The Grape Nation

Out of the gates of Louisville, Vanessa Price got her first taste of wine at a local winery. She made her way to New York to study acting, music and film, then ultimately to follow her passion for wine and hospitality. Vanessa worked at various restaurants, helped open a wine bar, and worked in wine import, sales, and education.She dedicated herself to becoming both a student and teacher of wine, receiving her diploma from the WSET. Vanessa Price wrote a column for NY Magazine, is the Creative Director and Founder of the Vinum Collective, is trying to open a restaurant in Montauk and just wrote a new book “Big Macs and Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World”Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joel Gott grew up around wine in California, he is a fifth-generation winemaker producing his wildly popular eponymous Joel Gott wines with from California, Oregon, and Washington with his wife Sarah. Joel, along with his brother Duncan also run Gott’s Roadside Stand, a legendary food stop in Northern California. Joel is a busy guy these days expanding his wine and restaurant holdings along with an eye towards giving a little back.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Quebecois David McMillan is considered one of the most innovative, successful and interesting restauranteurs in Canada. He along with his partner Fred Morin are Proprietors of multiple Montreal restaurants including Joe Beef and wine bar Le Vin Papillon. Legendary for his bigger than life eating and drinking, David now is more inward appreciating life with his daughters on his farm. David McMillan has been an early evangelist of natural wines…even though he spits now and has published two radical cook books.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New York City’s own Ariel Arce is the proprietor of Niche Niche, Airs Champagne Parlor, Tokyo Record Bar, and Special Club. Ariel is a thought leader, tastemaker, influencer and has been tagged as “The New Guard of New York Dining”. She has created a convivial, laid back and affordable neighborhood hang with a focus on wine, Champagne, education, music, and creative food. Ariel Arce has been referred to as the Champagne Queen or Empress and has a new book “Better with Bubbles”. We’ll talk about the new book and life during the pandemic.   Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You can’t talk about natural wine in the US without Zev Rovine being in the conversation. Waiter turned wine distributor, Zev starting importing wines back in 2008 from small estates that are terroir driven, practicing low intervention and organics. He is the proprietor of Zev Rovine Selections, importing wine from over a dozen countries and 140+ wineries. In light of the pandemic and racial inequality the industry continues to change, Zev has proposed a “Working Contract” or code of conduct to address sexism, racism, labor rights and the stewardship of land in the wine biz.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rupert Symington is a fourth-generation port maker from a family of British and Portuguese origin dating back to the late 1800’s. Rupert was educated in England and worked in finance there, making his way to San Francisco before returning to the family business in Porto and the Douro in Portugal. Rupert is the CEO of Symington Family Estates, overseeing four of the leading Port houses including Grahams and Dow along with 26 Quintas or vineyards also making non ports in the Douro and Alentejo. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bi-Coastal Patrick Cappiello has been in the wine biz for almost thirty years, and he ain’t an old guy! He has been an award-winning sommelier, restaurant owner, wine importer/distributor and now the owner/winemaker of his own wine label in Sonoma County, Monte Rio Cellars with partner Pax Mahle. Patrick crafts wine from grapes in the spirit of old California, a style lacking of oak and high alcohol with pure fruit and high acid. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Victoria James is an award-winning Sommelier and Beverage Director at Michelin starred Cote Korean Steakhouse in NYC. Victoria’s road to success was not an easy one as documented in her new memoir “Wine Girl” The Obstacles, Humiliations, and Triumphs of America’s Youngest Sommelier”. It is an intense story of a childhood plagued by poverty, neglect, and abuse, and ultimately her ascension into the wine world as a woman. Victoria’s life was shaped by guys like Antonio, Cisco, Frankie, Enzo and Reynard, and women that were Countess’s and Cotton Pickers.  Buckle up for a wild ride.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Delia Viader was born in Argentina and made education a priority. She spent her formative years in Europe bringing her PHD from the Sorbonne to the US to further pursue business and wine studies at MIT, Univ. of Calif. Berkley and Davis. Delia got into the wine business in Napa, Calif. In the early 1980’s and was one of the first women winemakers in the Valley. She is Proprietor of the now multi-generational Viader Vineyards and Winery on Howell Mtn. in the Napa Valley.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Houston born Zwann Grays headed north to work for People magazine in NYC and Miami eventually morphing to a career in wine getting her chops at the retail level and at a wine importer in New York.  She followed her love for wine into the restaurant biz and worked at Anfora, Bouley, Terroir, and Estela to name a few. Zwann Grays is now the Wine Director at Olmsted in Brooklyn and is a big proponent of the live vibrancy of natural wines.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Born and raised in California, Krista Scruggs eventually made her way east to Vermont. Along the way she worked her grandfather's farm, took a job with a big wine company, worked harvests in Europe, and cut her teeth at La Garigiste. Krista is a true Vigneronne. She is at the forefront of the "New American" wine revival, working with hybrid grapes, apples, other fruits, co-fermentations, and a commitment to sustainable, regenerative farming along with low intervention winemaking. You gotta love someone whose slogan is "Just Fucking Fermented Juice"Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support The Grape Nation by becoming a member!The Grape Nation is Powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alessia Antinori is a 26th generation winemaker at Marchesi Antinori. The Antinori family has been committed to the art of winemaking for over six centuries since 1385, and is one of Italy’s oldest and biggest family run businesses. Alessia holds a degree in Viticulture and is Vice President of the family winery alongside her two sisters Allegra, Albiera, and iconic dad Piero Antinori.In March, HRN began producing all of our 35 weekly shows from our homes all around the country. It was hard work stepping away from our little recording studio, but we know that you rely on HRN to share resources and important stories from the world of food each week. It’s been a tough year for all of us, but right now HRN is asking for your help. Every dollar that listeners give to HRN provides essential support to keep our mics on. We've got some fresh new thank you gifts available, like our limited edition bandanas.Keep The Grape Nation  on the air: become an HRN Member today! Go to heritageradionetwork.org/donate. The Grape

Houston and DC based Julia Coney is a wine writer, wine educator, speaker, consultant and activist. Her wine writings also address the intersection of race and wine. Her work has been featured in prominent wine and mainstream publications. Born out of necessity, Julia Coney founded Black Wine Professionals, a resource for wine industry employers and gatekeepers, professionals, and the food and beverage community. Their goal is to lift up the multifaceted Black professionals in the world of wine.In March, HRN began producing all of our 35 weekly shows from our homes all around the country. It was hard work stepping away from our little recording studio, but we know that you rely on HRN to share resources and important stories from the world of food each week. It’s been a tough year for all of us, but right now HRN is asking for your help. Every dollar that listeners give to HRN provides essential support to keep our mics on. We've got some fresh new thank you gifts available, like our limited edition bandanas.

Miguel de Leon is a restaurant and wine professional of color living in NYC. He has worked his way through some of the finest dining rooms in the country including Chez Panisse, Momofuko, Casa Mono and Per Se. Miguel is currently the General Manager and Wine Director at Pinch Chinese in Soho. Miguel’s advocacy, allyship, and voice have become an important, timely, real and accurate voice for the industry…and life.In March, HRN began producing all of our 35 weekly shows from our homes all around the country. It was hard work stepping away from our little recording studio, but we know that you rely on HRN to share resources and important stories from the world of food each week. It’s been a tough year for all of us, but right now HRN is asking for your help. Every dollar that listeners give to HRN provides essential support to keep our mics on. We've got some fresh new thank you gifts available, like our limited edition bandanas.Keep The Grape Nation on the air: become an HRN Member today! Go to heritageradione

"Brooklyn’s own Billy Durney grew up to follow in his Dad’s footsteps. After a long career in private security, Billy left to pursue his love of BBQ. As a kid he got a whiff of that burning BBQ wood at his Grandma’s house and later in Texas.  He opened Hometown BBQ in Red Hook, Brooklyn in 2013, and the rest they say is history. He later opened Red Hook Tavern, and a Hometown BBQ in Industry City and Miami. He has also brought his love of natural wines front and center at Red Hook Tavern.Jeff Porter left wine jobs on the west coast to come east and spend over 10 years at the Batali/Bastianich Hospitality Group, including Del Posto, Jeff ultimately rose to Beverage Operations Director for the group. He is now a hospitality and beverage consultant based out of NYC and has a deep love and knowledge of Italian wines.The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Saskia de Rothschild, is the youngest person to currently lead a first growth Bordeaux estate, her family’s Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and is the first female chairwoman of Domaines Barons de Rothschild. Fourth generation winemaker, Dr. Laura Catena is the managing Director of Bodega Catena Zapata in Argentina. Laura was the first guest to appear on The Grape Nation back in September of 2016.The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Canadian born Marco Pelletier studied engineering but pursued his love for wine, eventually heading to France. Marco was head Sommelier of some of Paris’ best restaurants including Tallivent and Epicure at the Hotel Le Bristol in. Marco left the 3 Michelin Star world to open Vantre, a Parisian wine bar with an extensive wine list and an emphasis on great food with former Bristol alum. Marco Pelletier is also the vigneron for Domaine de Galouchey in Bordeaux.The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There is a generational change taking place in wine in California. Senses Wines is the dream of three childhood friends from Occidental, California, Chris Strieter, Max Thierot and Myles Lawrence-Briggs. The west Sonoma Coast winery partnered with acclaimed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown to make exciting Chards, Pinots, and now some Cab Sauv. Will Harlan oversees Promontory Winery in Napa, California. Will, along with his legendary winemaking dad, Bill Harlan waited patiently until they came across and acquired the unique property that is now Promontory in Napa. The winery specializes in Cab Sauv made by Cory Empting.The Grape Nation  is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ryan Zoidis and Benny Bloom travel the world blowing some of the hottest riffs with legendary funk band, Lettuce, they are the Shady Horns. The Shady Horns have also played with Chaka Khan, the Wu-Tang Clan, Phil Lesh, and Aaron Neville to name a few. Eric Benny Bloom hails from Rhode Island and now resides in Colorado.Ryan Zoidis hails from Portland, Maine and attended the Berklee College of Music with other members of what was to become Lettuce. He played with the Rustic Overtones and now with Royal Hammer, a roots Reggae group.When they are not playing and touring, Benny and Ryan are drinking natural wines and running their own natural wine distribution company Benny and Zoid Selections.The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Born and raised in Barbaresco Italy, Gaia Gaja is a fifth-generation winemaker. Along with her siblings and iconic father Angelo, she oversees the family’s legendary winery Gaja in Piemonte. Gaia represents a generational shift at the winery that dates back to 1859. Gaja has also been making wine in Tuscany and Bolgheri for over 20 years and now makes wine in Sicily. The Grape Nation is powered by Simplecast.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.