Episodes
A Hidden Vineyard in the Heart of Paris: the Clos Montmartre Explore Clos Montmartre, one of Paris’s best-kept secrets—a working vineyard tucked away in the charming streets of Montmartre. On this exclusive tour, Laurence Debart-Johner takes you through a place rarely open to the public. Learn how this vineyard survived urban development due to the work of a cartoonist, Francisco Poulbot.  Clos Montmartre continues to this day, making wine with grape varieties you won’t find anywhere...
Published 10/15/24
Explore the historic Domaine Long-Depaquit in Chablis, France, a renowned estate producing some of the finest Chablis wines. Join me on a tour of the stunning property, and traditional cellars where this legendary wine is crafted. 2024 Along the way, we’ll uncover what makes this region's Chardonnay so distinctive, and discover why Chablis wines are celebrated around the world.  Conclude with Austin Beeman's tasting notes for some of the 2020 Chablis from Domaine Long Depaquit Whether...
Published 09/06/24
Join Austin Beeman as he tastes rich Rhone and Spanish style of Caelesta Vineyard with family winemaker Brian Farrell Jr.  We'll visit the Celeste vineyard located perfectly in the Templeton Gap AVA near Paso Robles, California. Then we'll head to the tasting patio as Brian tastes Austin through a lineup of the wines, talking about their production and inspiration. Finally, Brian Farrell takes us into the cellar to investigate barrel samples of upcoming small production wines and we'll...
Published 08/28/24
Join Austin Beeman as he explores the iconic R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia winery in Haro, Rioja, Spain. https://www.lopezdeheredia.com/indexgb.html  THIS IS A SPECIAL SECRET EPISODE OF UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN http://www.austinbeeman.com/podcast  Established in 1877, this winery is one of Spain's oldest and most revered, known for its commitment to traditional winemaking techniques. Wander through its stunning underground cellars, some reaching depths of 15 meters, where...
Published 08/27/24
Join Gretchen Voelcker, the owner and winemaker of Luna Hart Wines, as she takes us on a tour of Hendricks Vineyard in Ballard Canyon - a key source of grapes for her small-production, minimal intervention wines. https://lunahartwines.com  Learn about Gretchen's passion project, Luna Hart, which she started in 2014 with a focus on unique varietals like Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, Cinsault, Counoise, and Syrah. Hear how her background, from growing up on a farm to studying business...
Published 05/29/24
Join Gretchen Voelcker, the winemaker at Piazza Family Wines, as she takes us on a tour of their stunning estate vineyard in Ballard Canyon. Learn about the region's distinctive limestone soils, coastal fog patterns, and sun and wind exposure that contribute to the exceptional quality of their handcrafted, minimal-intervention wines. http://www.piazzafamilywines.com  Gretchen shares insights into their organic farming practices, native fermentations, and focus on age-worthy wines. Hear...
Published 05/22/24
Join Sunny Doench Stricker, the passionate owner and winemaker of Future Perfect Wines, as she takes us on an intimate tour through her thoughtfully crafted wine portfolio. Discover the unique terroir of Santa Barbara County and how it inspires Sunny's winemaking approach, focused on Old World-style balance and drinkability. https://futureperfectwine.com   From the crisp, tropical-tinged Sauvignon Blanc to the captivating dry Riesling, Sunny showcases her skill in coaxing vibrant acidity...
Published 05/15/24
In this episode of "Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman," Austin is at Tank Garage Winery's brand-new filling station in Paso Robles, California, tasting a lineup of unique wines with general manager Ed Feuchuk. From their bold blends to innovative rosés and pét-nat sparklers, Tank Garage Winery embraces an unconventional winemaking style. Their tasting room, a blend of retro and modern, captures the spirit of California's wine culture, perfectly pairing with their rebellious, experimental...
Published 05/09/24
Join Austin Beeman as he visits Tin City in Paso Robles, California, to meet with David McGee, owner and winemaker of Monochrome Wines. David shares his passion for crafting distinctive white wine blends that showcase the diverse terroir of the region. https://monochromewines.com  Discover the story behind Monochrome Wines and David's unconventional path to winemaking. With a background in aerospace, medical fields, and consulting, David brings a fresh perspective and innovative approach to...
Published 05/06/24
Join wine enthusiast Austin Beeman as he introduces you to PasoSecco, the first and only Charmat-style sparkling wine made exclusively with grapes from Paso Robles, California.  In this video, Austin talks with PasoSecco's founder and vintner, Chris Kern, to discuss the unique process behind this refreshing and delicious sparkling wine. https://pasosecco.com  Learn about the Charmat method, a tank fermentation style primarily used in Italy to make Prosecco, and how it differs from the...
Published 05/02/24
Welcome to the 100th episode of "Understanding Wine with Austin Beeman"! In this special episode, I'm diving deep into the heart of Portugal's wine culture at WOW Porto (World of Wine), a cultural complex that's a paradise for wine lovers and a treasure trove of Portuguese heritage. 🌍🍇 Why Portugal is a Must-Visit for Wine Enthusiasts: Portugal is not just a hotspot for tourists and digital nomads; it's a pivotal player in the global wine scene. I'll share why Portugal's wine diversity is...
Published 04/10/24
🍇 Embark on a Wine Adventure with José Sá at WOW Porto's Wine School 🍷  An exclusive interview with José Sà, the visionary director of The Wine School at WOW (World of Wine) in Porto. Immerse yourself in a world where old Port storage houses have been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub. At the heart of WOW, José shares his philosophy that understanding wine is primarily about knowing your personal taste. The Wine School serves as a unique bridge between the wine industry and...
Published 04/05/24
Welcome to my travel and wine channel! In this short yet captivating video, we embark on a visual journey to explore the stunning blue azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles) of Pinhão Train Station, nestled in the heart of Portugal's Douro Valley.  🔹 About the Pinhão Train Station:  Pinhão is a key town in the Douro wine region, famous for its breathtaking landscapes and rich wine heritage. The train station, a pivotal landmark, stands as a tribute to the area's cultural and historical...
Published 01/24/24
A tour of Graham's Port Lodge.  A tour guide explains the aging process and different types of port wines at Graham's cellar.  The guide mentions that the cellar has seven million liters of port aging, with the oldest wine dating back to 1882. He also discusses the different styles of port, such as Ruby and Tawny, and how they are aged differently to achieve specific flavors and characteristics.  The guide explains the process of bottling vintage ports and the significance of certain years,...
Published 01/15/24
A conversation between David Guimaraens and Austin Beeman about Fonseca Bin 27, a young and fruity port wine.  Guimaraens describes the wine as full-bodied and rich, with a concentration of black currant fruit. He explains that the grapes used to make the port come from the Douro Valley, which has a hot mountain climate that contributes to the intensity of the fruit. The wine has plenty of tannins, making it a good pairing with chocolate desserts.  Beeman comments on the aroma of cherries...
Published 01/08/24
David Guimaraens, the 6th generation winemaker, discusses his pride in a vintage port made by his father, the Fonseca 1985.  He emphasizes the pleasure of drinking a mature vintage port and the complexity it offers. Guimaraens also mentions the cult following of the Fonseca 1985 and its ability to age well. He and Austin Beeman, the interviewer, discuss the personal and historical significance of tasting and experiencing wines from different years.  Guimaraens reflects on his own career...
Published 01/02/24
David Guimaraens, a sixth-generation winemaker at Fonseca, discusses the history and winemaking process of the renowned vintage port house. https://www.fonseca.pt/en  He explains that Fonseca is located in Vila Nova de Gaia, separate from the vineyards in the Douro region where the grapes are grown. Guimaraens describes how his ancestors built relationships with local farmers and brought the port down from the Douro Valley to Vila Nova de Gaia for aging and blending. He also discusses the...
Published 12/26/23
Rita Marta, a member of the Martha family (https://marthasgroup.com), gives a tour of their old cellars in the Douro Valley. The walls of the main house date back to 1727, although they have been reconstructed over time. The family has been in the grape-growing business since then, but only started making wine in the early 19th century. They initially sold their grapes and later began selling their own bottled wine in 1970. The family primarily focuses on producing Tawny ports, which are...
Published 12/20/23
Visit the Nacional Vineyard of Quinta do Noval with Austin Beeman in Portugal.   The Nacional vineyard at Quinta do Noval in Portugal is considered one of the most important vineyards in the world. It survived phylloxera which devastated European vineyards in the late 1800s. The plot is the only survivor of the disease in the Douro Valley, and the reason for its resistance is still unknown.  The vineyard is home to a traditional field blend of Portuguese grape varieties, including Touriga...
Published 12/11/23
Visit Quinta do Bomfim (Dow's Port) in Pinhão, Portugal with Austin Beeman.  This guided tour of the winery discusses the history of the winery, the nature of the Douro Valley, the process of Port Wine production, and the barrel aging that creates the diversity in port styles.  Shot on location at Quita do Bomfim in November 2023.   You'll learn about Vintage Port, Single Quinta Vintage Port, Late Bottle Vintage Port, Colheita Single Harvest Tawny Port, and Tawny Port with an Indication of...
Published 12/07/23
COMING SOON TO UNDERSTANDING WINE WITH AUSTIN BEEMAN I recently spent two weeks in Portugal traveling and visiting wineries.  Videos from this adventure are coming over the next few weeks. Featuring: Fonseca Quinta do Noval Graham's Martha's Ports Quinta do Bomfim The Wine Experience at WOW Porto The Wine School at WOW Porto Work With Austin Send Me an Email FOLLOW MY WINE ADVENTURE Website:
Published 11/30/23
Turns out that the wine here is really cheap.  Coimbra, Portugal.  November 6, 2023   ***   FOLLOW AUSTIN BEEMAN'S WINE ADVENTURE Website: http://www.austinbeeman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinbeeman/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@austincbeeman  WORK WITH AUSTIN: http://www.austinbeeman.com/about-me or [email protected]  
Published 11/08/23
As Karoline Walch and I walked the vineyards, the important concept of sustainability came up. “My family has been here for five generations and I hope the vineyards go on for the next five generations in the same family hands. So it's obvious that what we do today is really also about thinking of the next generation. What we take out today is something we really have to give back also.” - Karoline Walch of Elena Walch See Elena Walch: the History in the Cellars for an overview of the...
Published 04/28/23
Kastelaz has the prestigious additional denomination of VIGNA. It is an additional mention of a smaller geographical origin and designs the smallest historical / geographical unit of a vineyard. Every single Vigna must be officially admitted and registered within the regional government. It expresses the ultimate thought of terroir philosophy with the idea of a parcel wine from an exact plot and hence having a historical or traditional name. —Elena Walch Our next video takes place in one...
Published 04/22/23