The Wine Makers – Lyndsay Hoopes, Hoopes Vineyard

Lyndsay Hoopes has a lot on her plate—and it’s not just wine. Napa County has hit Hoopes Vineyard with a public nuisance complaint over everything from tastings and visitation to a small animal sanctuary on the property. Now, they’re demanding nearly $8.7 million, a figure the family simply doesn’t have. In this conversation, Lyndsay breaks down the murky regulations at the heart of the dispute and shares her frustration over what feels like selective enforcement. “There is no definition of visitor. There is no definition of retail,” she points out, raising fair questions about how anyone is supposed to play by the rules when the rules aren’t clearly written. Meanwhile, the wines—crafted from prime Oakville fruit by winemaker Aaron Pott—are stellar. But behind every glass, there’s a story of one woman fighting for her business, her land, and some straight answers. [EP 377] Hoopesvineyard.com @hoopesvineyard

At a relaxed get-together of Rhône producers in Sonoma, a couple of unfamiliar faces caught my attention. They turned out to be Andrew Sides and Brad Buckelew from Lost Draw, winemakers out of Texas who were in town for the Rhone Rangers event at Cline Cellars. One conversation led to another, and soon we were setting up a proper sit-down to get their story on the record. They brought more than just stories. The wines were strong, with a clear sense of place and purpose. We covered a lot of ground, from the geological quirks of the Texas High Plains to the hurdles of farming and distribution in a state still trying to earn its wine credentials. One thing was clear: these guys are not playing catch-up. They are building something real. Perception is still catching up to the quality, but that gap is closing. Lost Draw is proving that Texas can deliver serious wine with character and identity. If you have not tasted what's coming out of that region lately, it is time to fix that. [EP 376] Lostdraw.com @lostdrawwines

Danielle Langlois joins the guys to talk about her new solo venture, Jambe Des Bois—a deeply personal label focused on small-lot, handcrafted wines. After years as the winemaker at Lasseter Family Winery, Danielle stepped away to pursue her own vision, working with fruit farmed by legendary grower Phil Coturri and a bit of Syrah from a Carneros vineyard her husband Dan tends himself. The conversation covers everything from Danielle’s winemaking philosophy to the unique challenges and freedoms that come with striking out on your own. It’s a great listen for anyone who loves Sonoma wines, respects vineyard-driven production, or just wants to support the folks doing it the hard way—by hand, in small batches, and with real intention. [EP 375] Follow along at @jambedesbois and, if you can find a bottle, grab one. These wines don’t stick around long. jambedeboiswines.com

Carlton McCoy’s journey from a DC kitchen to the pinnacle of the wine world is anything but ordinary. Bart and Sam sit down with the Master Sommelier and CEO of Lawrence Wine Estates to unpack the milestones and mindset that got him there. Carlton opens up about the moment wine first lit a fire in him, what it took to pass the notoriously grueling MS exam at just 28, and how that early obsession evolved into something far bigger. At The Little Nell in Aspen, he found himself at the helm of one of the world’s most elite wine programs—and it was there that fate introduced him to Gaylon Lawrence. What followed was a dramatic leap into Napa Valley’s legacy scene, where Carlton now oversees iconic estates like Heitz, Burgess, and Stony Hill. He shares how he’s walking the tightrope between preserving history and staying culturally relevant in a rapidly changing industry. The conversation also dives into his work with The Roots Fund, how he sees his role in breaking down barriers, and why his lens on wine always includes people, place, and purpose. And yes, there’s a juicy update on Season 2 of Nomad. Grab a glass and listen in—this is one you don’t want to miss. Follow Carlton: @carltonmccoy @lawrencewineestates @rootsfund And don’t forget: even though Bart’s Chefs Cycle ride just ended, there’s still time to donate and ease the pain he’s feeling… everywhere: https://p2p.onecause.com/chefscycle25/bart-hansen Also: Keep your eyes peeled for big news from our friends at the DTC Wine Symposium, returning to Monterey, CA on January 20-22, 2026. Got to www.DTCWineSymposium.com for more info.

A chance meeting led to a very cool show that turned us into total cider freaks. Amie and Lyndon happened to come in for a tasting at Winery Sixteen 600 on their way to a site visit at the local Sonoma Cider Shop, Pomme. They are based in Cedar Grove and Asheville North Carolina and make cider, pet-nat, piquette and wines from local sources. Their energy, enthusiasm and creativity were truly inspiring and everything we tried was amazing. The winery supports local farmers using only sustainably and organically sourced fruits, including blueberries, heirloom apples, and unusual ingredients like hibiscus. The ciders and wines are raw, wild, unrefined, unfiltered, and unpasteurized, allowing customers to feel good about what they’re drinking. Ask for them at your local cider shop, or if you live in the south, go check them out, they are constantly doing fun events and pop-ups. [EP 373] Botanistandbarrel.com @botanistandbarrel

Though she carries one of the most prominent last names in modern Napa Valley history, Jamie Araujo didn’t grow up a wine brat or even a Napa kid at all. By the time the Araujos purchased the iconic Eisele Vineyard and launched their wine brand, Jamie was already in college on the East Coast. And she kept going east—eventually all the way to London’s West End, where she built a career as a professional actor. We sat down with Jamie to talk about her fascinating journey: from theater and television to working with some of the biggest names in wine, and ultimately returning to the family business at Araujo Estate Wines. Along the way, we explored the next chapter for the Araujo family—Accendo Cellars—as well as Jamie’s own project, Trois Noix. Most importantly, we discussed how Jamie is working to help shape Napa Valley’s future for the better in meaningful ways. So pour yourself a glass of your favorite wine and settle in—you’re going to love this story. (Unless your favorite wine happens to be an old Araujo Syrah… in that case, please call us—we’d love to come over and listen with you.) [EP 372] For more visit: accendocellars.com and troisnoixwine.com www.instagram.com/troisnoixwine/ https://www.instagram.com/accendocellars/

What happens when the world’s leading non-Japanese Master of Sake Tasting joins forces with three sake brewery presidents and one of the most enthusiastic wine reps in the business? You get a deep, delicious dive into sake that’s equal parts educational and intoxicating—in the best way. In this highly anticipated installment, Bella Pearson returns with “the Godfather of Sake” himself, John Gauntner, to walk us through the fascinating world of sake—from the rice fields to the bottle. Gauntner, the only non-Japanese Master of Sake Tasting certified by the Brewing Society of Japan, brings unmatched insight into the complex processes and centuries-old techniques behind Japan’s national drink. Alongside Gauntner and Bella, we’re joined by sake brewery presidents from Takatenjin, Kawatsuru, and Rihaku, each offering up exquisite pours that showcased the staggering range of flavor profiles—from crisp and clean to rich and unfiltered. Though we barely scratched the surface of this vast and nuanced subject, what we covered was intense, surprising, and nothing short of mind-blowing. [Ep 371] Kampai (乾杯)! Links:John Gauntner – Sake WorldBella Pearson – Kome CollectiveBella on Instagram

Ballentine Vineyards, a Napa Valley staple since 1905, isn’t just a winery—it’s a living legacy. We dive into the story of a winemaker whose path to the vineyard wasn’t exactly a straight line. He started out aiming to be a brewmaster, dabbled in forestry and photography, but ultimately found his groove in Fermentation Science at UC Davis. A globe-spanning exchange program took him to Germany, South Africa, and Australia, shaping his winemaking style before he joined the family operation in 1999. Bruce and his wife Danielle also run their own project, Three Clicks Wines, a nod to the telegram code that signaled the end of Prohibition. A journey filled with science, tradition, and a lot of heart. [Ep 370] ballentinevineyards.com threeclickswines.com

This week, Sam hits the road with MJ Towler—The Black Wine Guy—for a special crossover episode recorded live in New Brunswick, New Jersey. They sit down with legendary restaurateurs and OG podcasters Francis Schott and Mark Pascal, the co-owners of Stage Left Steak and Catherine Lombardi, and hosts of The Restaurant Guys podcast. Long before podcasts went mainstream, Francis and Mark were pioneering thoughtful, unpretentious conversations in food, wine, and hospitality, straight from their corner of the Garden State. Sam and MJ dive deep into Francis and Mark’s early days in the restaurant industry, the dramatic evolution of hospitality, and how New Brunswick emerged as an unexpected—and underrated—food and wine hotspot. The conversation also revisits the wild, early days of podcasting, raising a glass to names like DiSpirito, Trotter, and Bourdain. With behind-the-scenes restaurant stories, old-school podcast wisdom, and heartfelt reminders about the timeless power of passion and hospitality, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Guests Francis Schott and Mark Pascal join co-hosts Sam Coturri and MJ Towler (The Black Wine Guy, Beats Vines & Life) for this special collaboration.

Cathy Corison is a legend, pioneer, and true trailblazer in the California wine industry. In the 1970s, when most women were limited to lab work, Cathy set her sights on winemaking. She earned her place at Freemark Abbey and Yverdon, eventually becoming head winemaker at Chappellet in 1980. While the wine world leaned toward big, bold, hedonistic Napa Cabernets, Cathy stayed true to her vision—crafting restrained, elegant wines that initially flew under the radar of critics like Robert Parker. Today, under her own label, Corison, Cathy is celebrated as one of California’s most respected producers. Joining the conversation is Grace Corison, Cathy’s daughter and the future face of Corison Winery. Grace played a key role in getting their vineyards certified organic—a recognition of practices they’d followed for years. She recognized the importance of official certification for transparency and for connecting with a younger generation of wine drinkers. Also joining us is Anna Brittain, Executive Director of Napa Green, who organized the annual RISE Symposium, where both Cathy and Grace will serve as keynote speakers this year. RISE is one of the most impactful events in the wine industry, bringing attention to sustainability and climate action through education, leadership, and collaboration. Learn more at: risegreen.org corison.com Hope to see you at RISE!