Podcast

South Africa

Episode 10 – Mark Stephens (Deep Rooted Wines)

Episode 10 is with Mark Stephens of Deep Rooted Wines based in Walker Bay, South Africa. Mark is a regenerative viticulturist-turned-winemaker and is a prominent figure in the Cape South Coast’s new wave. The South Coasters – as they call themselves – are an exciting group of winemakers whose energy and enthusiasm resemble that of the Swartland […]
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Podcast

*Bonus* Episode 9 – Ronnie Sanders (Vine Street Imports)

Normally, this podcast tells the stories of the winermakers in the Vine Street Imports wine portfolio, but today we have a special guest for you, and while he wears many hats, winemaker isn’t one of them. This holiday bonus episode is with Ronnie Sanders, Vine Street Imports’ founder and CEO. In today’s show, we discuss […]
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England

Podcast

Episode 8 – Trevor Clough (Digby Fine English)

Trevor Clough is the owner and head blender at Digby Fine English based in West Sussex, England. Digby is a sparkling wine brand, and they’re the first wine producer to operate under the négociant, or blending house, model in England. This means they source their grapes from growers in places like Kent, Sussex, and Dorset, and blend […]
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Australia

Podcast

Episode 7 – Steve Crawford (Frederick Stevenson)

Frederick Stevenson is the brainchild (and longtime alias) of Steve Crawford. Steve launched this small-scale winery based in Adelaide, Australia as an antidote to the industrial scale and trophy winemaking that he felt had overwhelmed the Aussie wine scene. What Steve prefers to make and drink are the fresher, livelier styles he had become accustomed to […]
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Australia

Podcast

Episode 5 – Alastair Reed (Konpira Maru)

Today's episode is with Alastair Reed of Konpira Maru, which is based in the Whitlands subregion of the King Valley in Victoria, Australia. In this episode you’ll hear what Konpira Maru really means (no, it’s not a Japanese whaling vessel) and how owner Alastair Reed and his former student-turned-business partner Sam Cook almost turned Konpira Maru into a Sherry company. We’ll talk a bit about the grapes and the geography of Australia, and why “diner pepper shaker” is the only kind of pepper aroma Alastair and Sam ever seek to extract from their grapes.
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England

Podcast

Episode 4 – Tim Wildman (Wildman Wines)

Today's episode is with Tim Wildman of Wildman Wines​. At Vine Street Imports, we import his two "sibling" pét-nats to the US. In this episode, you’ll hear about Tim’s experience becoming a Master of Wine and why he chose to build his business around pét-nat. You’ll hear some hot takes on how he thinks Australia has yet to make its best wine, and you'll hear why he doesn’t think the wine industry should waste its time "demystifying" wine. 
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Podcast

South Africa

Episode 3 – Banele Vakele (Tembela Wines)

Banele Vakele of Tembela Wines is the newest South African producer to join the Vine Street Imports portfolio. He makes a Chenin Blanc and a Syrah, sourced from regions you wouldn’t necessarily expect (Durbanville for the Chenin, an area better known for Sauvignon Blanc, and a nice yin-yang mix for the Syrah from Constantia and the Swartland). In the words of wine critic Tim Atkin, “Banele Vakele is an exciting young winemaker who is rapidly making a name for himself.”
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Podcast

South Africa

Episode 2 – Trizanne Barnard (Trizanne Signature Wines)

Trizanne Barnard from Trizanne Signature Wines is a force of nature. She's an avid surfer, rock climber, and acclaimed South African winemaker. In her earlier years, she worked as the assistant winemaker for Klein Constantia, and then she helped...
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Podcast

South Africa

Episode 1 – Mick Craven (Craven Wines)

Today’s inaugural episode is with Mick Craven of Craven Wines based in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Craven Wines is known for their single-vineyard bottlings, and their infamous skin-contact Pinot Gris. In this episode, you’ll hear how Mick got into wine, why he’s doesn’t like the idea of typicity, and why his winery neighbors have learned to come check in on him when he blasts Radiohead.
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