What is a private label, exactly? Think Costco’s Kirkland; Trader Joe’s Charles Shaw, or Two-Buck Chuck; or Target’s California Roots. Sometimes these private labels are easy to pick out, while other times they hide in plain sight.

In this episode, Alison Crowe, vice president of winemaking for Plata Wine Partners, a leading private-label producer in the heart of California, gives us the inside scoop on everything from grape sourcing to wine production, marketing, branding and the pros and cons of the category. 

Explore more from Plata Wine Partners here.

Is there a guest you want us to interview? A topic you want us to cover? We want to hear from you! Email us at podcast@wineenthusiast.net. Remember to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

20 years after the release of the award-winning book, Sideaways, author Rex Pickett reflects on its film adaptation and poignant statement against Merlot producers.

Like Miles Raymond, the main character in the book and film, Pickett was an unpublished author living in L.A. and a devoted disciple of Pinot (which he spent hours talking about with Richard Sanford). Listen as he shares how the success of Sideways launched an unexpected journey into the wine world and the creation of a beloved cinema classic.

And before you ask: No Merlot was consumed in the making of this episode.

Shop Pickett's new release, Sideways: New Zealand, and the complete Sideways collection here.

Is there a guest you want us to interview? A topic you want us to cover? We want to hear from you! Email us at podcast@wineenthusiast.net. Remember to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Armenia is considered one of the birthplaces of winemaking, with archaeological evidence dating back at least 7,000 years. Tragically, the country’s wine culture was decimated under Soviet rule. Things finally started changing about a dozen years ago: Today, more than 200 wineries are operating in the country, and their bottles can now be found in markets and restaurants around the United States and Europe. 

In this episode, Writer-at-Large Matt Kettmann speaks with two leaders of the Armenian wine renaissance, father-daughter duo Vahe and Aimee Keushgerian. In 2021, the pair also made the first commercial wine from grapes grown in Iran in more than 40 years. 

Is there a guest you want us to interview? A topic you want us to cover? We want to hear from you! Email us at podcast@wineenthusiast.net. Remember to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

On the surface, winemakers appear to lead a glamorous, jet-setting life of international travel, fancy wine dinners and a never-ending supply of enviable bottles. But what is it really like to work in wine?

Wine Enthusiast Writer-at-Large Christina Pickard speaks to three well-respected winemakers from Australia and New Zealand on their entry into the industry. Hear from Paul Pujol, whose early experiences include a too-close-for-comfort experience with toxic chemicals; Jenny Dobson, who punched through the glass ceiling to produce her own wine label; and Helen Masters, who improbably scored a gig at a lauded winery, where years later she became the head winemaker.

Is there a guest you want us to interview? A topic you want us to cover? We want to hear from you! Email us at podcast@wineenthusiast.net. Remember to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

What drinks trends will reign supreme in 2024? To know our future, we must know our past. Wine Enthusiast’s Tasting Director, Anna-Christina Cabrales chats with our spirits reviewer and writer-at-large Kara Newman about the important things like: Will the espresso martini fall out of fashion? Will canned wine continue its reign? Find out where they land with year's predictions after a candid round of "Love Its" and "Hate Its" of 2023. 

Some of the longest-living people in the world drink upwards of two glasses of wine daily, according to Dan Buettner's research for the best-selling Blue Zones books and program, which are also the basis of a Netflix documentary, ' Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones.'

As some of us cut back on our alcohol consumption during 'Dry January,' Wine Enthusiast producer Sam Sette talks to Buettner about whether temporary abstinence is the answer to long-term health. Listen to find out how Buettner’s findings from the Blue Zones can shape a more informed approach to drinking in the new year.

Despite early naysayers who suggested she develop a different kind of sparkling wine, the award-winning actress, writer–and now Viarae Prosecco creator–Issa Rae believes in the drink’s power of authenticity.

In this episode, she talks to @Jacy Topps about why she prefers Prosecco over Champagne, whom she’d most like to share a glass with, and what it’s like to break into the wine industry. 

Cara Morrison of Sonoma-Cutrer shares what she wishes more people knew about the disputable grape and how her team continues to craft a wine for the ages.

Writer at large, Christina Pickard sat down with Maureen Downey, to discuss the latest on one of the largest wine fraud cases in modern history. In 2013, Rudy Kurniawan was sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling millions of dollars in fake rare vintages.

For the full back story, check out Wine Enthusiast’s true crime podcast, Vinfamous.

Future 40 Tastemaker Marie Cheslik shares how education and community can help overcome barriers and get more people comfortable around wine.

Future 40 Tastemaker Martha Cisneros Paja, founder of the Latinas Wine Club, shares how education and empowerment can open doors to a more inclusive wine industry.

The the first in our 3-part series highlighting some of this year’s Future 40 Tastemakers,we sit down with Alice Achayo, who founded The Wine Linguist, a consulting company created to educate wine professionals and drinkers to broaden how they think and talk about wine.

The story of climate change is not just one of elevated temperatures. Smoke taint, droughts, frost, flooding, hailstorms and excessive rainfall all are impacting the vineyards. And the impact of wine production is becoming more obvious. So, just how is it affecting wine production? 

This week, Editor Jacy Topps sat down with Steve Peck to discuss. Peck is the VP of winemaking at J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines in Paso Robles, California, in which he oversees the full portfolio. 

Orange wine is still a bit of an enigma, despite the style being centuries-old. So, Wine Enthusiast editor, Jacy Topps sat down with Doreen Winkler to discuss all things orange wine. Doreen Winkler is a sommelier, orange wine expert and the founder of Orange Glou, the only brick and mortar wine retail shop in the world solely dedicated to the category.

This week we’re highlighting the amazing world of Portuguese wine. Author and Wine Enthusiast’s Spanish wine reviewer, Mike DeSimone sat down with John Sumners to discuss one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. 

Sumners is a freelance wine writer and California and Portugal wine specialist based in Lisbon. He is also the author of There’s More Than Port In Portugal: The Unpretentious Guide to Portuguese Wine.

In this episode, Jacy Topps sits down with Laura Silverman and Emily Heintz to discuss the NA culture in the beverage space. Laura is the founder of Zero Proof Nation, a platform highlighting non-alcoholic beverages and the culture driving their growth. And Emily is the founder of Sèchey, a retail bottle shop in Charleston, specializing in no-low-alcohol beverages.

Fourth-generation winemaker Jake Bilbro discusses the benefits of his new sustainable wine brand, Revelshine and how it's shaking up the canned- wine category. 

Peter Mondavi Jr, third-generation co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery and Jeremy Carter, winemaker and founding partner of Tarpon Cellars sit down to dicuss what the future may hold for the iconic region. 

Award-winning author Jon Bonné discusses his newly released book The New French Wine and what’s changing throughout one of the oldest wine producing regions in the world.

Writer at large and spirit’s reviewer, Kara Newman chats with Ali Bolourchi to discuss the rise of caviar throughout the U.S. Ali Bolourchi is the owner of Tsar Nicoulai, a sturgeon ranch in Wilton California, right outside of Sacramento. Sacramento County produces most of the caviar made in the United States.

The 80s was an important decade for wine in the U.S. It was also an important time for Wine Enthusiast Companies because the magazine was launched in the decade.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the magazine, not only did the print team create an amazing May issue, which is out now, managing print editor John Capone sat down with, chairman and cofounder of Wine Enthusiast Companies, Adam Strum to discuss the transformative decade.

What is rosé? Where did it come from? How is it produced, and why is the trendy category not dying down? I sat down with Katherine Cole to discuss the diverse category.

Cole is a wine writer, executive producer and host of the James Beard award-winning podcast, The Four Top and author of the book Rosé All Day: The Essential Guide to Your New Favorite Wine