Another Bottle Down

As the 2022 Texas Harvest begins to wind down, Jessica revisits a trip she took to West Texas at the beginning of the growing season with William Chris Vineyards owner, Chris Brundrett.  Just along for the ride in a tiny Cirrus Sr22 plane, Jessica shares about visits with grape growers in the Texas High Plains, Sotol producer, Marfa Spirit Company in Marfa, and Dell City, home to one of the state’s most unique vineyards.  Note: During the podcast, we mention Jay Hill, a partner in the Dell Valley Vineyards in Dell City and his far-reaching Instagram presence. Since recording this podcast, Hill has removed his accounts from social media to focus on family and has stepped back from his central role at the operation. However, his influence within the broader farming industry remains impactful. The Dell Valley Vineyard continues to be a key site for Texas viticulture.  Handy Links: GuildSomm Podcast: with Jessica Dupuy William Chris Vineyards The Marfa Spirit Company Cibolo Creek Ranch Visual Viti on Instagram Dr. Dylan Grigg (gdylla) on Instagram Make sure to like and follow the podcast on your favorite podcast platform!    

Justin Vann has been selling wine and spirits in his native Houston for more than 11 years. He started around the age of 22, on the floor at Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse as well as in retail and as a wine consultant for Houston-area liquor stores and restaurants. He was the owner and wine buyer for Public Services Wine & Whisky in the city’s Downtown area, as well as the wine buyer for James Beard Award–winning chef Justin Yu’s Better Luck Tomorrow and Theodore Rex. Today, he is the beverage director for Nancy's Hustle on Houston's east side.  With a sharp wit and an encyclopedic mind for wine, Vann helps break down the white wines of Spain from Rias Baixas and Rioja, to Txakoli, Sherry, and Cava.  A conversation wine professionals can sink their teeth into, this episode may have an “inside baseball” feel, but it’s a perfect primer for understanding the white wines of Spain.  Notable producers mentioned:  Rias Baixas, Albariño Bodegas Zarate Nanclares y Prieto Do Ferreiro  White Rioja R. Lopez de Heredia Cvne Blanco Txakoli Ameztoi Bodega  Sherry Bodegas Alvear  Toro Albala Cota 45  Catalunya Cava Recaredo Gramona  Clos Lentiscus  Godello  Val de Sil  Canary Islands  Las Bermejos  Mallorca  Cati Ribot  Public Service Announcement: Moscato  Bera  Paolo Saracco  Vietti

Revived from a previous iteration in 2022, Another Bottle Down explores the when, what, why, and how of the wine and spirits world.  Get to know hosts Mark Rashap and Jessica Dupuy as they share a little about their backgrounds and what you can look forward to with Another Bottle Down.  Follow along: www.anotherbottledown.com Instagram: @anotherbottledowncast    

Rania Zayyat comes on the show to talk about the Wonder Women of Wine Conference to be held March 2nd & 3rd in Austin, Texas. Rania came up with the concept of an event that explored gender equality a year ago and has worked tirelessly to put together a program that celebrates women role models and many gender topics in the wine industry. We talk about the program, the speakers, #FemmeFriday, and so much more. I’ll see you there, March 2 & 3rd. More info and tickets at: www.wonderwomenofwine.com

Michel and Marla are the wonderful people behind MichelThibaultWine.com and TravelCuriousOften.com, they have an incredible selection and well-priced offerings of French wine ( really, wine from around the world) and particularly Bordeaux through their online store. Additionally, they take customers several times a year to Bordeaux to visit iconic properties that you wouldn’t be able to see without “knowing someone.” We dig into so many hot topics in the Bordeaux wine industry, from tourism to consultants and international investors and so much more. Finally, to start off the episode, I provide some thoughts on collecting wine. (Skip to 6:52 to start right at the interview). Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

Henry Crowson, owner of Crowson Wines, is new to the Hill Country of Texas in Johnson City with his tasting room being open for about 3 months.  Henry is quite the dynamic personality with very strong opinions on how he wants to be making Texas wine.  He is a proponent of natural fermentations, no use of sulfites, no filtration, and high acid wine-making.  He's making some delicious rosé, Malbec aged in oak and concrete, and some dry Malvasia Bianca.  Such great conversation about what is possible in Texas! www.crowsonwines.com

Jennifer McInnis Fadel, from Bending Branch Winery, and Ron Yates, from Spicewood Vineyards and Ron Yates Winery, come on the show to talk about the start of the 2018 harvest in Texas.  They are part of the Texas Fine Wine association and always have great perspectives on the industry.  Early ripening grapes are starting to come in for the Hill Country, with the High Planes still a bit further out.  Hear all about the regions of Texas, the hot grape varieties, and the madness of Harvest!

Sergio Cuadra, Winemaker of Fall Creek Vineyards, comes on the show to describe the 2018 Texas growing season so far.  This episode was broadcast on KOOP Radio on July 3rd, and Sergio describes what is going on during the process of Veraison.  Since then, the growing season has progressed, and some wineries are already starting to harvest early ripening grapes.  It's always great to have Sergio on the show, he comes from a background of making wine in his home country Chile, and really believes in the potential of Texas to make world class wine.  You can also listen to a previous episode where he describes in detail his research on growing grapes in the Texas climate, CLICK HERE.  You can also read Sergio's blog on the growing season so far, HERE.

Barnaby Tuttle is owner and winemaker of Teutonic Wine Company in Portland Oregon.  He's doing some crazy stuff in Oregon with cool climate sites and a sort of fearless wine making.  Inspired by Riesling from the Mosel, Barnaby became obsessed with showing off how one site could express itself differently than another, the true concept of terroir.  He is super fun to talk with, constantly referencing music and how wine (or beer, or weed), can make us all appreciate life a little more.

On today's show, we're joined by Eric Boisseaux, owner of Ch. Vannières, and Laurent Michit, from the importer H. Mercer Imports.  We really dig into the tiny region of Bandol, which is right on the Mediterranean coast in between Marseilles and Nice.  I learned a ton and I really love these wines.  Big reds with a minimum of 50% Mourvedre, structured and complex rosés, and a little white wine as well.  Bandol and lamb is one of my favorite pairings, hope you can try it with a nice glass of Vannières!