Renegade - A Blackthorn Podcast

Blackthorn After Dark is our favorite place to unwind and share stories while sipping wine. We unravel mysteries and explore a variety of subjects we pull out of the shadows.  Allie shares a true story about an ancient treasure and the men whose obsession lasted their lifetimes. Tonight, we explore the Dead Sea Scrolls, and one particular scroll sparked a decades-long treasure hunt Curl up with a...

Some sparkling wines feel like a celebration. This one feels like a secret. Victorine de Chastenay’s Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé is a perfect example of Burgundy’s quiet brilliance—delicate, refined, and far more elegant than its price suggests. It’s the kind of bottle you open when you want bubbles that feel thoughtful rather than loud; joyful, but with a wink. A perfect addition to any holiday tab...

December at Blackthorn is all about two things we’re usually terrible at: slowing down and actually letting ourselves shine. This is the month where rest meets celebration, where quiet winter mornings sit right alongside the clink of something bubbly. It’s the season of looking back, taking stock, and letting the year settle before we step into the next one with intention. In Blackthorn fashion, w...

As we approach the holidays, we often have more gatherings than normal, but whether you are hosting Thanksgiving Dinner or just having a mixed group dinner party, it can be difficult to decide how to pick wines that you think your guests will enjoy. Especially if you aren’t sure what they will like.  We are here to help you choose wine for a crowd without losing your mind or budget. My first bit o...

We often look to the stars for inspiration, guidance, and the spectacular movements of the stars and planets. Space is often referred to as the final frontier, and man has been using space exploration to experiment with a variety of plants and animals.  As recently as 2021, a certain Bordeaux wine and its vines were sent up to space.  Julie brings you all the details on how wine and space intersec...

Allie went deep into the Blackthorn Cellar for one of our favorite finds. Crafted by husband and wife winemaking partners Peter Hunken and Amy Christine aren’t afraid to be out of step with fads in the wine business. They made a Pinot Noir that is delicious, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Their wine are proof that craft and care still matter.  Cozy up with your favorite Pinot Noir and...

This is the season of togetherness — of pulling another chair up, of pouring the good stuff even if the meal is humble. It’s about the generosity that comes from opening a bottle you love and saying, “Here, taste this.” For this Fall season, we are sharing a favorite sparkling red with you, Lambrusco. With wild and deep origins in Italy, this wine can be made from light, slightly sweet bubbly to s...

We couldn't think of a better way to close out spooky season than some wine-inspired ghost stories.  Julie gathered a few short stories of haunted wineries and tasting rooms, with opinionated ghosts that love a little wine in their glass.  Allie tells the tale of one of the oldest wineries in California with its haunted tunnels and houses. The winery is famous for its very active ghosts.  Get...

Let’s be real… sometimes life is less 'rosé all day' and more 'crying in the bathtub with leftover pad thai.' We all spiral. Whether it’s doomscrolling at midnight, rage cleaning your kitchen, or staring into space, wondering if time is even real, chaos happens. And around here, we don’t shy away from the shadowy moods — we pair them. So tonight, we’re talking about wines for w...

Found hundreds of years after it is theorized to have been made, the pieces of the Antikythera Device still baffle the experts. It is greatly debated about when the device was made, who made it, and what it was made to do.  Tonight, Allie takes us on a journey through the centuries of both wild and practical theories that have yet to result in an answer.  Get cozy and grab a glass of something new...

In the Fall, we descend into shorter days and the transition from light to dark. We are walking in the shadows, searching for something we can connect with.  The name Xinomavro itself is a conjunction of the Greek words for acid and black which is a fairly accurate description for this grape which characteristically has both high tannin and high acid. This is the grape that can produce a beautiful...

October is Libra giving way to Scorpio: balance slipping into intensity, charm into obsession, the mirror into the abyss. It’s the season of mystery, of hidden rooms, of long looks inward. We’re calling it The Shadow Cellar . So what does that mean in the glass? It means wines that feel a little uncanny, a little more textural, more emotional than intellectual. ​​It means wines that feel a little...

Short answer: No. We go over how people taste and how your personal taste is made up of a variety of factors. Wine is very subjective, and your taste is not the same as someone else's.  We drop some real-world knowledge and some facts that can help you trust your personal taste.  Grab a glass of something you are curious about and taste along with us. Cheers! Support the show CONNECT WITH US:...

Many people think the mystical powers of the full moon induce erratic behaviors, psychiatric hospital admissions, suicides, homicides, emergency room calls, traffic accidents, fights at professional hockey games, dog bites, and all manner of strange events.  The moon features prominently in Witchcraft, Astrology, Myths and Legends, and Biodynamic winemaking. We wanted to know if there is scientifi...

Gamay may not be the grape you run into every day at the wine shop, but it deserves a permanent spot on your radar. It’s versatile, food-friendly, and usually more affordable than its Pinot Noir cousin. And yet, it’s got this undeniable charm—that little “extra button unbuttoned” energy that makes you want to lean in closer. Sommeliers call it their “secret weapon,” partly because it plays so well...

Wine education doesn’t have to feel like cramming for an exam. In this week’s episode of Renegade: A Blackthorn Podcast , we’re throwing out the textbook, ditching the pop quizzes, and starting fresh. September’s theme, Back to Blackthorn, channels all the best parts of back-to-school energy — sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks, that feeling of new beginnings — but applies them to your wine life....

Tonight, Allie tells the story of the infamous Hellfire Club. It is a story full of lost secrets, hidden caves, and one man's stolen heart.  Join us as we sip an energetic and free-spirited wine to complement the lavish celebrations of the Hellfire Club.  Curl up in your favorite chair and grab a glass of something that makes you feel rebellious, and we will do the rest.   Support the show CO...

On this week's Nightcap, Blackthorn by the Glass pours something rare and radiant — the 2023 Bourgueil Rosé from Domaine Audebert et Fils in France’s Loire Valley. Crafted from 100% Cabernet Franc (the grape locals call “Breton”), this saignée-style rosé is bright with strawberry, blood orange, and a whisper of spice. We’ll wander through Bourgueil’s thousand-year wine history, explore why Ca...

Volcanic wines are wild, earthy, grounded, and intuitive. Allie found the perfect wine that embodies all of these characteristics.  Our interest was piqued by this 'Woman in Flight', Sul Volcano, deeply rooted in the volcanic soils of Sicily.  We then explore the characteristics of Volcanic soils and how they affect the depth and character of wine. These rich soils aren't just on is...

When you are looking for a wine that is thoughtful but easy-going, Zweigelt is the answer. Made to flourish in the harsh weather in Austria, wines from this red grape are like your chillest friend — happy to be invited, doesn’t need a fancy setup, and makes everything more fun without taking up too much space. If you have ever been curious about Austrian wines, or a looking for something new to ad...

Tonight, we sip on a cool red wine made in a unique way that unlocks flavors that are different from standard winemaking.  Carbonic red wines are different. They are fermented in a way that excites the palate, and can be paired with many foods. This is wine living on the edge that is so drinkable and fun, and it never takes itself too seriously.  Light a candle, get comfy, and cool down the summer...

Welcome back for our latest episode of Blackthorn After Dark. Please take this opportunity to sit and sip with us as we recount tales and weave stories.  Tonight, Julie talks about a name known throughout history, Nostradamus. He was a real man from history who has become a legend. He studied everything from alchemy to astrology and everything in between. His predictions are analyzed and studied b...

Tonight, our Nightcap is inspired by the internal heat of Carbinic Maceration. This unique process starts inside each berry and transforms into energetic and expressive wine.  Allie brings us one of our favorites, Love You Bunches, and wine that helped start the Carbonic revolution in Santa Barbara County and beyond.  Curl up on the couch with your favorite beverage and gather with us. Cheers! Sup...

When the world is heating up, there is no reason to leave red wine out of the equation. Renegade provides you with a premium example of an ancient grape steeped in Italian culture and quiet rebellion.  One woman in particular returned to her home in Sicily and reinvigorated not only Frappato but other noteworthy varieties. Where others saw Frappato as a blending grape, she was one of the first peo...

As we lift our faces to the sun to celebrate the Summer Solstice and make our way toward the dog days of summer we find ourselves thirsting for a cool elixir.  In this episode, Julie brings you a short list of her favorite wines to help beat the heat with a little hint of whimsy brought to you by ChatGPT.  If you don't hear your favorite wine on our list, join our substack https://joinblackth...