Best Paul K from the Original Wine of the Month Club Podcasts (2023)

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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She is preparing the wine industry for what is coming. Change. Meet Priscilla Hennekam. 59:11

4h ago59:11

59:11

The wine industry is wrought with tradition. It certainly can be said that this industry at its core, is not much different than it was 100 years ago. Certainly technology has helped in all aspects; vineyard, biology, processing, equipment, chemistry and more, but the fundamental premise is the same. Make good wine, find buyers to drink it, make so…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Hear her path as a woman to become the Senior Vice President of a public wine company. Meet Tracey Mason. 55:14

3h ago55:14

55:14

This is the most honest conversation to occur on Wine Talks. Tracy is unabashed at exploring her lifestyle and her path to be an executive with a public wine company. This was such a refreshing interview that we left the door open to regroup down the road as the landscape in the wine sector shifts towards an inclusionary perspective. The wine secto…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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New ideas are needed. Meet Open Container Founder Haik Khachatryan 59:40

1d ago59:40

59:40

The wine industry is controlled. In fact, of all the US industries that have too many levels of bureaucracy, alcohol is in the top two. And because of this, entrepreneurial ideas are usually short lived and il fated. Along come Hail Khachatryan and his vision of a company named Open Container. Not that the name flies in the face of the rules, but t…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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We just lost one of the greats. Dennis Overstreet, the Beverly Hills Wine Merchant 1:01:37

12d ago1:01:37

1:01:37

When wine was barely a conversation in the United States, when there was no internet, cell phones or cable...there was Dennis Overstreet. When The French Laundry was just an idea brought to him by Thomas Keller, Dennis was there to help make it happen. When the Judgement of Paris pitted California wine against the French counterparts, Dennis carrie…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Her humility and disposition is critical in the wine business. Meet Valentine Hostens Picant 53:40

13d ago53:40

53:40

She was a lawyer, but the family wine business became her disrupter. Once in awhile someone takes their position in the studio and starts the conversation and they completely captivate the show. Soft spoken but convicted to her and her families cause, she is articulate in her position in the wine world. Often a guest from Europe has some self doubt…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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She has done just about everything in wine. But her story of Lafite is crazy. Meet Antonia Quast. 53:05

15d ago53:05

53:05

The WIne Talks podcast seeks interesting stories in the wine trade. There are so many facets to the industry and the public only sees a small percentage...or hears the stories of a small percentage of the interesting histories that this ancient beverage brings. Antonia Quast is one of those stories. Having had so many touch points in the wine trade…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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It takes experience to grow in the wine trade. Chris Phelps has it. 50:14

20d ago50:14

50:14

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Dr. Gavin Sacks, canned wine and much more. Meet the Dr. forging new ways to package wine. 1:01:36

21d ago1:01:36

1:01:36

So fascinating. Dr. Gavin Sacks took a momemt from his research and teaching schedule to sit with Wine Talks and discuss the intersection of art, science and the environment as it relates to wine. We don't think of the academic reqiurements when we disuss wine. Talking wine is usually about swriling and sniffing; maybe a story of the winemaker. We …

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Emilia Nardi is one of a kind. Gracious, elegant and a force of Italian wine women. 49:13

29d ago49:13

49:13

To sit with Emilia is like sitting with the Queen...but somehow even queen sounds almost diminutive for her role. Makes her sound like she is sitting on a throne handing out directives. Nothing could be further from the truth. When you visit Napa, you cannot help but be struck by the magnanimous structures and opulent wineries. This is not the case…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Port wine is history in a bottle. Rupert Symington and family created some of that history. 50:50

1M ago50:50

50:50

Port wine is really quite fascinating. It is like history in a bottle. And wine really is about history. This concept all comes together when listening to Rupert Symington of Grahams Port house. The Symington family has not only seen the best and the worst of being involved with such an important side of the wine industry, they shaped much of how t…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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From fashion to wine, Alberto gets it. Alberto Moretti Cuseri from Sette Ponti on deck. 46:19

1M ago46:19

46:19

The world of Tuscan wine is more complicated than it might seem. From a fiasco (straw bottle) of Chianti to the most coveted Brunello Di Montecino's, you can find a diverse and sophisticated genre of wines. As with most of the world wide wine scene, each family comes to the proverbial wine table with their own story as to what drew them in. In the …

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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To learn Italian wine, listen to the pro. I speak with Cristina Mariani-May of Banfi Wines 53:50

1M ago53:50

53:50

What you will learn about the wines of Tuscany and Piemonte will only be out down by what you will learn about the wine life. Raising 3 children while becoming a million miler in the air, Cristina Mariani-May keeps it all together. I caught up with her in Irvine in the middle of her whirlwind tour of the West Coast promoting the wines of Banfi. She…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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They are Master Somms, married and taking on Aussie wines. Meet Jane Lopes and Jon Ross. 1:02:18

1M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

Between the two of them, it took 21 years to earn their Master Sommelier status; obviously, no easy task. Lest we forget, while studying for this accolade, one has to earn a living. They met while working at the 2017 Best Restaurant in the World, 11 Madison and it was off to the races between them to carve out a niche in the wine world. Yes, having…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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The wine history you will hear, cannot be written ever again. Meet Arthur de Lencquesaing. 58:16

1M ago58:16

58:16

This was serendipitous. The fact that Mr. Lencquesaing was in Los Angeles at the very time I began reading his grandmothers book (albeit it very slowly, it is written in French) and that the vendor called and mentioned she was with him...there had to be a reason. The name "de Lencquesaing" is synonmous with wine. Bordeaux in particular. Madame May-…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Clear and articulate about the Italian wine trade. Meet Dr. Cristian Maddalena. 53:52

1M ago53:52

53:52

We could have spoken for hours. In fact, after I turned off the recording system, he stayed for another 20 minutes wrapping up the previous hour. With a PhD in history, Cristian is able to add a level of depth to the conversation about wine and its history. WIne is everywhere throughout history and as a matter of academia, represents so much about …

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Only 3 people in the wine world like him. David Frost is a Master of Wine and a Master Sommelier. 1:00:38

1M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

There can only be one explanation (maybe two) for someone to want, study, test and pass both the Master of Wine curriculm and the Master Sommelier curriculm. So rare it is that there are only 3 people in the world that have done it. One reason could be the pure academia of them; the study, the knowledge, the challenge to learn more. And another rea…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Love at first site and other crazy notions about wine. Meet Kenny Kahn. 1:10:47

2M ago1:10:47

1:10:47

Reading Kenny's website www.bluerockvineyard.com, you will learn that the night he met his wife it was love ar first sight...for him. Tongue tied the rest of the night, the story ends well with solid marriage; lets face it, it would have to be if she stuck around through the creation of a winery. The story behind Blue Rock winery is storied. You go…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Max Mussio Lewis defines Friuli wine. Meet Max. 53:08

2M ago53:08

53:08

Once in a while in this crazy business, you stumble across passion that has no bounds. Certainly, even to engage in the wine trade it takes passion, but there is typically an end to it. I am not sure it fair to say the passion has an end, but there are many that might give up in an idea before its time Not Max Mussio. He is so committed that it too…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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A very rare wine story. It doesn't happen like this. Meet Alex Gambal. 52:00

3M ago52:00

52:00

It just doesn't happen like this. All the headwinds were there. It most likely cannot be repeated, so don't get any bright ideas. Americans don't just pick up and move to Burgundy, buy land, produce wine, become indoctrinated to the region and leave (to live in Idaho). It just doesn't happen like that, unless you are Alex Gambal. The path to Burgun…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Perserverance is the only explanation. Hear the incredible story of Laura Donadoni, Italian wine girl. 59:34

3M ago59:34

59:34

Sometimes you just come across a story that makes you realize that you haven't had is so tough. You haven't had to start from scratch...ever. You haven't had to leave your life behind in your home country to start a new. You haven't had to learn a new career in short order to get financial footing. Well, I haven't but Laura Donadoni and her husband…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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They don't make them like Melvyn anymore. Hear Melvyn Master in his own words. 1:00:36

3M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Counterfeit wine is real (real fake!). Meet the pre-eminent authority, Maureen Downey. 1:01:05

3M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

We all know the story of Rudy Kurniawan, the famed subject of the movie "Sour Grapes" and the most publicized of wine counterfeiters. When the FBI needed help in understanding what otherwise was, according to the FBI, "non-consequential", they turned to Maureen for counsel. Maureen Downey has carved a niche around what is now a growing industry of …

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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As a woman of color, the headwinds in this industry are compounded. Meet the Millennial Somm, Isis Daniel. 1:01:24

3M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

Wine is ethereal. It literally binds people together. It brings something to the table that should and does transcend race, gender, lifestyle and generations. Isis Daniel is a testimony to that very bind. She coined "The Millennial Somm" as her calling card to help the industry and the consumer alike to comprehend the generational changes that wine…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Drive would be a word for Nova Cadamarte, but it doesn't tell the real story. 48:16

3M ago48:16

48:16

The Master of Wine Diploma out of London is probably the most rigorous of certifications to acquire. It took Nova 8 years of study, frustration and tasting to get it done; and that was only after she failed out the first time around. Yes, you can spend 6 years going through the program and if you don't hit certain milestones during the final testin…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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He found a need in Napa, filled it and expanded it. Meet John Wilkinson of Bin to Bottle. 52:26

3M ago52:26

52:26

John Wilkinson was making wine at home. Afterall, he was living in the Napa Valley but felt disconnected not having any relationship with the most public of industries. As he sought advice from his friends to figure how to get his wine right, he stumbled across a complete void in the wine sector; a properly management wine facility that could be us…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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She is a true winemaker. Has an opinion and it shows in her incredible wines. Meet Elizabeth Tangney.. 52:08

3M ago52:08

52:08

When one stumbles across a strong will in the wine industry, one has to take notice. A strong will will necessarily show through in the resulting wines. It takes an opinion, it takes a will to create the finest example of wine a vineyard can produce. If one is "laissez faire" about what is in the bottle, one will cut a corner or shortcut a process …

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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With Phd. and passion, Katarina Andersson shifted gears and fell in love with wine. 57:34

3M ago57:34

57:34

The path to being intoxicated with wine (I do not mean with alcohol) comes in many fashions. Virtually everyone that is consumed with wine has a story to tell. Some left the family wine business to become lawyers or even doctors but the allure brought them back to their roots (full of puns today). There are not many careers that would align themsel…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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What it is like to be a legacy winemaker. Meet Trevor Durling of Beaulieu Vineyards. 54:14

4M ago54:14

54:14

There are few wineries in California history with the legacy of Beaulieu Vineyards. Just the sheer amount of time the winery has survived (including prohibition) and the lineage of serious and infamous winemakers, makes this story a multi episode of Wine Talks. Trevor During sat with us to take us through the history of Andre Tchelistcheff (the lit…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Valle de Uco is the Napa Valley of Argentina. Stories are real. 49:21

4M ago49:21

49:21

Argentina is considered new world when describing where it fits in the history of wine. The question is....is New World versus Old World a matter of character or oprigin? I think it is a combination of both. Los Noques is a family story of wine and I was intrigued by the passion and desire to let the world know about what pedigree of wines can be c…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Heritage, hotels, rugs and wine. Meet James Tufenkian 47:45

4M ago47:45

47:45

Was there a Bob Hope movie....The Road to Yerevan? Maybe not, but the road to Yerevan for James Tufenkian is fascinating. James is one motivated diasporan. He has created a well-known, world-wide hand woven carpet, planted 1,000,000 trees in Armenia, built a hotel chain and is now embarking on the wine trade. With the idea he wanted to serve the ou…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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The stories are crazy good. Meet the Wine Merchant of Beverly Hills; Mr. Dennis Overstreet 58:17

4M ago58:17

58:17

Ever industry needs is leaders...the mythical legends that inspire us to do better, to keep your head down and persevere. Dennis Overstreet is that man and I had the chance to set up the studio in his store in Beverly Hills. Sitting amongst the greatest wines in the world, we laughed, gafawed and got serious about wine. In the early days of Califor…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Real talk, real wine, real Washington. Meet John Bookwalter. 56:39

4M ago56:39

56:39

It is very often you hear about an American family 10 generations into their contribution to society/ Certainly, you hear of such geneology in Europe; namesake wineries handed down through the generations. In this case, it is 10 generations of farmers. Going back to the 1800's, John Bookwalter can tell you of the players and stories that landed him…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Food and wine writer and recipe creator...meet Emily Saladino. 55:02

4M ago55:02

55:02

Such a bright light in the world of wine and food; and she can create recipes out of thin air. Emily Saladino has made her way around both the world of culinary arts and wine to create give herself a comprehensive understanding of the marriage between the two. The conversation was so interesting, we never even got to discuss wine and food pairing..…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Big picture view of the liquor and wine business with Tim Moore, VP of Wine for RNDC. 49:15

4M ago49:15

49:15

It is contended that Prohibition was not really repealled...it was just broken into 50 pieces. Navigating this and becoming the 2nd largest distributor of wine, beer and liquor is a formidable task Meet Tim Moore, he is the VP of wine of RNDC (formerly Youngs Market). Listen on how Youngs, as a family owned business, grew to be the 2nd largest play…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Premium canned wine is the idea. Meet the woman who took it on. 1:00:54

5M ago1:00:54

1:00:54

These days, you cannot miss the canned aisle in your favorite grocery store. It seems to be taking over more real estate of the wine aisle each month. The category is rather cluttered with competitors..that didn't seem to daunt Jessica Hershfield. Jumping in with two feet, Jessica spent time researching the market, making a couple of mistakes but e…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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A rounded view is needed, Vahe has it. Meet Vahe Keushgarian. 1:07:52

5M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

Wine Talks has has some amazing guests in each of the various disciplines of the wine trade. A few years ago, Vahe was on the show as we mulled over some of the pertinenant issues of the day. This second podcast years later is that much more interesing. Since our first episode together, so much has changed in the Armenian wine world; a proliferatio…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Women in wine. Meet one of the most experienced and driven. Meet Mariam Saghatelyan. 1:02:00

5M ago1:02:00

1:02:00

After we recorded this episode of Wine Talks, Mariam entered and won the very first Sommelier event ever held in Armenia. Congratulations. The fact they even had a sanctioned event such as this in Armenia will tell you how far the Armenian wine culture has progressed. In this episode, you will hear from one passionate individual who saw a need and …

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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It's a war out there; WarRoom Cellars knows it. Hear from founder Andrew Nelson 1:08:21

5M ago1:08:21

1:08:21

Taking on the gib boys is a war. And even just the idea seems a bit crazy, but WarRoom Cellars was founded on just that principal. How do we get under the skin of the big boys? One idea is to meet the consumer of wine where they live; meaning each of us is on a wine journey and each of us needs to try to get to the next level. Enter the story behin…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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From Bulgaria with love (and wine). Meet Nadia Pavlevska. 52:53

5M ago52:53

52:53

Nadia Pavlevska drank vodka and coke in Bulgaira. Hardly a precursor to becoming a wine educator and influencer. Now the go to Sommelier for resorts like The Terranea in Palos Verdes, Nadia had taught wine with a logical and pratical outlook. Her reposnses to wine, politcal and life-style question might suprise you...no, will suprise you. She heade…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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D1 Basketball, Pageant winner, Harvard Grad. Meet Brooke Bibeault 52:49

5M ago52:49

52:49

Her life story takes on many adjectives. Inspring is one. Painful is another. Worldly could say it. But driven would be the word I would use. When you face headwinds, you must put your headdown; Brooke has and continues to do that. A model, a pageant winner, a Catholic, a Muslim, a mother and a wife has prepared her for a career that is completely …

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Force of nature in wine? For sure. Meet Katie Hamilton Schaffer. 1:11:26

6M ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Sometimes it is just obvious why someone is successful. Certainly, your personal definition of success comes into play but if you define "success" as getting what you want out of life and never letting moss grow under your feet...you and Katies Hamilton Schaffer are from the some cloth. Katie's energy is infectious which turns to inspiring the more…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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"Noted Celebrity Sommelier," you heard that right. Meet Marc Kauffman 1:04:50

6M ago1:04:50

1:04:50

His LinkedIn profile calls Marc out as "Noted Celebrity Sommelier" and I couldn't agree more. When you have been around the industry in the various capacities as Marc, you can call yourself whatever you want...but it does help that it is an accurate description...and his is accurate. We go deep into consumerism, bulk wine manufacturing, and general…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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So you want to own a Chateau in Bordeaux. Hear from Romik Arconian 1:02:46

6M ago1:02:46

1:02:46

Romik Arconian bit at the dream. He was in the wine trade working in Paris. He loved what he was doing. As with most of us in this industry, the idea of owning a Chateau swirled around in his head. Seeming like an unattainable dream, he left it on the back burner. As fate would have it, Chateau Canon Chaingneau become available and a the idea of ow…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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You must consider Opus One when you consider Napa. Meet the winemaker Michael Silacci. n 58:07

6M ago58:07

58:07

Opus One is not only iconic in the world of Napa Valley wine, it is iconic throughout the world in the world of wine. As a joint develpment between the French and the Americans, it represents so much more than just fine wine. Consider the preeminant French Bordeaux family, the Mouton Rothschilds and the preeminant Napa Valley family, the Mondavis, …

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Austin Hope has a story. Success in wine doesn't just happen. Meet the man. 1:02:20

6M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

WIne is a tough racquet. You have heard this before. Sometimes we all learn through trial and error, our failures and sometimes our successes. But as Calvin Coolidge says "perserverence is omnipotent." Nothing could be more true for Austin Hope. The Hope family farms have been a staple in Paso Robles for 50 years and they are still adapting to the …

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Gary Fisch does wine retail right. Duh, he offered me a job. Meet Gary Fisch of Garys Wine Marketplace 59:11

6M ago59:11

59:11

There is no standard path to get into the wine busines. Ask 100 people and you will get 100 answers on landing on the passioln it takes to make, market or sell wine. Garys story is one for the books. When you have seen as many changes in the wine business as Gary has, you learn a 6th sense about people, wine, business and life. Gary might have a 7t…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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We NEED Jay Nunez making wine. Meet No Love Lost winemaker Jay Nunez. 44:29

6M ago44:29

44:29

It takes inspiration to make wine. It takes a dream. It takes ambition. It takes hard work. Jay Nunez has all these traits and more. But the most important trait it takes to make honest wine is philosophy. Wine is part science but mostly art. We might find AI in the winemaking game one day (don't ask me how) it might make solid wine every time...bu…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Learn Armenian wine here. Meet three wine families in this discussion 59:29

7M ago59:29

59:29

GiniFest is a Los Angeles bred wine festival that features the wine making skills of both indigenous Armenian winemakers but Armenian winemakers in the diaspora as well. A very professionally done show and an opportunity to showcase incredible wines of great distinction. Wine Talks played host to (3) of the wine families who attended this years Gin…

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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They won! Bo Barrett worked on the very wine that won the Judgement of Paris; Chateau Montelena. 52:09

7M ago52:09

52:09

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Wine Talks with Paul K.

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Mike Grgich made California wine famous. Meet Violet Grgich. 1:04:36

7M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

Celebrating Judgement of Paris month. When Mike Grgich came to America, he had sewn $32 into the sole of his shoe, that's all he had to his name. He arrived in Saint Helena without a plan or a job but became one of the most influential winemakers in California's history. In May of 1976 when the California wines beat the French wines in a French-jud…

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Paul K From The Original Wine Of The Month Club Podcasts

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