The Vine Guy

Robert Eden, co-owner of Chateau Maris located in the South of France, joins the podcast to talk about how he went from “cellar rat” to being at the forefront of organic and biodynamic farming at the vineyard. He shares how he brings new life to soil and answers the question, “is all wine vegan?”  Wines sampled:2018 Maris Zulu Red Blend2016 Robert Eden Signature Grenache Biodynamic This episode is...

Looking for a wine or two to complement your Thanksgiving feast this season? Elyse Genderson of Schneider’s of Capitol Hill shares which ones should be on your table and pair well with everything from the bird to dessert. Also, Elyse is the fourth generation in her family at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill following her father, grandfather, and great grandfather and is bringing a modern twist to the b...

Mollie Battenhouse, Master of Wine, explains how she goes “20 miles wide and 100 miles deep” when it comes to wine and shares what $5 bottle of wine was her “ah ha” moment when it came to pairing it with food. Wines sampled:2015 Stonestreet Upper Barn Vineyard Chardonnay from Sonoma, California2013 Cambria Estate Tepusquet Vineyard Syrah from Central Coast, California2009 Nigl Riesling Prevat from...

Peter Fraser is the winemaker at Australia’s Yangarra Estate Vineyard and has been in the role for nearly 20 years. In this episode, he discusses the vineyard’s sustainability efforts and how he’s working to showcase the character behind each wine’s flavor. Wines sampled:2017 Yangarra Roux Beaute Roussanne2016 Yangarra High Sands Grenache2017 Yangarra King’s Wood Shiraz2016 Yangarra Ironheart Shir...

Winn Roberton is head sommelier at Bourbon Steak located inside Four Season Hotel in D.C., and oversees the wine team there. The Rockville, Maryland, native built up his wine education in Las Vegas before returning to the D.C. area to work at Bourbon Steak. In this episode, he shares tips for aspiring sommeliers and some of the biggest trends to look for in the D.C. food and drink scene. Wines sam...

Michelle Komes-Dolge is based in D.C. and is part owner of Flora Springs Winery in Napa Valley, California. She worked at WTOP for 15 years, working her way up from assistant to editor to new director and has always had a soft spot for news in the D.C.-area. She chats about her family-owned winery and its mission to remember that farming is at the heart of the business. Wines sampled in this episo...

Kim Longbottom with Vintage Longbottom grew up in New Zealand and moved to Australia to make wine. She shares how the business has evolved and now is a joint venture with her daughter, Margo. Vintage Longbottom’s newest brand is working to appeal to newer, younger wine consumers and the older, more sophisticated wine drinks too.  Wines sampled in this episode: 2018 Vintage Longbottom “H” Sauvignon...

Rickey Trombetta, the CEO of Trombetta Family Wines in California, stops by to talk about her wines coming to the D.C. area and we sample a few you may want to try out. She got her start in home winemaking and talks about how her wine career has evolved into a family affair after her daughter, Erica, got into the business. Wines sampled in this episode: 2017 Trombetta Chardonnay, Indindoli Vineyar...

Johan Malan, the co-owner and winemaker for Simonsig winery, shares his family’s history of wine production in South Africa. He also talks about how farming impacts the wine and the importance of sustainability in the vineyard. We finish with several wines you should try to get that real South African flavor. Wines sampled in this episode: 2016 Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rose 2018 Simonsig Chenin...

The Vine Guy talks with Gus Kalaris who not only owns Constantine Wines, but also is a wine importer/distributor and producer of two big wine brands, Worthy and Axios, as well wines made at his own vineyard in Napa. This Greek/Italian American was born in D.C. and brings some of his heritage to his wines. Gus talks about his role in the wine world, one of his new wines combining old world and new...

Rachel Martin is a Virginia native and the owner of Oceano Wine s in California. Scott Greenberg talks with her about how she got her start in wines at Boxwood Wines in Middleburg, Virginia, why she’s focusing on chardonnay and pinot noir, and what it’s like to be a female owner of a winery. Wines sampled in this episode: 2016 Oceano Chardonnay, Spanish Springs Vineyards, San Luis Obispo County, C...

Former chef Erik Segelbaum was recently named 2019 Sommelier of the Year by Food and Wine Magazine. He shares what wines blow his mind, and the mistakes restaurants make when pairing food and wine. Also, what does it take to make the world’s wealthiest wine consumers happy? Erik has some experience with that as a sommelier on a luxury cruise for wine lovers. Wines sampled in this episode: 2016 Ste...

Scott Greenberg talks with Jim Clarke, a South African Wines Ambassador. Jim shares what makes South African wines special, how they taste different than other wines and which ones you should try. Wines sampled in this episode:2016 Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, South Africa2016 Hogan Chenin Blanc, Swartland, South Africa2016 Savage "White" Wine (by Duncan Savage), South Africa2017 Natte Valley Cinsault,...

Peter Mondavi, Jr., who owns Charles Krug Winery -- Napa Valley’s oldest winery and home to more than 500 acres of vineyard land -- talks with Scott Greenberg about how his family came to own the winery, where it’s headed in the future and how the winery gives back to the community. Wines sampled in this episode:2015 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA This episode is hosted by Scott...

Matt Crafton, a D.C.-area native, is the head winemaker at the esteemed Napa Valley estate Chateau Montelena Winery. He talks with Scott Greenberg about the road he’s traveled from studying economics at a prestigious university on the east coast to winemaking at one of the most famous wineries on the west coast. Matt also shares what changes are in the works at Chateau Montelena as well as what th...

Join the Vine Guy as he talks with Jim Schleckser, a sommelier who is working on a book about his experiences in the role. Jim stops by to share a few tips about what to know when you’re ordering wine at a restaurant, if corkage fees are worth it and what it takes to be a sommelier. They put each other to the test with a blind tasting – you’ll definitely want to hear how it turns out. Wines sample...

Famous wine importer and winery owner John Terlato talks with Scott Greenberg about what it takes to own a winery, why you may want to give Pinot Grigio a try and five factors that make a great wine of the world. Wines sampled on this episode:  2013 Gaja Barbaresco 2012 Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva This episode is hosted by Scott Greenberg and produced by Sarah Beth Hensley. Music for t...

Learn more about The Vine Guy, a WTOP News podcast hosted by wine expert Scott Greenberg that covers the wide world of wine. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .