Vint Wine Podcast

In this episode of Five Questions, we sit down with Matthieu Bordes, Managing Director and Winemaker at Château LaGrange in Saint-Julien. Château LaGrange is one of Bordeaux’s most historic Left Bank estates, with a vineyard history dating back to 1607 and one of the largest contiguous blocks of vines in the Médoc.Bordes shares insights into:The vineyard location and grape varieties of Château LaGrangeThe estate’s four pillars: history, authenticity, technical innovation, and uncompromising qualityWine regions and styles outside Bordeaux that inspire him, from the Rhône to Ridge Monte BelloStandout vintages that have shaped his career, including the 2009 and 2007The future of Château LaGrange, with a focus on sustainability, team legacy, and continuous pursuit of excellenceWhether you’re passionate about Bordeaux or simply curious about how a historic Grand Cru Classé estate balances tradition and innovation, this conversation offers a rare window into the philosophy and vision behind Château LaGrange.📍 Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast00:19 Welcome to Five Questions00:44 Interview with Matthieu Bordes: Château LaGrange00:52 Question 1: Vineyard Location and Varieties01:20 Question 2: Introducing Château LaGrange02:36 Question 3: Inspiring Wine Regions and Styles03:15 Question 4: Memorable Vintages04:33 Question 5: Future Roadmap for Château LaGrange05:49 Conclusion and ThanksThe 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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Erica Crawford, CEO and co-founder of Loveblock Wines in Marlborough, New Zealand. Wine lovers may recognize her name as the co-founder of Kim Crawford Wines, but with Loveblock she has taken a completely different approach - 100% estate, organically farmed, and crafted for depth, texture, and ageability.Erica shares her remarkable journey from a background in science to pioneering New Zealand wine with her husband Kim, and now leading Loveblock into a new era of thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking. Listeners will hear about her focus on sustainability, lighter bottles, biodynamics, and how Loveblock wines set themselves apart from the quick-drinking style many associate with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.Key highlights from the conversation include:The story of founding Kim Crawford Wines and the bold pivot to LoveblockWhy Loveblock is dedicated to organics, biodynamics, and low-input viticultureHow their Sauvignon Blancs are built to age for a short period rather than be consumed immediatelyThe fascinating use of green tea tannins in the “Sauvignon Blanc Tee,” a natural alternative to sulfur dioxideInsights into Marlborough’s subregions, soils, and climate challengesThe role of animals, cover crops, and compost in building healthier vineyardsWhy lighter bottles and sustainable packaging are crucial for the wine industry’s future👉 If you enjoy the show, please rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it really helps more wine lovers discover the podcast.🕒 Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast00:19 Interview with Erica Crawford Begins00:44 Love Block Wines: A Unique Approach01:43 Exploring the Wines of Love Block05:56 Erica Crawford's Journey into Wine07:42 The Story Behind Kim Crawford Wines10:32 Organic and Sustainable Practices at Love Block21:49 Innovations and Future of Wine Bottling26:46 Discussing Glass Recycling Challenges27:42 Introduction to Organic Farming Practices28:11 Exploring Sauvignon Blanc Characteristics30:16 Innovations in Wine Making Techniques36:14 The Role of Green Tea Tannins in Wine42:36 Comparing Different Vintages43:48 Insights on Pinot Gri and Pinot Noir50:13 Future Experiments and ConclusionThe 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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

In this episode of the Weekly Wine Report on the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko takes listeners from the vineyards of France to the green hills of Galicia. The 2025 French harvest volumes are taking shape, showing a modest recovery compared to last year but still trailing the five-year average. Some regions like Burgundy, Jura, and the Loire are bouncing back strongly, while others, including Alsace and Languedoc, remain under pressure. Meanwhile, Spain’s Vega Sicilia, long renowned for its reds from Ribera del Duero, has set its sights on Albariño in Rías Baixas, marking an exciting new chapter for the storied estate.Highlights:The 2025 French harvest, showing recovery compared to last year but still trailing the long-term average.Burgundy, Jura, Loire, and Champagne rebounding strongly, while Alsace and Languedoc face setbacks.Early harvests across France, including record starts in Alsace and Champagne.Vineyard removals reshaping production in Bordeaux and Languedoc.Vega Sicilia’s new Albariño project in Galicia, with vineyards secured and a winery under construction.Plans for two  wines, Deiva and Arnela, with the first release scheduled for 2027.Whether you’re a collector, sommelier, or simply curious about where fine wine is headed, this episode offers both harvest perspective and a look at Spain’s most ambitious white wine project yet.🎧 Follow the Vint Wine Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and if you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating and review. Every bit helps other wine lovers discover these conversations.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction01:05 – France’s 2025 harvest outlook04:20 – Regional highlights: Burgundy, Jura, Loire, Champagne07:10 – Early harvests and vineyard removals10:15 – Vega Sicilia’s move into Albariño13:30 – Deiva, Arnela, and the 2027 release16:00 – Final thoughtsThe 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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions on the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Erica Crawford, co-founder of the famed New Zealand brand Kim Crawford and now the driving force behind Loveblock Wines in Marlborough. Known for its certified organic vineyards and holistic farming philosophy, Loveblock Wines has become one of the country’s most respected estate producers.Erica shares her perspective on:The vineyards and varietals at Loveblock Wines, from Sauvignon Blanc to Riesling and Pinot NoirWhy organic farming and sustainability are central to her winemaking visionInspirations she’s drawn from regions like Napa’s Quintessa, Northern France, and Australia’s Eden ValleyMemorable vintages in New Zealand—including both challenging and standout yearsHer hopes for the future, especially her passion for showcasing New Zealand RieslingWhether you’re a collector, sommelier, or simply a wine lover, Erica’s insights reveal what makes Marlborough such a dynamic and inspiring region.👉 If you enjoy the show, please follow the podcast and leave a 5-star rating—it helps other wine enthusiasts discover these conversations.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast00:24 Welcome to Five Questions00:49 Meet Erica Crawford00:58 Erica’s Winery and Varietals01:45 Importance of Organic Farming02:24 Inspirations Beyond New Zealand02:59 Memorable Vintages04:17 Future of Loveblock05:15 Closing RemarksThe 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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Krister Bengtsson, founder of Star Wine List, the global guide to great wine bars and restaurants. What began in Stockholm in 2017 has since grown into a worldwide network covering more than 45 countries, connecting wine lovers, sommeliers, and professionals to the restaurants and wine bars with the best wine lists.Krister shares his journey from journalism in Sweden to living in Bordeaux and discovering wine culture in South Australia, and how these experiences inspired him to launch Star Wine List. We explore how the platform works, the role of ambassadors and their city-specific recommendations, and why Star Wine List has become a trusted reference point for both consumers and the wine trade.Episode HighlightsKrister’s journey from journalism to founding Star Wine ListHow ambassadors curate authentic recommendations around the worldThe meaning behind Red Stars and White StarsHow the wine trade uses Star Wine List to inform their workHow wine culture today embraces diversity in style, scale, and regionIf you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it really helps others discover the show.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast00:28 – Meet Krister Bengtsson: Founder of Star Wine List01:10 – Understanding the Star Wine List concept06:31 – Conversation with Krister begins06:59 – Krister’s background and journey into wine09:17 – The inspiration behind Star Wine List11:51 – How the platform operates and ambassadors’ role23:03 – Global expansion and future plans24:42 – Growing recognition and the importance of awards25:13 – Building a network of ambassadors25:59 – International impact and success stories27:10 – Types of awards and events30:10 – Super fans and early adopters33:06 – Maintaining objectivity in selections37:21 – What’s next: future developments and community building43:55 – Personal insights and wine trends inspiring Krister today45:16 – Conclusion and final thoughtsThe 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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

In this episode of the Weekly Wine Report on the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko blends current events with wine history to give listeners both context and discovery. From La Place de Bordeaux’s unique distribution system to the famous wines of Ancient Rome, you’ll come away with new insights into how wine connects the present with the past.Highlights:A quick update on the Napa Valley Picket Fire and its impact on the 2025 harvest.An explainer on La Place de Bordeaux, how it works and why top estates outside Bordeaux, from Napa to Chile to Tuscany, release through it.Highlights from the September Beyond Bordeaux releases, including Opus One, Seña, Clos Apalta, Solaia, Penfolds Grange, Vin de Constance, and more.A look at famous ancient Roman wines, from Falernum and Pucinum to the enduring legacy of Malvasia.Whether you’re a collector, sommelier, or simply curious about wine’s global reach and deep history, this episode offers timely updates and timeless stories from across the wine world.🎧 Follow the Vint Wine Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and if you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating and review, it helps other wine lovers discover these conversations.The Drinks Business Beyond Bordeaux Preview: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/how-is-la-places-hors-bordeaux-autumn-collection-shaping-up/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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions on the Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with Krister Bengtsson, founder and publisher of Star Wine List, the global guide to great wine bars and restaurants. With coverage in more than 45 countries, Star Wine List connects wine lovers to carefully curated venues chosen by sommeliers and wine professionals.Krister shares his insights on:Why climate change and shifting health narratives are among the most pressing issues in wine todayEmerging regions and countries that deserve more global attention, from Argentina and Chile to  Styria in AustriaHis candid thoughts on wine pricing trends and the rise of new wines positioned as luxury itemsA standout experience from the Star Wine List Awards in Vienna, where sommeliers from around the world came togetherWhat makes Star Wine List truly unique for wine lovers everywhereWhether you’re discovering Star Wine List for the first time or already rely on it to explore the world of wine, Krister’s perspective offers a fresh and international look at how wine culture is evolving.🎧 Follow the Vint Wine Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and if you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating and review—it helps other wine lovers discover these conversations.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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

Renowned vineyard consultant Marco Simonit, co-founder of Simonit & Sirch, joins the Vint Wine Podcast to share his philosophy of gentle pruning, a vine-training approach that has transformed modern viticulture. His method emphasizes sap flow, small cuts, and preserving living wood, and building an architecture to extend vineyard life, protect against trunk disease, and unlock the purest expression of terroir.This episode traces Marco’s path from a childhood on his grandparents’ farm to becoming one of the most sought-after vineyard minds in the world. Along the way, he explains why pruning isn’t just an agricultural task but a form of artistry—each cut shaping the future health of the vine and the wine in your glass.Marco’s roster of collaborators is a “who’s who” of wine royalty: Château d’Yquem, Château Latour, Château Angélus, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Louis Roederer, Gaja, Ornellaia, Henschke, Penfolds, Shafer, Spottswoode, and Corison, among others. His insights aren’t only for vineyard managers, they reveal to collectors, sommeliers, and everyday enthusiasts how thoughtful farming underpins the wines we admire and enjoy.What You’ll LearnWhy gentle pruning matters: sap flow, small wounds, and living woodHow pruning choices affect vine health, longevity, and terroir precisionPractical ways to reduce trunk-disease risk and avoid large desiccation conesThe importance of nursery quality, canopy management, and team trainingHow to build dynamic vine architecture that evolves with a vineyard’s ageWhy even casual wine drinkers should care: the link between pruning, better fruit, more expressive wines, and sustainabilityChapters:00:00 Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast00:35 Guest Introduction: Marco Simonit02:30 Marco’s Global Impact and Client List06:19 Early Life and Background11:15 First Discoveries in Vine Anatomy16:19 Early Research and Observations21:57 Building the Method and Recognition29:02 Teaching and Knowledge Transfer33:35 Core Principles of Gentle Pruning40:16 Understanding Desiccation Cones47:11 Trunk Diseases and Terroir Expression51:29 The Role of Education in Viticulture54:22 The Future of Vine Training55:17 Closing RemarksThe 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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Weekly Wine Report on the Vint Wine Podcast. Hosted by Billy Galanko, this new segment brings you the week’s most important wine stories, blending news, history, and context to help you discover something new in the world of wine.In this first edition, we cover two major developments:Château Lafleur leaves the Bordeaux AOC systemOne of Pomerol’s most revered estates will reclassify all six of its wines as Vin de France starting with the 2025 vintage. We unpack what this bold decision means for Bordeaux, the restrictions of AOC rules, and how climate change and regulatory pressures are reshaping the region’s future.Napa’s Pickett Fire and the threat of smoke taintThe fire near Calistoga has already caused an estimated $65 million in vineyard damage. We explore the science of smoke taint, why it’s so difficult to detect before fermentation, and how Napa growers are managing the risk as harvest approaches.🎧 In this episode:Why Lafleur’s departure could signal broader shifts in BordeauxThe role of AOC regulations in shaping winemaking freedomHow climate change is accelerating change in Pomerol and beyondThe impact of Napa’s Pickett Fire on vines, grapes, and future winesThe chemistry of smoke taint and why it’s such a challenge for winemakersWhether you’re a collector, sommelier, or simply curious about wine, this episode provides fresh insight into how news on the ground connects to what ends up in your glass.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast00:19 Welcome to The Weekly Wine Report00:48 Château Lafleur’s Big Move01:42 Understanding Bordeaux’s AOC Restrictions02:05 Impact of Climate Change on Bordeaux06:30 Napa Valley Fire Update09:31 Understanding Smoke Taint in Wines12:47 Conclusion and Future Episodes👉 If you enjoy the Vint Wine Podcast, be sure to follow or subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. And if you found today’s episode valuable, we’d love it if you could leave us a rating or review—it really helps others discover the show.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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions on the Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with Marco Simonit, renowned vineyard consultant and co-founder of Simonit & Sirch, to explore his philosophy on vines, pruning, and the human side of winegrowing. Having worked with some of the world’s most prestigious estates, Marco brings a global perspective grounded in deep respect for the vine and terroir expression.🎧 In this conversation:Why passing vineyard knowledge across generations and team is essential for preserving terroirThe importance of consistency and education for vineyard workers worldwideUnderappreciated wine regions like Dão in Portugal and parts of Switzerland that deserve more recognitionMarco’s thoughts on wine trends chasing market preferences vs. wines that truly express placeA moving reflection on how time, history, and artisanal solutions shape unforgettable winesWhether you’re a wine collector, sommelier, or simply fascinated by the culture of vineyards, this short-form episode offers a rare window into the mindset of one of the world’s most influential vineyard voices.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast00:19 Welcome to Five Questions00:44 Meet Marco Simonit00:50 Role in the Wine Industry01:17 Challenges in the Wine World03:32 Underrated Wine Regions06:47 Current Wine Trends08:27 Memorable Wine Experiences11:30 ConclusionThe 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 billy@sommeliermedia.com. Cheers!