In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with Jean-Frédéric Hugel, 13th-generation vintner at Famille Hugel in Alsace, to explore one of France’s most historic wine families and regions. Founded in 1639, Famille Hugel is a benchmark producer known for its Rieslings, Gewürztraminer, and age-worthy late-harvest wines.

Jean-Frédéric discusses his family’s centuries-long legacy in Alsace, the evolution of Hugel’s winemaking, and the unique terroir and culture that define the region. He also shares what it means to represent Alsace in the Primum Familiae Vini (PFV), a group of 12 leading family-owned wine estates from across Europe.

Key topics include:

• The distinct profile of Alsace Riesling compared to German or Austrian styles
• The role of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat in Hugel’s aromatic dry whites
• How Hugel produces some of the world’s longest-lived Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles(botrytized sweet wines)
• The philosophy behind Hugel’s Classic, Estate, and Grossi Laüe tiers
• Hugel’s new project: their first-ever Crémant d’Alsace sparkling wine
• Why Hugel doesn’t use oak and how their neutral winemaking showcases terroir

👉 Be sure to check out our companion episode: Five Questions with a Winemaker featuring Jean-Frédéric Hugel, for a rapid-fire introduction to Hugel’s wines and what’s next for the estate.

🛒 Explore Alsace wines and other benchmark producers at Vint Marketplace

🎧 Listen to more episodes: Vint Podcast Archive

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions with a Winemaker, we sit down with Jean Frédéric Hugel, the 13th generation of the legendary Famille Hugel in Alsace, France. Jean shares the story behind one of the region’s most historic producers, known for its benchmark dry Rieslings and long-lived sweet wines.

We cover:

• 📍 Where the Hugel vineyards are located and the iconic white varieties they champion
• 🍇 The dry, gastronomic style of Hugel's wines and the tiers of their bottlings
• 📖 A vintage-by-vintage walkthrough of the most memorable harvests—from 2021 all the way back to 1865
• 🌱 The estate’s move to certified organic production and their first-ever orange wine
• 🏗️ Major upcoming projects, including a new facility and operational shift

This episode is presented by vintmarketplace.com, where you can explore wines from iconic producers like Famille Hugel.

Subscribe and stay tuned for the full-length interview with Jean Frédéric, where we go deeper into Alsace, cellar aging, and Hugel’s vision for the future.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Vent Wine Podcast

00:45 Meet the Winemaker: Jean Fredic Hug

00:54 Exploring Alsace Vineyards and Varieties

02:33 Wine Styles and Specialties

05:14 Memorable Vintages

07:46 Future Innovations and Projects

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!

🎙️ In this episode of the Vint Podcast, we sit down with Mike D. Etzel, President of Beaux Frères Vineyards in Oregon’s Ribbon Ridge AVA, to explore the legacy of one of America’s most iconic Pinot Noir estates.

Mikey shares the story of his family's founding of Beaux Frères, how the wines and farming have evolved, and what’s ahead—including a major winery expansion and a new estate Chardonnay program. We talk vineyard management, winemaking techniques, amphora experimentation, and why Ribbon Ridge terroir stands apart.

Whether you’re a Pinot Noir lover, collector, or vineyard geek, this is a deep and thoughtful conversation with one of Oregon’s leading winemakers.

👉 Plus: Don’t miss our companion mini-episode, “ Five Questions with a Winemaker: Mike D. Etzel, CEO of Beaux Frères”, for a quick-fire intro to Mikey and the Beaux Frères story.

🔗 Listen to more episodes: Vint Podcast Archive
🍷 Shop Beaux Frères wines: Browse on Vint Marketplace

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast
00:37 Weekend Wine Adventures
02:10 Exploring Australian Wines
03:06 Champagne Trends and Insights
06:33 Interview with Mikey Etzel of Beau Frere
11:46 The History of Beau Frere
21:20 Vineyard Practices and Innovations
27:02 Rootstock Selection and Challenges
30:04 Pruning Techniques and Vineyard Management
33:02 Biodynamic Farming and Its Evolution
37:12 Adapting to Climate Change
38:27 Winemaking Techniques and Innovations
47:27 Exploring Alternative Vessels
49:57 Future of Chardonnay at the Vineyard

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!

Welcome to a new mini-series from the Vint Podcast: Five Questions with a Winemaker. In each bite-sized episode, we sit down with a leading voice in the world of wine and ask five questions that reveal their personal story, winemaking style, and what makes their wines unique. These short episodes are designed to offer quick insights into the minds behind the bottles—perfect for both casual wine lovers and serious collectors alike.

In this inaugural episode, we feature Mikey Etzel, President of the iconic Beaux Frères Vineyards, located in the Ribbon Ridge AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Beaux Frères is widely regarded as one of the premier producers of Pinot Noir in the U.S., and under Mikey’s leadership, the winery is entering an exciting new era of innovation and estate-focused winemaking.

In this episode, Mikey shares:

🍇 The spirit and terroir of Ribbon Ridge and Willamette Valley
Mikey describes the Willamette Valley as a wild, green, and energetic place—its coastal influence and forested terrain provide natural buffers in a changing climate, which adds freshness and vitality to the wines.

🍷 Why Pinot Noir leads—and Chardonnay is rising
Pinot Noir remains central to Beaux Frères, but Chardonnay is gaining momentum, now comprising 10% of production. Mikey shares excitement about its future on their estate.

🌍 Burgundy’s lasting influence
Beaux Frères draws deep inspiration from Burgundy’s heritage, with Mikey crediting its cultural and generational wisdom for shaping their terroir-focused winemaking in Oregon.

🍾 Standout vintages over time
From the bold 1994 vintage to cooler, underappreciated years like 2007 and 2010, Mikey reflects on the emotional and aging journey of Beaux Frères wines.

🔨 What’s ahead for Beaux Frères
Big changes include a new fermentation facility, restoration of the original pig barn for hospitality, a shift to 100% estate fruit, and a new estate Chardonnay project—marking the next chapter for the winery.

💡 Stay tuned: This episode is just the beginning. We’ll be releasing a full-length interview with Mikey Etzel very soon, where we explore the Etzel family legacy, Mikey’s personal journey into wine, and the bold next chapter for Beaux Frères. Expect more stories, insights, and inspiration from one of the most exciting producers in Oregon wine today.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the 5 Questions with a Winemaker Segment
00:22 Introducing Mike D Etzel
00:54 Location and Varieties of Beaux Freres Vineyards
01:37 The Unique Qualities of Willamette Valley
02:54 Inspirations and Memorable Vintages
04:39 Future Plans for Boer Vineyards

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, hosts Brady Weller and Billy Galanko return with stories from recent wine travels through Burgundy, Rhône, and Bordeaux, followed by an in-depth conversation with Rod Smith MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine. This episode is perfect for wine professionals, collectors, and enthusiasts looking to understand the Master of Wine (MW) designation, how it differs from the Master Sommelier (MS) path, and the future of the global wine industry.

✈️ Wine Travel Stories:

• Billy’s first-hand impressions from Burgundy, including visits to Domaine Dujac, Clos de la Roche, Chablis Grand Cru, and conversations with William Kelley.
• A dramatic visit to the Hill of Hermitage during a windstorm.
• Behind-the-scenes experiences in Bordeaux with MW students

🍇 Inside the Institute of Masters of Wine:

• A clear breakdown of what the Master of Wine program entails, how it works, and how it contrasts with the Master Sommelier path—emphasizing academic rigor over service-focused knowledge.
• The MW blind tasting methodology and why it focuses less on precise identification and more on deductive reasoning, winemaking, and commercial application.

🧠 Global Wine Trends & Industry Insight:

• Rod’s take on the future of fine wine, including the balance between luxury labels and undiscovered regions offering great value.
• The impact of changing consumer behavior and climate on wine production and business models.

🏃‍♂️ The Marathon du Médoc:

• A fun aside as Rod recounts running this unique race through Bordeaux’s vineyards—complete with wine tastings along the route!

📌 NEW: "Five Questions with a Winemaker" Series Coming Soon
The Vint Podcast is launching a short-form mini-series to spotlight winemakers in 5 questions. Look for these episodes dropping Fridays before full-length producer interviews.

🛒 Explore Top Wines at VintMarketplace.com

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast
00:52 Billy's Burgundy Adventures
02:05 Exploring the Vineyards of Burgundy
16:10 Roderick Smith Interview
28:58 Comparing MW and CMS Programs
31:42 The Unique Paths of Master Sommeliers
33:10 Understanding the Tasting Approach
37:31 The Global Reach of IMW
38:59 The Marathon de Médoc Experience
46:25 Current Trends and Future of Wine

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, we sit down with Cristie Norman, the lead sommelier at Delilah in the Wynn Las Vegas and a 2024 James Beard Award nominee. Cristie shares how she built one of the most exciting luxury wine programs in Las Vegas, with a focus on large format Bordeaux, Champagne, and rare back-vintage bottles. She also discusses her early journey in wine, her role in co-founding the United Sommeliers Foundation, and the culture shift she experienced moving from LA to Vegas.

Cristie offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to serve high-roller guests in a modern supper club setting—where six-liter bottles of Opus One and vintage Dom Pérignon are the norm. She walks us through how her team manages a massive inventory, executes top-level bottle service, and delivers a wine experience that balances club energy with world-class hospitality. Cristie also shares her top tips for decanting, preserving wine, and sourcing the best wines from birth-year vintages.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast
01:19 Upcoming Bordeaux Trip and Wine Tasting Insights
04:52 2024 Bordeaux Vintage and Market Trends
07:30 Challenges and Dynamics of En Primeur System
10:03 Introducing Guest: Cristie Norman
14:27 Crristie Norman's Journey and Achievements
17:56 Inside Delilah: A Modern Supper Club Experience
31:42 Architectural Wonders and Wine Culture in Las Vegas
32:51 Challenges of the Culinary Union
35:39 Building a Motivated Wine Team
38:19 Efficient Wine Service Techniques
41:05 Managing Large Wine Formats
49:33 Wine Preservation Tips and Tools
53:29 Vintage Wine Recommendations and Final Thoughts

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!

In this episode of The Vint Wine Podcast, hosts Billy Galanko and Brady Weller sit down with Peter Sisseck, the renowned winemaker behind Pingus, one of Spain’s most iconic wines. The conversation delves into Sisseck’s groundbreaking work in Ribera del Duero, his philosophy on vineyard preservation, and the evolution of winemaking in the region.

Peter shares his journey from Bordeaux to Spain, his unexpected decision to stay in Ribera del Duero, and how he built Pingus into a benchmark for Spanish fine wine. He discusses the importance of old vines in the region and his efforts to preserve them through the PSI project, working with hundreds of small growers to maintain traditional viticulture. The discussion also explores his innovative pruning techniques, biodynamic practices, and his belief in lighter extractions to enhance balance and aromatic intensity in his wines.

Beyond Spain, Sisseck speaks about his projects in Bordeaux, including Château Rocheyron in Saint-Émilion, and his passion for Sherry, where he is pioneering terroir-driven Fino wines with Viña Corrales. He also touches on the influence of climate change and evolving vineyard management practices, as well as the future of Spanish wine classification.

Throughout the episode, Sisseck provides fascinating insights into the science and artistry behind winemaking, his reverence for vineyard expression, and why he continues to push boundaries in multiple wine regions. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to Spanish wines, this episode offers a deep dive into one of the most visionary minds in the wine world.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast
00:34 Billy's Upcoming Wine Adventures
01:40 Interview with Peter Sissick: A Renaissance Winemaker
03:28 Weekly Wine News Highlights
03:55 Underrated Wines for 2025
16:00 Peter Sissick's Wine Journey
26:17 The Future of Ribera del Duero
32:00 Innovative Pruning Techniques
32:19 Climate Change and Vineyard Adaptation
32:53 Experimenting with Vine Training
37:12 Exploring New Varietals and Techniques
39:46 Oak Usage and New Vessels
44:12 Sherry and Jerez Projects
50:32 Challenges and Innovations in Bordeaux

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!

In this episode of The Vint Wine Podcast, hosts Billy Galanko and Brady Weller sit down with Mary Gorman-McAdams, MW to explore the evolving world of white Bordeaux—a category that has long been overshadowed by the region’s celebrated reds but is now gaining recognition for its diversity, structure, and aging potential.

Mary shares insights from her upcoming book on Bordeaux’s white wines, diving into the history, terroir, and winemaking techniques that define the category. The discussion covers everything from the classic barrel-aged whites of Pessac-Léognan and Graves to the fresh, stainless-steel-fermented styles of Entre-Deux-Mers and the emerging Médoc Blanc classification. She also highlights how top producers are experimenting with amphora, concrete, and larger oak vessels to refine texture and complexity.

The conversation also delves into the rise of Crémant de Bordeaux, as the region’s sparkling wines gain traction both in local production and international markets. Mary provides an in-depth look at how winemakers are balancing traditional techniques with modern viticulture, including how climate change, evolving vineyard practices, and disease-resistant grape varieties are influencing the future of white Bordeaux.

Additionally, the episode covers the latest Cru Bourgeois classification updates, the challenging yet promising 2024 Bordeaux vintage, and what collectors and enthusiasts should consider when exploring white Bordeaux for their cellars.

🔗 Find Bordeaux wines at VintMarketplace.com

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to The Vint Wine Podcast to stay updated on the latest wine trends and insider stories. 

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast
00:22 Rebranding and Listener Engagement
01:37 Personal Wine Stories and Experiences
04:37 AI and Technology in the Wine Industry
09:59 Constellation Brands' Exit from Wine Business
11:41 Interview with Mary Gorman McAdams
16:31 Exploring White Bordeaux Wines
32:35 Exploring the Ente du Mer Terroir
33:21 The Rise of Bordeaux Whites
34:10 Cremant de Bordeaux: Growth and Challenges
40:00 The Evolution of White Bordeaux Winemaking
47:10 Updates on Cru Bourgeois Classification
55:12 2024 BDXVintage Overview

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!

Exploring Rioja: Spain’s Timeless & Evolving Wine Region 🍷

Rioja is one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world, known for its rich history, diverse terroirs, and exceptional value. But beyond its iconic reds, there’s a world of white, rosé, and even sparkling wines waiting to be explored. In this episode, we uncover the past, present, and future of Rioja, from its Bordeaux-influenced roots to the exciting innovations shaping its next century.

In this episode of The Vint Podcast, we dive deep into Rioja, one of Spain’s most historic and dynamic wine regions. Our guest, Peter Arijs from the Consejo Regulador de la DOCa Rioja, shares insights on Rioja’s storied legacy, evolving winemaking trends, and why the region continues to captivate wine lovers worldwide.

Highlights:

• The influence of Bordeaux and how it shaped Rioja’s winemaking tradition
• Classic Rioja styles – Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva & how aging defines them
• Single-vineyard wines & the new focus on terroir
• The rise of Rioja whites & rosés – hidden gems that overdeliver on quality & value
• Why Rioja is a must-visit wine destination with world-class wineries, food, and landscapes

Plus, Peter shares details on Rioja’s centennial celebrations and how you can explore Rioja wines through the free Rioja Wine Academy.

Explore Rioja wines at VintMarketplace.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Vint Podcast
01:02 Wine Tasting Adventures
03:34 Exploring Unique Wines
09:53 The Charm of Rioja
16:21 Introducing Peter Arijs
29:57 Exploring the Vast Rioja Region
31:32 Understanding Rioja's Unique Climate
33:00 Classic and Modern Rioja Wines
35:05 Red, White, and Rosé: A Deep Dive
59:50 Celebrating 100 Years of Rioja Consejo Regulador

#Rioja #WinePodcast #VintPodcast #WineLover

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!

In this episode of The Vint Podcast, hosts Billy Galanko and Brady Weller welcome Liz Thach MW, a leading expert in wine market research and President of the Wine Market Council. Thach’s work focuses on understanding U.S. wine consumers, analyzing how trends like premiumization, sustainability, and alternative wine styles are shaping the industry. Thach also highlights the challenges facing small wineries, the evolution of direct-to-consumer strategies, and the role of storytelling and education in building stronger connections with buyers.

Key Topics:

• Premiumization: Consumers are drinking less but spending more on quality.
• No- and Low-Alcohol Wines: A growing segment driven by wellness trends.
• High-Alcohol Sweet Reds: Unexpected popularity among younger consumers.
• Big vs. Small Wineries: Large brands leverage distribution, while small wineries focus on direct engagement.
• Consumer Engagement: Storytelling and education are key for brand loyalty.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vint Podcast
02:19 Vint Marketplace News 
06:42 Interview with Liz Thach: Master of Wine
24:48 Major Trends in Wine Consumption
26:36 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Sales
27:03 Eco-Friendly Wine Study
27:45 Current Trends in the Wine Market
29:05 The Rise of Alcohol-Free Wines
30:39 High Alcohol Sweet Wines
46:20 Alternative Packaging and Eco-Friendly Initiatives
48:30 Challenges and Strategies for Wineries

Resources & Further Reading:

Vint Marketplace – Your destination for premium wines from top producers around the world.

Wine Market Council – Research on U.S. wine consumer trends.

Liz Thach MW on Forbes – Articles on wine business and industry insights.

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected].

Cheers!