'Tis the Season: Books, Gifting, and Benvenuto Brunello

This week on Another Bottle Down, we're heading to the Napa Valley for a conversation with Jeff Cole, the winemaker at Sullivan Rutherford Estate. A Napa native who grew up in Yountville, Jeff came to winemaking almost by accident, enrolling in wine courses at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo before finding his calling. He honed his craft at Schramsberg Vineyards and J. Davies Estate, then joined Sullivan in 2013, where he has directed the program ever since. Sullivan Rutherford Estate is a fully estate model winery, and the 26-acre property's terroir gives Cole something genuinely special to work with. Despite sitting on the Rutherford Valley floor, the vineyards rest on gravelly soils deposited over centuries by Spring Mountain runoff. That gravel allows fantastic drainage and promotes viticultural stress, and the result shows up in the glass: wines of unusual concentration and structure including some of the most compelling Merlot being produced in Napa Valley today. Sullivan backs that claim with one of the more distinctive tasting experiences in the area where guests blind taste Sullivan's Merlot alongside examples from around the world.  Jeff joins Jessica Dupuy on location at the estate to talk through what it means to grow up in Napa, what makes Sullivan distinct, and why this land, and these grapes, have something brilliant to say. Sullivan Rutherford Estate Jessica Dupuy — Merlot's Comeback, Food & Wine

On today's show we have the second episode that Mark recorded while visiting Piedmont a couple months ago for the fall truffle season.  Paolo Bava is in charge of the wine production and vineyards at Cantine Bava, which has vineyard holdings in Cocconato (Asti), Castiglione Falleto (Barolo), Nizza and Alta Langa.  It's a fascinating story of how the family expanded into Barolo and Nizza from the home base of Asti.  And, Mark explores some of the themes we've been digging into recently such as mulit-generational wineries, Eastern facing expositions lending a little more freshness, and much more. Useful links: The Bava Website Alba Truffle Festival Pre-order Jessica's book:  Italianality  

On today's show, we have the first of two interviews Mark did while travelling in the Barolo area last fall.  Stefano Corino is Renato Corino's son, and they work side by side in the vineyards and cellar to create all the wines under the Renato Corino label.  Stefano also makes his own wine from very elegant Roncaglie cru on the north side of La Morra approaching Verduno. While Renato Corino was one of main players in the modernist movement of Barolo in the 1980's, the lines these days are being blurred and there is an evolving conversation around the style of one of Italy's greatest wines.  Stefano gives us a glimpse into the conversations and debates he has had with his father and how they think about the identity of the winery today. For reference, Renato Corino has vineyard holdings in Rocche dell'Annunziata, Arborina, Pozzo, and of course Roncaglie. Links: Renato Corino's Website Renato Corino's Importer for US Pre-order Jessica's forthcoming book on Italian Wine: Italianality  

On today's show, we have a live recording with Jessica and Chris Brundrett at the Texas Hill Country Wine Symposium.  Chris is the owner, founder, and winemaker of William Chris Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country and is an amazing advocate for Texas grown wine.  Jessica and Chris talk about the state of the industry and delve into the successes, challenges, and seeds planted during Chris long tenure in the TX industry.  Chris is finely in tune with what it takes to establish a world class winery and has insights to scaling operation with every thought given to giving his guests and fans their 'Best Day Ever.' For more information: More on the Texas Hill Country Winery Association More on William Chris Vineyards  

On our first episode of 2026, Jessica sits down with Chris Kajani, President and Head Winemaker of Bouchaine Vineyards in Carneros California.  They have an in-depth discussion of all things growing high quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Napa Valley's coolest and most southerly growing region.  Chris took over production at Bouchaine in 2015 and quickly made her mark by implementing a variety of progressive techniques in both the vineyard and the winery.  She deeply understands the terroir and is an amazing advocate for the wines of Carneros and Bouchaine.   More about Chris Kajani here Bouchaine's official website More about Carneros from the Napa Valley Vintners Association  

Join Jessica and Mark as they put a close to 2025 and welcome 2026 with an in depth discussion on Madeira, the island and its wines.  Mark has been passionate about Madeira for over a decade, partially because it is under-appreciated and is often mistakenly lumped in with Port.  They delve into all things Madeira:  the dynamic of grower and producer, terroir of the island as well as of the cellar, the different production techniques, age indications, sweetness levels, and the cutting edge trends that we'll see in the coming years.   The official Madeira Website: https://vinhomadeira.com/

On today's show, Mark and Jessica kick off by talking about 9 books that Jessica reviewed for her annual wine books of the year for Forbes.  They then talk more generally on gift giving for the wine lover with tidbits that will come in handy any time of the year.  They also dig into the Benvenuto Brunello event that Jessica attended in Montalcino, Italy, along with a discussion on of methodology in rating vintages for Brunello. Links: Jessica's article in Forbes: 9 Essential 2025 Wine And Spirits Reads For The Curious Drinker Jessica's article on Benvenuto Brunello in Forbes Jessica's article in Guildsomm:  From Stars to Words: How Brunello FORMA Is Redefining Vintage Evaluations

Charles Lazzara is the owner and founder of Volio Imports, an import company focused on but not exclusive to Italian wine.  Jessica and Charles chat about the early days of Volio and how it started as a wholesaler of wine in Colorado.  Eventually, the sale of the wholesale business led to a full focus on the import portfolio and all the particularities of that side of the business.  Charles brings true entrepreneurial acumen to the business and to all of his interactions in market.  Selling wine isn't just about the quality in the glass these days, it's about compelling stories and how producers can further connect with the consuming public.  Lots of great selling tidbits in this episode. Links: Volio Imports Websites here

On today's show, Jessica gets together a group of wine and beverage journalists for a roundtable discussion on the state of the wine industry.  Each journalist has an interesting and well-researched perspective on various angles of the industry that they have been reporting on throughout the year.  From declining wine sales, producers recalibrating business models, innovative ways brands have connected with consumers, eco-labeling, tariffs, and what to look for in 2026, this episode has it all. Our panel and the relevant articles they have written on the state of the industry: Shana Clarke (based in NYC): https://vinepair.com/articles/what-the-wine-industry-needs-right-now/ https://daily.sevenfifty.com/insights-from-our-2025-beverage-industry-career-and-salary-report/ https://substack.com/@shanaspeakswine   Kate Dingwall (based in Toronto): https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/california-wine-production-plummets/ https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/trump-tariff-price-impacts/   Kathleen Willcox (based in New York) https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/how-to-win-wine-sales-in-a-losing-market/ https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/10/07/next-gen-wine-win-over-the-modern-consumer-through-influence-identity-and-occasion/ https://kathleenwillcox.substack.com/   Jessica Dupuy (based in Texas) https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicadupuy/2025/01/22/wine-tariffs-a-complicated-problem-with-uncertain-outcomes/#:~:text=ByJessica%20Dupuy%2C,Contributor.&text=As%20the%20current%20term%20of,during%20President%20Trump's%20previous%20administration.    https://jessicadupuy.substack.com/  

On today's show, Mark and Jessica kick off the holiday season and head out to the Texas Hill Country to check out an over-performing winery, Elisa Christopher.  They sit down with the owner/ winemaker, Elisa Jones, who is quickly making a name for herself in the Texas industry as a leader for quality sparkling wine both under her own label as well as a custom disgorging facility for other wineries.  They chat about Elisa's previous career in intelligence with the Department of Defense as well as all the challenges of setting up a dedicated in-house disgorging facility and growing Texas grapes for sparkling wine production.  Mark and Jessica are excited to continue to follow the evolution of Elisa Christopher wines and the overall sparkling segment of Texas wines. Check out Elisa Christopher Website Here Check out the Another Bottle Down Episode on the Texas Vintners Cup here.