The Wine Makers on Radio Misfits

Wines of California with Elaine Chukan Brown (aka Hawk Wakawaka) If you’ve been listening for a while, you know that when Friend of the Pod Elaine Chukan Brown—aka the legendary Hawk Wakawaka (or “Chuckavaka,” if you're in the know)—is asked to write a book on a topic as broad as Wines of California, it’s not going to be your typical “Zinfandel was first planted in 18-blah-blah-di-blah” wine book. In this episode, Bart and Sam sit down with Elaine to talk about their new book, Wines of California, coming next month from Académie du Vin Library. Elaine delivers a powerful, deeply researched take on the history of California wine—connecting the evolution of wine in the Golden State to larger patterns in American history, global politics, and cultural change. With her trademark no-nonsense honesty, Elaine has written what might be called a tough-love letter to California wine—celebrating its innovation, leadership, and resilience while challenging the industry to reckon with its past and navigate the future. We dive into: The real history of California wine The people, varietals, and regions that shaped it Surprises Elaine uncovered during their research How wine growers and producers can use history to tackle today’s challenges Whether you're a winemaker, wine lover, or wine industry professional, this episode is packed with insights that will enrich your love of California wine. Pre-order Wines of California now through Bookshop.org and support your local independent bookstore. Elaine Chukan Brown Instagram: @hawk_wakawaka Académie du Vin Library Instagram: @academieduvinlibrary Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help more people discover real conversations about wine, history, and the people shaping the future of the industry.

This week, we sit down with Laurent Gomez from Domaine du Val des Rois, a winery whose name translates to "Valley of the King," paying tribute to Valréas’ rich winemaking history, first planted in the 9th century by King Charlemagne. Val des Rois is a 10-hectare estate in Côtes du Rhône, originally planted in 1965 by 9th-generation Burgundian winemaker Romain Bouchard. Located on the northern edge of the Southern Rhône in Valréas, the vineyard benefits from its unique altitude and southeast exposure, cooling nightly air from the Alps, and soils rich in limestone and deep clay. These natural conditions lead to wines with exceptionally high acidity, setting them apart from the typical Southern Rhône profile. At the hands of legendary winemaker Stéphane Vedeau, Val des Rois produces truly distinctive wines. We had the pleasure of tasting: A White Blend, An 80-year-old vine Grenache, A Grenache/Syrah blend, All wines are aged in concrete, giving them purity, vibrancy, and a true homage to their varietals. A big thanks to Bella Pearson from Vine Connections for introducing us to this incredible producer. Val des RoisVine Connections

Our friend Bella Pearson from Vine Connections introduced us to Ben Gordon from J. Bouchon Family Winery this week, and we were immediately intrigued by their deep history of farming Pais—known as Mission here in California. The Bouchon family’s winemaking story began in the late 19th century when young viticulturist Emile Bouchon left Bordeaux, France, for Chile. Today, Julio Bouchon and his children continue the family’s fourth-generation winemaking tradition in the Maule Valley, blending deep soil research with innovative techniques to craft distinctive, terroir-driven wines that honor the region’s rich history. One of the most fascinating aspects of their vineyards is how Pais grows up the trees along the vineyard’s edge, creating a stunning visual that had us imagining climbing ladders to harvest the grapes—definitely not OSHA-approved here in California! [Ep361] Check out more about their wines and history:J. Bouchon Family WinesVine Connections

This week, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Sophia Quercioli from Podere Le Ripi in Montalcino, Italy. Known for producing exceptional Sangiovese, the winery is farmed biodynamically by a team of young, passionate, and slightly crazy individuals. Founded in 1998 by Francesco Illy, Podere Le Ripi is home to one of the most fascinating vineyards in the world—the Bonsai Vineyard, a high-density planting that defies conventional wisdom. Their gravity-fed crush facility and cellar took eight people four years and 250,000 bricks to construct, a testament to the dedication and artistry behind their winemaking. “We don't like to define where a vineyard begins and ends, because everything we do is based on an approach that considers what surrounds us in its entirety. Vineyards, woods, olive trees, gullies, rivers, all this is our ecosystem, and we want to take care of it without separating nature on the basis of production class. We accompany 34 hectares of vineyards inserted in a setting at least 4 times larger.” The wines were absolutely stunning, and we’d like to extend a special thanks to Heather Gordon from DarkStar Imports for making the introduction. A heartfelt shoutout also goes to Chavo and Giulia, who weren’t on this trip but hold a special place in our hearts. [Ep 360] Podere Le Ripi@podereleripiDarkStar Imports

Fresh from the DTC Conference and Unified Symposium, the guys sit down with two out-of-state winemakers who are making waves in their regions. Todd Bostock – Dos Cabezas WineWorks, Sonoita, Arizona Since 1995, Dos Cabezas WineWorks has been growing grapes and crafting wines in Southern Arizona. The winery and its 80 acres of vineyard were pioneered by the late visionary Al Buhl. Todd joined the team as winemaker in 2002, and by the end of 2006, the Bostock family took over operations. Dos Cabezas sources high-quality fruit from its two estate vineyards: Pronghorn Vineyard in Sonoita and Cimarron Vineyard in the Kansas Settlement. Curious about what grapes thrive in Arizona’s unique climate? Todd shares his insight on growing and making wine in the desert. Dos Cabezas WineWorks - Website - Instagram Kent Foulker – Cedar Ridge Winery, Swisher, Iowa The Quint family has a long history of farming and distilling spirits, and in 2005, Jeff Quint founded Cedar Ridge with a mission to put Iowa bourbon on the map. As the first licensed distillery in Iowa since Prohibition, Cedar Ridge released its first batch of whiskey in 2010 and quickly became a leader in craft spirits. But Iowa isn’t just about corn. Kent Foulker dives into what it takes to grow grapes and produce wine in the heart of the Midwest, and how Cedar Ridge balances both wine and whiskey under one roof. Cedar Ridge Winery - Website - Instagram Tap your play button for a fascinating conversation about winemaking in unexpected places, the challenges and rewards of working in non-traditional wine regions, and how passion drives these winemakers to create something truly unique. [Ep 359]

The Marathon – Winemakers, Industry Leaders & The Reason for the Season, Steve Gross In our final dispatch from the 2025 DTC Wine Symposium, we sat down with industry leaders, keynote speakers, and winemakers from across the country to explore the biggest conversations happening in the wine world. The highlight, as always, was Steve Gross from the Wine Institute, the foremost expert on wine shipping regulations. If you’re a winemaker who relies on direct-to-consumer sales or a wine lover who enjoys having bottles shipped straight to your door, you have Steve to thank—and y’all better go to Free the Grapes and sign up now! This episode is packed with countless insights, deep discussions, and incredible guests. Dust off a bottle (or two), settle in, and get ready—this one is an epic. The Guest Rundown: Rishad Tobaccowala – AI expert, futurist, thought leader, and author focusing on marketing and the future of work—now a bona fide friend of the pod. Substack Website LinkedIn Instagram Book: Rethinking Work Susan Kostrzewa – Acclaimed wine writer and editor with extensive industry experience. Website LinkedIn Instagram Jason Haas – Our longtime inspiration and friend. Partner and General Manager of Tablas Creek Vineyard, advocate for organic farming. Website Instagram Blog Steve Gross – The great and powerful Vice President of State Relations at the Wine Institute, focusing on industry policies. Website Jessah Diaz – Director of Direct-to-Consumer Sales at Cakebread Cellars. Website Instagram Susan DeMatei – Founder of WineGlass Marketing, specializing in digital and DTC wine sales. Website Instagram Kasey Helt – Director of Hospitality at Center of Effort Wines. Website Instagram Anne Zwink – Winemaker at Soldier Creek Winery in Iowa. She heard last year’s show and came to the conference this year. It’s working! Website Instagram Anne Robie – Writer, speaker, and leadership expert focusing on workplace culture. Website Stephanie Wycoff – General Manager of Gary Farrell Winery in Sonoma. Website Instagram An essential listen for winemakers, industry insiders, and anyone passionate about the future of direct-to-consumer wine sales.

The DTC Wine Symposium Podcast Extravaganza – Part 2: The Wines and the People of Monterey County Okay, we admit it—we’re Sonoma homers. Occasionally, we branch out and interview someone from Napa (gasp!). But despite our regional prejudices, the growers and winemakers of Monterey County welcomed the podcast crew—not to mention 700+ DTC Wine Symposium attendees—with open arms! Jokes aside, the Monterey County wine community were fantastic hosts all week long. We were lucky enough to sit down with friend of the pod, Adam Lee—a longtime proponent of Monterey fruit—and let him guide us through a fascinating conversation with some luminaries of the Monterey wine scene. Adam introduced us to legendary grower Gary Franscioni, owner of ROAR Wines, who helped develop and farm the vineyards that put the Santa Lucia Highlands on the winemaking map. We also met Sabrine Rodems, winemaker at the acclaimed Wrath Wines and owner/winemaker of Scratch Wines—an awesome lineup of wines that scratched an itch for the acid-driven, racy wine lovers among us. And we spoke with Rhonda Motil, VP of Marketing at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, a family-owned winery with deep roots in the region. Jerry Lohr was one of the first to believe in Monterey’s potential back in the early ‘70s, and today, J. Lohr continues to produce intricate, terroir-driven wines from over 4,000 planted acres. Of course, this was just a fraction of Monterey County’s wine story. Steeped in agricultural history, the Salinas River Valley and surrounding hillsides make up one of the most important farming regions in the country—possibly the world. We learned about the power of the Monterey Canyon, the vast and deep submarine trench off the coast that plays a defining role in the region’s climate. We also explored the rapid shifts in temperature, soil composition, and terroir that unfold as you travel north-south and east-west across this fertile wonderland. All in all, we hope we didn’t make total fools of ourselves—because the wines were beautiful, the vineyards were stunning, and the people were fantastic. Here’s hoping they invite us back! Monterey Vintners Rhonda Motil VP of Marketing – J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines Website | Instagram Adam Lee Clarice Wine Company | Journalist, North Bay Business Journal Website | Clarice Wine Company Instagram | Instagram Gary Franscioni Owner – ROAR Wines Website | Instagram Sabrine Rodems Owner & Winemaker – Scratch Wines | Winemaker – Wrath Wines Scratch Wines | Instagram Wrath Wines | Instagram

We kicked off our annual pilgrimage to the DTC Wine Symposium with one of the biggest names in wine: Karen MacNeil. Yes, the Karen MacNeil—winner of nearly every major wine writing award, founder of the Culinary Institute of America’s Professional Wine Program, Stanford University wine educator, and global authority on all things wine. You know her from WineSpeed in your inbox, from PBS and Netflix in your living room, and from Come Over October, a movement championing wine’s place in culture. And, of course, she’s the author of The Wine Bible—Volumes 1 through 3, with Volume 4 in the works. But behind the accolades is an incredible story: a determined high school runaway who discovered wine through an $0.89 Bulgarian jug red, bootstrapped her way through college working in restaurants, launched her food and wine writing career at just 19, and bulldozed her way to the top of New York’s wine world. It was fascinating, inspiring, and educational—the perfect way to start our epic week in Monterey. KarenMacNeil.com @KarenMacNeilCo ComeOverOctober.com @ComeOverOctober

Professor Phil  wrapped up teaching a master class in regenerative organic agriculture to a group of Harvard and MIT grad students at Liquid Sky Vineyard in Sonoma's Moon Mountain AVA. After experiencing firsthand the vineyards and tasting the wine they helped study, John sat down with the students to discuss how they plan to take the principles of regenerative organic farming into the world through their future careers. This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of some of the brightest and most innovative thinkers in agriculture today. Tune in and enjoy!

This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with winemaker Isabel Gassier and viticulturist Phil Coturri to discuss their collaborative project, À Deux Têtes, which began in 2017 with the late, renowned French winemaker Philippe Cambie. Isabel has been crafting wine simultaneously at her family’s Domaine Gassier in France and Sonoma's Winery Sixteen600, where all the grapes are organically farmed under Phil’s care. Together, Phil and Isabel share insights into their approach and decisions for the challenging 2022 vintage. They discuss the new releases of Oakville and Rossi Ranch Grenache, as well as the 2023 Rosé of Grenache, offering a rare glimpse into the collaboration between grower and winemaker. It’s an engaging conversation about their shared philosophy, their passion for organic farming, and the exciting results of their partnership. [Ep 354] Follow their work: @domainegassier @enterprisevineyards @isabelgassierwine @winerysixteen600