If Paso Robles isn't already on your must-visit list, this episode will change that. Maggie Tillman, co-owner of Alta Colina and self-described "co-first-generation" winery founder, joins us to dig into what makes Paso one of the most exciting — and most underrated — wine regions in the country right now. From why the east side vs. west side divide isn't quite as "divided" as you might think, to the magic of Tin City, we're giving you an all-access pass as to why Paso rewards the traveler who puts in the effort to get there. Plus, Maggie shares her personal list of wineries, restaurants, and not-to-miss experiences — including the outdoor art installation that simply cannot be captured on your phone (don't even try). Pour yourself a glass of the Peachy Canyon Zinfandel and let this episode and wine talk you into booking your trip.

Featured Wine: 

Peachy Canyon Zinfandel

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Featured Guest

Maggie Tillman, co-owner — Alta Colina Winery, Paso Robles

Amanda's Paso Robles Guides

Wineries

Restaurants & Food

Coffee & Bakeries

Cocktails & Nightlife

Hotels

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Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris with Chateau Montelena winemaker Matt Crafton—but we're not here to rehash history. Instead, we're diving into Paris as a wine travel destination through Matt's eyes, shaped by an accidental 10-day COVID quarantine that became the trip of a lifetime. From food tours with kids to Sunday restaurant closures, spontaneous wandering versus careful planning, and the wine bars worth seeking out, this is Paris for wine lovers who want to go beyond the guidebook.

Wine featured in this episode:

2022 DeLille Cellars Signature Syrah Yakima Valley

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Oregon wine country is closer, more accessible, and more delicious than you think. In this episode, we sit down with AJ Resnick—former Wine Access colleague, podcast co-creator, and current Ponzi Vineyards Chief of Marketing—to explore Portland and the Willamette Valley through the eyes of someone who left California to make Oregon home. From why Ponzi is only 20 miles from downtown Portland to which pizza shops deserve a permanent spot in your rental car, AJ breaks down how to plan your Oregon wine trip, where to eat in Portland, and why these Pinot Noirs deserve more age than they're getting. We taste Ponzi's Laurelwood Chardonnay, compare Oregon to Burgundy and California, and get AJ's insider list of restaurants, wine bars, and hidden gem wineries. Whether you're planning your first trip to the Pacific Northwest or wondering if Oregon wine lives up to the hype, this episode proves it absolutely does.

2023 Ponzi Vineyards Chardonnay Laurelwood District, Willamette Valley

Restaurants - Portland:

Pizza:

High-End/Fine Dining:

International:

Casual/Other:

Breweries:

Bakeries/Coffee:

Willamette Valley

Restsaurants/food

Wineries Mentioned:

Must-Visits:

Hidden Gems:

Historic Oregon Producers (aged well at Press Restaurant):

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Mexico is making world-class wine—and most people have no idea. In this episode, we head to Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California with Eduardo Dingler to explore one of North America's most exciting (and accessible) wine regions. From Nebbiolo that tastes like Napa Cab to fresh Chenin Blanc perfect for fish tacos, Valle de Guadalupe is rewriting the rules on what Mexican wine can be. We break down which grapes thrive there, why it's an easy weekend trip from San Diego, how to plan your visit, and what makes this region so special. Plus, we taste Mama Mama Chenin Blanc from winemaker Lulu Martínez Ojeda—a wine that proves Mexico deserves a spot on your wine travel bucket list. Whether you're curious about emerging wine regions or just want an excuse to drink wine with tacos by the ocean, this episode is for you.

Wine:

2024 Towns Wine Co. Mama Mama Chenin Blanc, Viñedo Kompali, Baja California

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Winemaker/Producer:

Key People Mentioned:

California Chenin Blanc Producers Mentioned:

Napa Restaurants Mentioned:

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Time travel exists—and it comes in a bottle. In this solo deep dive, we're exploring everything you need to know about older wines, from what actually happens as wine ages to how to find, store, and serve bottles with serious age on them. Drawing from years of working with Press Restaurant's legendary cellar—one of the largest collections of Napa Valley wines dating back to the 1950s—we break down which wines are worth cellaring, what "good funk" really means, and why you don't need a million-dollar cellar to enjoy the magic of aged wine. Whether you're curious about that 2015 Rioja in your glass or wondering if your closet can double as wine storage, this episode answers your most-asked questions about drinking through time. Spoiler: sediment is your friend, and no, you don't have to finish the bottle in one sitting.

Wine: 2015 El Centimo Real Rioja

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Previous Episode Reference:

Wine Regions/Styles Discussed for Aging:

Regions Known for Age-Worthy Wines:

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Forget the usual suspects—we're taking you off the beaten path with the top five most exciting wine destinations for 2026. From Portugal's incredible diversity beyond Port to Germany's underrated food scene, Argentina's high-altitude Malbecs in Mendoza, California's dynamic Paso Robles, and the UK's surprising sparkling wine regions, these are the places where wine, food, and culture collide in the best possible way. Whether you're planning your first wine trip or looking for your next adventure, this solo episode is packed with firsthand insights, travel tips, and why visiting wine regions beats any classroom education. Plus, we share what makes each destination uniquely exciting—and why now is the time to go.

2021 Catena Zapata Catena Alta Malbec Historic Rows Mendoza

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Wine lovers don't just travel—they travel differently. And in this episode, Amanda sits down with Candice Mathis, founder of Vintage Departures and wine travel expert, to explore exactly how. From what makes a wine trip worth booking to why a great hotel bar matters more than you think, Candice shares her hard-earned wisdom from planning itineraries across Napa, Burgundy, Champagne, and beyond. They dig into the logistics of traveling with kids, why sleep is always worth the splurge, the unspoken rules of wine region etiquette, and how to unlock hotel perks you didn't know existed. Whether you're planning your first wine trip or your fiftieth, this conversation will change the way you think about where to stay, what to book, and how to make every moment count.

Wine Featured on This Episode:⁠⁠⁠

2022 Louis Millet Sancerre Rouge

📣 Links and Mentions

Candice Mathis - Vintage Departures

🤳 @vintagedepartures

📧  [email protected]

Hotels

Napa Valley

Champagne

Piedmont (Alba)

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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We’re kicking off season four with our new theme “Unfiltered In Flight” and exploring wine the lens of travel. Whether it’s a wine producing region or a major city abroad, we’re focusing on how wine people experience the places they visit. To start, we’re returning to a region that’s both iconic and endlessly misunderstood: Napa Valley. Together with local sommelier Laura Koffer of Wine Access, who has called the valley home for more than a decade, we’re unpacking what Napa actually feels like beyond the tasting room. From Champagne-fueled nights and backyard picnics to tacos, beer, and the casual luxury that defines daily life in the valley, we break down Napa’s geography, appointment culture, and how to plan smarter tasting days, with one core takeaway in mind: the best Napa trips aren’t about doing more, they’re about doing it better.

Wine Featured on This Episode:⁠

2024 Bordo Mare Vermentino Las Brisas Vineyard

📣 Links and Mentions

Wine Bars & Drinking Spots

Restaurants & Food

St. Helena

Yountville

Napa

Wineries & Wine Producers

Beer

Other, Logistics & Tips

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Season three of Wine Access Unfiltered was never about turning you into a sommelier — it was about helping you become a more confident, curious, and intentional wine buyer. In this solo finale, Amanda revisits the biggest ideas and “aha” moments from the season, from why asking better questions is the most powerful wine skill you can develop, to how importers can be your greatest shortcut to finding wines you’ll actually love. Pouring a classic Chianti, Amanda reflects on where value really lives in the wine world, why popularity often drives price more than quality, and how buying wine that fits your life — not someone else’s rules — leads to better bottles and more enjoyment. Whether you’re catching up, revisiting favorite lessons, or setting intentions for the year ahead, this episode is your reminder that wine doesn’t belong to gatekeepers. It belongs to you.

Wine Featured on This Episode:
2023 Poggio Bonelli Villa Chigi Saracini Chianti

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The holidays are the perfect excuse to enjoy fancy snacks, and this episode—the last in our holiday food mini-series—is your official permission slip to indulge in the most luxurious of them: caviar. Shaoching Bishop, co-founder and CEO of Regiis Ova Caviar, the ultra-premium caviar company she built alongside three-Michelin-star chef Thomas Keller, joins to help us better understand and enjoy caviar this holiday season. From what caviar actually is to why quality, curing, and handling matter far more than prestige or price, she fills us in what it takes to produce one of the finest caviars in the world. Plus, Shaoching shares tips on how to store caviar properly at home and why you might want to consider cucumbers and ice cream (really) when serving. Whether you’re caviar-curious, already obsessed, or just looking to elevate your holiday or weeknight table, this episode will change the way you think about this iconic food.

Wine Featured on This Episode

2023 Matthiasson Chardonnay Linda Vista Vineyard Napa Valley

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Host: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amanda McCrossin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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