Wine's biggest con, Rudy Kurniawan, is back, unless his Facebook page is yet another counterfeit. Have we got a humdinger of a show for you this week! Today, we’re going to revisit the wine story that dominated headlines less than a decade ago until a sentence to federal prison stifled the story, and the only thing left to say was that  “there’s nothing left to say.” After several years of incarceration and radio silence, the wine world’s biggest con appears to have resurfaced....

September is a month bathed in golden sunlight and awash with the lush colors of California's vineyards. It's a time of celebration, and what better way to honor the occasion than by diving headfirst into California Wine Month? Host David Wilson, the voice of Grape Encounters Radio, Is pleased to welcome special guest, Jeanne Sullivan, the head of PR for the California Wine Institute.  Jeanne is your perfect guide on this exhilarating journey through the heart of California's wine country. ...

You are cordially invited to join us on a profound oenological journey as Grape Encounters Radio presents an encore episode that delves into the captivating realm of ancient grape varietals. Leading this very special exploration of wine history is the erudite and wildly charismatic Wes Hagen, Brand Ambassador of Native9 Wines, an illustrious name in the annals of West Coast winemaking. Within the world of viticulture, there exists an intriguing narrative: the tenacity and resilience of...

This week, Grape Encounters presents a “Down-Understanding of Australian Wines” like never before! Now, in our 15th year in the world of broadcasting, we continue to bring you stories, people, and adventures that revolve around one common theme – wine. But today, we're setting our sights on a world of wine that doesn’t get nearly the attention it richly deserves. Today, we’re taking a deep dive into Australian wine.  Figuratively, that is.  And we have a true superstar to guide...

It’s here... my hour-long kitchen table conversation with #1 best-selling author Natalie MacLean--arguably America's finest wine and food author--is just a click away. Natalie’s new release, Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much, is well-positioned to become an iconic-essential read as demand for her memoir continues to grow exponentially, but to appreciate her sincerity and courage fully you’ll definitely want to hear the story behind the...

Is the relationship between wine price and quality equitable?  Welcome to another off-the-beaten-path episode from the Grape Encounters Radio Studios! Each week, we strive to present engaging and enlightening content from a fresh and unique perspective that you likely won’t find anywhere else. Every episode of Grape Encounters focuses on the adventures, unique personalities, and latest news that make the world of wine interesting and fun. Grape Encounters is a place to learn, laugh and unwind...

It has become an undeniable fact that Palm Springs is now one of the most essential destinations in the world for pleasure-seekers in search of world-class lifestyle experiences, especially when it comes to food and wine. Though this world-renowned desert oasis is still a relatively small city, it enjoys tremendous name recognition and is home to some of the most inspired chefs in the world, gracing the kitchens of an impressive list of extraordinary restaurants.  In fact, there are probably...

Welcome to another edition of Grape Encounters as we focus some well-deserved attention on thew London food scene.  As always, we're here to share the intriguing adventures, unique personalities, and latest news in the world of wine with host, David Wilson, as your guide. This week's focus is on a city that is often overlooked but deserves recognition for its culinary excellence: London. This magnificent city is a melting pot of ethnic cuisines and an outstanding wine scene as well. From...

Ah, behold what the El Niño tides have brought in! A reunion, a dozen years in the making, is upon us. This week on Grape Encounters Radio, host David Wilson extends a warm welcome to former colleague and friend Patrick Evans. It feels like only yesterday that these two broadcasting veterans were enlightening and entertaining their respective audiences in the Coachella Valley. Though technically on opposing teams, their shared love for all things gourmet created an undeniable bond. In...

Gather ‘round wine enthusiasts, adventurous gastronomes, and curious wanderers for this week's edition of Grape Encounters Radio. For 15 years, we've been your trusted companion on a never-ending journey off the beaten path into uncharted regions of the world of wine. As America’s leading nationally syndicated wine radio broadcast and podcast, our specialty of the house is serving up a truly unique blend of stories, insights, and adventures, all revolving around one unifying element -...

In this week's episode of Grape Encounters, we grapple with a universal truth that applies as much to our favorite wines as it does to our personal relationships. It's a truth we've all experienced at some point: the things we love can change, sometimes leaving us wondering, "What in the world happened? Everything was just so perfect!" For many of us, there's that one wine, that perfect blend or varietal, that we've adored for years. We've bought it by the case, savored it on special...

Welcome to a star-spangled edition of Grape Encounters Radio. Today we’re going to take you on a rollicking romp through vineyards that our founding fathers would definitely approve of. Each week, Grape Encounters pops the cork on the most intriguing stories, fascinating folks, and tasty tidbits that make the world of wine a non-stop adventure. It's all about learning with laughter and letting loose with fellow wine enthusiasts. THIS WEEK'S 4TH OF JULY SPECIAL In this week's special...

In this week's edition of Grape Encounters, we're going to prove to you that dreams can come true.  Moreover, there is likely to be literally tens of thousands of listeners who can take advantage of what we are sharing this week, but didn't realize how attainable this opportunity actually is. For 15 years, we've been your trusted guide into fascinating stories, unique places, and enlightening insights, all brought together by one unifying element - wine. Our journey almost always strays from...

Step into a world where wine is not just a beverage but a catalyst for adventure and camaraderie. Welcome to the latest edition of Grape Encounters Radio – the show that takes you on a journey beyond the vineyard, where wine serves as a passport to unforgettable encounters. In this week's episode, your host, David Wilson, lifts the curtain on a project he's been nurturing parallel to the growth of Grape Encounters itself. It's an upcoming book titled "Getting Wine Right," a contrarian...

Tied for most-listened-to show so far in 2023, this episode featuring Vintage Wine Estates' Jessica Kogan is an eye opener for anyone who is finding the wine-buying experience much improved these days!  This episode of Grape Encounters features someone to whom we all ought to send a thank you note for being an important part of these very positive and long overdue changes.” David is referring to one of the most influential forces quietly but significantly reimagining the wine consumer...

This week and next, we are presenting encores of this year's two most listened-to episodes.  If you missed out, you'll definitely want to give a listen... especially if you're an animal lover!  Every guest you hear on Grape Encounters Radio brings something unique to the conversation. From humor to insight to education, each contributor to the show brings their own special something to the little corner of the world that we call Grape Encounters Radio. Most parents will generally try to avoid...

Taste buds everywhere rejoice! Grape Encounters Radio is back with an unforgettable final installment of our special series featuring Rome’s most revered family of gastronomical businesses, Roscioli. In this episode, part owner and manager Lindsay Gabbard takes us behind the scenes of each of their businesses devoted to flavors and encounters that are nothing short of extraordinary. We will get up close and personal with the products they produce day in and day out, from delicious coffees to...

Are you ready for an experience that will take your taste buds to an alternate reality? Then its time for Roscioli – the beloved Rome-based family of food and wine businesses that has been mesmerizing the most discerning foodies from around the world with their signature dishes and meticulously curated wines, craft beers, and cocktails, plus other-worldly bread and baked goods for more than four generations. Today, Grape Encounters Radio is privileged to continue exploring this remarkable...

The 1979 film Breaking Away chronicles the story of an Indiana teenager’s obsession with bicycling and determination to someday compete in the iconic Italian bicycle races alongside Italian cycling greats. His passion for cycling swiftly morphs into an obsession with all things Italian when the Italian racing teams come to the Hoosier State to train. In the movie Under the Tuscan Sun, the lead character Frances, played by Diane Lane, reluctantly accepts a friend’s all-expenses-paid tour...

California's Down to Earth Month has arrived! The annual month-long celebration, in its 12th year, highlights the Golden State wine community’s commitment to sustainable viticulture and winemaking through environmental stewardship, social equity and community engagement. Joining David on this episode of Grape Encounters Radio is the undisputed Queen of Wine Public Relations, Jeanne Sullivan, our show's #1 resource for great guests and endless wine information. California, as the world’s...

We're not sure how Popeye or Olive Oil got their names, but one thing is for certain, the relationship between wine and olive oil is mighty similar to the relationship between the two lead characters, and one of history's most popular cartoons. They are inseparable most of the time, but they're also fiercely competitive with one another. They couldn't be more different, but life is definitely better when they're sitting side-by-side! If you don't get the metaphor, there's a good chance you...

It seems like no conversation about wine is complete unless there is some discussion about pairing wine with food. If you're a longtime Grape Encounters listener, you know that we pair wine with a lot more than food. From the very beginning, we've been telling you about off-the-wall pairings like wine and music and how certain music can actually improve your perception of the some wines by more than 50%. Another thing that we've been doing for most of the 15 years that we've been on the air...

Episode 708 of Grape Encounters Radio will surely charm and inspire you as we finally facilitate the long-overdue introduction of Gil Gagnon and Wes Hagen, two vastly different men united by an insatiable passion: winemaking. Join us for an hour-long journey that will both thrill you and warm your heart as we follow their story from opposite sides of the proverbial fence to a place where one's dream comes true and another's passion takes flight. On one side, there's Disney veteran Gil...

Things have been going swimmingly for David Wilson lately, ever since he moved to the medieval village of Atri in Italy's Abruzzo region-a somewhat obscure and substantial section of Mideastern Italy where American consumers are concerned. It was an unexpected and daring decision that meant living off the beaten path, distanced from many of Italy's more renowned regions, like Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. It was, however, an opportunity to observe and participate in a regional culture that...

Today, we proudly present what may well be the most off-color episode of Grape Encounters ever; and to help us accomplish that feat is one of the most respected authors in the world of unusual wines. We’re eager to introduce him, but first, a confession. All right, we might as well just admit it. We have definitely been negligent when it comes to spending an appropriate amount of time talking about Amber/Orange wines on Grape Encounters Radio. Maybe it’s because in recent years, our host...