he worked in the financial sector. Always passionate about wine and nature, some time later he began making wine from his laundry room at home. In 2016,  Hoss rented his first plot of Pinot Noir in Remi gen, in central-northern Switzerland, in Aargau. He established the winery in nearby Rufenach and in 2017 he put his first official vintage on the market. In the following years he rented other plots where there are white grapes such as Kerner, Pinot Grigio and Muller Thurgau. Hoss is passionate about the principles of biodynamics and firmly believes that nature must find its balance without force or invasive intervention.

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. 

Founders Paula Redes Sidore, based in Germany, and Valerie Kathawala, in New York, were brought together by their shared love for these wines and the conviction that a deep understanding of the cultural contexts in which they are embedded is essential to appreciating them fully. 

TRINK launched in 2020. From the outset, their mission has been to deepen the understanding of how wine intersects with and impacts the narrative, culture, history, and geography of the European spaces where German is common cultural currency. 

LEARN MORE:

https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag

https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/

https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. TRINK is the natural extension of that pursuit. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated. She lives on the northern wall of wine growing with her family in Bonn, Germany.

Thanks for joining us today and remember to Keep Trinking!!

Welcome to Episode 6 of TRINKTalks! Join Paula and Valerie as they sit down with Nik Weis of Weingut Nik Weis - St. Urbans-Hof. In this episode, Nik shares his passion for Riesling and introduces us to his exceptional wines. He delves into his fascinating vineyard experiments, driven by his curiosity about what makes certain vines produce superior wines. Nik reveals how he uncovered a surprising truth: it’s not the age of the vines but the age of the vineyard—and more importantly, the diversity of the vines and the mix of grapes—that create truly intriguing wines. Tune in to explore these insights and more!

Consider joining the TRINK community. Read up on our subscriptions and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences.

ABOUT GUEST NIK WEIS

The Riesling winery Nik Weis - St. Urbans-Hof in Leiwen on the Mosel is run by Nik Weis and his family in the third generation. Since 2000, the winery has been a member of the renowned Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP). The approximately 45 hectares of vineyards extend over around 60 km along the Moselle and Saar rivers and are cultivated in a traditional way in harmony with nature. Of the prestigious individual sites in which world-class Rieslings grow, five are classified as VDP.Grosse Lage. The wines are fermented exclusively with natural yeasts.

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by TRINK Magazine, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. 

Founders Paula Redes Sidore, based in Germany, and Valerie Kathawala, in New York, were brought together by their shared love for these wines and the conviction that a deep understanding of the cultural contexts in which they are embedded is essential to appreciating them fully. 

TRINK launched in 2020. From the outset, their mission has been to deepen the understanding of how wine intersects with and impacts the narrative, culture, history, and geography of the European spaces where German is common cultural currency.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag

https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/

https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

Valerie Kathawala specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of Noble Rot, The Art of Eating, SevenFifty Daily, Meininger’s Wine Business International, Pipette, Glug, Pellicle and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine TRINK. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the Wine Scholar Guild. 

Paula Redes Sidore moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded Weinstory, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. TRINK is the natural extension of that pursuit. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated. She lives on the northern wall of wine growing with her family in Bonn, Germany.

Thanks for joining us today and remember to Keep Trinking!!

Welcome to Episode 5 of TRINKTalks. In today’s episode Paula and Valerie talk to three guests, Mason Washington, Founder of LELIYG, along with Carolin and Erik Riffel of Weingut Riffel located in Bingen am Rhein, in the Mainz-Bingen district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Today’s conversation introduces the Riffel winery and its wines as well as the heartwarming story of Mason’s collaboration with the Riffels', in their journey to create  ⁠LELIYG Binger Kirchberg Riesling Kabinett⁠. Now available in several States in the US, find out more about this team effort that cemented a true friendship.

Consider joining theTRINK community. Read up on our⁠subscriptions⁠ and unlock exclusive wine content, benefits, and experiences.

⁠Mason Washington⁠, CSW is a sommelier & the  proprietor of ⁠LELIYG (Live Everyday Like It's Your Glass)⁠. Born and raised in Fayetteville NC, Mason gravitated toward the wine industry by working in various country clubs and hotels. As his interest grew in wine, his passion for Germany grew. He set his sites on crafting wine that was not just delicious but also biodynamic, certified organic, and vegan. The 2022 Kirchberg Kabinett vintage is a wine that Mason personally helped bottle and harvest and it went on to be rated 94 points by James Suckling! 

In 2005⁠Erik & Carolin Riffel ⁠took over⁠Riffel winery⁠, creating the highest quality wines letting the terroir speak for itself. These wines are biodynamic, certified organic & vegan. 

To read more about the wines of Alto Adige, don’t miss Ian D’Agata’s (one of TRINK Magazine’s contributors) article titled:⁠Understanding Alto Adige-Südtirol⁠

ABOUT TRINK 

TRINKTalks has been brought to you by⁠TRINK Magazine⁠, an independent quarterly digital publication exploring the “German-speaking wines” of Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. 

Founders Paula Redes Sidore, based in Germany, and Valerie Kathawala, in New York, were brought together by their shared love for these wines and the conviction that a deep understanding of the cultural contexts in which they are embedded is essential to appreciating them fully. 

TRINK launched in 2020. From the outset, their mission has been to deepen the understanding of how wine intersects with and impacts the narrative, culture, history, and geography of the European spaces where German is common cultural currency. 

LEARN MORE:

⁠https://www.facebook.com/trinkmag⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/trink_magazine/⁠

⁠https://x.com/magazinetrink?lang=en⁠

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/trink-magazine/⁠

ABOUT THE HOSTS OF TRINK TALKS

⁠Valerie Kathawala⁠ specializes in the wine cultures, traditions, and innovations of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, as well as those closer to her home in New York City. Her work appears in the pages of⁠ Noble Rot⁠,⁠ The Art of Eating⁠,⁠ SevenFifty Daily⁠,⁠ Meininger’s Wine Business International,⁠⁠ Pipette⁠,⁠ Glug⁠,⁠ Pellicle⁠ and a number of other publications. She is the co-founder and co-editor of the wine magazine⁠ TRINK⁠. She is currently at work researching and writing a new course (2025) on German wines for the⁠ Wine Scholar Guild⁠. 

⁠Paula Redes Sidore⁠ moves smoothly between the worlds of wine and words. She is a double-certified sommelier, through the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Chamber of Commerce.  In 2012, she founded⁠Weinstory⁠, a creative content and translation agency dedicated to transposing the world of German-speaking wine into English. TRINK is the natural extension of that pursuit. She is the German and Austrian regional specialist for jancisrobinson.com and a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Paula has a Masters degree in fiction writing, and her work has been featured in jr.com, Sevenfifty Daily, Feinschmecker, and Heated. She lives on the northern wall of wine growing with her family in Bonn, Germany.

Thanks for joining us today and remember toKeep Trinking!!