How to Discover the Heart of Hungary’s Wine Culture
Wine Behind The Scenes
In this warm and flavorful episode, Laurel reconnects with Csilla Janosi: winemaker, wine tour organizer, and passionate ambassador for Hungarian food and wine culture. Laurel recounts her recent visit to Hungary, where she explored centuries-old cellars, and where she visited Csilla's winery. Together, they dive into Hungary’s unique wine regions, traditional grape varieties, and the cultural richness that infuses each glass of wine. Csilla also shares the story of the winery she has with her joint venture with partner Monica, Molla Winery, and how their mission extends far beyond wine...
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How to Blend Legacy and Passion into Great Wine
Wine Behind The Scenes
In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons is joined by Andrea Kaiser, founder of Drea’s Wine Co. and daughter of the legendary winemaker Karl J. Kaiser, co-founder of Inniskillin Wines. Andrea shares her incredible journey, from growing up in the vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake to launching her own boutique label in tribute to her father. This heartfelt and inspiring episode explores the challenges of building a wine brand from scratch, the evolution of Niagara’s wine scene, and the importance of supporting local producers. Andrea opens up about her career in marketing,...
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It's Halloween: How to Enjoy Wine Behind the Screams
Wine Behind The Scenes
In this special Halloween edition of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons invites you to a hauntingly good time with spooky wine names, haunted cellars, ghost stories, and wine tips that are perfect for your next Halloween gathering. Whether you're curious about “ferocious tannins,” looking to impress your guests with clever wine and candy pairings, or just want to discover some eerie bottles to add to your collection, this episode has something deliciously dark for you. Plus, you’ll get to hear not just one wonky wine term but two! What You’ll Discover: The truth...
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How a Love of Wine Became the Wine Likes App
Wine Behind The Scenes
What starts as a story inspired by a grandfather’s World War II experience with champagne turns into a full-circle journey through fine dining, wine education, and app development. In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons is joined by Jeff Gillis, a certified sommelier, adjunct professor, and former food and beverage director at luxury hotels in Beverly Hills and Napa Valley. Jeff shares how his upbringing shaped his love of wine and why curating wine lists at five-star hotels prepared him for teaching and innovating. He talks about building his app, Wine...
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How to Find Your Place in a Changing Wine World
Wine Behind The Scenes
In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons chats with Joel Droogh, whose path to the wine industry started on a dairy farm outside Ottawa. From chasing cows as a kid to crafting low-alcohol wines in Niagara, Joel shares how his hands-on background and entrepreneurial drive led him to a life among the vines. Joel opens up about his transition from brewing to winemaking, why Canadian wineries are facing big challenges (and big opportunities), and how younger drinkers are reshaping the industry. They talk branding, climate change, community engagement, and what it will take for...
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How to Untangle the World of Wine: Questions & Answers
Wine Behind The Scenes
In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with her niece, Liesel Meissner, for a fun, informative, and completely unpretentious conversation about wine. Tired of being overwhelmed in wine shops and feeling lost when restaurant lists, Liesel came armed with questions, and Laurel delivered the answers. From understanding residual sugar and decoding trendy terms like "orange wine" and "pet-nat," to what wine to bring to a business dinner, this episode strips away the mystery and seriousness and gets real about what makes wine enjoyable and accessible. If you’ve ever...
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Tannins, Tunnels & Tito: How to Explore Croatia’s Wine Heritage
Wine Behind The Scenes
In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons reconnects with Kit Pepper, a wine editor, educator, and founder of Cheers Croatia Magazine. Kit, who lives on the island that's a 50-minute ferry ride from the Dalmatian city of Split, returns to dive even deeper into Croatia’s long, complex relationship with wine. From the ancient Greeks and Romans to the shadow of communism and the wars of the 1990s, Kit shares how politics, geography, and culture shaped Croatian viniculture and how the industry is thriving today. The conversation also explores the rise of wine tourism, the...
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Supermarket to Lemberger: How to Uncork the Unexpected
Wine Behind The Scenes
In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with wine educator Elaine Peters to explore the vibrant world of Ontario wine through the lens of personal experience, cultural connection, and joyful discovery. Elaine shares how she transitioned from corporate life to the tasting room, from Bell to the LCBO and now to Between the Lines Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Along the way, she embraced her love of wine by diving into WSET courses and finding her voice in the world of wine. Whether she’s guiding visitors through tastings in multiple languages or highlighting...
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How to Make Wine with Grapes, Grit (and Sumac)
Wine Behind The Scenes
In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sat down with Yvonne Irvine, a long-time winemaker in Niagara and the co-founder of Maenad Wine Co. Yvonne shares her journey from studying biotechnology and business to launching a brand that’s all about creative freedom, fun, and celebrating women unapologetically. Her wines are low-intervention, playful, and packed with personality from co-ferments with botanicals to pét-nats and piquette blends. They talk about what it means to make wine without the pressure of tradition, why it matters to create space for women in the wine...
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Buying Wine? How To (Maybe) Outsmart Your Brain
Wine Behind The Scenes
In this episode of Wine Behind the Scenes, Laurel Simmons sits down with Dr. Antonia Mantonakis, also known as The Wine Psychologist, to explore how celebrity culture and subtle psychological triggers shape our wine choices, whether we realize it or not. From wine-tasting experiments with Olympic athletes to the endowment effect (a real thing!) and why we’re more likely to buy something we’ve physically touched, Antonia shares her fascinating research into the subconscious forces behind buying and enjoying wine. This is a conversation that’s as playful as it is eye-opening, especially...
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Marzia and Bob Murdoch, left their corporate careers in Toronto to pursue their dream of owning a winery in Niagara’s scenic wine country.
Tune in to hear how they turned adversity into a thriving winery, producing award-winning wines and creating a vibrant community. This episode is full of inspiration, resilience, and plenty of reasons to raise a glass!
In this episode you will be able to:
- Discover the inspiring journey of Marzia and Bob Murdoch, who made a bold 180-degree life change by purchasing a winery in Niagara during the challenges of COVID-19.
- Learn about the unique challenges they faced, including losing their first crop to winter kill and navigating the complexities of running a winery without prior experience in farming or hospitality.
- Understand the three distinct businesses involved in winery operations: farming, winemaking, and sales, and how Marzia and Bob tackled each aspect.
- Hear about their innovative strategies for marketing and sales, especially during the pandemic, including building a new website and implementing e-commerce solutions.
- Explore the importance of community and networking within the wine industry, and how collaboration with other wineries has been beneficial for their growth.
- Gain valuable advice for anyone considering entering the winery business, emphasizing the need for hard work, dedication, and a realistic understanding of the industry.
Marzia and Bob Murdoch are the dynamic duo behind 180 Wines, a boutique winery located in the picturesque Jordan Station of Niagara, Ontario.
After spending over 30 years in corporate careers in Toronto, they made a bold decision to pivot their lives and embrace the world of winemaking just as the COVID-19 pandemic began.
With no prior experience in farming or hospitality, they faced numerous challenges, including losing their first crop to winter kill. However, their determination and passion for their new venture have transformed their lives for the better.
The couple has also integrated their family into the business, with their two daughters contributing to various aspects of winery operations, from marketing to staffing.
Their winery features a charming bistro and event space, offering a unique culinary experience that complements their wines. With a love for entertaining and a commitment to creating memorable experiences for their guests, Marzia and Bob invite you to join them at 180 Wines for a taste of their passion and dedication to the art of winemaking.
Contact Marzia and Bob Murdoch here:
- Website: www.180wines.ca
- Email: info@180wines.ca
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/180wines/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/180wines/