Episodes

My guest in this episode is London-based Lawrence Francis, host of Interpreting Wine Podcast. He’s sharing great insights into how wineries can effectively communicate their stories and engage with customers. Plus, I’ll share Texas wine news including national press recognition for several Texa…

On this episode, you’ll get to know Patrick Whitehead of Blue Ostrich Winery in St. Jo. Patrick is the first person I’ve interviewed from North Texas. He shares his thoughts about growing grapes and making wine in North Texas, his desire for a new AVA for his estate vineyard, and so much more. …

How much do you really know about Messina Hof, one of the largest wineries in Texas? My interview with Paul M. and Karen Bonarrigo (winemaker and chief administrative officer, respectively) provides a glimpse behind the scenes of a family business with a rich tradition and bold goals for the future…

Valley Mills Vineyards winemaker Joey Bagnasco joins me to discuss growing grapes in Bosque County and making wine in a beautiful three-story gravity flow winery right outside my hometown of Waco, Texas. In Texas wine industry news, there's a major award nomination for McPherson Cellars, a new ta…

October is Texas Wine Month! I’ll get the celebration off on the right foot with my guest Jennifer McInnis Fadel, general manager of Bending Branch winery in Comfort. I’m also sharing the latest news about the Texas wine industry including results from the 2021 Texas Vintners Cup. Texas Monthl…

Susan Auler of Fall Creek Vineyards is my distinguished guest today. Susan and her husband Ed are often called the first family of Texas wine. You’ll hear Susan share the story of how a trip through France in the 1970s laid the groundwork for the Aulers going all in on Texas wine. The industry wou…

Today, you’ll hear my interview with Ernie Loeffler, President and CEO of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau. So many people start exploring Texas wine with a visit to Texas wine country. Ernie's statistics on wineries and wine visitors in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County are stagg…

Rae Wilson is founder and winemaker for Wine for the People. Her brands include Dandy rose, Dandy bubbles, plus a new label called La Valentía. She also co-founded The Grower Project with Andrew Sides. Rae’s got a unique background as a sommelier and a wine educator, and I happen to think she’s mak…

Ron Yates is my guest for episode 26. He loves wine (Tempranillo is #1 in his heart), music, and Texas. He knows how special it is to be able to work in a winery every day! The world could use more of Ron's energy and positivity. Plus there's Texas wine news including a new YouTube docuseries that …

Michael McClendon is partner and winemaker in Sage's Vintage Custom Crush Winery in Nacogdoches. He's my first guest from east Texas! Michael has a drive toward excellence and a growth mindset that is inspiring. Plus, a new report on 2020 Texas Wine Grape Varieties details some dramatic changes in …

On episode 24, I'm sharing an interview with PR pros Denise Clarke and Matt McGinnis and author Dr. Russ Kane. They've been drinking, writing about, and promoting Texas wine for many years. Expect a fun trip down Texas wine memory lane! PLUS a summary of the lawsuit brought by 57 Texas High Plains …

This episode features an interview with Mike McHenry, founder of Wedding Oak Winery, and Seth Urbanek, winemaker at Wedding Oak. I’m sharing my tasting notes and a bit more information about the two wines that won the Judges' Selection, the top Texas wine prize at the recent TEXSOM International W…

On this episode, I interview Susan Johnson of Texas Heritage Vineyard in Fredericksburg. I’ve also got the scoop on how Texas wineries fared in the 2021 TEXSOM International Wine Awards, one of the toughest wine competitions in the world. There's a new segment called Demerits and Gold Stars. Plus,…

On this episode, you’ll get to hear from Randy Hester of CL Butaud winery. He's got an interesting history that goes from Texas to California, then back to Texas again. His new tasting room, shared with Rae Wilson's Wine for the People brands, is turning heads. There's also lots of Texas wine count…

Jeff Cope founded Texas Wine Lover website in 2011, and this year he celebrates 10 years. Hear the origin story of the website and Jeff's top 5 moments in Texas wine. Plus, I've got two book recommendations for you: Texas Wine Pioneers by Gretchen Glasscock and Goodbye, Lark Lovejoy by Kris Clink. …

Wondering about the new winery being constructed next to Lewis Wines on 290? Barbara Lecuona is my guest, and she explains the who, what, and why behind Siboney Cellars. Plus lots of Texas wine news including the proposed wine labeling laws that the state legislature is considering, medal winners f…

Episode 18 is all about the winter weather that just walloped Texas. What are vineyard managers and winery owners saying about the 2021 harvest after a long, deep freeze? I'll review which grapes are considered most cold hardy and what signs of hope are evident in the vineyard.

My guest John Rivenburgh is the new president of the Texas Hill Country Wineries association. I’ll talk to John about his history in the Texas wine industry, the wine incubator he’s running at Kerrville Hills Winery, his passion for the Tannat grape, and more. I’ve also got a rundown of everything …

Happy New Year! In this episode, I’ll share what we might expect in the Texas wine industry in 2021. I’ve got Texas wine new year’s resolutions to share, and several wineries join me in sharing their Texas wine-related goals, plans and predictions for the new year. Cheers!

William Chris Vineyards and Lost Draw Cellars announced a plan to merge in October of this year. Today you’ll hear from the founders of those two wineries about the new William Chris Wine Company and its plans for the future. Plus, I’ve also got a round-up of the 23 biggest Texas wine stories of th…

We are a week out from Thanksgiving, a time of year when we’re thinking about family. Today I’m talking to David and Julie Kuhlken, the dynamic brother/sister duo that co-owns and runs Pedernales Cellars. We had a great conversation about the history of their family winery, what’s going on in the T…

What happens in the vineyard when the weather turns cold? How cold is too cold for Texas vineyards? My guest is Daniel Pate of Apical Texas, and he breaks down cold weather viticulture in Texas. I’m drinking the 2018 Dead Flowers rosé from the Texas High Plains. It’s produced and bottled by Texoir.

Happy Texas Wine Month! I’m continuing my month-long celebration of Texas wine. On this episode, I’ve got an interview with Jessica Dupuy about her impressive new book The Wines of the Southwest: A guide to New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Colorado. Jessica lets her wine opinions be known! PREACH! An…

October is Texas Wine Month! I’ve got the scoop on how to mark the occasion in 2020. I'll share the history of Texas Wine Month, and you’ll find out how some familiar names in Texas wine are celebrating. I’m drinking the inaugural release from Cheramie Wine, the 2019 Riesling.