Part 2 of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Wine: Ep 225 - Women, Wine & War: Heya Wines Reimagines Lebanese Winemaking

In this episode, we head to the mountains of Northern Lebanon to meet Michelle and Claudine, neighbors, best friends, and the visionary founders of Heya Wines, a natural winery rooted in inclusion, heritage, and community. Heya Wines (meaning “She” in Arabic) is more than just a label, it’s a movement. From championing gender equity and employing Syrian refugee women, working with indigenous grapes and fermenting with apples in response to Lebanon’s energy crisis, every bottle tells a story of purpose and place. We dive into their hands-on winemaking approach, explore the beauty of high-altitude terroir, and taste their soulful wines, from Nour, a textured white blend of direct press Obeideh & White Grenache to Kanz, a red made with carbonic maceration and aged in amphora. We also hear about the challenges of making wine in a region grappling with instability, and how the power of community, resilience, and female solidarity fuels every step. This is a story of women rewriting what it means to make wine, not just in Lebanon, but everywhere. Whether you're curious about natural wine, socially conscious farming, or planning a trip to the Levant, this episode will inspire you to pour with intention. Episode Guide (Chapters) 1:23 - Founding Heya Wines: friendship, passion, and a mission for equity 5:15 - Facing gender bias and creating equal pay in Lebanon’s wine industry 7:53 - Hiring and empowering Syrian refugee women 9:57 - The rainy harvest: a community effort that defines Heya’s spirit 11:25 - Traditional Lebanese breakfast: manoushe, za’atar and labneh 13:38 - Heya’s location: high-altitude terroir (1450m) near the Syrian border 14.07 - The region of Dimane, North Lebanon and it’s terroir 17:27 - Creating Farha, a co-ferment of apples and indigenous Merwah grapes 18.03 - What does Merwah taste like? 18:40 -  Travel tips: Beirut → Batroun (45min) → Heya Wines (another 45min) 20.46 - What does Obeidah taste like, and how it compares to Merwah? 21:13 - Tasting Nour (white blend of Obeideh & Grenache) — made during the war Gnarly Vines - £30  29:06 - Tasting Kanz (red Grenache-Syrah): carbonic maceration in amphora Gnarly Vines - £28  29:34 - Kanz: “Treasure”: why it’s their most playful and textural wine 30.44 - How ageing in amphora affects the wine 34:49 - Food pairings: platters with white & red meats, yogurt, vegetables 35:45 - Global feedback and building a growing Heya Wines community 39:02 - Labels featuring real harvest women - authentic and unfiltered 41:12 - What’s next: expanding opportunities for women and working moms 42.17 - One message for listeners working in a vineyard, cellar or boardroom who can shape the future of wine   📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected] 📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time - cheers to you! THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEEDSPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.  

In this episode, we head to Oregon’s Willamette Valley to meet Remy Drabkin — winemaker, civic leader, innovator, and unapologetic champion for LGBTQ+ visibility in wine. Remy is the force behind Remy Wines and the founder of Queer Wine Fest, and in this conversation, we explore how equity, intention, and creative problem-solving are not just buzzwords, but daily practices in her winery and beyond. We get into everything from the power of thoughtful hiring and building inclusive spaces (yes, even bathrooms!) to the unexpected intersection of winemaking and carbon-sequestering concrete. You'll hear how Remy uses wine as a platform for change — whether it’s advocating for sustainable water solutions, supporting the ACLU through sparkling wine, or redefining what leadership in wine can look like. We also dig into the volcanic soils of the Dundee Hills, explore her love affair with the Italian grape Lagrein, and learn why she’s aging wine in chestnut barrels — and what all of this has to do with place, purpose, and legacy. Whether you're here for the terroir or the truth bombs, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a reminder that wine, at its best, is about people, progress, and pouring with purpose. Episode Guide (Chapters) 2.45 - How intention shapes everything in the winery 5:38 – Creating Inclusive Wine Spaces 7:19 – The simplicity of building a thoughtful restroom and how this impacts the team 8.30 - Being thoughtful where job adverts go out 9.30 - Inventing Carbon Sequestration structural concrete called Solid Carbon 11.00 - Creative solutions to water challenges 13.24 - The importance of team meetings 17.20 - Creating Queer Wine Fest 22.30 - Winning the Governor's Award for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 26:34 – Why Willamette Valley Matters 26:15 – The Importance of Speaking Out. Finding your voice 28:50 – Locating Remy’s Vineyards in the South Dundee Hills 28:56 – Soil and Terroir in the Red Hills (volcanic Jory soil) 29:49 – Describing the Local Climate and landscape in Willamette Valley 32:49 – Planting Italian variety Lagrein, what it offers, and why it works here 38:09 – Using Chestnut Barrels and extended aging 42.28: Black Heart Méthode Champenoise wine that supports ACLU 47:15 – What’s next 50.00 - What is one action that someone running a small winery can take this year to create a more inclusive business model?   📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected] 📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat 🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat 🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time – cheers to you! THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.   

Welcome back, wine friends! This episode is all about the rebels — the wild ones — the winemakers who’ve ripped up the rulebook and gone their own way. We’re diving deep into the world of declassified cult wines: the bottles that said "no thanks" to tradition-bound wine laws, and yet, somehow became some of the most expensive, most desired, and most obsessively followed wines on the planet. But before we get to the juicy stuff, let’s set the scene. You know those cryptic acronyms on European wine labels — AOC, DOCG, and even Qualitätswein? They’re steeped in history, tradition, and legal frameworks that protect the where, the what, and the how of a wine. They're there to ensure quality, consistency, and authenticity.  And yet, to some, those same laws can feel more like shackles than structure. Want to plant Syrah in Bordeaux? Or fancy making an orange wine in Chianti? You can't under AOC or DOCG rules. Even if your wine is mind-blowingly good, if it doesn’t fit the mould, it gets dumped in the “Vin de France” or “Vino da Tavola” pile. So in this episode, we raise a glass to the misfits, the rule-breakers, and the game-changers — winemakers who said, “Forget the label, let the wine speak for itself.” We’ll travel from the storied vineyards of Bordeaux to the wild Loire, up through Tuscany, and back again — featuring the most expensive wine in the world, a Brunello scandal, and some unicorn bottles you’ve probably seen worshipped on Instagram. Throughout this episode, whilst telling the tales of some of the most iconic and rebellious wines, you’ll also learn more about: vine density plantings in Bordeaux, the impact of phylloxera, the historic grape varieties of Bordeaux, what Bordeaux might have tasted like before the 1855 classification, the scandal of Brunellogate, the difference between Sangiovese in Montalcino vs Chianti, Chianti’s rigid and outdated regulations, and a few legends of the natural wine movement. Get ready for trailblazing tales, creative freedom in a bottle, and a reminder that some of the best wines in the world never needed permission to be great.   Episode Chapters: 3.30: Introducing Liber Pater – the most expensive wine in the world 10.00: Introducing Louis-Benjamin - Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Asteroide – the holy grail of Sauvignon Blanc 15.30: Introducing Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana Sangiovese – The wine making the most dramatic exit from Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 23.00: Introducing Le Pergole Torte from Montevertine – a 100% Sangiovese from the Chianti Classico region 26.10: Introducing the wines from Domaine des Miroirs in the Jura region – a Japanese winemaker producing ‘unicorn wines’. 32.30: Introducing a declassified super affordable wine for contrast: Gran Cerdo from Gonzalo Grijalba     📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]    📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat    🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat     🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk   Until next time – cheers to you!   THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.   

In this episode, we are talking to Harry Crowther, founder of Tiny Wine, to explore how technology, sustainability, and storytelling are reshaping the wine world. In this episode, we unpack how Tiny Wine is using innovative tech from Coravin Vinitas to bring iconic bottles to curious palates in small, perfectly preserved 100ml tubes. We'll talk Super Tuscans, Bordeaux, and about Harry's time in the Douro, fermenting separately the big five black grape varieties. So get ready to learn the difference between Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cão, and how each contributes to the blend. You'll also hear some of Harry’s stories working with Jean-Claude Berrouet, the long-time winemaker and technical director at Pétrus. So whether you’re a seasoned collector or just wine-curious, there’s plenty of name-dropping in this episode—and a few bottles you’ll definitely want to track down. Episode Guide (Chapters)   6:08 – Launching Tiny Wine in partnership with Coravin and their Vinitas technology. 7:10 – How the Vinatas works: ‘The smallest bottling line in the world’. 7:56 – 100ml wine tubes as samples for the on-trade. 9:44 – How long do these Tiny Wine tubes last? Testing through a triangulated tasting with wine professionals. 16:03 – Harry’s Perspective on Fine Wine 17:50 – The criteria for wines chosen for Tiny Wine’s Tasting Boxes 19:55 – The Prize draw with a Magnum of Petrus 21:01 – Wine to try from the Super Tuscan Select box: Monte Antico 2020 22:04 – Wine to try from the Super Tuscan Explorer box: Coste del Vivo Rosso No.1 MV 23:30 – San Polino Brunello di Montalcino 23:55 – Wine to try from the Super Tuscan Somm box including Sassicaia, Tignanello and Caiarossa Toscana IGT 24:49 – Tignanello: The wine that created Super Tuscan Wine 25:24 – What is a Super Tuscan? (You can listen to dedicated Episode 169: Everything you need to know about Super Tuscans) 27:09 – Merlot planted in Chianti Vs The famous wine made from Merlot: Masseto 29:44 – Discussing Rocca di Frassinello’s amazing wine cellar and their Merlot wine: Baffonero 32:24 – Reflection on Portugal and influences from the Douro. 33:17 – A run down on what each of the 5 main black grapes of Douro offer to the blend 38:10 – Working with legendary winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet at Quinta da Boavista 40:21 – Blending trials in the winery of Ventisquero Wine Estates 43:57 – The rarest bottle in Harry’s Cellar: Familia Silva Branco 500l barrel of Tawny circa mid 1800s 45:31 – Best Value wine: South Africa 46:45 – Upcoming wine region: Attica, Greece 47:14 – What’s coming next for Tiny Wine 48:33 – Most memorable wine experience: A winemaking stint on Waiheke Island, New Zealand 49:33 – Winemaker shoutout: Kardenakhi 7 for their Fortified Rkatsiteli 51:33 – Prize draws for fine wines in large formats   To connect with Harry: Linked In and Tiny Wine Website   📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]    📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat    🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat     🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk   Until next time – cheers to you!       THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST. 

In this episode, we return to the high Andes of Argentina with winemaker Thibaut Delmotte of Bodega Colomé to uncover the evolution of Malbec at extreme altitudes. Discover how altitude, climate, and vineyard practices shape Colomé’s flagship wines, and learn about Thibaut’s exciting personal project: Familia Delmotte. We also dive into Bonarda, explore the stylistic transformation of Argentine wine over the past two decades, and learn how Colomé became not only one of the most celebrated wineries in the world (5 times included in The Worlds 50 Best Vineyards), but also one of the most remote. Plus, find out what it takes to get there and why it’s worth the journey, especially for a visit to the breathtaking James Turrell light museum. This is a must-listen for anyone passionate about South American wine, high-altitude terroir, and off-the-beaten-path wine travel.   Episode Guide (Chapters)   02:25 – The evolution of the Estate Malbec over 23 vintages 04:12 – Differences between low-altitude and high-altitude Malbecs 06:45 – Shifts in winemaking: lighter oak, earlier picking, softer extraction 08:12 – Influence of El Arenal (2,600m) and Altura Máxima (3,111m) terroirs 09.05 - Tasting the Colome Estate Malbec 2022 £24.95 Hay Wines 09:48 – Post-2018 philosophy shift: fresher style and climate adaptation 11:21 – How altitude impacts acidity, tannins, and fruit expression 13:05 – Mendoza vs. Calchaquí Valley vs. Patagonia Malbecs 14:52 – Malbec vs Pinot Noir: a grape of terroir? 16:11 – Why Argentina’s diverse Malbec styles need better communication 17:30 – Natural winemaking, carbonic maceration and stem use with Malbec 18:50 – Thibaut’s side project: Familia Delmotte begins 20:14 – Growing Garnacha, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Marsanne in Salta 21:30 – Sauvignon Blanc + Marsanne: blending freshness with honeyed texture 22:10 – Bonarda in Argentina: styles, history and best expressions 23:47 – Recommended Bonarda wines: Emma (Zuccardi), Altos Las Hormigas ‘Colonia Las Liebres’ 26:25 – Meeting Donald Hess and the founding vision of Colomé 28:00 – Building a winery with no electricity or paved roads 29:25 – Blind tasting honesty: the birth of Colomé’s drinkability focus 30:38 – From 4–5 years to 20: Thibaut’s lasting legacy in Salta 31:50 – Being named Top 50 World’s Best Vineyards (x5) 33:10 – Keys to Colomé’s success: team longevity and shared philosophy 34:30 – The James Turrell Museum at Colomé: light, perception, magic 41:00 – How to visit Bodega Colomé: logistics from Salta to Cafayate 42:20 – Planning a wine trip: from paved roads to moonlike landscapes 43:30 – Day visit or boutique hotel stay? Best way to experience Colomé 45:50 – Salta wine travel loop: Cafayate – Colomé – Cachi – Cuesta del Obispo 47:05 – Why wine travel in Salta is an unforgettable sensory journey 48:12 – Final reflections: landscape, altitude, authenticity and people 50:14 – A glass of Torrontés by the pool at Colomé: pure magic 📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]    📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat    🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat     🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk   Until next time – cheers to you!       THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST. 

Welcome back, wine friends! Today we’re heading high into the Andes – literally – to explore one of the most breathtaking wine regions on Earth: the Calchaquí Valley in Salta, Argentina, home to Bodega Colomé, the oldest continuously operating winery in the country, with roots dating back to 1831. Joining us is Thibaut Delmotte, winemaker at Colomé, to talk about crafting wines at extreme altitudes – some vineyards reaching over 3,000 meters above sea level! We explore how altitude affects grape growing, the unique challenges and benefits of Salta’s high desert terroir, and how Colomé balances tradition with innovation. From Malbec and Torrontés to the remarkable Altura Máxima Vineyard at 3,111 meters, this episode is a deep dive into high-altitude winemaking, biodynamic farming, and what it means to make expressive wines in one of the world’s most remote regions. This is a must-listen for anyone curious about South American wine, sustainable viticulture, and the magic of mountain-grown grapes. Episode Guide (Chapters) 01:02 – Meet Thibaut Delmotte, winemaker at Colomé 02:48 – Colomé’s founding in 1831 and its early vineyard history 05:34 – Commitment to ancestral and sustainable winemaking practices 06.31 - 170 year old old vines 08:18 – Fighting phylloxera and vineyard management in the region 10:50 – Rootstock decisions and adapting to terroir 13:25 – Harvesting: selecting plants one by one 15:48 – Distinct terroirs: different altitudes and soils 18:16 – Short-cycle varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Malbec 21:01 – Bird protection in Pinot vineyards 23:37 – Achieving balance between ripeness and typicity 26:13 – The role of recording and analysis in the vineyard 28:55 – Challenges of low rainfall in the region 31:32 – The uniqueness of the Calchaquí terroir 32.45 - The Queen grape of Salta: Torrontes 33.13 - Discussing Criolla Varieties, which you can listen to deeper in Ep 210 with Master or wine Amanda Barnes 34:25 – Saline soils of the region and Torrontes’ resistance 36:25 – Sunlight and temperature balance to preserve aromas 39:09 – Torontés characteristics: persistence and great acidity 41:25 – Evolution of acidity in the wines 43:55 – Vineyard block management and planning 41:36 – Tasting the Bodega Colomé Estate Torrontés £14.60-£16.50 Vinvm, Hik Wine Merchants 44.32 - Perfect food pairings for this wine 48:12 – The three different varieties of Torrontes 📩 Questions or feedback? Email me: [email protected]  📸 Follow on Instagram: @eatsleep_winerepeat  🎥 YouTube Channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat   🌐 More content: www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time – cheers to you!   THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.   

Hello wine friends, and welcome back! This week we dive into Part Two of my conversation with Ernst Loosen of Dr.Loosen. If Part One was all about Riesling royalty, this one is for the Pinot aficionados. While Ernie is globally known for his Riesling, he’s also been quietly and passionately cultivating a deep connection with Pinot Noir from Germany’s rolling hills of the Pfalz with Villa Wolf, to the expressive soils of Oregon’s Willamette Valley at Appassionata Estate, and now into the sacred vineyards of Burgundy itself with Perron de Mypont. In this episode, Ernie shares why Pinot Noir captured his heart, the styles he’s chasing, and what makes Pinot from the Pfalz, Oregon, and Burgundy so distinct.  Stick around until the end, Ernie doesn’t hold back when it comes to sharing his truth.   If you want to skip ahead: 02.24: Origins of Villa Wolf – Established in 1996 to focus on Pinot varieties in Pfalz  03.30: Pinot varieties have centuries of tradition in the Rhine and Pfalz regions   04.30: Aged Pinot Noir and Riesling share similar aromas – “sous bois” character   05.00: Use of “Pinot Noir” vs. “Spätburgunder” depending on export market   07.00: Tasting and discussing the Villa Wolf Pinot Noir 2022 £12.95 Cheers Wine Merchants 11.30: Comparing German clones with French 14.00: Comparing the terroir Pfalz vs. Mosel   17.00: Why Pfalz is nicknamed “Tuscany of Germany”  20.00: Introducing Loosen's Oregon project: Appassionata Estate   22.00: Appassionata named after Beethoven’s passionate composition   22.30: Wines aged longer before release, unlike typical U.S. practice   24.00: Volcanic soils require longer aging before release   26.30: Longest-aged wines come from basalt-rich plots   28.00: Ernst acquisition of the Vieux Château de Puligny-Montrachet in 2019 and it’s history in Burgundy 30.32: The style of Pinot Noir that Ernst is crafting 32.30: Whole bunch fermentation vs destemming 34.43: Stem use in winemaking: positives and negatives  36.30: Ernst’s oak philosophy with Pinot Noir 39.30: Ernst favors 2019 Burgundy vintage and 2014 in Oregon   41.30: Winemaking focus to avoid high alcohol styles   42.30: Ernst speaks his truth: Low yields in this current climate does not just mean a better wine 46.24: Where is the world Ernst would want to plant next 47.45: Most memorable Pinot: Domaine Armand Rousseau 1969 Chambertin 49.00: Ernst’s advice for the next generation of winemakers     Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected] Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time, Cheers to you!   ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Hello wine friends, and welcome back! Today’s guest is none other than Ernst Loosen - widely regarded as Riesling royalty and the visionary behind Germany’s legendary Dr. Loosen estate in the Mosel Valley. In this episode, we dive into Ernst’s bold reimagining of Mosel Riesling, including an extraordinary 27-year lees-aged wine experiment that continues to evolve and amaze. We explore what makes Riesling so uniquely expressive in the Mosel’s slate soils, cool climate, and dramatic river bends, and how Ernst has helped shift global perceptions of the grape - from sweet to serious. From reviving his grandfather’s dry wine traditions to employing lees aging, oak fermentation, and extended maturation, Ernst shares how he crafts age-worthy, structured wines. With a global perspective shaped by work in Washington State (Chateau Ste. Michelle), Australia’s Clare Valley (Jim Barry), and beyond, he compares Riesling styles across continents and spotlights an unexpected collaboration with Spain’s Telmo Rodríguez, a skin-fermented dry Riesling you won’t see coming. This is a rare, in-depth conversation with one of Riesling’s greatest modern champions. A journey through time, terroir, tradition, and transformation.   If you want to skip ahead:   03.00: Ernie’s accolades and biography 04.00: Taking over the family wine business in 1987 06.00: Vision for business: improve wine quality with indigenous yeast, better selection. 08.00: Tough decisions managing old estates, including employee retention in 1987 harvest. 09.30: Focus on leftover grapes during the harvest as an innovative solution. 10.00: 1987 vintage turned out well despite early challenges. 16.00: Discussing the 1981 Wehlener Sonnenuhr ‘Indutiomarus’ Riesling left on lees for 27 years. 18.00: History influences winemaking practices, referencing Mosel's 1800s Rieslings. (some of the most expensive wines of the world a that time) 20.00: Historical winemaking methods, like barrel aging and long ageing and this influence on wine style now. 23.00: Discussing and tasting the 2021 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Grosses Gewächs Riesling made from 100+ years old vines. £33 Lay & Wheeler 30.00: Wine label confusion is a global issue, not just German or French labels. 33.00: “Dry” label helps consumers unfamiliar with terms like GG: Grosses Gewächs. 34.00: Dr. L label’s success lies in simplifying for consumers, especially the UK market. 38.00: Riesling excels in single vineyards, highlighting terroir differences. 41.00: Mosel’s unique terroir, steep slopes, and river create ideal Riesling conditions. 45.30: Slate warms the soil, conserving heat during cool nights. 49.00: Dr Loosen GG Reserve style: at least two years in barrel for broader mouthfeel and riper fruit. 49.30: Rieslings from different regions maintain unique characteristics. Meet EROICA from Washington and LOOSENBARRY from Claire Valley. 52.30: Washington Riesling maintains moderate alcohol despite high sugar ripeness. 54.30: Pushing boundaries with Telmo Rodríguez, producing an Orange skin contact Riesling in Rioja barrels: Ernst Loosen & Telmo Rodriguez Graacher Himmelreich Riesling 56.00: Riesling’s global future holds potential with numerous ongoing projects. Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected] Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time, Cheers to you!   ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.  

Welcome back, wine friends! In Part 2 of our journey through Chile’s Maule Valley, we’re staying put in the rugged, dry-farmed interior to uncover even more of its rich viticultural story. Returning guest Derek Mossman Knapp—co-founder of Garage Wine Co. and 2024 Old Vine Hero award winner—joins us again to spotlight Carignan (or “Cariñena”), a grape once overlooked in Chile that’s now at the heart of a heritage-driven revival. In this episode, we dive into VIGNO, the groundbreaking collective Derek helped found, uniting passionate producers committed to old vine, dry-farmed Carignan. We explore how this movement is preserving tradition, terroir, and time through strict practices and deep respect for the land—and how it’s putting some of Chile’s most soulful wines on the global map. It’s a rich, thoughtful conversation about legacy, collaboration, and the power of working with nature, not against it.   If you want to skip ahead: 02.40: Discussion of Carignan (Cariñena) and its role in the blend   04.27: Talking about and tasting the Cru Truquilemu 2019 -  Vin Coqnito £58 (2018) 06.00: Vineyards' inheritance history helps trace vineyard origins   07.30: Small batch fermentation methods and neutral barrels    09.30: The value of separating lots and testing over vintages   11.00: Growing interest in Cru wine due to critical acclaim      14.25: Discussion of the Empedrado DO; coastal freshness   16.01: Clarifying Maule’s geography; part of Southern Chile   16.48: Climate differences in Maule vs. Santiago (seasonal shifts)    18.00: Alcohol and balance - challenging the UK’s fixation on lower ABV and bottle weight   19.00: Regenerative viticulture - using compost teas, no-till methods, and soil health trials   21.00: Myth of poor soils - overstressed vineyards are being replanted before reaching full maturity   23.30: Vineyard revival - greener canopies, improved shading, and resistance to heat   24.07: Certification challenges - paperwork burden limits organic certification for small producers   25.00: Verification vs. certification; Allan Savory’s philosophy on soil testing and real change   28.44: Is Carignan a “complete grape”, like Cabernet Sauvignon? Questioning completeness and relation to alcohol   29.00: Carignan initiative, collaborative DO for identity and quality; unique in Chile   30.33: Chile's bulk wine success created a consumer price ceiling   31.13: VIGNO labeling rules: VIGNO must be prominent on the bottle   32.11: VIGNO evolution: from 65% Carignan minimum to 85%   33.13: Vineyard collaboration: producers share technical knowledge   34.00: Baron Philippe de Rothschild joins VIGNO, signaling broader acceptance   35.55: Carignan vs País — where would Derek place his bet for the future?   Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected] Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time, Cheers to you!   ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.

Hello wine friends, and welcome back to another episode! Today, we’re taking a journey to Chile — but not just any part of it — to the Maule Valley's Secano Interior, a region that feels like a living history book. Here, it's less about polished, commercial wines and more about soulful, authentic expressions. There’s a strong movement to preserve heritage grape varieties and protect ancient vines, and I’m thrilled to be joined by someone who knows this better than anyone: Derek Mossman Knapp of Garage Wine Co. Derek was recently honored with the prestigious Old Vine Hero Special Award for Overall Impact in 2024, recognizing his incredible contributions to old vine preservation, viticulture, and winemaking. As a founding member of VIGNO (Vignadores de Carignan) and MOVI (Movimiento de Viñateros Independientes), Derek is deeply committed to tradition, terroir, and artisanal winemaking. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating story of País — the very first grape to arrive in Chile in the 1500s — and explore what makes the Maule Valley such a special and historic place for wine. If you want to skip ahead:   02.30: How Toronto native Derek Mossman Knapp ended up in Chile. 03.30: From hobby winemaker to starting an export wine business. 05.00: Partnering with small growers to make authentic wines. 08.00: Coastal Range terroir: granite soils and old vines. 10.00: Preserving rural food traditions like wheat milling. 11.30: Maule’s slower lifestyle rooted in agriculture. 12.00: Derek wins Old Vine Hero award. 14.00: Building a community around old vine viticulture. 15.00: Honoring Spanish heritage with grape naming. 16.30: Reviving País as Chile’s historic grape. 19.10: Tasting and discussing the Garage Wine Co. Revival Old Vine País 2021 (£17.95 - Currently £12.95 Slurp) 20.00: Praise for País as a fascinating wine with great interest despite its light style. 22.52: The difference between Maule Valley and the Secano Interior 23.51: Cauquenes known for concentration of old-vine País 25.00: Use of old País rootstocks for grafting new varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon. 26.30: Challenges of working with old, non-mechanized bush vines; need for focus and intention in the wine. 28.00: Plowing methods and regenerative farming; complex issues regarding irrigation and water management. 29.16: Mention of the low annual rainfall in Maule, with poor water retention in certain vineyards. 32.00: Fair compensation for workers and building a business around smaller, more focused projects. 33.00: Building a dedicated team to handle pruning, plowing, and harvesting; ability to pick on flexible schedules. 35.40: Hard work and passion required for wine production; a labor of love in the winemaking process. 36.00: Discussion of the future of Maule wine production on the global stage; challenges in the wine trade. 37.00: Wines that have differentiated themselves are faring better than those following trends; focus on quality over scale.   Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected] Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat If you fancy watching some videos on my youtube channel: Eat Sleep Wine Repeat Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk Until next time, Cheers to you!   ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- THE EAT SLEEP WINE REPEAT PODCAST HAS BEEN FEATURED IN DECANTER MAGAZINE, RADIO TIMES AND FEED SPOT AS THE 6TH BEST UK WINE MAKING PODCAST.