Axel Heinz

With a name like Mondavi, what can go wrong? Michael Mondavi’s career and impact span six decades of shaping the world of wine in California and beyond. Michael has been integral in the family’s first winery, Charles Krug, to creating and building the Robert Mondavi Winery, Opus One, a joint venture with the Rothschilds, Luce with the Frescobaldis in Italy, Sena in Chile, a foray into the Languedoc in France, Copia in Napa, his import company, Folio Fine Wine Partners, and his own family winery, Michael Mondavi Family Estate. Michael was not only a winemaker but understood the importance of the business and the marketing of wine in Napa and around the world. And, by the way, his dad was Robert Mondavi! So, what can go wrong? A lot. But what can go right... a lot more... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Isabelle Legeron is one of the most enduring friends of The Grape Nation and The Wine List podcasts. She joined us over a decade ago, a few months into the podcast’s first season in October 2016, to discuss her first Raw Wine Fair in NYC…and has joined us every year since. Isabelle is a Master of Wine, author, journalist, consultant, natural wine OG, evangelist, and the founder of Raw Wine and the Raw Wine Fairs. Isabelle has brought to the forefront the relationship between agriculture, wine quality, authenticity, and the consumer's right to know how a wine is made. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nicolas Glumineau has been in Bordeaux over 25 years. He previously worked at some of the great wineries including Chateau Montrose. Since 2012 Nicolas has been the General Manager and Winemaker at Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac owned by the Rouzaud Family of Louis Roederer fame. He is also the General Manager of Chateau de Pez in St Estephe. Nicolas Glumineau sits at the intersection of tradition and innovation.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jancis Robinson needs no introduction, but… is arguably the most respected, prolific and well-known person in wine today. She is the award-winning founder and Editor of JancisRobinson.com, a columnist for the Financial Times, the author of “The Oxford Companion to Wine” and…  co-author of “The World Atlas of Wine”. Forty-one years ago, Jancis began publishing “The World Atlas of Wine 5th Edition”. Today we’ll talk about wine and the upcoming 9th Edition of the Atlas. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we talk to Ross Cobb. Ross Cobb is a second-generation West Sonoma Coast grape-grower and winemaker. Ross grew up in N. California skateboarding, playing bass and listening and collecting vinyl. He went on to study viticulture, soil science and enology at UC Santa Cruz, eventually leading him to work at Williams Selyem, Flowers, Hirsch and others. The Cobb family decided to shift from growers to making their own wine with Ross as the winemaker. Cobb makes beautiful cool-climate Pinot, Chard and Riesling. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we talk to Marchese Lodovico Antinori, a winemaker and visionary never bound by tradition. He helped shape the reputation of Tuscany and transformed the global perception of Italian wines. Lodovico, along with his father Nico and brother Piero catapulted the centuries old Antinori family winery into legend. He eventually left the family winery to pursue his own vision. In the late ‘70’s he recognized the potential of the Bolgheri Coast along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and founded super Tuscans Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia and Masseto. After leaving Ornellaia, he launched Tenuta di Biserno, leaning into Cab Franc a bit more. He is now in business with his daughter Sophia with their new project Tenuta del Nicchio, continuing their love for Cab Franc with a contemporary style emphasizing finesse over power. They are making Il Nicchio and Le 2 Ville. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we talk to Axel Heinz. It’s nice to be in the midst of a legendary career, right where Axel Heinz is! For over 17 years he was the winemaker and Estate Director at Tuscan icons, Ornellaia and Masseto in Bolgheri, Italy. In 2023, he went back to his roots. Axel was born in Germany but grew up, studied and worked in Bordeaux, taking over at Chateau Lascombes, a second growth in Margaux. With Merlot pumping through his veins, Axel Heinz is bringing Lascombes back to its great Bordeaux tradition. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we talk to Giusto Occhipinti and his two sons, Paolo and Giovanni.  You can’t talk about thoughtful and natural winemaking in Sicily without a discussion of Giusto’s early influence in the Vittoria region at his COS winery. Paolo and Giovanni grew up around their dad in the vineyards with an understanding and respect of the soil. They followed their father in making wine, but now at their own project, La Fontane, an exciting new winery interpreting the soils and indigenous grapes of Sicily practicing organics and Biodynamics. We are talking to Paolo and Giovanni in NYC at their US importer, T. Edwards and a few days later with Giusto and Giovanni back in Sicily. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we talk to Marco Balsimelli. Marco recently assumed the role of Production Director at two of the world’s most revered and critically acclaimed wines, Ornellaia and Masseto, Super Tuscans on the Bolgheri Coast in Italy. Marco studied oenology and viticulture in Florence and Bordeaux cutting his teeth at Gruaud Larose in St. Julien. He consulted for some of Bordeaux’s most notable Chateau and brought his expertise of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot back to his Tuscan farming roots with the Frescobaldi Family. He oversees the stylistic and technical decisions along with vineyard and cellar strategies for Ornellaia and Masseto. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week we talk to Alex Moreau. Burgundy does not have to be inaccessible, expensive and confusing. Five generations of Moreau’s have been making wines in Burgundy dating back to 1809. Alex's father, famed winemaker Bernard Moreau took over the family winery in the ‘60’s making reds and mostly stunning white wines in Chassagne Montrachet in the Cote de Beaune. Alex joined his father at Domaine Bernard Moreau in the mid ‘90’s and transitioned to his own label in 2021. Alex Moreau is one of the leading modern white Burgundy makers today. His move towards precision, age-ability and terroir transparency is a departure from richer and more manipulated wines of the region, but still delivering opulent, sensual, and pure wines. Drink more Chassagne Montrachet! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.