Episodes

Feb. 29, 2024

Katy Jane Seaton of Farmhouse Vineyards

Katy Jane Seaton is co-owner of Farmhouse Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. We’re talking about Texas agriculture, Farmhouse’s best damn client list, the eclipse, the quest for unity in Texas wine, and much more. ⁠ In the Texas news …

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Feb. 15, 2024

Mike and Kristen Nelson of Ab Astris

My guests today are Kristin and Mike Nelson of Ab Astris Stonewall. In 2020 I answered a call for harvest help, met the Nelson family, and have enjoyed getting to know them and their wines ever since. Our conversation includes …

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Feb. 1, 2024

Resources for Grape Growers with Fritz Westover

Fritz Westover is my first guest of the year. He’s a wealth of information for Texas grape growers, and his comments and resources will be valuable to anyone involved in grape growing. Plus there's a lot of Texas wine news …

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Dec. 14, 2023

The Year in Review: Top Texas Stories and Trends of 2023 with Daniel …

Daniel Kelada of Vinovium joins me to look back at the highs and lows of 2023. We jump right into the top Texas wine stories of the year. Later in the episode, I share the winners of the inaugural TexasWinePod …

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Nov. 30, 2023

Grayson Davies of Arche' Winery & Vineyard

My guest today is Grayson Davies, winemaker at Arche' Winery & Vineyard in St. Jo. We talk about the Red River Valley, his award-winning Chardonnay, his recent experience with harvest in Paso Robles, and more. First, I’ll share the latest …

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Nov. 16, 2023

Amit Dhingra PhD Brings A Spirited Approach to Horticulture

My guest today is Dr Amit Dhingra, professor and department head in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University. His research and programming initiatives are raising the bar for the Texas wine industry. In our interview, you’ll hear …

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Nov. 2, 2023

Kim McPherson Speaks His Mind

Kim McPherson a Texas wine trailblazer and son of Texas wine pioneer Doc McPherson who was one of the great texas wine pioneers, growing grapes in west texas in the 1960’s when nobody else was doing it. Kim has made …

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Oct. 19, 2023

Exploring Texas Wine History with Clay Roup

Happy Texas Wine Month! Clay Roup is one of the founders of Texas Wine Club, and he has a special affinity for Texas wine history. Today we’re talking about history from the time of Spanish missionaries bringing viticulture to Texas …

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Oct. 5, 2023

Messina Hof Winery Co-Founders Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo

Happy Texas Wine Month! My guests on this episode are some of the pioneers of the Texas Wine industry. Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo are the co-founders of Messina Hof Winery, and they join me to talk about the early days …

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Sept. 21, 2023

Jackie Mancuso Brought Atlas Vineyard Management to Texas

Jackie Mancuso, vineyard manager for Atlas Vineyard Management joins me for this episode. Jackie and her teams were responsible for a lot of the grapes that were harvested in the Hill Country this year. We talk viticulture - including differences …

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Sept. 7, 2023

Cheramie and Todd Aho of Cheramie Wine

My guests are Cheramie Law Aho and Todd Aho. In 2020, they launched Cheramie Wine, and they’ve been building the brand ever since. Cheramie and Todd discuss self funding their wine business, finding mentors, and overcoming challenges along the way. …

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Aug. 10, 2023

Texas Wine Country Personalities: Amie Nemec, new co-owner of Texas W…

My guest today is Amie Nemec, the new co-owner of Texas Wine Lover. We discuss how she got her start in wine, what she’s learned along the way, and her new role with Texas Wine Lover. Plus it's harvest time …

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July 6, 2023

Talking Texas Viticulture with Evan McKibben

Evan McKibben wants nothing more than to share the stories of the vineyard with Texas wine drinkers. He's the vineyard manager at Pedernales Cellars’ Kuhlken Vineyard just north of Fredericksburg. Before that, he managed vineyards for William Chris Vineyards and …

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June 1, 2023

Dan and Maura Sharp: Replanting The Vineyard at Blue Mountain in Texa…

I made a trip out west to interview today’s guests. The Texas Davis Mountains AVA has been on my radar for quite some time, but I had never actually been there just recently. The highlight of my trip was sitting …

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May 18, 2023

Michael Barton of Hilmy Cellars

Michael Barton is the winemaker at Hilmy Cellars in Fredericksburg. He’s earning rave reviews for his wines, and today you’ll hear about his deep appreciation for Texas grape growers, the changes he’s been making at Hilmy, and what he learned …

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May 4, 2023

Phil Lopez of Silver Spur Vineyard & Winery in Hico

Today you’ll hear from Phil Lopez of Silver Spur Winery in Hico. He’s a Texan who got into wine while living in California. Phil is most at home in the vineyard, and you'll love what Phil has to say about …

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April 20, 2023

Winemaker Jon Leahy of Becker Vineyards

Today my guest is Jon Leahy, the winemaker at Becker Vineyards, one of the first, and one of the largest wineries in Texas. We take a look back at some of the most memorable wines he’s made, his extensive travels, …

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April 6, 2023

Dan Gatlin's Dogged Quest for Quality at Inwood Estates Winery

Dan Gatlin joins me to talk about his almost 50 years in the wine industry. We cover a lot of ground including including the development of the wine industry in Napa Valley, the lessons learned in the early years of …

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March 23, 2023

Kalasi Cellars' Nikhila Narra Davis and Greg Davis

Today's guests are Nikhila Narra Davis and Greg Davis of Kalasi Cellars. They’ve got a major presence as both High Plains grape growers and as winery owners in Fredericksburg. You’ll hear from Nikhila, who handles wines and vines, and Greg, …

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March 9, 2023

Bryan Chagoly of Sandy Road Vineyards and Top Texas Wines

My guest Bryan Chagoly co-owns Sandy Road Vineyards in Johnson City. We discuss how Sandy Road Vineyards started and their plans for the future. We also talk about Bryan’s latest project, Top Texas Wines. You'll hear more about this effort …

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Feb. 23, 2023

Talking Texas Wine with TEXSOM's James Tidwell MS

James Tidwell is a Master Sommelier, writer, speaker and educator. James was an early adopter of Texas wines and shares tips for wineries that are seeking restaurant placement. We also talk about what varieties and wine styles have impressed him …

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Feb. 9, 2023

Jean Hoefliger on the Future of Texas Wine

My guest is international consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger who now works with clients in Texas. Jean was a keynote speaker at the recent Texas Hill Country Wine Symposium. In our interview, you’ll hear his enthusiasm for Texas wine and the …

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Dec. 15, 2022

The Year in Review with John Rivenburgh

It’s the end of 2022, and it’s time to take stock of the big stories in Texas wine industry this year. Today I’m going to talk through it all with John Rivenburgh of Kerrville Hills Winery. We talk about the …

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Dec. 1, 2022

Adrienne Ballou's Texas Wine (and Beer) Journey

You may know Adrienne Ballou from her time at a couple different Hill Country wineries, most recently Southold, or from her own label, Lightsome Wines or from Nice n Easy, the bar she co-owns in Johnson City. She's got an …

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