Italian Wine Podcast

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2457 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Alberto Rivera IWA interviews Stefano Campaniello of Morra Gabriele winery in Piemonte. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives:  How Stefano’s international sommelier background shaped his path as a winemaker while honoring Langhe traditions. How he introduces lesser-known Langhe grapes to customers beyond Nebbiolo. How his passion drives a fresh, contemporary style at Morra Gabriele winery and its future projects. More about our Co-host:  Alberto Rivera IWA majored in International Relations and worked as a diplomat in Tokyo, as well as under a United Nations mandate to promote the Sustainable Development Goals within Chihuahua’s regional policies. After the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, he decided to take his passion for wine tasting to a professional level. He completed the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines and followe

Welcome to Episode 2456 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian. Today’s question comes from Valeria Bianchin. Today’s question(s):   

Welcome to episode 2455 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 207 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Orazio Rillo of the Fontanavecchia winery from Benevento in the Campania region of Southern Italy.   More about today’s guest: The Fontanavecchia winery is located in the town of Torrecuso, in the Campania region of Italy, at the foot of Mount Taburno in the Sannio Beneventano area. The historic wine cellars of Fontanavecchia were founded by the Rillo in the 19th century and later restored and enlarged. Today it is one of the outstanding wine-producing facilities of the Campania region. The Fontanavecchia vineyards extend over an area of 18 hectares in the homonymous district of Torrecuso in the province of Beneventano. The winery is managed by Libero Rillo, with additional experience provided by his father Orazio and his brother Giuseppe. Connect: Website: https://www.fontanavecchia.info/en  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fontanavecchia/    More about the host: Mar

Welcome to Episode 2454 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews the leading winery brand strategist Barbara Gorder to discuss smart marketing strategies for wineries. Key Takeaways: Cracking the US marketing code: what domestic and international wineries need to know Managing marketing budgets and investments effectively Practical, real-world insights and tips for wineries More about the guest:  Barbara Gorder is the President of Undisclosed Location, a national consulting firm. She helps her clients build successful business strategies and creative marketing plans by building bespoke, experienced teams from around the US for clients. After completing her undergraduate studies at Northwestern University and earning her master’s degree at Cambridge University, Barbara began her career in Chicago at Leo Burnett and DDB, creating fully integrated advertising campaigns for General Mills, Maybelline, Hallmark, General Motors, P&G, and Reebok. She has won many awa

Welcome to the Next Generation and Episode 2453 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In today’s show, Giulia Stocchetti interviews Giorgia Calì from Poggio Gavi in Piemonte.   More about today’s guest:  Giorgia Calì is the manager of Il Poggio di Gavi, her family’s winery in the hills of Gavi. She studied languages and tourism and in recent years she specialized in marketing and communication. Thanks to several experiences abroad, Giorgia has developed a fresh and open perspective, which she brings into her everyday life with enthusiasm. Today she runs the winery together with her mother, combining tradition with new ideas. She takes care of hospitality, communication, and marketing, as well as sales and exports. Il Poggio di Gavi is a winery and hospitality business located in the Piedmont region of Italy, near the Ligurian border. Founded in 1919 as a hunting reserve and established as a winery by Francesca Poggio in 2003, it produces wines from the native Cortese grape, as well as Timorasso, and is known for i

Welcome to Episode 2452 of the Italian Wine Podcast in which Jessica Dupuy interviews the leading wine retailer, educator and writer, Christy Frank at TEXSOM 2025 for a deep dive into the world of wine retail. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the second year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promoting the vibrant culture of Texas wine. Learn more about Christy and her TEXSOM 2024 panel here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/

Welcome to Episode 2451 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian. Today’s question comes from Júlio César Kunz. Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2450 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Roza Zharmukhambetova IWA interviews Hannes Pichler of Contrada Palui in Valpolicella. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives:   Discover the personal story and values that inspired Hannes to create Contrada Palui from scratch in the Valpolicella hills. Understand Contrada Palui’s terroir-driven, organic approach and how it shapes the character of their Valpolicella and Amarone wines. Gain insights into how the winery is evolving, and how it fits into the broader conversation about sustainability, identity, and innovation in Italian wine. More about our Co-host:  Roza Zharmukhambetova has a background in foreign languages and education. She discovered her passion for wine in Beijing, where she gained two years of experience in wine sales. Since returning to Kazakhstan, she has focused on studying Italian wine and

Welcome to episode 2449 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 206 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Antonio Capaldo from Feudi di San Gregorio winery located in Irpinia in the Campania region.   More about today’s guest: Since 2009, Antonio Capaldo has been the Chairman and CEO of Feudi di San Gregorio, largest family-owned winery in Southern Italy. Before, Antonio was a Partner in Mckinsey (2004-2009) and an Associate in the Investment Banking Department at Lazard in Paris (1999-2003). In 2003-2004, Antonio completed a PhD program on finance and management (University of Rome & London School of Economics) Feudi di San Gregorio is a renowned Italian winery, founded in 1986, a flagship of the wine renaissance in Southern Italy's Campania region. The winery, located in Irpinia, is known for producing high-quality wines from indigenous varieties like Aglianico, Greco, and Fiano, and is notable for its modern, design-focused architecture, commitment to sustainability, and status

Welcome to Episode 2448 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews wine educator and content creator Pilar Brito. You can access Pilar’s previous interview with McKenna Cassidy on the Italian Wine Podcast here:  https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-2312-mckenna-cassidy-interviews-pilar-brito-next-generation/.  Key Takeaways: Building authentic online communities that foster real-life connections Understanding what the next generation seeks in wine experiences and events How Italian wineries can better resonate with younger audiences More about the guest:  Pilar Brito is a wine and social media personality who has quickly built a following of 140K followers across Instagram and YouTube. Pilar has a degree in law but decided to pivot to the wine industry, driven by her passion for wine and education. She is known for her accessible yet aspirational approach to wine education, wine collecting, and her wine and cooking videos. Her platform features a div

Welcome to Episode 2447 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this special TEXSOM 2025 episode, Stevie Kim sits down with Jessica Dupuy, host of this series. They discuss TEXSOM’s role as one of the leading conferences for beverage professionals in the US, along with Jessica’s unique perspective on the connections between wine, people, and place. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the second year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promotin

Welcome to Episode 2446 of the Italian Wine Podcast in which Jessica Dupuy interviews Jonathan Ross MS of LEGEND Imports at TEXSOM 2025. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the second year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promoting the vibrant culture of Texas wine. On the Bookshelf: How to Drink Australian by Jonathan Ross and Jane Lopes More about today’s guest: Jonathan Ross has worked across all sectors of the wine and hos

Welcome to Episode 2445 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza. This is a special episode with Professor Attilio Scienza and Stevie Kim, as they pay tribute to Ampelio Bucci, the founding visionary behind Villa Bucci and instrumental in elevating the Verdicchio grape to world-class status. This episode is in Italian.   More about Ampelio Bucci: Ampelio Bucci is widely regarded as the founding father of Verdicchio, the man who transformed it from a simple regional white wine into one of Italy’s most respected and age-worthy expressions. After a successful career in Milan’s fashion industry, he returned to his family estate in the Marche during the late 1970s and early 1980s with a vision to prove that Verdicchio could rival the world’s great wines. In 1983, he began bottling under the Villa Bucci name, working with old vines rooted in limestone soils and reviving traditional methods such as fermenting and aging in large, seasoned oak barrels. His patience, insistence on late bottli

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2444 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Valentina Severinova IWA interviews Vittorio Garda of Sorpasso and Cantina della Serra Wineries in Piemonte. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives:   Understand the terroir differences between the wines of Carema and Alto Piemonte. Explore the distinctions between Nebbiolo from Carema and Nebbiolo from Canavese. Learn about the styles and characteristics of white wines made from Erbaluce. More about our Co-host:  Valentina Severinova is an Italian wine ambassador based in Moscow, Russia.  Working as a sales manager of industrial packaging, 5 years ago Valentina decided to dive into wine. She has her own wine import startup project, wine tasting club and teaches Italian wine at sommelier school, works as a buyer for distributors and helps them with portfolios. She is also a wine journalist and blogger, promotin

Welcome to Voices and Episode 2443 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin interviews Maria Boumpa, Wine Director and Restaurant Manager at the 2 Michelin-starred Da Terra Restaurant in London. More about the guest: Maria Boumpa is an accomplished and dynamic F&B professional specializing in wine and spirits, with over 12 years of hospitality experience across the UK, Greece, and Denmark, including roles in luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. She currently serves as Wine Director and Restaurant Manager at the two Michelin-starred Da Terra Restaurant in London. Maria is pursuing the WSET Diploma in Wines and has already achieved the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Certificate with top honours, aiming to become a Master Sommelier.  In 2024, she placed third in the UK Sommelier of the Year competition by IWSC, was runner-up in the UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge, won the Innovation Award for pioneering low and non-alcoholic drinks, ranked 21st among UK sommeliers, and wa

Welcome to episode 2442 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 205 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Giovanni Russo, the owner of Cantina del Vesuvio and a representative of Consorzio Tutela Vini Vesuvio.   More about today’s guest: Giovanni Russo is a third-generation winemaker from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy. As the owner of Cantina del Vesuvio, he continues his family’s legacy of producing organic Lacryma Christi DOC wines, extra virgin olive oil, and artisanal vinegar. Deeply passionate about enotourism, Giovanni organizes immersive vineyard experiences and guided tastings that highlight the cultural and natural richness of the Vesuvian territory. He also serves as the enotourism representative for the Vesuvio Wine Consortium, promoting sustainable wine tourism throughout the region. Cantina del Vesuvio is located in the open countryside on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius. Situated in the village of Trecase, the winery is only a few kilometers from the arch

Welcome to Episode 2441 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Sarah Heller MW, a US-based Master of Wine and one of the leading experts on Italian wines. As a Vinitaly International Academy Faculty Member, Sarah shares her insights into the world of wine education and the VIA certification. Key Takeaways: Sarah’s personal approach to wine education and her distinctive teaching style. How to prepare for the VIA Italian Wine Ambassador certification? Why the VIA qualification and its global network are valuable for wine professionals. Learn more about the VIA Italian Wine Ambassador Course: https://www.vinitaly.com/en/academy/vinitaly-international-academy/ More about the guest:  Sarah Heller MW is a U.S.-based Master of Wine and a leading voice in Italian wine on the global stage. She has been a faculty member of the Vinitaly International Academy since 2018, after being part of the first group of VIA Ambassadors to pass its inaugural edition in 2015. She

Welcome to Episode 2440 of the Italian Wine Podcast in which Jessica Dupuy interviews Tim Gaiser MS at TEXSOM 2025. Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promoting the vibrant culture of Texas wine. On the Bookshelf: The books discussed in today’s show include:  Message in a Bottle: A Guide to Tasting Wine Strong Water  Tim has written a blog article about his conversation with Jessica which includes a list of his favorite Italian wines and spirits: ⁠https://timgaiser.com/blog/all-italian/⁠.  More about today’s guest: Tim Gaiser is

Welcome to Episode 2439 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way! These episodes are generally in Italian. Today’s question comes from Júlio César Kunz. Today’s question(s): 

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2438 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Scott Thomas IWE interviews Lorenza Sebasti of Castello di Ama winery in Tuscany.  These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives:   Explore the history, philosophy, and evolution of Castello di Ama, and understand its role as a benchmark estate in Chianti Classico. Examine how Sangiovese and other native/traditional varieties contribute to the estate’s distinctive wine style. Understand how contemporary art, sustainability, and hospitality are integrated into the estate’s identity, shaping a holistic visitor experience. More about our Co-host:  Scott Thomas is a seasoned educator, sommelier, wine judge, and writer with over two decades of experience in fine dining, distribution, and wine education. He is the co-founder of Grappolo Food & Wine School in Denver, offering immersive travel, public and private events, and