Bordeaux–a wine region synonymous with elegance, heritage, and traditional fine wines. But what happens when a 19th-century Bordeaux château boldly embraces modernity? In this week’s episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Thibaut Richard, the Commercial Director of Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion.  Nestled within the city limits of Bordeaux, Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion offers a unique blend of urban accessibility and countryside charm. Today, Thibaut explains how château preserves...

Have you ever dreamed of starting a small wine production? Nerses and Carol Bezdjian did more than just dream–they took the leap. With Qini Wines, they blend Armenian heritage and an entrepreneurial spirit into every bottle. Nerses, with a background in wine logistics, made a fascinating detour to winemaking, driven by his desire to craft wines that tell a story. In this episode of Wine Talks, we dive into the joys and struggles of building a boutique wine brand–from hand-harvesting grapes...

What do today’s consumers really want in their glass? Are wine ratings the ultimate guide to wine enjoyment? In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Aymeric de Gironde, CEO, president, and winemaker at Château Troplong Mondot in Saint-Émilion, France. With a family legacy in the wine industry, Aymeric discusses the philosophy that guides his approach to winemaking: crafting wines that capture the essence of their terroir. He shares his insights into the modern wine consumer’s...

Wine isn't just a drink; it's a story, memory, and time capsule. In this episode of Wine Talks, we explore the world of authentic, handcrafted wines with Keith Saarloos of Saarloos and Sons. Keith’s vineyard journey began when his family transitioned from apple orchards to vineyards, fueled by resilience and a shared passion for creating unforgettable experiences.  With a rich family legacy and a commitment to quality, Keith reveals how each bottle captures specific moments and places,...

What does it take to protect a 200-year-old winemaking legacy? In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K speaks with Thomas Schlumberger about the historical and cultural legacy of Domaines Schlumberger, a renowned Alsatian winery. Thomas, the seventh generation to manage this family estate, reveals how his ancestors preserved these vineyards during wars and the challenges that came with it. As climate change presents new challenges and possibilities, Thomas also explains how his team adapts...

Innovation fuels success–even in the centuries-old wine industry. But what truly qualifies as an innovation in the wine trade? In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K dives into the transformative power of innovation across all sectors with Gerard Tellis, the Neely Chair of American Enterprise at USC. With over 35 years of expertise, Gerard shares invaluable insights from Tesla’s radical disruption of the automotive industry and incremental innovations shaping the wine trade. He highlights...

Imagine enjoying a glass of beautifully crafted premium wine... without the alcohol!  What if I told you that non-alcoholic wine could offer the same depth of flavor, elegance, and satisfaction as its traditional counterpart? In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Rachel Martin, founder of Oceano Wines, who’s making waves in the industry by producing high-quality, non-alcoholic wines. Rachel shares her experience from running her family’s Virginia vineyard to launching her own...

What happens when two Russian entrepreneurs decide to start a winery in Tuscany? You get a story as bold as the wine they’re producing! In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K chats with Luca Vitiello, marketing and sales director of Bertinga Winery, a revolutionary winery in the heart of Tuscany’s Chianti Classico region. Founded in 2015 by two Russian wine enthusiasts, Bertinga Winery is breaking tradition by focusing on single-vineyard Merlot–a rarity in the Sangiovese-dominated region. ...

How does a country with no native wine culture become a new destination for wine lovers? Panama is showing us exactly how. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by wine writer and historian Charlie Leary to discuss how Panama is quickly emerging as a wine destination despite its non-traditional wine-producing background. With a growing middle class and a thriving digital culture, the country’s wine scene is booming—driven by imports from Spain and South America. Today, Leary takes us through...

Have you ever dreamed of starting something big–like planting a vineyard–in a place where it seemed impossible? Then this episode is for you. In this week’s episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Stephanie Franklin, founder of Franklin Vines, who is building her first ever vineyard in the historic yet lesser-known town of Shankleville, Texas. Stephanie shares her inspiring journey of honoring her family’s legacy by creating a vineyard on her grandfather’s land, despite the harsh Texas...

Have you ever thought about what makes icewine so unique? You might be familiar with dessert wines, but icewine stands out on its own! In the latest episode of Wine Talks, Paul K chats with Randy Dufour from Arterra Corporation to break down the fascinating process behind this rare and extraordinary wine. Made from grapes that are naturally frozen on the vine and harvested at just the right moment, icewine is truly one of a kind! Randy covers everything you need to know about icewine–from...

What happens when a world-renowned luxury jewelry brand like Bulgari decides to create wine? Giovanni Bulgari, the great-great-grandson of the iconic jeweler, has poured his heart into a different kind of craftsmanship–wine. In this week’s episode, Paul K sits down with Francesco Poggi, export manager for Podernuovo, to explore the fascinating story of the Bulgari family and how Giovanni transitioned from luxury jewels to fine wine. Francesco gives us an insider’s view of how Giovanni...

Imagine a place where you can store your favorite bottles of wine, enjoy them with friends, and indulge in high-end dining–all in one location. Sounds too good to be true, right? In this week’s episode, Paul K chats with Damon Raque about his exciting new concept in Atlanta–-Bottle Bank.  Bottle Bank isn’t just wine storage; it’s a wine lover’s paradise! Whether you’re looking to enjoy your collection in a luxurious setting or explore new wines with like-minded enthusiasts, Bottle Bank has...

What makes South African wines stand out in the global wine industry? In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Jacques Viljoen, Cellar Master at Boschendal Wines, to uncover the secret behind South Africa’s great-tasting wines. With a unique balance of old-world tradition and new-world freedom, Jacques explains how South Africa’s winemakers are using diverse terroirs and cutting-edge winemaking techniques to produce wines that are both elegant and timeless. If you are curious...

Are we losing the authentic flavors of our food, or are they just being masked by modern food trends? In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Anthony Rahayel, founder of NoGarlicNoOnions–a YouTube sensation for food lovers worldwide. Today, Anthony shares his incredible journey from being a dentist to traveling the world in search of authentic food stories. With over 8,500 videos to his name, Anthony explains why he’s on a mission to preserve traditional Lebanese culinary...

Wine isn’t just a drink–-it’s an experience. So why limit wine education to a classroom? That’s exactly what today’s guest is here to explore. In this episode of Wine Talks, we’re joined by Christian Oggenfuss, CEO and co-founder of the Napa Valley Wine Academy. With a rich background in wine education, Christian shares how the wine academy was founded and its crucial role in shaping the wine industry. He discusses the significance of hands-on learning and understanding wine beyond...

What is it like for women to break into the male-dominated wine industry? For Tracey Mason, a trailblazer and Senior VP of Vintage Wine Estates, the journey has been anything but easy. Despite women being the majority of wine consumers, they still hold fewer key leadership roles in this industry compared to men.  Today, Tracey shares her experiences as a woman navigating this industry. She talks about the importance of authenticity in leadership and how she’s using her position to elevate...

Do you ever wonder what it feels like to sip a glass of wine surrounded by world-class art and stunning landscapes? At Donum Estate, wine tasting is a soul-awakening experience. In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Angelica Mabray, CEO of Donum Estate, a winery that seamlessly blends art, nature, and fine wine in Sonoma’s Carneros district.  Angelica reveals how Donum Estate is breaking away from traditional wine tastings by offering visitors an immersive experience with a...

Is the wine industry holding on too tightly to its traditional strategies? How ready are we for change? Today’s guest challenges us to rethink how we market and sell wine. Meet Priscilla Hennekam, a Brazilian wine expert now based in Australia. With a unique background that spans continents, Priscilla brings valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in exporting wine, particularly between Australia and Brazil. In this episode, Priscilla shares her experiences navigating the...

Is the wine industry falling behind with its marketing strategies? How can it attract younger wine drinkers? In this episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with marketing expert and founder of Bread & Butter Digital Marketing, Molly Bossardt. With her educational background in marketing and extensive experience, Molly explains how the wine industry is lagging in digital marketing and the importance of adapting to today’s modern marketing practices. This conversation also explores the...

What does it take to create a wine that not only tantalizes your taste buds but also carries a legacy of history, passion, and spirituality? Join us in this week’s episode of Wine Talks as Paul K sits down with the esteemed May-Éliane de Lencquesaing, one of Bordeaux’s most seasoned winemakers. Born into one of Bordeaux’s oldest wine families, May-Éliane, or Lady May as she’s fondly known, has seen it all–from the Great Depression to the German occupation during World War II. Today, Lady...

Have you ever tasted a wine so bad it inspired you to create something better? That’s exactly how Fly Wines was born. In this week’s episode of Wine Talks, Paul K sits down with Stephanie Franklin, CEO and founder of Fly Wines. With a background in tech and marketing, Stephanie left her corporate job to venture into the world of wine, bringing a fresh perspective to an age-old industry. Today, she shares the unique story behind Fly Wines, a wine company that combines the best of both...

Imagine creating a world-class wine from grapes no one’s heard of—a wine that carries the history of a place and the resilience of its people. That’s exactly what Jerry Eisterhold, founder of TerraVox Winery in Missouri, is doing. Today, Jerry joins Paul K to discuss the highs and lows of his experimental journey–from discovering North America’s forgotten native grape varieties to the painstaking process of turning them into award-winning, food-friendly fine wines. This conversation tackles...

Picture this: You've just uncorked a bottle of 1982 Château Lafite Rothschild, a wine you've dreamed of tasting for years. The anticipation builds as you pour the deep red liquid into your glass, swirl it gently, and take in the aroma. But something's off. The bouquet isn't quite right. The taste? Disappointing, to say the least. What if I told you that the $500 bottle you just opened might be a fake? In our latest episode of Wine Talks, we sit down with Maureen Downey, the world's leading...