Vigneto - A Podcast

In this latest episode of the Vigneto podcast which was taped last year, I speak with Amy Zavatto about her amazing career as a writer, journalist, and author of 18 books and counting. Amy gives great tips on writing a book and also dishes about how to make some amazing cocktails. Take a listen.

In this conversation, I spoke with with Andrea Lemieux, author of The Essential Guide to Turkish Wine: An exploration of one of the oldest and most unexpected wine countries. She offers a history of Turkey’s wine tradition, as well as notes on indigenous grapes, wineries and where to enjoy Turkish wine in Istanbul. We spoke last year and much has happened in the interim for Andrea with this special book. In this series, I speak with authors about their subject but also about their processes. Hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

In this 18th episode of the Vigneto podcast, I speak with Mike Madaio,  a food and wine writer based outside of Philadelphia. His book is called Lost Mount Penn: Wineries, Railroads and Resorts of Reading where he recounts the history of this area and the German immigrants who brought vines, grew grapes, and drank wine here in the 1800s. This fascinating slice of history also led us to a discussion about the industry in Pennsylvania today and some grapes and producers Mike is following with interest. Our wide-ranging conversation also includes tips on writing, a special method to do so, and hints as to what he may be working on in the future. Take a listen.

In this new series on the Vigneto Podcast, just in time for the holidays,  I speak with authors of books about different aspects of wine. My second guest of this series which is episode 17 of the podcast, I speak with Steve Raye, President of Bevology Inc. and author of "How to Get US Market Ready. Steve is an author and a marketing consultant with many years of experience helping brands create strategies for entering into the US market. In our conversation about his book, we discuss some of his tips for entering the US market, experiences and ways to use this book as well as ideas for aspiring writers.  For those who are looking to get into the US market, this conversation and this book are helpful tools. Take a listen.

In this new series, just in time for the holidays,  I speak with authors of books about different aspects of wine. My first guest for this new series is Alan Tardi,  an author, a journalist, a former chef and restaurateur, a wine expert, and an educator. Alan has written two books on wine, one on his experiences living in Piedmont called Romancing the Vine: Life, Love, and Transformation in the Vineyards of Barolo and his second more recent book,  Champagne, Uncorked:The House of Krug and the Timeless Allure of the World's Most Celebrated Drink. Our conversation about his books, his life in Piedmont as the 701st inhabitant of a small town, and his writing process will make you want to curl up with a glass of Champagne or Barolo. Take a listen.

Listen to this 15th episode of the Vigneto Podcast on Sustainability. In this segment, I speak with Kathleen Willcox, a freelance journalist for numerous publications in the wine industry about her interest and experience writing about sustainability. We discuss new trends in the wine industry to make it more sustainable from the use of farm animals to lighter bottles to getting rid of the capsule on the wine bottle and more. Tune in and let us know what you think.

Here's the 14th episode of the Vigneto Podcast on Sustainability. This week we speak with Kim Eger of Food Service Sustainability Solutions. Kim has long been in the field and has looked at managing food waste and composting from many aspects. Our conversation ranges from how to a recycle and reuse products, composting and soils, behavioral modifications, cost savings, and policy advocacy. A very knowledgeable source about the circular economy in his piece of the industry, I hope you will enjoy the chat as much as I did. Take a listen.

Listen to the latest episode in this second series of the Vigneto Sustainability Podcast. Together with Luca Formentini, owner of the Selva Capuzza winery near Lake Garda, we discuss his views on sustainability within the winery, restaurant, and hospitality arms of his business. We touch on packaging, transportation, the weight of wine bottles, as well as fertilizer, pesticides, water and energy use, among other issues. Luca has been very focused on creating a circular economy within his winery and his environment. Luca is also a former President of the Lugana Consortium as well as of other consortium in his part of Lombardy. In those roles, Luca advocated for sustainable practices as well and has been interested in the topic for many years. Take a listen to our wide-ranging chat. 

In this episode of the new Sustainability series, I speak with corporate leaders about what their companies are doing in the area of sustainability. In today's episode I speak with Gabriele Lucentini, Co-Founder of Communications Firm Nirtya about their Sustainability Index. Take a listen.

In this episode of the Vigneto Podcast on Sustainability, I speak with Maureen Kline, VP of Public Affairs & Sustainability at Pirelli Tire North America. Our conversation covers the wide range of areas that come under the umbrella of sustainability at a tire company. Pirelli has been in business since the late 1800s and they are still evolving all these years later. Take a listen and see what issues Pirelli is addressing with their sustainability practices from the circular economy to end of life tires, among many other topics.

In this 10th episode, co-hosts Susannah Gold and Sunny Gandara speak with Master Sommelier David Glancy, Founder of the San Francisco Wine School. Our conversation ranges from sustainability to the California and Northwest Certification programs that they offer to what changes and modifications the school has made during the pandemic. We also speak about his Glancy Wine Education foundation and the scholarships they offer. Take a listen.

In this Episode of the Vigneto Podcast, Susannah Gold and co-host Sunny Gandara speak with Deborah Brenner, Founder & CEO, Women of the Vine & Spirits and the President, Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. 501c3. We discussed many issues impacting women in the wine industry including the pandemic, sustainability, diversity, mentorship, access to opportunities and the unique constraints and problems involved in our industry. We also speak about Deborah's 2006 book called Women of the Vine and about how many programs her organization has for its 7000+ members. We discuss her foundation and the work they are doing to advance women in the industry. Take a listen to our wide-ranging conversation with one of the visionaries of the wine world.

In episode 8, Susannah Gold and Sunny Gandara speak with Manfred Ing, winemaker at Querciabella winery in Tuscany, renowned for their fantastic, high quality vegan wines. We speak with Manfred about his experiences at Querciabella, dive into their practices, and what he is seeing in Tuscany and Italy, both in terms of sustainable wines and climate change. Manfred is originally from South Africa and has contacts throughout the global wine industry, having also created a social media group for winemakers throughout the world. We touch on this as well as his joy in working with Querciabella's visionary owner, entrepreneur, and vegan activist Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni.

In the latest episode of the Vigneto Podcast, Susannah Gold and Sunny Gandara speak with Christy Frank, or Copake Wine Works in the Hudson Valley/Berkshires area. Christy dishes on everything from what she is selling in the store, to the role of retailers in changing the conversation around vineyard workers rights, shipping and other topics. An expert on all things wine related, we had a chance to have an in-depth conversation with Christy, the next best thing to being able to shop in her store.

Listen to this sixth episode of the Vigneto Podcast where co-hosts Susannah Gold and Sunny Gandara talk about sustainability and the wine industry with various guests. Today's guest is Jennifer Huether, Canada's First Female Master Sommelier. She wears many hats in the industry with a strong focus on Canadian Wines. She also focuses on Vegan wines and pairing with plant-based dishes. In that vein she recently co-founded a new company, the Social Herbivore and is writing a book. 

In Episode 5 of the Vigneto Podcast, the Sustainability Series, co-hosts Sunny Gandara and Susannah Gold,  discuss what the wines Michael Drapkin keeps in his wine store, Kingston Wine Co. How he chooses his largely biodyanmic, organic, and natural wine producers and what criteria he uses to choose the producers. We learn about his views on the centrality of farming to the entire process and how he made the choice to leave NYC to found his store some seven years ago as well as other facts about running a shop. 

In this episode, co-hosts Susannah Gold and Sunny Gandara discuss the beginnings of Tablas Creek winery and their journey towards being the first winery to be certified by the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), regenorganic.org. Take a listen.

In this episode of the podcast, co-host Susannah Gold and Sunny Gandara speak with Ilaria Petitto, owner of Donnachiara winery in Irpinia (Campania), Italy. Ilaria speaks about her work in her own vineyards, which indigenous grapes are easier to grow organically, and what she sees happening in the rest of her region and in Italy generally. We touch on reasons why organic farming is difficult and get her views on certifications. 

Listen to our lastest episode of the Vigneto podcast. Co-hosts Susannah Gold and Sunny Gandara speak with Natural Wine Importer Jenny Lefcourt about what's happening in Natural Wine and how she got into the business 20 years ago. We touch on her views on sustainability and what she sees moving forward for the industry.

Welcome to Vigneto, a weekly podcast by Susannah Gold. We look at the wine industry from different angles. This first 10-week series looks at sustainability. Sunny Gandara, a vegan chef and wine expert is the co-host for this series and each week we will have a new guest. In this episode, we discuss what comes under the umbrella term of sustainability: soils, air, water, packaging, animal welfare, biodiversity, and the social and economic impact as well. The podcasts will post on Thursdays.