PODCAST · arts
What's the Problem?
by Ehlers Estate
As the wine industry is in transition, it seems that many are scrambling for solutions. Taking a step back, winemaker Adam Casto is looking to define the problem. Speaking to a wide array of different industry perspectives, he aims to get to the heart of the issue from all angles. New episodes will be published on Tuesdays at Noon PST, with bonus episodes published on Thursdays. ehlersestate.substack.com
Episodes
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Randall Grahm
Winegrowing, done properly, is quite unreasonable. A ballerina, spinning gracefully on their toes until they bleed, is quite unreasonable. Sailing past the horizon in a hollowed-out log with no certain aim but to go “there”, is quite unreasonable. Existence itself sometimes feels quite...
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Matt Hardin
Matt Hardin is a sixth-generation Napa Valley farmer whose roots in viticulture trace back to 1849, when his family first began farming in Pope Valley. After earning his degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, he joined Barbour Vineyard Management, eventually becoming a partner, before launching…
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Robin Lail
Robin Daniel Lail is a name is synonymous with heritage, excellence, and innovation in American winemaking. Born and raised among the vineyards of Inglenook, founded in 1879 by her great-granduncle, Gustave Niebaum, Robin was steeped early in the traditions of fine winemaking. As founder and…
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Richard Peterson
Dr. Richard Peterson is one of California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemakers, blending scientific rigor with creative innovation to help shape the modern wine industry. Born in Iowa during the Great Depression, he went on to earn a Ph.D. in agricultural chemistry from UC Berkeley in...
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James Conaway
James Conaway, born in Memphis, Tennessee, is an acclaimed author and journalist whose work has left an indelible mark on both American letters and the cultural history of wine country. Educated at the University of North Carolina, Southwestern at Memphis, and Stanford University, where he was a...
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Priscilla Hennekam
Priscilla Hennekam is a Brazilian-born, Adelaide-based wine consultant and founder of Hennekam Wine Consultancy. With over a decade of experience in the international wine industry, she helps producers and organizations adapt to changing markets by focusing on communication, consumer engagement,...
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Lamberto Frescobaldi
Lamberto Frescobaldi is the President of Marchesi Frescobaldi, one of Italy’s most historic and influential wine families, with a legacy that spans over 700 years and 30 generations. Born into this lineage of Tuscan nobility, Lamberto was immersed in the world of viticulture from an early age. He...
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Jason Haas
Jason Haas is a second‑generation proprietor of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles, California, where he serves as Partner and General Manager. Raised immersed in the wine world, Haas accompanied his father, Robert Haas, the founder of Vineyard Brands and co‑founder of Tablas Creek, on numerous...
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Michael Osborn
Michael Osborn is a pioneering entrepreneur and respected leader in the American wine industry, best known as the founder of Wine.com, the largest online wine retailer in the United States. With a career that spans more than two decades at the intersection of technology and wine, Osborn has…
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Steve Matthiasson
Steve Matthiasson is a Napa Valley winemaker and viticulturalist whose influence has reshaped the conversation around California wine. Known for his restrained, elegant style and deep commitment to sustainable farming, he is both a celebrated producer and a trusted vineyard consultant to some of...
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Michael Juergens
Michael Juergens is the founder of the Bhutan Wine Company and the visionary behind the development of Bhutan’s nascent wine industry. A longtime wine expert, certified sommelier, and Master of Wine candidate, Juergens began his journey in wine over three decades ago. By day, he is a senior…
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Heidi Barrett
Heidi Peterson Barrett is one of the most influential and celebrated winemakers in California, widely recognized for her pivotal role in shaping the cult wine movement of Napa Valley. Born in Berkeley and raised in the Napa Valley, Barrett is the daughter of Dr. Richard Peterson, a respected...
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Hunter Rudd
Hunter Rudd is a wine entrepreneur redefining how consumers discover and connect with wine. As CEO and co-founder of Wine Dispensary and Somm Says, he blends digital strategy, personalized service, and tech-driven tools to create accessible, engaging wine experiences for modern drinkers. At Wine...
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Jane Anson
Jane Anson is one of the world’s foremost authorities on Bordeaux wine. A celebrated wine writer, author, and critic, she spent nearly two decades living in Bordeaux, where she became the first woman to write a definitive book on the region, Inside Bordeaux, widely regarded as a benchmark…
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Chinedu Rita Rosa
Chinedu Rita Rosa is a Nigerian-born, Bordeaux-based wine consultant and entrepreneur transforming the relationship between European wines and African markets. After beginning her career in banking, she entered the wine world through her late husband’s import business in Lagos. In 2016, she moved...
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Michel Rolland
Michel Rolland is one of the most influential figures in modern winemaking. A celebrated oenologist and consultant, Rolland has helped shape the style and success of hundreds of wineries around the world, from his native Bordeaux to Napa Valley, Mendoza, Tuscany, and beyond. His career has…
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Magalie Dubois
Magalie Dubois, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Wine Economics & Marketing at the Burgundy School of Business’s School of Wine & Spirits in Dijon, France. She holds a Master’s degree and earned her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Bordeaux, concentrating on experimental economics and...
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Esther Mobley
Esther Mobley is an award-winning wine journalist and the Senior Wine Critic at the San Francisco Chronicle, where she has been covering wine, beer, and spirits since 2015. Mobley is widely recognized for her in-depth reporting on the wine industry, with a particular focus on the business…
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Sonal Holland
Sonal Holland is India’s first and only Master of Wine, and one of the most influential figures in the country’s wine industry. With a career spanning education, media, retail, and consulting, she has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s modern wine culture. After earning her MW in 2016, she...
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Felicity Carter
Felicity Carter is an acclaimed wine journalist, editor, and speaker with a global reputation for her deep understanding of the wine industry. She currently serves as Editorial Director of ARENI Global, a London-based think tank focused on the future of fine wine. Previously, she was...
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Paul Mabray
Paul Mabray is a pioneering figure in the wine industry, renowned for his innovative integration of technology and digital strategies into wine marketing and sales. With over two decades of experience, he has consistently been at the forefront of digital transformation within the sector. In 2002,...
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Madeline Puckette
Madeline Puckette is a James Beard Award-winning wine expert, author, and co-founder of Wine Folly, the leading digital platform that simplifies wine education for consumers and professionals alike. With a background in graphic design and music, Madeline brings a unique, visual approach to wine...
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Paul Caputo
Paul Caputo is a UK-based wine writer, critic, and entrepreneur, widely recognized for his expertise in Italian and Balkan wines. He is the founder of Vinorandum, a comprehensive digital platform offering in-depth guides and reports on wine regions, grape varieties, and producers worldwide....
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Laura Catena
Dr. Laura Catena is a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician, and author, renowned for her pivotal role in elevating Argentine wine, particularly Malbec, on the global stage. Born in Mendoza in 1967, she is the daughter of Nicolás Catena Zapata, a key figure in modernizing Argentina's…
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Dave Phinney
Dave Phinney is a visionary winemaker and creative force in the global wine industry, renowned for his bold blends, provocative label designs, and entrepreneurial spirit. He is best known as the founder of Orin Swift Cellars and the creator of The Prisoner, two brands that have redefined modern...
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Rob McMillan
Rob McMillan is a leading authority in the U.S. wine industry, renowned for his deep insights and influential analyses. As the Executive Vice President and Founder of Silicon Valley Bank's Wine Division, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the financial landscape of the fine wine sector. With...
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Larry Lockshin
Professor Larry Lockshin is a globally recognized expert in wine marketing and consumer behavior, with a distinguished academic and industry career spanning over three decades. He is Emeritus Professor of Wine Marketing at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science, University of South...
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Virginie Boone
Virginie Boone is a seasoned wine writer and reviewer based in Sonoma County, California. She began her career in 1997 with Lonely Planet, contributing to travel guidebooks covering regions such as South America, Northern California, France, and the Deep South of the United States. Transitioning…
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Cathy Huyghe
Cathy Huyghe is a respected journalist, entrepreneur, and wine industry thought leader. She is the co-founder and CEO of Enolytics, a data-driven company that provides business intelligence for the wine industry, helping producers and marketers better understand consumer behavior. Cathy is also a...
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Charles Smith
Charles Smith is an acclaimed American winemaker best known for crafting bold, expressive wines that reflect the unique terroir of Washington State. Originally a music manager for rock bands, Charles transitioned to winemaking in the late 1990s, founding K Vintners in Walla Walla in 1999. His...
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Julien Fayard
Julien Fayard is a renowned winemaker based in Napa Valley, known for crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines. Originally from France, he gained extensive experience working with esteemed Bordeaux wineries, including Château Lafite Rothschild. After moving to California, he became a sought-after...
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Hoby Wedler
Dr. Hoby Wedler is a chemist, entrepreneur, and sensory expert renowned for his work in inclusive design, sensory literacy, and the intersection of science and sensory perception. Born blind, he earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of California, Davis, and has dedicated his...
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Kelli White
Kelli A. White is a distinguished sommelier, wine educator, and award-winning author. Her seminal work, Napa Valley, Then & Now (2015), offers an in-depth exploration of Napa Valley's history, wineries, and vintages, and has garnered multiple accolades, including the IACP award for Best New Wine,...
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Peter Mondavi Jr
Peter Mondavi Jr. is a third-generation Napa Valley vintner and co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery, the oldest commercial winery in Napa Valley, established in 1861. Born in 1958 to Peter Mondavi Sr. and Blanche Mondavi, Peter Jr. was raised on the Charles Krug estate in St. Helena, California....
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Tim Marson
Tim Marson is a distinguished Master of Wine (MW) and Category Director at Wine.com, the United States' leading online wine retailer. In his role, he oversees the procurement of over 7,000 wines from France and Italy, ensuring a diverse and high-quality selection for customers. A graduate in...
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MJ Towler
Marvin John "MJ" Towler, is a distinguished figure in the wine industry, celebrated for his extensive experience and engaging approach to wine education. MJ began his wine journey in 1997 at Acker Wines in New York City. By April 2000, he made history as the first African-American fine and rare...
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Antonio Amorim
António Rios de Amorim is the Chairman and CEO of Corticeira Amorim, the world's largest cork producer. Born in 1967, he graduated from Birmingham University with a degree in International Commerce and pursued postgraduate studies in management at INSEAD, Stanford, and Columbia Universities, as...
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Aaron Pott
Aaron Pott is a renowned Napa Valley winemaker celebrated for his expertise in crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines. With a deep-rooted passion for viticulture and a philosophy centered on letting the land speak through the bottle, Pott has established himself as one of the most respected...
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Karen MacNeil
Karen MacNeil is a renowned American author, journalist, wine educator, and consultant, celebrated for her profound influence in the wine industry. She is the only American to have received every major wine award in the English language, including the James Beard Award for Wine and Spirits...
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Pauline Vicard
Born and raised into a winemaking family in Burgundy, France, Pauline Vicard has dedicated over 15 years to the wine industry across Europe and internationally. Her early career included roles in the market research department of the Burgundy Wine Board and the French Embassy. She later founded a...
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Mike Wolf
Mike Wolf is a distinguished viticulturist renowned for his significant contribution to bringing ecologically focused farming practices to precision farming for some of the most highly-regarded wines in California. Raised just outside New York City, Mike earned a bachelor's degree in history from...
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John Capone
John Capone is the Executive Editor of Wine Enthusiast Magazine. He began his editorial career at Blue Magazine and has contributed to various publications, including New York Magazine, BlackBook, and San Francisco Magazine. In addition to his editorial work, Capone has hands-on experience in the...
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Andrew Jefford
Andrew Jefford is a distinguished British wine writer and broadcaster, celebrated for his insightful and eloquent contributions to wine literature. With a career spanning several decades, he has become one of the most distinctive voices in the field. Jefford has been a regular contributor to...
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Jean-Charles Boisset
Jean-Charles Boisset is a French-American entrepreneur, winemaker, and the owner of Boisset Collection, a family-owned wine business that spans multiple generations and produces wines from 24 wineries located in some of the most prestigious regions in France and California. Born into a winemaking...
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Gino Colangelo
Gino Colangelo is the Founder and President of Colangelo & Partners, a leading food and wine public relations agency. With a diverse background spanning advertising, retail, and international experience, Gino brings a unique perspective to the industry. Prior to founding C&P, Gino held leadership...
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Russell Bevan
Russell’s fascinating path to becoming the most 100-point awarded winemaker in Napa started with a selling wine to grocery stores for Gallo. In the 1990s, he expanded his reach by writing a wine column for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, gaining access to some of California’s finest winemakers…
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Jan Krupp
Dr. Jan Krupp is a former internist who sold his practice in 1998 to pursue his dream of creating a great vineyard to rival that of Chateau Margaux and Ridge Montebello. He has been systematically planning the site and working the land ever since. He took his scientific background and added to it...
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Ric Forman
Ric Forman is one of America's true wine pioneers, bringing to the country several of what are now considered industry standard practices in fine wine production. Over the decades, he has had a front seat to Napa's transformation from a small farming community to an international powerhouse, with...
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Nile Zacherle
Both a winemaker, and beer brewer, Nile Zacherle has spent decades fermenting in the Napa Valley. As the founder of Mad Fritz Brewing Co, he focuses on growing their beers by malting and brewing with a ‘Farm to Foam’ approach. The sourcing of single variety barleys that are craft-malted with an...
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Maryam Ahmed
Maryam Ahmed, founder of Maryam + Company, is a social impact entrepreneur, speaker, writer, and community builder who is making waves in the world of food and wine. Maryam is the creator and co-founder of the biannual Diversity in Wine Leadership Forum, which helps connect diversity initiatives…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
As the wine industry is in transition, it seems that many are scrambling for solutions. Taking a step back, winemaker Adam Casto is looking to define the problem. Speaking to a wide array of different industry perspectives, he aims to get to the heart of the issue from all angles. New episodes will be published on Tuesdays at Noon PST, with bonus episodes published on Thursdays.
ehlersestate.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Ehlers Estate
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does What's the Problem? have?
What's the Problem? currently has 56 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is What's the Problem? about?
As the wine industry is in transition, it seems that many are scrambling for solutions. Taking a step back, winemaker Adam Casto is looking to define the problem. Speaking to a wide array of different industry perspectives, he aims to get to the heart of the issue from all angles. New episodes will...
How often does What's the Problem? release new episodes?
What's the Problem? has 56 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to What's the Problem??
You can listen to What's the Problem? 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 What's the Problem??
What's the Problem? is created and hosted by Ehlers Estate.
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