I can talk about this stuff for days. Get me on a high horse and it is off to the races.

I’ve tasted more wines than most people could ever dare dream of—but what fascinates me isn’t just what’s in the glass. It’s the stories behind the bottles, the regions, and the relentless passion it takes to survive and thrive in the wine trade.

In this episode of Wine Talks, I share how a ritual-like discipline led me to taste over 100,000 wines, and what that journey has taught me about the constantly evolving wine industry. I’ll take you inside Tuesday morning tastings, reveal why competitors sometimes secretly send each other cases of samples, and unpack how internet sales, supermarket scandals, and shifting consumer habits have redrawn the map of the wine world.

But it’s not just about business—I’ll also show you how to navigate an overwhelming wine aisle with confidence by learning to decode the meaning woven into a label. I’ll open a door to emerging wine regions like Armenia, where ancient traditions and native grapes are fighting for global recognition, much like Napa or Bordeaux once did.

Along the way, I’ll share unexpected stories—from unforgettable dining spots in Yountville, to vodka distilled from “second-chance” fruit, to boutique brands rewriting the rules of luxury. My goal is simple: to help you see wine in a whole new light. You’ll leave this episode empowered to explore, enchanted by histories you never knew, and inspired to savor not just what’s in your glass, but the human stories that bring it to life.

#WineTalks #WinePodcast #PaulKalemkiarian #WineOfTheMonthClub #WineTasting #NapaValley #Yountville #StHelena #WineEducation #WineIndustry #ArmenianWine #WineRegions #WineExperience #WineTravel #WineStories #WineCulture #WineRecommendations #Winemaking #WineShops #WineVarietals

I have had a dozen cellar apps. In fact, many were brought to me as the President of the Original Wine of the Month Club to be tested. The current database that houses all my internal tastings over the past 35 years was never produced as a commercial product. And as you can imagine, it is so 1993.

Thanks to the energy and self proported "tech geek" Eric LeVine, keeping track of your cellar and much more is at your fingertips.  

Not only has he created an incredibly robust app in the wine trade, but he has also created a community of collectors and novices alike.

When your name rhymes with “wine,” it seems only natural you’d play a key role in reshaping the world of wine collecting. Eric LeVine—yes, “LeVine” with a capital V, as in “wine”—joins Wine Talks to uncork a conversation that’s as much about technology as it is about terroir. In this fascinating episode, you'll discover how a meticulous software engineer transformed from a tech geek into a bona fide wine enthusiast after a life-changing cycling trip through Tuscany. You’ll hear first-hand how Eric’s frustration with clunky, outdated wine cataloguing tools led him to build CellarTracker—a platform that's now indispensable for collectors and curious drinkers alike. Listen in to understand how CellarTracker blossomed from a personal spreadsheet to a global community, amassing over 12 million tasting notes, helping both green beginners and seasoned oenophiles keep track of their treasured bottles (and avoid that collector’s nightmare of opening a vintage past its prime). You’ll also learn how CellarTracker leverages cutting-edge AI to make wine research and cellar management nearly effortless, whether you’re uploading receipts or hunting for that perfect Loire red hidden on your top cellar shelf. Eric goes beyond geekery, showing how technology—and even a little bit of chat-based wizardry—makes wine less intimidating, more approachable, and, most importantly, more social. If you’ve ever wondered how technology can add confidence and curiosity to your wine journey, or how the experience of each bottle is about more than just what’s in your glass, this episode will leave you swirling with inspiration.

• CellarTracker (Eric Levine is the founder and CEO)

  • Website: https://www.cellartracker.com

#wine #podcast #technology #CellarTracker #winecollecting #winesoftware #AIinwine #wineinventory #winereviews #EricLeVine #winetech #winedatabase #wineenthusiasts #PaulK #winetalks #wineeducation #wineexploration #winetasting #winecommunity #winejourney

The Armenian wine trade, like the rest of the wine world, has headwinds and maybe a bit more than the more established countries and regions where wine is well known and respected. You have to add to the mix of struggles; unknown grape varietals, no port of entry, unknown regions and 75 years of Soviet oppression.

Enter Zara Muradyan; a wine romanticist and proud Armenian vintner. She is fast becoming the one to know in the wine trade out of Armenia and possibly single-handedly recruited the famed and infamous Concours Mondial de Bruxelles International wine tasting to Yerevan, Armenia in May of 2026. 

It took a bit, but Wine Talks sat with Zara to hear her perspective.

Zara Nuradyan can hardly believe it herself: in just fifteen years, Armenia has gone from a forgotten wine outpost—where the post-Soviet legacy meant brandy trumped wine—to a vibrant, world-class wine region inviting international acclaim. In this episode, you’ll discover how Zara, the dynamic director of the Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia and founder of Zara Wines, is not only championing Armenia’s ancient winemaking heritage but also steering its modern renaissance. You’ll hear how the country, armed with indigenous grapes like Areni and Voskahat, is shaking off its low-profile past to carve out a place on the international wine map—and why you might just see Armenian bottles on the tables of Tokyo, Los Angeles, or at your next masterclass. From government investment and educational initiatives to the role of diaspora and global tastings, Zara pulls back the curtain on how Armenia unites old-world traditions and new-world ambition, even courting major international competitions right in Yerevan. You’ll get an insider’s look at the challenges and headwinds, the heady joys of a growing industry, and the story of how passion, terroir, and a can-do spirit have created not just better wine, but a new cultural touchstone for Armenians at home and abroad. If you’ve ever doubted that a “brand new ancient” wine country could dazzle the global stage, Zara’s journey will leave you uncorking more than a few assumptions—and maybe reaching for a bottle of something you’ve never tasted before.

1. Zara Wines (founded by Zara Nuradyan)

   • Website: Not specifically listed in the transcript, but based on the company name, the most likely official site is: https://zarawines.com/

2. Geisenheim University (collaborator in founding the Wine Academy in Armenia)

   • Website: https://www.hs-geisenheim.de/

3. Karas Wines (a key Armenian wine producer mentioned)

   • Website: https://karaswines.com/

4. Alexandria Winery (producer in Armenia)

   • Website: https://alexandriawines.com/

5. Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia (Zara is the director)

   • Website: https://armeniamwinefoundation.com/ or https://vwfa.am/

6. Icare Foundation (collaborator for the Wine Academy)

   • Website: https://icare.am/

YouTube: https://youtu.be/4hLWvOPDjZw

#ArmenianWine #WineIndustry #WineTourism #WineEducation #IndigenousGrapeVarieties #WineHistory #WineRenaissance #Armenia #WinePodcast #WineCulture #InternationalWineMarket #WineExport #WineFoundation #WineMaking #WinePromotion #WineEvents #WineFestivals #zarawines #zaramuradyan #WineInnovation

Wine Talks is deeply connected to the Judgement of Paris. Not only were the Barretts good customers of our wine shop, Warren Winiarski stayed in our home on a trip to Los Angeles.

The industry was completely different then. California wine had always been a thing, particularly before prohibition. It had even made its way to the east coast in the 1800's. But then came that fateful day in Paris at the Intercontinental Hotel, the Americans won.

In Paris, there was a journalist named George Taber. He had heard about this tasting pitting California's boutique gems against the equivalent (at least from a grape standpoint) French stars. It turned out to be no contest and set the wine world on its ears. Can you imagine, French judges choosing American vintages over their beloved French wines? 

George Taber was the only journalist to show up...and almost didn't.

George Taber never meant to shake the wine world—he just happened to be the only journalist in the room when California shattered centuries of French pride. As you join us on Wine Talks, you’ll walk beside Taber through the candlelit salons of 1970s Paris, where the unsuspecting French sat down to a blind tasting designed to showcase their invincibility, only to watch that myth dissolve, glass by glass. In this episode, you’ll learn how a simple event—what began as a friendly challenge orchestrated by Steven Spurrier—ended up catalyzing the global rise of American wine and undermining the Old World’s complacency. You’ll get an intimate portrait of the Parisian wine scene in its heyday: corner wine shops, eager expatriates, and the odd British merchant shaking things up with unorthodox ideas. Follow Taber’s transformation from a young Time magazine reporter, new to France and mostly ignorant of wine, to the accidental chronicler of one of history’s most dramatic palate shifts. Discover how logistical headaches and legal loopholes almost kept California’s best bottles out of the competition, and what happened when French wine judges realized—too late—that their favorite “Meursault” was actually a Napa Chardonnay. You’ll hear about the aftershocks reverberating through both continents; how careers were built, fortunes made, and the entire wine business transformed overnight. Plus, Taber reveals the stubborn role of luck in history and how something as small as attending the right tasting at the right time can change everything. By the end, you’ll not only understand the Judgment of Paris, but also the passion, humility, and disruption that lie inside every bottle.

#WineTalks #JudgmentOfParis #CaliforniaWine #FrenchWine #GeorgeTaber #StevenSpurrier #ChateauMontelena #StagsLeapWineCellars #NapaValley #WineHistory #WineTasting #WineEducation #BlindTasting #WineIndustry #PodcastInterview #WineStorytelling #WineCulture #CorkHistory #FrenchLifestyle #NewWorldWines

1. Time Magazine Website: https://time.com (Armen refers to working as a journalist at Time magazine.)

2. Chateau Montelena Website: https://www.montelena.com (Referenced in the discussion about the Judgment of Paris tasting.)

3. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Website: https://www.cask23.com (Mentioned as one of the winning wineries in the Judgment of Paris.)

4. Charles Krug Winery Website: https://www.charleskrug.com (Referenced in a story about being poured at an event with President Eisenhower.)

5. Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Website: https://www.sebastiani.com (Mentioned when Paul recalls stocking the shelves.)

6. Ackerman Wines Website: https://www.ackermanwines.com (Ackerman, a major New York wine retailer, is referenced.)

7. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards Website: https://www.stfranciswinery.com (Discussed in context of early synthetic cork usage.)

8. Barefoot Cellars Website: https://www.barefootwine.com (Mentioned regarding synthetic corks.)

9. Taylor Wine Company (Taylor Cellars) Website: https://www.taylorwine.com (Referenced in the cork closure story.)

Famed Chef Jonathan Waxman came to Wine Talks through a mutual friend who we lost last year to cancer; Melvin Masters was a one-of-a-kind character in the wine trade and Jonathans partner in the famed Jams Restaruarant. 

On a recent trip to Nashville, Tennessee, I insisted that the group I was with follow me to Roberts Western (most probably the last true country bar in Nashville), for a fried bologna sandwich. They looked at me crosseyed and followed blindly. You see, we had just finished dinner and everyone had overeaten and were tired. But I knew if I didn't go the first night we were there, I wouldn't make it. 

Pray tell, why would one do that? Well, if Jonathan Waxman says the first thing he did was take famed Italian Chef Giada De Laurentiis to experience the $5 fried bologna sandwich. Who shouldn't? A slice of flat top freid bologna between two pieces of white bread with a side of Lays potatoe chips, I was in hog heaven. Add a PBR, and you are off to the races.

Jonathan Waxman is the kind of chef who can turn a honky tonk fried bologna sandwich in Nashville into high culinary art, then philosophize about the virtues of a perfectly marbled 1961 steak—all before your first glass of Beaujolais is finished. In this episode, you’ll discover the inner workings of an acclaimed chef’s mind as Jonathan shares the flavors, friendships, and formative experiences that shaped his career. You’ll hear about how “wine comes first, food comes second” became his guiding principle, the serendipitous plane rides sourcing lamb and lobster for legendary winery dinners, and the awe-inspiring meals in the kitchens of France that sparked his lifelong passion for simplicity and flavor. Alongside host Paul Kalemkiarian, Jonathan revisits the rollicking days at Michael’s and Jams, brushes elbows with food world icons from Alice Waters to Melvin Masters, and reveals the quiet intensity required to survive and thrive in the high-wire environment of fine dining. From the intricacies of nouvelle cuisine to the rainbow of immigrant influences shaping American food culture, you’ll gain an insider’s appreciation for the nuances of restaurant evolution, the subtle art of pairing local wines with regional dishes, and the uncompromising drive that keeps chefs inventing and adapting—even when the world turns upside down. Whether you’re curious how the Michelin Guide still shapes a restaurant’s fortunes, or just want to know what it’s like to be mentored by legends while flying by the seat of your pants, this episode peels back the layers of taste, tradition, and tenacity, one delicious story at a time.

1. Jordan Winery https://www.jordanwinery.com

2. Willie’s Wine Bar (Paris) https://www.willieswinebar.com

3. Chez Panisse https://www.chezpanisse.com

4. Domaine Chandon https://www.chandon.com

5. Bordeaux Wine Region https://www.bordeaux.com

6. Napa Valley https://www.visitnapavalley.com

7. Michael’s Santa Monica https://www.michaelssantamonica.com

8. Barbuto https://www.barbutonyc.com

9. Jams (NYC) https://www.jamsrestaurant.nyc

10. Wally’s Wine & Spirits https://www.wallywine.com

11. Blue Hill https://www.bluehillfarm.com

12. Daily Provisions (NYC) https://www.dailyprovisionsnyc.com

13. Lutèce (Historic, closed, for reference) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lut%C3%A8ce_(restaurant)

14. L’Orangerie (Historic, closed, Los Angeles) https://www.classiccafela.com/lorangerie/

15. Spago (Wolfgang Puck’s Restaurant) https://wolfgangpuck.com/dining/spago-beverly-hills/

16. Mi Piace (Pasadena, CA) https://www.mipiace.com

17. Campanile (Historic, closed, Los Angeles) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campanile_(restaurant)

18. Union Pasadena https://www.unionpasadena.com

19. Benno (NYC) https://www.bennonyc.com

20. French Culinary Institute/New York French Cooking School (now Institute of Culinary Education) https://www.ice.edu

21. Le Cordon Bleu https://www.cordonbleu.edu

22. Monterey Bistro (Historic, closed) https://www.seemonterey.com/listings/monterey-bistro/1197/

23. Ritz Paris Place Vendôme  https://www.ritzparis.com 

#WineTalks #JonathanWaxman #PaulKalemkiarian #ChefInterview #FoodAndWinePairing #RestaurantStories #Barbuto #JamsRestaurant #ChezPanisse #AmericanCuisine #ItalianCuisine #WineCulture #MichelinStars #CulinaryInspiration #FoodHistory #ImmigrantInfluence #WineTasting #RestaurantIndustry #NouvelleCuisine #CulinaryMentorship #WineExperiences #PBR #bolognasandwich #giada #giadadelaurentiis

You can't speak of trends in the wine trends in the wine trade without mentioning Felicity Carter. You can't talk data mining in the wine trade without mentioning Felicity Carter...in fact, I can't think of many surrounding the wine trade that you could speak of without mentioning Felicity Carter. She is a force of date (substituting for "nature").

I've got to tell you, sitting down with Felicity Carter for this episode of Wine Talks was like uncorking an old Burgundy—layered, surprising, and deeply satisfying. There’s something about Felicity’s perspective that just sharpens the mind. Maybe it’s because she’s perched out there in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, on the wine road of the Rhineland Pfalz, right at the border with Alsace. Or maybe it’s just down to the years she’s logged at the intersection of writing, advisory work, and researching high-end wine trends.

You know me—I love a guest who isn’t afraid to press into the hard truths and then turn them over like a newly racked barrel. Felicity didn’t disappoint. Right out of the gate, she set the tone: before you start spinning stories about your wine, you better know your cost of goods. Learn Excel, she said. It wasn’t fancy, but, boy, did that resonate with me. Nothing romantic about spreadsheets, but there’s also nothing more sobering than realizing that most people in this business skip the basics.

What I really appreciated was how Felicity drew a line in the sand about the current state of the wine industry—not just saying “it’s tough out there” (though it surely is), but also peeling back the bigger picture. She’s got this knack for linking what we see at the store or on Instagram right back to seismic shifts underway. She brought up this old book, “The Empty Raincoat” by Charles Handy, to frame what’s happening now: the wine industry is at the tail end of a 40-year golden run and we’re sliding into a new, uncertain era. It reminded me of my own business, the highs of 2007, and how everything since then feels like riding out after a storm, trying to read new winds that keep shifting.

Felicity didn’t shy from the stickier discussions either—like the damage done by “mummy juice” wines and those forgettable bulk bottles that flooded the market in a misguided effort to market to women. She’s got strong opinions on that, and so do I. We both bemoaned how those wines aimed at mothers after a long day might have alienated a generation—or at least set the table for younger drinkers to turn their noses up at what their parents drank.

And while I always want to reach for the romance of wine—the history, the sense of being part of something ancient—Felicity was bracing with her take: people buy wine because they like the taste and the fit, and they make up the romance later, mostly to themselves. We commiserated over antiques collecting dust—literally and figuratively—in our homes, the same way “tradition” can just become a nice story rather than a selling point.

But here’s what I loved: Felicity isn’t a doomsayer. Sure, the wine industry is congested. Sure, Gen Z might be drinking less wine—maybe because, as Felicity points out, no one wants to do what their mother did—but she still sees opportunity. There’s hope in innovation, in making products for new tastes, and, yes, in getting our business basics right. If you want to make money in wine, she says, embrace the numbers before the stories.

And I have to agree. At the end of the day, Felicity brought the clarity that’s so easy to miss when we get caught up in the swirl of nostalgia. Sometimes you need someone to remind you that, yes, wine is culture, and yes, it’s business too—and the two are tangled in ways we all have to keep learning to navigate. Thanks, Felicity. This one’s worth a slow sip.

1. Drinks Insider Felicity Carter mentions she is the founder of Drinks Insider. Website: https://www.drinksinsider.com

2. Areni Global Felicity Carter is the communications director for Areni Global, described as a fine wine think tank. Website: https://areni.global

3. Riedel Glassware Company Max Riedel, owner of Riedel, is referenced in the introduction. Website: https://riedel.com

#WineIndustry

#WineMarketing

#WineBusiness

#WineTrends

#FelicityCarter

#WinePodcast

#WineInnovation

#WineEconomics

#Areniglobal

Not of all wine news is about a drop in sales or activity...wine tourism is up. 

On Wine Talks I regularly discuss the idea that wine is headed back in time to the days where the experience of wine is driving the interest in wine. Winery tastings, wine pairing dinners, day long wine excursions and more are peaking the interest in not only wine enthusiasts but wine novices the same.

One destination that is working hard at luring wine travel is Armenia. I have keen interest in understanding the value of and the current climate of wine tourism in my country of heritage.

Lilit Gregoryan is on the forefront of the movement and we had a chance to catch up and discuss the current state of Armenian wine travel.

I have to tell you, sitting down (virtually, in this case) with Lilit Grigoryan for this episode of Wine Talks was one of those conversations that leaves you thinking long after you hit “stop recording.” Now, I’ll let you in on a little behind-the-scenes secret: this was our third crack at getting the tech to play nice for a clear connection between sunny Southern California and Yerevan, Armenia. You could say we worked up a thirst before we even started talking wine.

Right from the get-go, Lilit came in with the big picture view—“Winemaking and wine are rooted as a nation in our DNA.” That statement stuck with me. For all the talk we have about terroir, varietals, and fancy cellaring techniques, sometimes you need a reminder that, in places like Armenia, wine’s not just a beverage or even an export—it’s part of the cultural bedrock. She made the bold and very true point: Armenia isn’t just learning from Europe; it’s reminding Europe, and the world, where winemaking really started.

What really fascinated me was her work in building up the Council of Enotourism. Now, enotourism anywhere is having its moment, and Armenia is no exception. I’ll admit, I ended up tumbling down memory lane—remembering road trips that started off about something else (the Monaco Grand Prix, in my case) and somehow veered, as everything in my life seems to, straight into wine country. The magic of enotourism, Lilit pointed out, is that it’s about more than tasting rooms. It’s about connecting public, private, and even academic stakeholders—guides, wineries, archeologists, whole communities—to put Armenia back on the wine map.

There’s a humility that runs deep in Armenian winemakers, which, as Lilit mentioned, maybe ought to be set aside for a bit of healthy self-promotion. Why not, when you have 6,100-year-old wine caves that literally rewrite the history of viticulture? This is a nation where, she told me, even the rituals carved into fourth- and sixth-century churches tell the story of wine’s place in life and faith. “We are the shoulders that the Old World stands on.” I scribbled that down—it’s one for the ages.

We got into some wine geek talk (couldn’t resist)—about amphora and the ancient methods now making a comeback from Bordeaux to California. Funny thing, the rest of the world calls it trendy; for Armenians, it’s just Tuesday. And I had to laugh—she talked about roadside wine in Coke bottles, and yeah, in 2007, I could barely choke down what I found. But the leap in quality is astounding. Armenian winemakers today are winning international gold medals! You can feel the pride simmering up—and frankly, that’s as it should be.

Lilit’s also candid about the challenges—lack of unity among stakeholders, the need for more education, and the always-present tension of getting government support. Reminded me of local feuds in the LA trade; everyone wants the same thing, but getting consensus? It’s like herding cats with corkscrews. But what I love most is her conviction: this is a marathon, not a sprint. Armenians have always been resilient—she’s sure, and so am I, that Armenia’s renaissance is just getting started.

And let’s not forget, she humbly attributes her passion to being “one cheeky university girl” drinking wine with her friends, which, honestly, is how the best careers begin. Lilit is creating a movement, and you can feel it—one that won’t just put Armenian wine on the table but will make it impossible for the world to ignore.

So, next time you’re reaching for something old-world or new-world, remember Lilit’s words: “We are ancient world.” And maybe, just maybe, it’s time to pour Armenia into your next glass.

Wines of Armenia Organization: "Wines of Armenia" (NGO) Website: https://winesofarmenia.am/

eNoturos / Council of Enotourism in Armenia Organization: eNoturos, Council of Enotourism in Armenia Website: There is not a direct website publicly available from the information provided in the transcript at this time.

Areni-1 Foundation Organization: Areni-1 Foundation (involved with the Areni-1 cave) Website: There is not a direct website publicly available from the information provided in the transcript at this time, but general information on the Areni-1 cave can be viewed here: http://www.areniwinery.com/ (Areni Wine Factory), though this is not an official page for the "Areni-1 Foundation."

Wine and Vine Foundation of Armenia Organization: Wine and Vine Foundation of Armenia Website: https://armeniandrinks.com/en/wine-foundation

Zatik Wine Festival Event organized by Wines of Armenia Website: Not directly available; may be found through Wines of Armenia's site or social media.

Enofest/Enotalks Event by EnoTourism Council Website: Not directly available; check Wines of Armenia for events: https://winesofarmenia.am/

Global Wine Tourism Organization Organization referenced as the global enotourism network Website: https://gwto.org/

Cordy Brothers / Corti Brothers Referred to as a famous wine shop in Sacramento Website: https://www.cortibrothers.com/

Massanois Imports Mentioned as a wine distributor Website: https://www.massanois.com/

#wine #winetalks #armenianwine #enotouris, #winedna #armenia #ancientwine #wineheritage #wineducatio, #wineculture #winerenaissance #wineindustry #armenianculture #foodandwine #winehistory #winesofarmenia #winemaking #viticulture #winetourism #armenianhospitality

The wines of the Monterey Peninsula, and particularly those of the Carmel Valley, are exquisite. It is always just so interesting to have the some grape grown in different parts of the world and be so different...soely on the location and environmental influences of the vineyard.

When tasting Bernardus wines, you taste complexities entirely different than anywhere else in California. These wines are something special and Jim McCabe is responsible.

I also had to alert him to the famed folk guitar store, McCabes in Santa Monica.

You might say Jim McCabe’s side hustle—building guitars—makes him a craftsman twice over, but it’s his day job as winemaker at Bernardus Winery that will have you tuning your curiosity to new frequencies. In this episode of Wine Talks, I invites you to uncork not just bottles, but the entire lived experience of crafting wine in California’s stunning Carmel Valley.

You’ll learn why great wine isn’t just about the grapes, but the ebb and flow of history, land, and a willingness to embrace both tradition and careful, gradual innovation. Jim doesn’t just talk barrel aging or fermentation science; he brings you to the heart of winemaking’s enduring mysteries—the art of blending picks from different harvest moments, the challenge of warding off smoke taint during wildfire years, and the ever-changing dance with nature that means no two vintages are ever the same.

What does it take to draw younger generations to honest wine when technology and taste are shifting faster than vines grow? Jim and I candidly dissect the battle between old-school storytelling and the rise of social influencers, while reflecting on the timelessness of grassroots, word-of-mouth enthusiasm. Along the way, you’ll pick up on the slow, patient work behind the scenes—why relationships with grape growers matter, why incremental rather than drastic change is key, and how history and tradition shape every bottle.

By the end of the conversation, you’ll come away with more than the technical notes of Bernardus’ famed Pinots and Chardonnays; you’ll understand the emotional charge that a simple sniff of a great wine can trigger, and why, whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or new to the wine world, this is a craft that always keeps you guessing, learning, and savoring just one more glass.

1. Bernardus Winery

   • Website: https://www.bernardus.com

2. Hotel Amarano

   • Website: https://www.hotelamarano.com

3. McCabe’s Guitar Shop

   • Website: https://www.mccabes.com

#winepodcast #CarmelValley #MontereyPeninsula #BernardusWinery #PaulKalemkiarian #JimMcCabe #winemaking #wineindustry #boutiquewineries #winemakerstories #winehistory #vineyardmanagement #wineinfluencers #socialmediawine #SauvignonBlanc #PinotNoir #Chardonnay #winetourism #winetasting #winetrends #mccabesguitarshop

When people enter a room, you instantly get a sense of their disposition in life. Are they smiley? Frowning? friendly? Gregarious? and you instantly if this is going to work. I knew instantly that this was going to work when Cecilia Guzman walked into the studio. 

Sitting down in the studio in beautiful Southern California for this episode of Wine Talks was a real treat—one of those times you just know you’ve got the right guest in the right seat. Cecilia Guzman, winemaker at Haras de Pirque (and yes, I stumbled through the name a couple of times—years of Spanish and still getting tripped up), joined me for a conversation that took us deep into the world of Chilean wine, from the fun of making it to the relentless challenge of selling it.

Right from the top, Cecilia hit me with one of those insights I love: “Making wine is kind of easy. It’s fun and easy, but selling wine, it’s another stuff.” Isn’t that the story of this business? We’re all drawn in by the romance—the vineyards, the sunshine, the “lifestyle”—but it’s once the barrels are tucked away and the corks are in the bottles that the real grind begins. And, as she pointed out, the business has changed dramatically in the last twenty years. Getting your label noticed in today’s flooded market is a whole different challenge than staking out your vineyard back in the day.

Now, Cecilia’s story isn’t the usual “dreamer buys some vines” tale. She’s the general manager and winemaker at Aras de Pirque, a property now 100% owned by the Antinori family—six hundred years in wine. Yes, you read that right, six centuries! I always marvel at how these wine dynasties, whether Italian, French, or American, get the itch to go explore somewhere new. In this case, the Antinoris, looking for that “departure from the regular,” were drawn to Chile’s potential—the terroir, the freedom from strict appellation rules, the lure of doing something different.

Cecilia’s philosophy on wine really shines when she talks about letting the place shine through—how it’s not about making the best Chilean Cabernet, but making the best wine for that unique spot in Pirque. That notion of terroir, of honest wines that truly express where they’re grown, is something I can get behind. The challenge, as we both lamented, is getting that magic to translate to the consumer, bridging that gap from heartfelt winemaking to the retail shelf.

But what I found most refreshing was her practical outlook. She sees Chile as a land with advantages—natural barriers, low disease pressure, and a real push towards sustainability. There’s a bit of humility in her voice when she talks about how Chile can almost do “organic by default.” Yes, their greatest challenge is, as she puts it, the weeds! (The kind in the vineyard, not the grain—note to self, remember the translation next time).

What really stuck with me, though, was Cecilia’s sense of continuity and patience. When you only get one shot a year, it takes decades to build real wisdom—and she’s been racking up vintages for thirty years. The Antinoris may have centuries behind them, but every year in Chile still brings new lessons, new surprises, new stories. And isn’t that just the heart of wine? It’s history in a bottle, culture at the table, a product that’s always made better when it brings people together—at home in Chile, or halfway across the world.

If you ever get the chance, I’ll tell you, visiting Chile is on that bucket list. From the vineyards to the Andes to those family tables where stories linger as long as the finish on a great Cabernet. Cheers to Cecilia, and to the stories we keep uncorking together.

1. Haras de Pirque  Website: https://www.harasdepirque.com/

2. Antinori Family (Marchesi Antinori) Website: https://www.antinori.it/

3. Los Vascos Website: https://www.lafite.com/en/the-domaines/los-vascos/ (Owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite))

4. Undurraga Website: https://www.undurraga.cl/

5. Don Melchor Website: https://www.donmelchor.com

#winepodcast #Chileanwine #CeciliaGuzman #PollyHammond #winemaking #winetourism #AntinoriFamily #sustainablewine #terroir #vineyardmanagement #winemarketing #womeninwine #organicfarming #Argentinewine #CabernetSauvignon #Merlot #wineculture #biodynamicwine #wineindustry #foodandwinepairing

A few years ago, a young woman was interning at the Original Wine of the Month Club. Her internship revolved around social networking, office duties, and one particular job that may have set her career path. Lisa Kassabian was to write the talking points for all my podcasts that featured a woman in wine. 

She would research the guest, write up peritnent points, present the to me and together we would redirect or correct. When that work was completed, Lisa was invited on set to hear how her questions worked and how the guest would respond. Maybe I had something to do with it, it would certainly make sense...because eventually, Lisa became an Enology student at Cornell University. 

At the University, all students in this curriculum are required to do an internship before they graduate. This is the story of Lisa's internship at the famed Chateau Haut Bailly.

For sure, if you want to know the insights a young wine Enology student might gain from the academic side and the practical side of wine...this is the episode.

Lisa Kassabian never expected that an afterschool “All About Grapes” club would spark a journey from a Los Angeles vineyard to the heart of Bordeaux. In this episode of Wine Talks, you’ll discover how a childhood passion for science—and a hobby vineyard at home—led Lisa from California to Cornell, and ultimately, to an eye-opening internship in France. You’ll gain a rare behind-the-scenes view of the very real intersections between wine, science, and culture, as Lisa reveals how pruning and fermentation chemistry connect to centuries of tradition. Listen closely and you’ll learn what really happens when theory meets the terroir: from tackling grapevine netting and barrel racking to navigating French hospitality, language barriers, and immaculate cellars. Through Lisa’s first-hand stories, you’ll hear what distinguishes French winemaking—the meticulous attention to detail, relentless innovation, and deep cultural ties that set Bordeaux apart from Napa. Ever wonder what it’s like to balance the academic rigor of soil science classes with tasting your family’s Sauvignon Blanc in sunny California? Or how it feels to pour wine at a charity gala in a historic French château? This episode peels back the reality of building a global wine career, from landing international internships to learning the business beyond the classroom, and even discovering which French pastries pair best with your morning commute. By the end, you’ll understand not only the pathways women are carving into the industry, but also why every bottle holds a world of stories, science, and adventure—a revelation sure to inspire future vintners and aficionados alike.

Cornell University https://www.cornell.edu

UC Davis (University of California, Davis) https://www.ucdavis.edu

Château Haut-Bailly https://www.haut-bailly.com

Sequoia Grove Winery https://www.sequoiagrove.com

Smith Haut Lafitte https://www.smith-haut-lafitte.com

Château Lynch-Bages https://www.lynchbages.com

Château Giscours https://www.giscours.com

#wineTalks #LisaKassabian #PaulKalemkiarian #viticulture #enology #CornellUniversity #wineinternship #ChateauHautBailly #Bordeaux #NapaValley #womeninwine #Frenchwine #wineeducation #vineyardmanagement #winemaking #winescience #Frenchculture #wineindustry #winecareers #winepodcast