Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People

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.

World Verdejo Day is coming on Friday!In honour of this day, I sat down with Mariate Sanz a winemaker for Bodega Campo Eliseo.We chatted about her early days making wine in Rueda, what she looks for in classic Verdejo and working with famed winemaker François Lurton.

In Part II of my “All Things Stratus Vineyards” I’m joined by head winemaker Dean Stoyka. Just like J.L. Groux, Dean’s wine journey was also heavily influenced by his father. Great sitting down with the man behind some of Ontario’s most consistent high-end wines.

Thrilled to have had the chance to sit down with one of the Ontario wine legends, J-L Groux from Stratus Vineyards. Loved hearing Groux’s stories from family trips to Loire buying wine barrels as a child to having the freedom of making the wines he loves in Niagara.

The wine podcast is finally "going" to Australia! My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Luke Marquis, the Global Sales Director for Mollydooker Wines.This interview is really more about family that it is about wine.Luke's parents Sarah and Sparky Marquis started this winery two decades ago and their story of getting this iconic wine off the ground is an inspiring one.Neary every label honours the Marquis honours the family history and I was thrilled to sit down with Luke to hear his family’s story. 

In the exciting conclusion of my interview with the owners/winemakers for Leaning Post Wines, Ilya and Nadia Senchuk, we pick up the interview about what the toughest moments were in those early years. So much fun talking giving birth while hunting for Syrah, speeding tickets and some fantastic Cabernet Franc.

My interview with Leaning Post Winery Co-Founders Ilya and Nadia Senchuk went so well that I had to split it up into two parts.In Part One: Their origin story which is more about love and trust than about tannins and full-bodied Chardonnay. Nadia and Ilya are passionate, unapologetic winemakers whose portfolio can be found in Michelin Star restaurants all over the world. 

The wine podcast is back!(Apologies for my horrible voice!!!)Winemaker Vadim Chelekhov is back for his second appearance.Vadim is the head winemaker for Niagara winery, Palatine Hills Estate Winery.I was shocked about the consistent quality of these big, bold Bordeaux blends! Vadim is that passionate winemaker who makes everything from aromatic whites to full bodied reds.

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I’m joined by wine writer/storyteller/photographer and influencer Paige Comrie.We discuss her big risk going from the world of business to going off on her own into the wide world of wine.A fun/thoughtful conversation with someone with a passion for communicating all the joy that comes from wine.

My guest on the "Matt Talks Wine and Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Ludovic Dervin, the Senior Winemaker and General Manager for Stags' Leap Winery.We trace his wine journey form growing up in Champagne to making high end Cabernet Sauvignon to such a historic California winey.

Part II of my Hidden Bench Estate Winery interviews is with their winemaker, Alex Baines.We chat about the scariest moment of a harvest, why does Duck go so well with Pinot and the powerful role that fate played in his wine journey.I got to try their unique 100% Malbec along with their award winning Pinot's. Not a bad pairing as I got to learn more about this on the rise winemaker and this remarkable boutique Niagara winery.I'm shocked it took so long to finally sit down with the good people of Hidden Bench.

I can't believe it took me this long to finally sit down with the good people of Hidden Bench Estate Winery.Part I is with Harald Thiel, the Vigneron and Proprietor for Hidden Bench. (Translation: Harold is the owner and plays a big part in the growing for his grapes and the final decisions on the wines of Hidden Bench) In over 200 episodes no one has a more dramatic wine origin story than Harald.Loved my time with Harald!Part II, coming next will be with winemaker Alex Baines. 

On the latest 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast I'm joined by wine writer and wine podcast host Miroki Tong.I admire her crazy work ethic level when it comes to all her projects and the passion she has for all aspects of the wine world.Not a shock at all how much fun our conversation was.

The Podcast is heading to arguably the most important winery in North America, Robert Mondavi. My guest is the Kurtis Ogasawara, the Director of Wine Making for Mondavi.

If I'm going to deviate from wine I may as well explore one of the most iconic single malt Scotch whiskies, The Macallan.My guest is John MacPherson the Brand Specialist for Eastern Canada.Had the pleasure of tasting Macallan TIME : SPACE Collection, a limited release celebrating their 200th anniversary.I have never been a big spirits fan but it was impossible not to appreciate the level of craftsmanship in this impressive whisky.A great conversation about a world that is admittedly a blind spot for me.

The Podcast continues it's preview of the upcoming Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) with finalist Matthew Landry.Matthew is the Sommelier for the Michelin Star Restaurant Pearl Morissette and has twice finished as a finalist for the Best Sommelier of Canada.I love wine competitions especially from the perspective of some of Canada's best Sommeliers.  

With the Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) coming up my guest is one of the finalists Christian Perreault Hamel.Christian is the Wine Director for famed steakhouse Harbour Sixty Toronto and is the Co-founder of Pelican Wine Imports.We discuss what the preparation is like for a high stakes wine competition and how it differs from getting ready for the highest levels of the Court of Master Sommeliers. 

James Peden, the Director of Operations for Liberty Entertainment Group is back for his second appearance. Bovine Wine Club is a brand-new private wine club opening up in Toronto.It is brought to you by the same people behind Don Alfonso, Blueblood Steakhouse, Cibo Wine Bar and so many other wine forward restaurants. What I appreciate the most about this new venture and the work that James is doing is that when you strip away all the high-end designs and features you would come to expect from Liberty this wine club is, at its heart, all about the wine.James and his entire team of 'Wine Avengers' are just as nerdy about wine as the members and treat each bottle with the respect it deserves.