António Amorim – Amorim Corks Corticeira Amorim is the world’s largest cork processing company and makes an unparalleled contribution to the business, market, economy, innovation and the sustainability of the entire cork industry. Founded in 1870, we are joined this week by its Chairman & CEO António Rios de Amorim. This is a great show, António’s knowledge and passion for the cork industry is infectious. You might be amazed to hear what cork is used for beyond the wine industry. The incredible sustainability that the cork industry has and practices should not be overlooked, and truly agricultural business. This show should answer most of your cork questions. And if they arent answered, let us know we will find out. [EP264] Amorim.com Instagram Twitter

This week we attended the Direct to Consumer Symposium which is a benefit for the Free the Grapes Campaign. [EP263] Our good friend M.J. Towler the Black Wine Guy was also in attendance so we decided to do some joint interviews. We hope you enjoy these conversations. https://freethegrapes.org Hugh Scallon of Vayner Media will give us a look into TV 3.0 and he sees an opportunity for wine advertising. https://vaynermedia.com Steve Gross, VP, State Relations, Wine Institute talks a bit about the implications of recent legislative wins and priorities for winery compliance in 2023. https://wineinstitute.org Friend of the pod Jason Hass of Tablas Creek joins us to share some of his experiences in alternative packaging. www.tablascreek.com Shana Bull is a Digital Storyteller + Marketing Educator, and Children’s Book Author based in the East Bay, CA (and Wine Country). She writes about Social Media + Food + Wine + Travel + Parenting on her blog, and other Bay Area publications. https://shanabull.com Shae Frichette and her husband were living in Southern California when they met and got married. They wanted to move closer to family in either South Carolina or Washington. They used the flip of a coin to determine they would relocate to Washington. They wanted to create a business that would give them goosebumps. With a little research and cheerleading from friends, they decided to go into wine. www.frichettewinery.com Ross Halleck planted the Halleck Vineyard in 1993, one of the first in the hills of Sebastopol, in western Sonoma County. The primary intent for this vineyard was to serve as a college fund for our three boys, Connor, Adam, and Quinn. Of course, a passion for Pinot led the charge. www.halleckvineyard.com Barbara Gorder is a consultant and Owner Undisclosed Location, Inc. Over the past 20 years, she has helped to build and design some of the world’s most powerful brands. She has broad marketing and advertising expertise across all channels and disciplines with an emphasis on new technologies. Barbara is Kino chair for the direct to consumer wide symposium. https://www.unlo.com

Founder Robert (Bob) Craig began his career in wine at The Hess Collection on Mount Veeder in the 1980s. Prior to starting the winery, Bob’s passion for Mountain Cabernet had him spearheading the official recognition of both the Mount Veeder and Spring Mountain District AVAs. In 1995 22 acres were purchased at the summit of Howell Mountain – the vineyard property that would become their estate winery. Elton arrived in 2004 and spearheaded the overhaul and reinvestment of the farming, winemaking and sales structure at. Now the managing partner at the winery, he spends much of his time traveling around the country spreading the Craig word. Elton’s has brought his passion for old world wines to the new world of Craig with a production philosophy based on site expression. We had a great visit with Elton and his infectious passion for wine will come through the speakers and make you want to try these mountain grown wines [EP262] robertcraigwine.com instagram.com/robertcraigwinery instagram.com/eltonslone2

It’s warming. It’s us. We’re sure. It’s bad. But we can fix it. We are so excited to have this Sonoma Native on the podcast this week.  After speaking to the international public for close to fifteen years about sustainability, climate scientist Dr. Nicholas realized that concerned people were getting the wrong message about the climate crisis. People were focusing on things they couldn’t change, hoping for systems to be put in place and for big business to step in and make changes. But what she knows it’s people like you and me that need to make a difference. Her book is a guide to help you make a difference, to help your community make a difference. Listen to the show, buy the book and read it. But while you’re reading it, start making some changes in how you treat the world today. The planet is going to be here, it’s how we exist on this planet that is changing, time to get to work. [EP261] Please share this show! www.kimnicholas.com www.instagram.com/profkimberlynicholas https://www.youtube.com/@kimberlya.nicholas3652 https://co2-calculator.climatehero.me/

This week we look back at some favorite shows of 2022, and answer more listener questions. Will we ever get to the bottom of where they hide the moguls in the summer? We also raise a glass of wine to Bob Benziger who passed away last week. [EP260]

This week John Myers returns to the show after an extended break, it’s great to all be back together again. We talk about a number of subjects, not that we ever get distracted… Bart brings out three wines to taste that he plans to release early next year. Though of course Brian is disappointed to not great a review of the 2022 Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc [EP259] Wines tasted 2020 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel Rancho Agua Caliente Vineyard 2019 Valeria Rossi Ranch Blend Sonoma Valley 2020 Sonoma Valley Malbec Lazy Dog Vineyard www.danecellars.com www.instagram.com/dane__cellars

Morét Brealynn was born in Patterson California at one time the Apricot capital of the world. We know how much all of you listeners love those California agricultural facts… Though her name is French, she’s 100% Mexican, she was working in the nonprofit sector when she moved from Davis to Sonoma County in 2011. From that point the discovery of wine began, it wasn’t long until she got a job working in a tasting room. From there Morét curiosity found her spending time in the cellar, asking questions, helping wherever she could during harvest. But while helping produce a online happy hour during Covid the guest was winemaker Adam Lee EP (#243). Adam was impressed with the professionalism and organization of the show and after further discussions, Morét joined him as his General Manager. Morét’s exposure to the production side of the wine industry grew and her passion for making her own wine could no longer be ignored. It was Adam at encouraged her to make her own mark in the wine business. Enjoy this weeks show and be sure to check out Morét’s wines. [EP258] www.moretbrealynnwines.com www.instagram.com/moretbrealynnwines www.instagram.com/moretbrealynn

This week on the podcast, our friend James Joiner puts us through a blind tasting of “gimmick” and celebrity wines. Those wines that your family brings to a holiday gathering and you subtly groan as you open the bag. Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart, Game of Thrones and Hello Kitty among others are in the lineup. You have never heard such a mixture of glee and disgust in your life. We rate all of the wines separately then compare notes, you won’t believe the results. We hope you enjoy the show and aren’t too offended. Happy Holidays [EP257]

What does it mean to recycle? What do you think happens when you throw something in the recycling container? Would you believe that 75% of all glass that enters the waste system ends up in landfills. That’s 110,000,000 glass bottles going into US landfills every single day. What would you think if your favorite winery asked you to return your bottles to be refilled? We have talked about this on the podcast before. Remember our conversation with Diana Snowden Seysses about her plans for her family’s wine brand Cousins? This week we talked with Caren McNamara from Conscious Containers about the state of wine bottle reuse programs. We are also joined by April Nalle from Nalle Family Winery to hear what they are doing to move towards true sustainability. A glass bottle reuse program is going to happen. The question is can the wine business be leaders in this much needed system. We aren’t reinventing the wheel here, these programs are in place in other parts of the world. [EP256] consciouscontainer.com Instagram nallewinery.com Instagram

This week the guys sit down with Artie Johnson for a wide ranging and deeply philosophical show. Artie’s background is impressive, but we covered that in Episode 157. This show is all about the now and the future. This one goes from great to special when Phil Coturri throws his big diesel truck in reverse to sit down with Artie and gets really fun when Artie turns the tables and starts interviewing Brian, Bart and Sam! Pop open a bottle of syrah and give it a listen. [EP255] instagram.com/winexyz twitter.com/winexyz