PODCAST · arts
Pour Decisions
by Brian Lesperance
A podcast about craft beverages from an insiders point of view. Our primary focus is on wine made in the Midwest, but topics include other craft beverages and products. Basically, anything you can pour is fair game. The podcast is hosted by Brian Lesperance, a 14 year veteran of the Michigan wine industry. Brian currently leads Fenn Valley Vineyards, a winery in Fennville, Michigan started in 1973. He also serves on several industry boards, including the Michigan Wine Collaborative and Michigan Wine Producers Association. Pour Decisions is presented by Fenn Valley Consulting Services with IT provided by Carrier Signal. Music provided by Domestic Problems.
Episodes
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The Story of Muscat...O with Matthew Jannette, Fenn Valley Vineyards
In this special episode we explore the origin of Muscat...O, a new wine produced by Fenn Valley modeled after the famous Italian dessert wine Moscato d'Asti. The product was the vision of Matthew Jannette, who joins us to tell the story. We specifically dive deep on how Moscato d'Asti is made…
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Tony Jacobson - Founder, Loose Cannon Wines
In the first episode of 2026 we interview one of the most experienced sparkling wine experts around. Tony Jacobson is the Principal Consultant at EnoCraft and Founder of Loose Cannon Wines in Traverse City, Michigan. We cover some of the challenges and opportunities available in the sparkling...
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2025 Season Wrap-Up - with Matthew Jannette and Andrew Backlin
With the fog of harvest lifting, Matthew Jannette and Andrew Backlin reflect on the growing year. We go from bud break through harvest discussing how the slow start evolved into one of the driest seasons on record. They talked about what they are most looking forward to in terms of upcoming wines...
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2025 Harvest Update #5
Harvest is rapidly wrapping up! During the harvest season we will provide periodic (~weekly) updates on how things are going in Fennville as the fruit comes in. In this episode we cover a brief history of Traminette, a hybrid grape developed in the 1960's and brought to market by Cornell…
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2025 Harvest Update #4
Harvest continues! During the harvest season we will provide periodic (~weekly) updates on how things are going in Fennville as the fruit comes in. In this episode we cover a brief history of Sauvignon Blanc, a sometimes misunderstood grape with a very long history. We delve into how Sauvignon...
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2025 Harvest Update #3
Harvest continues! During the harvest season we will provide periodic (~weekly) updates on how things are going in Fennville as the fruit comes in. This short episode also goes over a little history and use of the Riesling grape, originally used for winemaking in the 15th century! We discuss how...
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2025 Harvest Update #2
Harvest continues! During the harvest season we will provide periodic (~weekly) updates on how things are going in Fennville as the fruit comes in. We also go through a little history on the Cayuga White grape, the first hybrid wine grape released by Cornell University in 1972. We wrap the…
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Harvest 2025 - Update #1
Harvest has started! We are going to try something new for the harvest season and provide a periodic (~weekly) update on how things are going in Fennville as the fruit comes in. We also go through a little history on the Chardonnay grape, one of the most popular varieties grown around the world....
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Matthew Jannette - Head of Winemaking, Fenn Valley Vineyards
In this episode we talk to Matthew Jannette, Head of Winemaking at Fenn Valley Vineyards. Matt and Brian literally sit next to each other at work, so needless to say they dove right into a myriad of topics. Like many episodes, we start by going through Matt's journey through the craft beverage...
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AMA #3 - Sparkling Wine
In this Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode we dive into the different ways sparkling wine can be produced. We cover the three main methods, Méthode Champenoise, Charmat Method, and Carbonation Method in detail. We also touch on a couple others, such as Pét-Nat. Pour Decisions approaches the topic from...
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Scott Graham - Executive Director, Michigan Brewers Guild
We are joined in this episode by Scott Graham, the Executive Director of the Michigan Brewers Guild. Scott has been part of the craft scene for over 30 years including brewing and selling some of the worlds most iconic brands and some of the most niche. In his role as Executive Director Scott...
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AMA #2 - All About Rose
In this Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode we cover all things Rose! The category of Rose wine is incredibly broad, and often misunderstood. We delve into the main ways rose wine is produced and how those production decisions may impact the wine in your glass - including color, flavor, and intensity.…
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James Lester - President & Winemaker, Wyncroft
We are joined in this episode by James Lester, the Founder, President, and Winemaker at Wyncroft Wines. Working alongside his wife Daun, James is directly involved in every aspect of this intentionally small winery nestled along the lakeshore in Pullman, Michigan. The majority of this discussion...
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Fred Bueltmann - Executive Director, Red Horse Center
We are joined in this episode by Fred Bueltmann from the Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership. It is safe to say Fred is among the founders of the Michigan craft beer and spirits industry having served in leadership roles during the early years of two of the most iconic breweries in...
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AMA #1 - Beverage Experience on a Disney Cruise
In our first ever Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode we cover questions we received following a recent spring break trip onboard the Disney Fantasy cruise ship. Specifically we provide an overview of fermented beverages in the Caribbean, unique challenges and idiosyncrasies of cruise ship beverage...
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Andrew Backlin - Director of Production and Winemaker, Modales Wines
We are joined in this episode with Andrew Backlin from Modales Wines. Andrew grew up outside Napa county and brought his love of wine to Michigan several years ago as Modales was starting up. As the head of production and winemaking Andrew focuses on low intervention wines and has been doing so...
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Brian Lillie - VP, Hospitality Operations and Distribution, Chateau Chantal
In the premier of Pour Decisions we sit down with Brian Lillie with Chateau Chantal. Brian is a legend in the Michigan wine industry and has an incredibly broad perspective on wine and the craft beverage market. In addition to his day job at Chateau Chantal, Brian is the President of the Michigan...
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Pour Decisions Trailer
This is the trailer for the Pour Decisions podcast! Learn more at www.craftpourdecisions.com. Pour Decisions is a podcast about craft beverages from an insiders point of view. Our primary focus is on wine made in the Midwest, but topics include other craft beverages and products. Basically,...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast about craft beverages from an insiders point of view. Our primary focus is on wine made in the Midwest, but topics include other craft beverages and products. Basically, anything you can pour is fair game.
The podcast is hosted by Brian Lesperance, a 14 year veteran of the Michigan wine industry. Brian currently leads Fenn Valley Vineyards, a winery in Fennville, Michigan started in 1973. He also serves on several industry boards, including the Michigan Wine Collaborative and Michigan Wine Producers Association.
Pour Decisions is presented by Fenn Valley Consulting Services with IT provided by Carrier Signal. Music provided by Domestic Problems.
HOSTED BY
Brian Lesperance
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Pour Decisions have?
Pour Decisions currently has 18 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Pour Decisions about?
A podcast about craft beverages from an insiders point of view. Our primary focus is on wine made in the Midwest, but topics include other craft beverages and products. Basically, anything you can pour is fair game. The podcast is hosted by Brian Lesperance, a 14 year veteran of the Michigan wine...
How often does Pour Decisions release new episodes?
Pour Decisions has 18 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Pour Decisions?
You can listen to Pour Decisions on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Pour Decisions?
Pour Decisions is created and hosted by Brian Lesperance.
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