the Pavle Milić show

Rancho Castillo Winery | Brett Wagner | Arizona Wine | Sonoita-Elgin AVA Brett Wagner didn't arrive in the Sonoita-Elgin wine region by accident. He's been drawn to the high grasslands of southern Arizona since childhood, and after a decade in law enforcement, four years making wine at Flying Leap Winery, stints with James Callahan at Deep Sky and Autumn Sage, and a winemaking role at Tw...

About four years ago, I wrote a blog post about Kent Callaghan—Arizona wine pioneer, longtime winemaker, and one of the people who helped shape the conversation around what wine from this place could become. Re-reading it now, the piece still feels completely evergreen. I wanted to share it with you because Charleen and I are doing a winemaker dinner with Kent this coming Wednesday, and it seemed...

El reconocido enólogo Raj Parr se une a nosotros en Wine World para compartir su extraordinario recorrido desde las vibrantes calles de Calcuta hasta los viñedos de California. Con el sueño de convertirse en chef, Raj se topó con el mundo del vino casi por casualidad, iniciando así un camino que redefiniría la enología estadounidense. Al recordar sus colaboraciones con figuras influyentes de la in...

Wine World is back on Congress in downtown Tucson after a sabbatical to open the Los Milics restaurant and tasting room. This return episode stays local—because Ursa is next door at 110 E. Congress. Pavle sits down with Chef Aaron to unpack the genesis story behind Ursa and the path that shaped it. Aaron grew up in Calexico, a small California–Mexico border town where culture, family, and hard rea...

Renowned winemaker Raj Parr joins us on Wine World to share his extraordinary journey from the vibrant streets of Calcutta to the vineyards of California. With dreams of becoming a chef, Raj stumbled upon the world of wine, setting him on a path that would redefine American winemaking. As he recounts his collaborations with industry giants like Larry Stone and Michael Mina, Raj unveils how his ear...

Award-winning winemaker Corey Turnbull shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Sedona to becoming a celebrated figure in the Arizona wine landscape. With his first taste of Cristal in a Styrofoam cup as a young man, Corey's path was set toward crafting exceptional wines like the renowned Grenache Noir at Rubrix and Page Springs Cellars. His story is as colorful as the labels o...

Join me as I engage in an illuminating conversation with Marc Hochar at the iconic Chateau Musar in Lebanon. We unravel the rich tapestry of the Hochar family's legacy and their remarkable influence on the world of winemaking, tracing back through millennia to the Phoenician pioneers. Discover the pivotal moment when Gaston Hochar left a medical career in France to embrace the fertile Bekaa V...

Unlock the secrets to transforming a dream into reality as we explore the incredible story of Todd and Michelle Myers and their successful vineyard venture. Hear firsthand from Michelle about how a simple conversation with winemaker Kent Callaghan inspired them to cultivate their passion for wine into a thriving vineyard on the Willcox bench. Discover why they chose Willcox over other potential si...

We’re thrilled to have Andrew Wright, the brilliant head winemaker at Jessup Cellars, share his fascinating journey from the vineyards of Arizona to the wine scene of Napa. His story is not just about making wine; it’s about embracing his roots and blending innovation with tradition, inspired by mentors like Michel Rolland and Bob Levy. Our conversation also captures the essence of wine exploratio...

Renowned vineyard consultant Fritz Westover takes us on an enlightening journey through the art and science of viticulture. His expertise in vineyard health, irrigation management, and pruning practices reveals the delicate balance between nature and nurture in producing exceptional wines. We explore his personal story and the remarkable pathway that led him to become a cornerstone of success for...

Picture this: a bustling restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, where a chance encounter sets the stage for a journey into the world of winemaking. From co-owning a restaurant to founding Los Milics Vineyards in Southern Arizona, I share my story of transformation and the serendipitous beginnings that launched a career fueled by passion and dedication. Guided by mentors like Todd Bostock and inspired...

In this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Greg Gonnerman, the visionary behind Laramita Cellars. Join us as Greg shares his inspiring transition from a home winemaker to a prominent figure in Arizona's burgeoning wine industry. Discover how his passion for viticulture and innovative techniques, such as force-cropping, have enabled him to successfully produce Pinot Noir in the c...

Michael Pierce, a luminary in the Arizona wine scene, unveils his remarkable journey from graphic designer to influential winemaker and educator at the Southwest Wine Center.  Join us as Michael recounts his professional evolution, from his early studies in wine to his pivotal role at Arizona Stronghold. He offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricacies of the Arizona wine market, the challenge...

Bill Shufelt, co-founder and CEO of Athletic Brewing Company, joins us for a refreshing conversation that takes a fascinating look at the burgeoning world of non-alcoholic beverages. Bill’s journey from a career on Wall Street to pioneering the non-alcoholic beer industry is nothing short of inspiring. We explore the shifting cultural dynamics that have propelled these beverages into the spotlight...

Curious about the unlikely rise of Arizona as a notable wine region? Our latest episode promises to explore this captivating transformation with insights from Richard Ruelas, the Arizona Republic journalist who went from crime reporting to passionately covering the state's wine scene. Join us as we recount my bold decision to spotlight Arizona wines at my restaurant, a choice that defied indu...

Ever wondered how a childhood steeped in culture and fine dining shapes a career in the wine industry? Join us as we sit down with Lucy Simon, assistant wine editor at Food & Wine Magazine, who shares her incredible journey from a culturally rich upbringing in New York City to becoming a pivotal voice in food media. Inspired by her grandfather, a legend in bringing prestigious French wines to...

Can technology transform traditional winemaking practices? Join us as we sit down with Ashley Leonard, the visionary CEO and founder behind Innovint, to uncover her incredible journey from vineyard & winemaking management to leading a tech company in the wine industry. You'll gain insights into how Ashley's passion for the technical aspects of winemaking, cultivated during her format...

Unlock the secrets behind the art and science of winemaking with our special guest, Sean Adamowicz from the Boswell Company. With a rich background in environmental chemistry and a passion for wine nurtured in southern France, Sean takes us on an enlightening journey through the essential role of oak barrels in aging wine. Learn about the diverse coopers Sean represents, and gain a deep understand...

How did a dairy farm kid from Santa Rosa end up in the grapevine nursery business? Meet Sam Caselli, whose journey took him from transporting seafood to high-end restaurants and navigating long-haul trucking to becoming a pivotal figure at NovaVines. Over his impressive 24-year tenure, Sam has mastered the art of grapevine propagation, transitioning from logistics to sales and production, and now...

What if your vineyard could thrive without a single drop of irrigation? In this episode, we’re joined by Denny Hubbell of Ranchers Well Services as we explore the critical role of water in viticulture, focusing on the idea between irrigating and dry farming. Learn the parameters needed for successful dry farming and the complexities of drilling wells, from site selection and drilling depths to ass...

How does a love for motorcycles and racing cars transform into a passion for natural wine? Join us as we uncover the captivating journey of Timo, a unique individual with a multicultural background spanning from France to Sedona, Arizona. Timo's story begins with an unexpected shift during his college years, thanks in part to a mentor named Richard. From studying languages to passing the Cour...

David Anderson is a name easily recognized by those of us in the hospitality world in the state of Arizona. He is also a bit of a polymath: talented welder, pilot, and photographer. He owns Roastery of Cave Creek aka, ROC2, where he's been roasting an average of 10,000 lbs a week since 1997. His coffees are served in top restaurants in the valley like Pizzeria Bianco, Tratto, Matt's Big...

Formerly a professional volleyball player in Spain turned corporate pencil pusher who after a bout of shingles coupled with a desire to be active vs nailed to a desk, decided it was time for a major shift in her life.   And here is where Brooke entered the AZ wine Conversation.   After graduating from the Southwest wine center at Yavapai College in Clarkdale, with a degree on viticulture and enolo...

I am very excited about today's guest on the pod. I have known Donald Hawk for over thirteen years as a colleague in the restaurant industry. He is the chef at Valentine in Phoenix, a modern day diner that showcases the southwest through the lens of regional ingredients and his unique take on them. In 2022 Donald was recognized by the James Beard Foundation as a semi-finalist in the "Eme...

For those of you who know me well, it’s no secret how much I cherish and fondly remember the years I worked in the Napa Valley: a place that not only solidified my growing interest in wine, but a place that thought me so much about hospitality and what it means to serve others. Which is why I’m so happy to be interviewing Mr. Michael Silacci. This is the gentleman who oversees the winemaking and v...