The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits
The Wine Makers
A laid-back journey into the heart of wine culture Every week, hosts Sam Coturri, Bart Hansen, and Brian Casey pull the cork on real conversations with winemakers, growers, sommeliers, and industry trailblazers from Sonoma and beyond. The Wine Makers blends deep knowledge with a relaxed, no-snobbery approach to everything from biodynamic farming to rebellious cider makers and sake artisans. These are not dry lectures or polished promos—just passionate people talking shop over a glass (or three). The hosts’ decades of hands-on experience in vineyards, cellars, and tasting rooms fuel lively discussions about sustainability, storytelling, and the changing world of wine. Whether you’re just starting to explore wine or already know your skin-contact from your carbonic maceration, this show delivers honest insight, practical advice, and plenty of personality. Pour a glass and press play.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 10, 2024 • 1h 30min
The Wine Makers – Isabella Morano Isa Wines
Isabella Morano knew she wanted to make wine as a child on a family trip to Italy, identifying with how folks in her ancestral homeland connected over food and wine. However back home in Wisconsin, the only thing keeping teenage Isabella’s wine dreams alive was Anthony Bourdain TV shows. As soon as she was able she moved to California and started working her way up the wine ladder. Now she has several vintages of Isa Wines under her belt, specializing in vibrant Sauvignon Blancs, and a new vineyard planted in Majorca, Spain. Check out drinkisawines and @isa.wines on Instagram. [Ep333]
Aug 2, 2024 • 1h 23min
The Wine Makers – Marvella Castenada, Atlanta Sommelier
Marvella Castaneda is a Sommelier and artist from Atlanta that we met in Georgia last year. She had just left a restaurant called Lazy Betty, which received a Michelin star the week we landed. Currently in the middle of opening a new hotel in Atlanta, she took a week off to visit California’s newest AVA, the West Sonoma Coast, and spend time with some of the “coolest” growers and wine makers in the AVA. We coaxed her into stopping by to share her experience. As a special bonus, she walked in with Scott Kirkpatrick, some may remember him as the wine maker for Mountain Tides, a project that focused on Petite Sirah. Scott is now the wine maker at Dancing Crow Vineyards in Mendocino County. [Ep332]
If you would like to see Marvella’s artwork, you can follow her @drawntowine
@marvellacastaneda
@cellaringscott
Jul 27, 2024 • 1h 37min
The Wine Makers – Kieran Robinson, R Five Wines
Kieran Robinson is the founder of R Five Wines, specializing in Grenache, Syrah, and Viognier. He shares his journey from the Finger Lakes to France, enhancing his winemaking skills at notable wineries like Cakebread Cellars. Kieran discusses the unique aspects of his 2021 wine, highlighted by 100% stem inclusion, and the opening of his tasting room in Downingtown, PA. He also addresses the challenges of local sourcing, the impact of community relationships on winemaking, and the interplay between wineries and professional sports.
Jul 19, 2024 • 1h 56min
The Wine Makers – Ross Cobb, Cobb Wines
Ross Cobb makes world-class Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from vineyards that are only 3-5 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Northern California. The extreme weather conditions and his numerous trips to Burgundy have definitely shaped his style, along with his previous positions at Williams Selyem and Hirsch. His parents purchased property at the coast in the late 80’s and Ross has since become an expert in cool climate farming. His other passions include skateboarding, collecting vinyl and playing guitar. Cobb wines are featured at the best restaurants in California and New York, we were lucky enough to try the new 21 vintages. [Ep330]
If you love Pinot Noir, you gotta check out these wines, available through their website.
cobbwines.com
@cobbwines
@rosskcobb
Jul 12, 2024 • 1h 16min
The Wine Makers – Vanessa Robledo, Vintner’s Diary
The Robledo family started farming in Sonoma County in the 1940’s. Hard work and perseverance enabled the Robledo family to eventually purchase their own vineyards and start their own winery. Vanessa has now started her own project with her daughter Jocelyn and mother Maria called Vintner’s Diary. Their first wine is a Rose of Grenache from Napa.
Daughter Jocelyn is creating videos that feature her grandmother Maria making traditional Mexican food to pair with their wines. We were lucky enough to get some guacamole and salsa made that morning from ingredients out of her own garden. [Ep329]
Vintnersdiary.com
@vintnersdiary
Jul 5, 2024 • 1h 11min
The Wine Makers – Mark Lyon, Eco Terreno Wines
The guys sit down with local Sonoma County Winemaker, Mark Lyon this week. Mark is a fixture in Sonoma wine-making circles as he was Winemaker at Sebastiani for years and years. Now he is headlong into his own lifelong passion of his own brand, Eco Terreno, organic and fully regenerative farming, creating beautiful whites and reds from the Alexander Valley along the Russian River. [Ep328]
ecoterreno.com
@ecoterrenowines
Jun 28, 2024 • 1h 22min
The Wine Makers – Gundlach Bundschu is Regenerative Organic
Sam, Bart, and James Joiner sit down with Gundlach Bundschu CEO Jeff Bundschu, Sustainability Manager Meghan Murphy, Winemaker Joe Uhr, and special guest Phil Coturri to discuss how and why the 160-year-old brand pursued becoming fully Regenerative Organic Certified. They delve into the regenerative process and how it has impacted the vineyards, wines, and the company as a whole. The conversation also covers the brand’s rich history and the future of the Sonoma wine region. Along the way, they touch on topics like music, organic farming in Florida, and a scary wildlife encounter Meghan had on her first day on the job. [Ep327]
gunbun.com
@gundlach_bundschu
Jun 21, 2024 • 1h 32min
The Wine Makers – Grant Wood, Bedrock Wine Co.
This week we focus on hospitality and service in the wine business. Grant Wood works for Bedrock Wine Co. in Sonoma, CA where they focus on highlighting historic vineyards that span the state. He achieved his Diploma in wine and spirits from the WSET as well as passed the Certified Sommelier exam through the Court of Master Sommeliers in mid-2021. Pursuing the MW program with the Institute of Masters of Wine is part of his five-year plan moving forward. His passion for wine and delivering meaningful and bespoke hospitality is what drives him to keep pursuing new challenges that continue to build himself both personally and professionally. [Ep325]
@bedrockwines
@jazegan
Jun 15, 2024 • 1h 23min
The Wine Makers – Kia Behnia, Pt1
Kia Behnia is changing the wine industry one hexagonal wine bottle at a time. The wine-loving tech entrepreneur always dreamed of owning a piece of wine country. A flat tire led him to what became the Kiatra Estate Vineyard. The fires of 2017 galvanized his ambition to create Neotempo Wines. However, he’s never been satisfied with doing things the way they’ve always been done and questions everything from clones and root-stock to wine shipping. The guys sit down with Kia for a wide-ranging and inspirational conversation that didn’t come close to covering all the innovations Kia has fermenting. Stay tuned for part 2 coming soon! [Ep325]
Jun 7, 2024 • 0sec
The Wine Makers – Devyani Gupta, Valdemar Estates
This week we welcome Devyani Gupta to Sonoma for an in depth conversation about working for an internationally owned winery in Walla Walla. Devyani worked for some of the legendary leaders in the Washington wine industry before settling in to the Winemaker position at Valdemar Estates. The Syrah stopped the conversation as we simply stared at each other and smiled. Everything she is doing right now is inspiring on every level. Welcome the incomparable Devyani Gupta. Enjoy this one. [Ep324]
Valdemarestates.com
@valdemarestates
