Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People

Oh sure World Verdejo Day may be well over but that doesn’t mean I’m done with podcasts about the wine region of Rueda located in Northern Spain. My guest is Antonio Arévalo, the manager for Bodegas Garciarevalo located in Rueda. Antonio has managed the estate since 1995 and has over 20 years of winemaking experience.

PM Chan is the Owner for Domaine Thomson located just above Lake Dunstan in Central Otago, New Zealand.I knew nothing about her winery until our trip to the South Island when several people in the wine industry said we had to pay them a visit. This is a classic Chardonnay/Pinot Noir winery with strong Burgundy ties and even stronger historical relevance with the entire wine world of New Zealand. 

Meet Rob/Liz Harold & Joe/Tracey Schenck.They are the hard working masterminds behind the boutique Niagara winery King and Victoria Winery. This podcast is packed with so many stories from the past two+ decades that led to the start of their winery.The heart of this interview is about how these four went from grinding away working at tasting rooms to now making some pretty damn good Niagara wine.

Every wine region has their acclaimed winemaker who may not be as well known in other parts of the world. In North Canterbury wine region of Waipara Dom Maxwell has been making award winning wines for over two decades. Dom headed up the wine program at the famed winery Greystone Winery for 21 years until he started his own winery, Forager Winery.Thrilled to be able to share his story.

My guest on the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast is one of the top winemakers working in Ontario, Matt Smith.  The 2024 Paul Pender Rising Star Award winner is the winemaker for Cloudsley Cellars, Honsberger Estate and Kirby Estate.

The latest guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is the incredibly impressive Elsa MacDonald.Elsa is a Master of Wine and is the Director of Education for CAPS Ontario.She went from working as a financial consultant in the early 2000s to becoming a Master of Wine in 2018.Great conversation about the importance of the CAPS program, judging international wine competitions and the traps that come when blind tasting a wine.

The Podcast is going back to South Island, New Zealand.Big fan of when you stumble on a winery you have never heard of and end up loving the wine and the story.Meet Steve Farquharson the Co-Owner of Wooing Tree Vineyard located in Central Otago.Steve went from IT to wine, Wooing Tree is woven within a community in Cromwell and his award winning line of wines go from Blondies to Beetle Juice.Bad a blast with this unexpected discovery. 

Kelly owns her own winery Mason Vineyard, is the chief winemaker at Domaine Queylus and is one of the most ambitious winemaker in Canada. She is expanding all things Mason Vineyard while making incredible Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.Kelly has been on the Podcast more than just about any other guest. Her passion for all things wine is so infectious.

This is a podcast years in the making. One of the most important winemakers in Canada, my guest on the podcast is Shiraz Mottiar, the Winegrowing Director for Malivoire Wine Company.Shiraz has worked for Malivoire since 2000 and has helped elevate Gamay as one of the elite red wines made in Niagara.  

It would take too long to properly sum up the career and credentials of Angela Aiello, my latest guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine and Stuff with Interesting People'  She is a wine educator, a winemaker (The Juice Wine Company), an award-winning entrepreneur (Super Wine Girl) and does a hell of a job on live TV talking all things wine.Angela also has partnered up with one of the most impressive wine bars in Ontario, The Crush On King.The "Super Wine Girl" is back on the pod and to be honest I'm shocked it took so long to have her back on!

We got wine royalty on the Podcast with Vitalie Taittinger, the President and CEO of Champagne Taittinger, the 3rd oldest Champagne House.Great Champagne deep dive with Vitalie that stretches from 1915 to Taittinger's relationship with the 2026 World Cup!

Meet Peter Dim, Niagara winery owner of Dim Wine Co.Dim Wine Co. is relatively "new" for the Niagara wine scene but his families wine history in this area goes back well over 50 years.I learned about them through word of mouth from other wineries and I'm thrilled to have discovered them.Great family story, killer Riesling and big Bordeaux blends.

With June 5th being World Verdejo Day who better to have on the podcast than Santiago Mora, the Director General of DO Rueda.We discuss the rise of the white wine region of Rueda, the importance of the Gran Vino de Rueda classification and just how Santiago has grown into his job.

The leadup to World Verdejo Day (Friday June 5th) continues with my interview with the President of Marqués de Cáceres.

We are less then a week away from World Verdejo Day which is happening on Friday, June 5th.I have a bunch of interviews with winemakers, winery owners and other people connected with the Verdejo grape and  the Spanish white wine region of Rueda. Rueda is a two-hour drive northwest of Madrid and is perfect spot for Verdejo with its hot summers, cold winters, crazy old vines and a massive commitment to organic/biodynamic grape growing.My first interview is with winemaker Pedro Martin from Bodegas Protos.His family used to make white wine in Rueda in the 1940s. His journey has gone from learning how to make wine in Bordeaux, working at one of London’s most famous wine stores, Oddbins to now making a variety of Verdejo for Bodegas Protos.

What I love about doing this Podcast is the opportunity to meet with crazy talented people with fascinating stories to tell.Meet Mia Martensson!She went from Hotel pot-washer on Gotland Island in Sweden to being the Head Sommelier on the largest private residential yacht to creating a Wine Spectator Award Winning wine program at the Seven Stars Spa & Resort in Turks & Caicos.Lotta energy, lotta fun!

The Podcast is back in South Island New Zealand.My guest is Fergus Winters, a winemaker and the Manager for The Boneline, a boutique winery located in the Waipara wine region located in North Canterbury.Great interview especially for people who want to learn more about Waipara an important but not talked about enough part of the New Zealand wine world.

Did you know there is a giant wine library located at Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute?It’s true, and it’s glorious! Love the idea of showing just how age worthy Canadian wines are and all will always be.Had a chance to interview Taylor MaGee the wine cellar manager for the library and operations co-ordinator for CCOVI.

Thrilled to interview Nate Weis the General Manager and Senior Winemaker for Beaulieu Vineyard, one of the most important/historic wineries in Napa Valley.

Her official title for Neudorf Vineyards is Director of Sales and Marketing but Rosie Finn would rather be known as the “International Cheerleader” for one of the best wineries in the Nelson region of South Island New Zealand.Growing up in the winery Rosie never thought she would be working at Neudorf until she found herself thousands of miles away from home. Her story is a sweet one built on a love for family, wine and a hell of a lot of hard work.Hard not to root for this winery or her family.

The Podcast is doing a deep dive on all things Italy with Giovanni Silvestri from Italy's leading food and wine media company, Gambero Rosso.We discuss all that goes into judging thousands of wineries that you will find in their Vini d'Italia guide, the definitive go-to resource for all things Italian wine.I get to try a white grape from Lazio winery Casale del Giglio that I had never heard of before (Called Bellone, you can find it at the LCBO), Giovanni goes over his wine journey all while hanging out at Bar Centrale at Terroni.Not a bad way to spend the day.

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast’ … the South Island, New Zealand wine tour continues with Paul Donaldson, the General Manager of Pegasus Bay winery located in the Waipara wine region.This winery is a true family affair.Started by Ivan and Christine Donaldson in 1985 and now in the more than capable hands of their children who produce such a diverse range of wines from classic Pinot Noir to just about every style of Riesling you can imagine.One of the highlights of our trip!

My guest is Nick Mills the General Manager and Vigneron for Rippon Vineyard (He is not a fan of the "winemaker" label) ... we sit down for an interview after Nick invited me for a 7am swim in Wānaka.They make classic cool climate Pinot Noir and an array of aromatic whites that come with far more texture than you would expect.

I sit down in person with winery owner Kate Hill from Tasmania’s Huon Valley. Her winery, Kate Hill Wines has been making award winning wines since her early years in 2008. 

The Podcast is back and live from Australia! I sit down with Master Sommelier Franck Moreau about his journey from Beaujolais to Sydney, his role as the Group Sommelier for the hospitality giant Merivale and all things Aussie wine.

Making his third appearance on the Podcast. We go through Bachelder's latest release and I do my best to get Thomas to admit, that YES he has had a large impact on the growth of the Niagara wine scene. 

Last March I interviewed Luke Marquis, the Global Sales Director for Mollydooker Wines.One of my takeaways was just how impressive his mother, Sarah Marquis, the owner of Mollydooker Wines sounded.I had to have her on.I'm so glad to have interviewed Sarah.Her story, the impact of her father on the winery, the serious commitment to fun, the philanthropy connected with the winery is all so damn compelling!Trust me, this episode is gonna have ya hooked from start to finish. 

An in depth look at the world of Port from one of the most famous Port houses of the world, Taylor Fladgate. 

It's back-to-back episodes about all things Felton Road as I'm joined by Winemaker Blair Walter. The story of Felton is all about the friendship between Walter, one of the original founders Stewart Elms and current owner Nigel Greening. Love the story of one of New Zealand's top wineries.  

The Podcast sits down with New Zealand wine royalty! Nigel Greening, the owner of Felton Road.Nigel went from this September 28th, 2000 ‘Wine Spectator; headline: “Pinot Noir Fanatic Buys New Zealand's Felton Road Wines” to helping spear head vineyard specific wines in Central Otago.Nigel has such a great story.Enjoy!

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast My guest is Jeffrey Roel, Sommelier at Blue Bovine Steak + Sushi House AND the 2025 CAPS Cup Tasting Challenge Winner!An engaging conversation on all things wine competition, training to be a Master of Wine and what goes into proper wine service.

Some fall in love with because they come from a family of winemakers. For others it's during a trip to Burgundy.But how many winery owners got hooked on wine because of White Zinfandel??That is exactly how it got started for Marquis Sauvage, owner of Burn Cottage Vineyard ... a source of killer Pinot Noir in the heart of Central Otago New Zealand.Marquis was such a fun interview. An ambitious, unique and gregarious man.

On the latest episode of the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I talk with Todd Stevens, the GM and Winemaker for Neudorf Vineyards from South Island New Zealand. Fell in love with their Pinot’s this past summer, thrilled he had time to do the Podcast.

Super fun podcast with author Danielle Frank to discuss her new book ‘A Wine Lover’s Guide to Parenting’.A great book for Parents, Wine Lovers, Professional Uncles and of course “Auntie Extraordinaire’s”This book takes a fun look at how life lessons from wine can find their way in the world of parenting and vice versa. IE: Letting the moment breath works in both cases! 

One of the top three wines I had this past year was a 2020 Burn Cottage Vineyard Pinot Noir.I stumbled upon it by accident while hunting at the @LCBO and immediately feel love.Located in the famed Central Otago wine region in South Island New Zealand, this winery has been producing elite Pinot for ages.My interview is one of the people responsible for these wines, winemaker Clair Mulholland! 

The Podcast is heading to Tasmania! I could go on about how this Australian island is the source of so much excellent Pinot Noir and Sparkling wine but I'll let my guest, winemaker Jonny Hughes do the talking.Jonny and his brother Matthew started Mewstone Wines and hughes & hughes back in 2011.What started as a passion project and an old cherry orchard turned into one of the top Tasmania wineries.

You ever visited a wine region, fallen in love with it and daydreamed about taking that MASSIVE leap and diving headfirst into the world of wine?I bet many of you have.How many of you actually followed through with that crazy dream?I bet the number is LOW.My guest on the wine podcast did just that!Meet Corey Mio who had never tried any wine from Niagara a decade ago and now his own vineyard.Yup ... a fun interview!

My latest guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast Geoffrey Moss has such an impressive wine resume.He earned his Master of Wine back in 2020. There is less then 500 of them in the world!!He founded a boutique wine marketing company, Lithica Wine Marketing in 2019Finally he and his friend/winemaker Ryan McKibbon have started a virtual winery called Søren.One of their latest releases: Soren Boundary Spring Red 2022 a classic Bordeaux blend from Okanagan ... An elegant/refreshing Cabernet Sauvignon led wine with savoury notes on the end.

Love the wine origin story of Richie Allen, the winemaker for Rombauer Vineyards, located in Napa Valley.Australian born, Richie’s wine journey started at a surprise birthday party in Sacramento. From there it was living out of two suitcases going from harvest to harvest before ending up at Rombauer producing award winning wine. One of my favourite California Zinfandels plus killer Chardonnay’s Rombauer is one of the prettiest vineyards you can visit. Fun conversation.

Making her third appearance on the Podcast is Heather McDougall.Sommelier, Wine Educator, Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) Board Member, Wine cellar management …. Trust me I’m leaving off several of her other jobs.Always a fun and educational interview.

The wine podcast is going full Ontario Apple Cider!My guest is Lynn Sullivan. Formerly the GM of Rosehall Run Vineyards (@rosehall_run), now the Marketing Director for Drink Ontario Apples (@drinkontarioapples).They are ALL about the growth of the Ontario Craft Cider.We chat about her transition from grapes to apples, just how many different styles of Cider are out there and the upcoming Ontario Cider Week.NOTE: Ontario Cider Week is upon us! DATES: Sept 19–26 

My guest on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast is one of the busiest people in the wine industry.The guest: Master of Wine, James Cluer. James and his company Fine Vintage is involved in wine education, luxury tours, helping people find jobs in the wine world and he specializes in assisting new wineries. Appreciated James taking time out of his busy schedule to join the pod!

Had a great time interviewing Canadian Music Hall of Famer and 3-time Juno Winner Deborah Cox on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast! Deborah has partnered with Chateau Margilliere, located in Provence, France to create her own Rosé, Kazaisu.Named after her three children this project is a labour of love from someone who is deeply passionate about making organic wine.This was such a unique and entertaining conversation with such a talented individual. You’ll love it! Side note: If you are in Southern Ontario Deborah will be performing at Casa Loma on August 27th! 

The 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast' is on one hell of a Napa Valley run!My guest, John Giannini, is the Winemaker for Mount Veeder Winery.This winery has been making classic Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet sauvignon since the early 1970's.Thrilled to learn more about this historic winery.

The Podcast is headed to the famed Bordeaux appellation of Pessac-Leognan. My guest is Edouard Kressmann, the Deputy Technical Director at Château Latour-Martillac.

The latest Podcast is headed to Portugal where I sat down with winemaker João Maria Portugal Ramos. We discuss his legendary father João Portugal Ramos, one of the most important people in the world of Portuguese wine, all things about the Alentejo region and just a solid overview of the Portuguese wine scene.Side note: If you can find his Marquês de Borba Colheita Red 2022, pick up a bottle or seven. Crazy value wine.

Loved my interview with Etude Senior Winemaker & General Manager Jon Priest. Etude is one of the preeminent Pinot Noir producers in California.This was such a fun Pinot masterclass with a winemaker who has been working with this "very, very needy" grape for over 25 years.

With the Fourth of July just around the corner no better time to celebrate one of my favourite Napa Cabernet Sauvignon producers, Amici Cellars.My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine and Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is their Lead Winemaker Tony Biagi.The interview ranges from just how different Napa Valley is today versus when he started working there, Mountain vs. Valley Floor fruit to what is the best wine Tony ever had after a San Francisco 49ers victory. 

Wait, is the main reason Westcott Vineyards exists in our lives is because the owners, Carolyn and Grant don’t like to golf???Okay that may be a wee bit overly simplistic BUT it is part of the story.Check out my interview with Carolyn Hurst, Westcott Vineyards President & Co-Founder where we go into the whole story of this Niagara based winery.

It’s World Verdejo Day!It’s that special time of year for people who enjoy this acidic/fresh Spanish white wine with that unique combination of fresh stone fruit, fennel notes and a herby finish.  One of my favourite producers is José Pariente. From their entry level wines to their older oak influenced versions they know there way around Verdejo.My interview is with their energetic CEO Ignacio Prieto Pariente.We discuss the history/philosophy of José Pariente, the early days when he and his winemaking sister Martina took over the family business back in 2012 and pushing the quality levels of the Verdejo grape.