Read Between the Wines Podcast

There are fewer than 280 Master Sommeliers in the world. New Zealand has exactly one. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland sits down with Cameron Douglas MS — the only Master Sommelier in New Zealand, and one of the most respected voices in hospitality education across the Asia-Pacific region. This is not a conversation about wine lists. It's a conversation about how we percei...

They were driving into San Francisco when they heard it on the radio: Nelson Mandela was about to be released. They turned the car around and went back to South Africa. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland returns to South Africa for the first time in nearly four years to sit down with Kathy and Gary Jordan of Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch — an economist and a geologist w...

She was recovering from severe COVID. She needed something to keep her mind working. She made a puzzle. That puzzle is now sold in over 40 countries. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland sits down with Sanna Yamit Viitaoja-Malmberg, sommelier and co-founder of Water & Wines — the wine-themed puzzle company that went from a kitchen table idea to a global brand in a matter of we...

Some sparkling wine producers release their wine after eighteen months. Ambriel waits six years. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland sits down with Wendy Outhwaite, co-founder of Ambriel — an English sparkling wine producer in West Sussex built around a single, unfashionable idea: patience. Their wines don't leave the estate until they're ready. Not market-ready. Actually rea...

Tuscany's largest organic winery isn't run by a corporation. It's run by a family in its tenth generation — and their most important business principle has no KPI attached to it. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland sits down with Santiago Marone Cinzano of Col d'Orcia in Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy — a winery that has been farming the Val d'Orcia since the fifteenth century an...

For Episode 66, Read Between the Wines ventures to New Zealand, uncovering the story of Dog Point Vineyard in Marlborough with General Manager Matt Sutherland. As the son of the winery's founders, Margaret and Ivan Sutherland, Matt grew up immersed in the family business before carving his own path in wine management and sales across New Zealand, Australia, and London. Returning home, Matt brought...

For Episode 65 of Read Between the Wines, we dive into the heart of Ontario's Niagara Escarpment to explore Flat Rock Cellars, a winery celebrated for its unique terroir, sustainable practices, and boundary-pushing winemaking. Joining us is Ed Madronich, Flat Rock's passionate and visionary President, who shares the story behind the winery's name—born from the limestone rocks unearthed during vine...

For Episode 64, we turn our attention to the critical but often overlooked topic of wine storage. Host Pierre Ferland is joined by Marshall Tilden III, head of  Wine Enthusiast 's wine storage division, for an enlightening discussion on how proper storage can preserve and enhance the wine experience. Drawing on decades of expertise, Marshall shares invaluable insights into the factors that influen...

For Episode 63 of Read Between the Wines, we journey to the heart of Sonoma County, California, to meet Mark Beaman, head winemaker at Kenwood Vineyards . Known for its heritage and deep connection to the land, Kenwood is celebrated for crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of Sonoma, including its exclusive use of fruit from the iconic Jack London Ranch. In this episode, Mark delves into...

For Episode 62, we're heading to England to explore the country's booming wine industry. Our guests are Kirsty Goring, co-owner and Brand Director, along with the brilliant winemaker Marcus Rayner-Ward, from Wiston Estate in Sussex, England. Owned by Kirsty and her husband, Rick Goring, Wiston Estate is more than just a winery—it's a fully functioning farm, home to a restaurant called Chalk, and e...

For Episode 61, we bring you a special conversation with Estelle Burgan from La Cave Garibaldi. Estelle and her husband Eric run a unique boutique in France that specializes in promoting and selling Italian wines, but their passion doesn't stop there. They also curate bespoke wine tours in Italy, guiding travellers through the country's hidden gems and lesser-known regions. This isn't your typical...

To launch Season 7 of Read Between the Wines , Episode 60 features an exceptional conversation with the distinguished Michel Gassier – owner, winemaker, and vintner of Domaine Gassier and Château de Nages in the Rhône Valley, France. Gassier, whose family has been producing wine for generations, is renowned for crafting classic Rhône wines with remarkable minerality, depth, and balance. With distr...

For Episode 59, we have the distinct honor of featuring one of the biggest names in the winemaking industry. We are privileged to interview Sandro Bottega, a name synonymous with excellence and innovation in viticulture. As the visionary leader of the Bottega SPA empire, Sandro has not only elevated the art of winemaking but has also set a global standard with his Prosecco. His products, celebrate...

For Episode 58, we explore one of Niagara's most iconic wineries, The Foreign Affair Winery , with their accomplished winemaker, René Van Ede. Since joining in 2020, René has been steering the winery's evolution beyond its renowned Italian-inspired appassimento wines, expanding the portfolio to include exciting new offerings like sparkling wines and Pinot Grigio. Owned by Corby Spirit & Wine , par...

For Episode 57, we offer an interview with Nadia and Ilya Senchuk, the visionary founders of Leaning Post Winery in Canada's Niagara region. Established in 2009 as a virtual label, Leaning Post quickly evolved into a celebrated winery uniquely positioned between Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment. Known for their infectious enthusiasm and deep commitment to their terroir, Nadia and Ilya share...

For Episode 56, we explore the wine industry from a unique perspective, focusing on entrepreneurship rather than winemaking. We are honored to welcome Moshé Weizman, the co-founder and CEO of WineIng, a groundbreaking start-up based in Tel-Aviv. WineIng is a digital platform that uses smart flash group buying, acting as a Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) enabler, empowering merchants and buyers to sell an...

For Episode 55, we deviate from our usual path, and for the first time on Read Between the Wines podcast, wine won't be the main topic. Our guest is a highly acclaimed media personality, particularly in the United States. He is the Chief Climate Correspondent for the news channel CNN: Bill Weir has covered numerous major events including the war in Afghanistan, was the first American to broadcast...

For Episode 54, we take you on an immersive journey to Sicily, Italy, to explore the excellence of the 2024 Wine Family of the Year, Planeta . Recently honored with this prestigious title at the Meininger Awards in Düsseldorf, Planeta stands as a beacon of Sicilian viticulture.  We are privileged to have Alessio Planeta, CEO of Planeta Winery, share the rich legacy and innovative spirit that has p...

For Episode 53, we explore the picturesque Beamsville Bench in Canada's Niagara region with Harald Thiel, founder and owner of Hidden Bench Estate Winery . Known for its premium wines crafted from organic estate-grown fruit, Hidden Bench focuses on cool climate varietals, especially Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Harald Thiel's journey from a successful business career to becoming a vintner is deeply...

For episode 52, we are heading to Bordeaux in France with a fantastic vintner from Saint-Émilion: Laurent David. Laurent is the co-owner and founder of Château Edmus . Coming from the tech world, Laurent is some sort of disruptor in the wine industry with innovative ideas and most importantly world-class wine. See by yourself how Laurent David makes wine cool again. For more information about our...

In episode 51, we are joined by André Mack, a renowned sommelier with an impressive background, having worked at prestigious establishments such as The French Laundry in California and Per Se in New York City. Now a successful entrepreneur and restaurateur in New York, Mack has made a name for himself as a wine influencer, educator, author, and winemaker based in Oregon. This episode offers a fasc...

In Episode 51, we journey to the sun-soaked south of France, specifically to the Roussillon region, nestled in the southwest corner of the country between the Spanish border and the Mediterranean Sea. Our esteemed guest is Jean-Marc Lafage of Domaine Lafage , one of the region's most influential producers. Domaine Lafage's wines are a global force, gracing tables in over 60 countries. The Roussill...

For Episode 49, we welcome back Simon J. Woolf, the acclaimed author behind the bestsellers Amber Revolution for which we discussed during Episode 27 . Simon's latest book, Foot Trodden takes us deep into the heart of Portuguese winemaking, a region often overshadowed but rich with untold stories and profound traditions. This episode isn't just for those seeking a guide to Portuguese wines; it's a...

For Episode 48 of Read Between the Wines, we are delighted to welcome back Canadian wine legend Donald Ziraldo, a figure often referred to as the "godfather" of Canadian wine. With a history as rich as the vineyards he's cultivated, Donald takes us on a journey through his latest venture—crafting Prosecco in the heart of Italy's Prosecco region, Friuli Venezia Giulia.  In this episode, Donald shar...

Some winemakers make wine. Xavier Vignon thinks about what wine actually is — and the answer might surprise you. In this episode of Read Between the Wines, Pierre Ferland sits down with Xavier Vignon — consultant, blender, pioneer, and one of the most unconventional minds in the Southern Rhône, France. Originally from Picardy, trained in Champagne and Bordeaux, seasoned in Australia, and ultimatel...