The Grape Nation Heritage Radio Network
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- Arts
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The world of wine doesn't have to be intimidating. Wine-afficionado Sam Benrubi invites you on a weekly wine journey with The Grape Nation. No snobbery here, just a palatable trip through the world's vineyards, their keepers, journalists, authors, importers and more. Try some great wine with Sam and his guests and get tips for enjoying the best wines from the weekly "Wine List" and "Wine Sip." The Grape Nation...We Bring Wine to the People.
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Luis Seabra
Growing up in Angola, Luis Seabra returned to Portugal in the 1970’s. He studied viticulture at Vila Real and his obsession with terroir led him to work in soil research in Vinho Verde. He launched a revolutionary still wine program while working at Nierpoort, eventually starting his own small winery in 2013, Luis Seabra Vinhos. To Luis, it is all about making wines he enjoys drinking: elegant, fresh, terroir-driven wines that are also age-worthy. Luis Seabra is the most exciting winemaker in Portugal today.
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Chris Carpenter
How the hell does a guy who was a Big Ten defensive lineman, still plays the trombone, loves jazz, got an MBA in Business at Univ. of Chicago, another one at U Cal Davis in Viticulture and Enology, and sometimes bartends during the week…make some of the best wines in the world? That’s Chris Carpenter and he’ll tell us. He is The Drinks Business Master Winemaker of the Year for 2024. He has been working with Jackson Family Wines for decades as the winemaker for Cardinale, Lokoya, La Jota, and Mt. Brave in Napa and Hickinbotham in Australia. Chris is in that rare air of high altitude and highly regarded wines.
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Stephen Bitterolf, Vom Boden
Stephen Bitterolf has been on the New York wine scene for decades, morphing from retail to importer. He is the founder of Vom Boden, a wine import company representing and supporting small growers and really, what they do. Stephen has been instrumental in finding and bringing the best growers to the market, specializing in Germany. Think, Keller, Stein, Becker, along with the upcoming and avant-garde, that’s Vom Boden! He is the creator of Rieslingfeir and just wrote his first book, “Vom Boden: Ten Years of Hocks and Moselles”. A personal and informative journey.
Purchase book here: https://www.vomboden.com/vom-boden-ten-years-of-hocks-moselles/ -
Mathieu Roland-Billecart
Born in Champagne, Mathieu Roland-Billecart is the 7th Generation CEO of one of Champagnes longest standing family-owned estates. After 15 years working in finance in London, Mathieu came home to the family business in 2018, also the bicentennial year of Billecart-Salmon. He continues to further tradition and innovation at this legendary Champagne house, also loved by critics and Somms. Mathieu leads the charge in philanthropy and sustainability with an eye towards people and the environment.
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Grant Reynolds
Hailing from Lake Placid, NY, Grant Reynolds realized it was easier to pursue a career in wine than ski-jumping. After college in Boulder, he wound up in the greatest wine incubator at Bobby Stuckey’ Frasca. He went on to work in Burgundy, Piedmont, and Noma, before settling in NYC to open Charlie Bird as wine director and partner, later opening Parcelle Wine. Grant, is a true entrepreneur and believer of wine and e-commerce. He recently opened a new restaurant near Parcelle called Tolo. Besides being an awarded Sommelier, Grant recently published his second book, “'The Wine List'”, Stories and Tasting Notes Behind the World’s Most Remarkable Bottles”.
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Deirdre Heekin
Born in Indiana, summers and college in Vermont, dancing their way into each-others hearts, Dierdre met her Husband Caleb Barber at Middlebury. Both loved food, influenced by Italy, opened an Italian restaurant, grew their own produce, then eventually grapes, and practiced farm to table before it was a thing. Loyal to the terroir and indigenous fruits, Deirdre went on to make alpine wines in the mountains and lakes of the great state of Vermont.
Her first vintage was in 2010, her innovation, commitment, influence and mentorship has not only put Vermont wine on the map, but how we think about wine, sparklers, and cider.
Customer Reviews
Host interrupts too much
Meh
Host Etiquette
Great audio, great guests, but the host cannot stop interrupting his guests. Seems like he knows his stuff, but it also seems like he’s more interested in proving that, than allowing his guests to answer the question.
Host
I read the bad reviews specifically about the host. I listened and concur with the bad reviews about the host do doesn’t listen.