In this episode of Five Questions with a Winemaker, hosts Billy Galanko and Brady Weller sit down with Nancy Irelan, Winemaker and Owner of Red Tail Ridge Winery in New York’s Finger Lakes. Renowned for her cool-climate varietals and sparkling wines, Nancy has made Red Tail Ridge a Finger Lakes standout.

Nancy shares:

🌎 A snapshot of her 54-acre vineyard featuring Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Blaufränkisch, Dornfelder, and Cabernet Franc, all reflecting the Finger Lakes’ unique character.

🍾 Red Tail Ridge’s passion for sparkling wines, focusing on traditional methods and site expression.

🍷 Inspirations from Champagne, Austrian Blaufränkisch, Pinot Noir from Baden, and emerging regions like Baja, Mexico, inspire Red Tail Ridge's style.

📆 Key takeaways from challenging vintages like 2009, 2013, 2018, and 2021, and how they’ve shaped her resilient winemaking philosophy.

🔭 Her vision for the region: positioning the Finger Lakes as America’s parallel to Crémant d’Alsace with expanded sparkling production and year-round tourism.

A must-listen for fans of cool-climate wines and those curious about the future of U.S. wine regions.

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Nancy Irelan, available now.

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for fine wines and rare spirits. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with acclaimed wine writer and researcher Elaine Chukan Brown to discuss their new book, The Wines of California—a sweeping and deeply informed look at the Golden State’s wine landscape, past and present.

With rare access, firsthand research, and a unique perspective shaped by years of work across regions and with producers, Elaine shares a compelling narrative tracing the evolution of California wine: from indigenous cultivation and early Spanish mission plantings to Prohibition-era struggles, the rise of Napa and Sonoma, and today’s cutting-edge, climate-driven viticulture.

Elaine shares:
🍇 Insights into how her Alaskan roots and early encounters with Pinot Noir sparked a lifelong passion for wine.
📚 Her journey from academic philosopher to celebrated wine writer contributing to The Oxford Companion to Wine, The World Atlas of Wine, and Decanter.
🌄 A panoramic tour of California’s wine regions—Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Lodi, Monterey, and beyond—highlighting key producers shaping the state today.
🌿 Reflections on the essential, often-overlooked role of farmworkers, indigenous histories, and immigrant labor in building California’s wine identity.
🌍 Perspectives on how climate change, sustainability, and shifting consumer tastes are transforming California’s vineyards and varietal choices for the next generation.
🔍 A behind-the-scenes look at how she selected the influential and innovative producers profiled in her book.

Whether you’re a collector, sommelier, or enthusiast, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the centuries-long journey of California wine and the forces shaping its future.

🎧 Listen now to explore the stories, landscapes, and people behind California’s most iconic and emerging wines.

🛒 Shop California’s top producers now at vintmarketplace.com

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of The Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with Julien Howsepian, lead winemaker at Kosta Browne, one of California’s most acclaimed producers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Julien shares how his path led from UC Davis to becoming a key figure in American fine wine and explains what makes the Kosta Browne portfolio so distinct—from Russian River to Santa Rita Hills, and even Burgundy.

🍇 Julien’s journey from economics major to head winemaker—and how a brewery in Pennsylvania helped shape his approach to winery logistics and efficiency.
🌍 The regional diversity of Kosta Browne’s portfolio, including Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Anderson Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Rita Hills, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, and Burgundy.
🍷 What makes wines from Treehouse, Gaps Crown, Keefer Ranch, Shea, and Cerise vineyards stand out—and how Kosta Browne brings out their unique voices.
🛠️ The role of fermentation vessels—stainless steel, oak, and concrete—in shaping texture, aromatic lift, and style across the range.
🔬 Why Kosta Browne focuses on purity, place, and structure, and how Julien uses small-lot fermentation and non-interventionist winemaking to highlight terroir.

A must-listen for fans of Pinot Noir, site-driven winemaking, and the evolution of modern California wine & beyond.

🎧 Listen now and explore the Kosta Browne wines at vintmarketplace.com

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast
00:37 Winemaker Interviews and News
01:34 Entrepreneur News and Wine Releases
04:41 Champagne Masters and Non-Vintage Favorites
11:37 Interview with Julian Halian of Costa Brown
22:41 The Challenge of Logistics in the Wine Business
23:15 Learning Efficiency from Samuel Adams Brewery
25:40 Implementing Efficient Processes at the Winery
26:17 Specific Examples of Efficiency in Winemaking
27:22 The Importance of Organization During Harvest
29:42 Exploring the Wines of Costa Brown
31:53 The Evolution of Costa Brown's Wine Portfolio
39:01 Unique Characteristics of Different Vineyards
42:44 Comparing Pinot Noir from Different Regions
49:37 Impact of Different Fermentation Vessels
51:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions with a Winemaker, presented by the Vint Marketplace, we sit down with Julien Howsepian, Head Winemaker at Kosta Browne, one of California’s most celebrated names in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Known for their single-vineyard expressions and dedication to regional identity, Kosta Browne has become a benchmark producer for American cool-climate wines.

Julien shares:

🌎 Their wine portfolio spans wines made from vineyards across the globe including California (Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta. Rita Hills, Anderson Valley), Burgundy, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, focusing exclusively on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

🔍 A relentless pursuit of quality and authenticity, crafting wines that reflect place and connect emotionally with wine lovers at every stage of their journey.

🍇 His personal inspiration from quality wines across the globe, and how curiosity and discovery shape both his winemaking and the experience Kosta Browne offers to collectors.

📆 Reflections on standout vintages—2021 for its purity and ageability, and 2020 for the adversity of wildfires and the pride of staying true to their identity through it all.

🔭 His vision for the future of Kosta Browne: continuing to refine and elevate within their current portfolio, building on domestic success to reach more wine lovers around the world

A must-listen for fans of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this episode captures the craftsmanship and clarity behind one of America’s most admired wineries.

🎧 Stay tuned for the full-length episode with Julien Howsepian coming soon.

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of The Vint Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Stephen and Prue Henschke of Henschke Wines—one of the most iconic family-run wineries in the world.

This in-depth conversation covers the legacy of the Hill of Grace vineyard, the role of old vines in shaping wine texture and complexity, and the unique terroir of Eden Valley. Prue shares her insights as viticulturist, including the nuances of managing vines over 150 years old, the effects of soil and canopy management, and the importance of preserving vine genetics. Stephen discusses their restrained and precise winemaking approach, including the use of submerged cap fermentation and minimal oak influence to highlight site expression.

Topics explored include:

• The history of Henschke and the sixth-generation legacy
• The significance of old vines and the Barossa Old Vine Charter
• How Eden Valley’s altitude and soils shape their Riesling and Shiraz
• A technical breakdown of Mount Edelstone, Hill of Grace, and Wheelwright vineyards
• Reflections on sustainability, native cover crops, and dry farming
• The story behind experimental bottlings like Hill of Roses, Nebbiolo, and Tempranillo
• Perspectives on global brand prestige and Australian wine’s evolving reputation

Whether you're a collector, sommelier, or student of wine, this episode offers a rare window into one of Australia’s most revered producers and their uncompromising commitment to place, tradition, and innovation.

🛒 Find Henschke wines and more at vintmarketplace.com

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions with a Winemaker, presented by the Vint Marketplace, we sit down with Stephen and Prue Henschke, sixth-generation vintners of Henschke Wines—one of Australia’s most revered estates. From Eden Valley Riesling to the legendary Hill of Grace Shiraz, the Henschkes have helped define fine wine in Australia.

Stephen and Prue share:

• 🌿 The vineyards they manage across Eden Valley, including Hill of Grace (planted in the 1850s), Mount Edelstone, and Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills, growing Riesling, Shiraz, Semillon, Cabernet, Grenache, Grüner Veltliner, and more.
• 🏞️ Their focus on authenticity and site expression, making wines from one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges with a cool, continental climate—ideal for Riesling and Shiraz.
• 🍷 Their role in establishing the Barossa Old Vine Charter, classifying vines over 35 years as “Old Vines” and those over 125 years as “Ancestor Vines”—a meaningful way to honor vine age and preservation.
• 📆 A look at their most memorable vintages, including the great 1959, the benchmark 1986 and 2002, and the exceptional 2021, along with challenging years like 2011 and the unexpectedly compressed 2025 vintage.
• 🔭 Exciting developments ahead, including new co-ferments of Grenache and Rhône varieties, expanded plantings of Grüner Veltliner, and a growing focus on Lenswood’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

🍷 A must-listen for collectors and enthusiasts of Australian wine, this conversation blends heritage, innovation, and deep respect for the land.

🎧 Stay tuned for the full-length episode with the Henschkes due for release on 4/23

🛒 Shop Henschke wines now on Vint Marketplace:
https://vintmarketplace.com/shop/filters/producer/henschke/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:05 Vineyard Locations and Varieties
01:57 Henke Wines Overview
02:48 The Old Vine Charter Explained
05:17 Memorable Vintages
07:48 Future Plans for Heskey Wines

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, we sit down with Jean-Frédéric Hugel, 13th-generation vintner at Famille Hugel in Alsace, to explore one of France’s most historic wine families and regions. Founded in 1639, Famille Hugel is a benchmark producer known for its Rieslings, Gewürztraminer, and age-worthy late-harvest wines.

Jean-Frédéric discusses his family’s centuries-long legacy in Alsace, the evolution of Hugel’s winemaking, and the unique terroir and culture that define the region. He also shares what it means to represent Alsace in the Primum Familiae Vini (PFV), a group of 12 leading family-owned wine estates from across Europe.

Key topics include:

• The distinct profile of Alsace Riesling compared to German or Austrian styles
• The role of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Muscat in Hugel’s aromatic dry whites
• How Hugel produces some of the world’s longest-lived Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles(botrytized sweet wines)
• The philosophy behind Hugel’s Classic, Estate, and Grossi Laüe tiers
• Hugel’s new project: their first-ever Crémant d’Alsace sparkling wine
• Why Hugel doesn’t use oak and how their neutral winemaking showcases terroir

👉 Be sure to check out our companion episode: Five Questions with a Winemaker featuring Jean-Frédéric Hugel, for a rapid-fire introduction to Hugel’s wines and what’s next for the estate.

🛒 Explore Alsace wines and other benchmark producers at Vint Marketplace

🎧 Listen to more episodes: Vint Podcast Archive

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions with a Winemaker, we sit down with Jean Frédéric Hugel, the 13th generation of the legendary Famille Hugel in Alsace, France. Jean shares the story behind one of the region’s most historic producers, known for its benchmark dry Rieslings and long-lived sweet wines.

We cover:

• 📍 Where the Hugel vineyards are located and the iconic white varieties they champion
• 🍇 The dry, gastronomic style of Hugel's wines and the tiers of their bottlings
• 📖 A vintage-by-vintage walkthrough of the most memorable harvests—from 2021 all the way back to 1865
• 🌱 The estate’s move to certified organic production and their first-ever orange wine
• 🏗️ Major upcoming projects, including a new facility and operational shift

This episode is presented by vintmarketplace.com, where you can explore wines from iconic producers like Famille Hugel.

Subscribe and stay tuned for the full-length interview with Jean Frédéric, where we go deeper into Alsace, cellar aging, and Hugel’s vision for the future.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Vent Wine Podcast

00:45 Meet the Winemaker: Jean Fredic Hug

00:54 Exploring Alsace Vineyards and Varieties

02:33 Wine Styles and Specialties

05:14 Memorable Vintages

07:46 Future Innovations and Projects

The Vint Wine Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com.

To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com.

Cheers!