Yannick Benjamin and the Essence of Inclusion and Hospitality
Another Bottle Down
On today's show, Jessica interviews Yannick Benjamin, a wine industry veteran who is outspoken about the injustices and inequities of the wine and restaurant industries. Yannick's thoughtful approach to hospitality and inclusion is an inspiration to so many people who work in beverage and beyond. Born into a family of French restauranteurs, Yannick has worked at The University Club, Le Cirque, Oceana, Jean Georges, Atlas, Felidia, and Atelier at the Ritz-Carlton. In 2021, he opened Contento, a barrier-free restaurant accessible to all. Today, he is owner of Beaupierre Wine...
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Special Event Alert: Grapes for Good with Mandi Nelson
Another Bottle Down
On today's show, Jessica and Mark host a special episode with Mandi Nelson, president and founder of ATX Somms, on the upcoming event, Grapes for Good, benefitting the Kerrville Floods relief effort. On August 10th 2025, that's this upcoming Sunday, the Texas sommelier industry will get together at Wanderlust East Austin to show off some seriously amazing wine and celebrate community, and YOU are invited! The biggest impact will be to buy tickets; 100% of the admission proceeds will go to relief efforts. There will also be a silent auction and retail purchases with proceeds...
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Barolo through the Ages with Roberto Bruno of Fontanafredda
Another Bottle Down
On today's show, Jessica interviews Roberto Bruno, CEO and Commercial Director of Fontanafredda in the commune Serralunga d'Alba in Barolo. Roberto has worked at this historic estate for 34 years and has even lived for a time in the eponymous village. Roberto and Jessica get into the origins of Fontanafredda which is really tied to the origins of Barolo as a whole. In 1858, King Vittorio Emmanuele II purchases a renowned hunting lodge and grounds as a gift to his mistress Rosina. Shortly thereafter, the king also purchases vineyards and is the first to use the word...
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Mathieu Billecart, Jukes Non-Alc, and Prestige Cuvee Champagne
Another Bottle Down
Mathieu Billecart, 7th generation owner and President of Champagne Billecart Salmon, comes on the show to talk about partnering in a new non-Alc project called Jukes. Mathieu has been frustrated by a lack of options in the non-alc space. For him, wine lovers who choose to abstain for a temporary or permanent time period deserve a beverage that provides an elevated tasting experience, similar to that of wine, but dealcoholizing wine is not the best option. During a recent lunch with Matthew Jukes, a friend and British wine expert, he learned what Jukes was working on: an apple...
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Marcus Notaro Carries the Torch at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
Another Bottle Down
On today's show, Jessica interviews Marcus Notaro, head of wine production at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. In 1976, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars shocked the world by winning the famed Judgement of Paris which put Napa Valley Cabernets up again the famous Bordeaux estates. It was the 1973 S.L.V. Estate Cabernet produced by Warren Winiarski that took home the price, and it was also the very fist vintage at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Jessica and Marcus dig into all things Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, from climate of the Stag's Leap AVA to soils of the particular single vineyards. ...
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Matt Crafton, Legacy and Creativity at Ch Montelena
Another Bottle Down
On today's episode, Mark chats with Matt Crafton, head winemaker at the historic Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley. Matt is the fifth winemaker at Montelena and has been at the helm since 2014 overseeing all aspects of winemaking, vineyard management, communication, and strategy. Matt and Mark delve into the history of this historic estate as well as the vineyards that go into the core Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The conversation weaves in elements of the Napa Valley terroir, creativity in winemaking, and various challenges that face the industry in today's wine-loving...
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History and Tradition with Capanna of Montalcino
Another Bottle Down
On our second episode of a two part series on Montalcino, Mark interviews Daniele Marcone the Sales Director of Capanna Winery. Capanna is located north of the town of Montalcino in the unofficial sub-region of Montosoli and is one of the more historic and traditional wineries producing Brunello. The Cencioni family was one of the first share-cropping families to save up enough money to purchase the land they were working for generations. Throughout the years, they have followed the Consorzio and bet on the success of the territory acquiring new land and leading the way with...
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Riccardo Fratton from San Polo in Montalcino
Another Bottle Down
On today's show, we have Riccardo Fratton, head winemaker of San Polo in Montalcino, Italy. Riccardo was raised in the Veneto region but didn't really blossom as a winemaker until working in California. He was so impressed by the level of experimentation and a sort of freshness to winemaking that he brought those points of inspiration back to his home country. Meeting and working for Marilisa Allegrini, the Queen of Amarone, brought him to relocate to another Allegrini estate in Montalcino, San Polo. Jessica has spent a substantial amount of time in Montalcino over the last...
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Mark and Jessica Talk Tariffs
Another Bottle Down
On today's show, Mark and Jessica break down the current tariffs and other economic factors that are affecting the wine industry. This episode was recorded on April 30th, 2025, perhaps the situation has changed by the time you listen. More information on the Here are some of the articles Jessica has published on the impact of tariffs:
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Gus Zhu MW goes Behind the Glass
Another Bottle Down
On today's show, Jessica interviews Gus Zhu, a Master of Wine and author of the recently published book Behind the Glass: The Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting. Gus does an amazing job of breaking down complex topics involved in wine chemistry and sensorial analysis to be understandable by wine lovers of all levels. In addition to talking about the book, Jessica and Gus delve into many misunderstood topics, from volatile acidity and cork taint to cultural shifts of flavor and aroma preferences within various populations. In Gus's words, a deeper undertanding of...
info_outlineOn today's show, Jessica connects with Kyle Stewart, co-owner of the specialty tea shop in Dallas, the Cultured Cup. They discuss all things tea, from the mythology around the origins in ancient China to the various styles and methods of processing. Throughout the conversation, they draw very fascinating links to the wine industry in terms of terroir, human intervenion, and various modes of appreciation.
Visit the Cultured Cup website here.