 In this episode, I was chatting to Gordon Russell, winemaker for the last 34 years at the Esk Valley winery, in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. We naturally discussed his wines, including his Malbec based, legendary red wine, ‘’The Terraces’’ made from a field blend of Malbec-Merlot-Cabernet Franc from a one hectare sloping, terraced vineyard that is one of New Zealand’s most famous single plots. His latest wine, an Albarino of incredible quality, The Gimblett Gravels , matching food to the local Crayfish, matching wine to Reggae music and much more. Yes, there is the obligatory mention of Sauvignon-Blanc but only when we both mentioned that we completed an hour’s chat without talking about... Sauvignon-Blanc! Please subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcast or on my site www.inthevineyardwith.com Happy listening (and drinking) Moshe

In The Vineyard With Podcast

Episode 42 - Gordon Russell - Esk Valley wines, New Zealand

 In this episode I had the pleasure of talking to Marta Galli from La Regose wine estate, located in the Valpolicella hills, just north of the city of Verona. I first tasted Le Ragose wines in 2014 and became a fan ever since. In this episode you can hear us talk about her Grandparents decision to move form the city to Le Ragose in 1969, in order for her Grandfather, Arnaldo, already an experienced Oenologist, to produce his own wines. There’s also a beautiful story of her Grandmother (Also called Marta), that soon after purchasing the estate and despite being a mother of four children ,took a leading role in the winery. She was one of the founding members of Donne Del Vino (Women in wine), promoting the roles of women in the Italian wine industry. They had 20 members in 1988, currently membership is 900. We discussed the main grapes grown on the estate, the wines they produce (including a very rare ‘Amandorlato’, a style between the sweet red Recioto and the dry Amarone), her PhD, researching sustainability in the wine industry, the family’s love of art and more. Enjoy listening!

Episode 41 – Marta Galli - Le Ragose Estate-Veneto

 In this episode, I was talking to Father and son team of Paul Cluver Senior and Junior about their Elgin vineyards and wines. It is a fascinating account filled with brave and visionary decisions and visions. Planting a vineyard against all professional advice, in times when South African wines were not exported in any volume and when there was no other vineyard planted anywhere in the valley. We chatted about the early years, planting and trying hard to ripen Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot despite the cool climate, aiming to make a Bordeaux blend, and how finally, after advice from Paul Pontallier of Chateau Margaux, deciding to abandon those and realising the region’s potential of world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. You can also hear them describe their wines, from the village series, to the Estate range to the flagship label of Seven flags, now considered amongst South Africa’s best Pinot and Chardonnay. Sustainability, climate change, growing tomatoes and figs also featured.

Episode 40 - Paul Cluver - Elgin, South Africa, how a wine region is born

 In this episode I was chatting with Yiannis Paraskevopoulous from Gaia Wines on the island of Santorini and the Nemea region in Greece about his personal journey into wine, making wines in Santorini, experimentation with ageing white wines on the sea floor, off the coast of the island, the main characteristics of Nemea as a region and Aghiorgitiko, its main grape. We discussed Assyrtiko and its qualities and heard about the latest from Yiannis, an orange Assyrtiko, ageing in Ceramic sphere for 4 years. Yes, it has tannins and before you ask…. He can’t stand the term ‘’Natural wine’’ ! What wine he’ll take to a desert island and where is the most beautiful vineyard on earth ( after Santorini …). Prepare to be surprised!

Episode 39 - Gaia Wines - Yiannis Paraskevopoulous

 In this live webinar, Cathy Van Zyl MW and I hosted Hannes Storm (Storm Wines) and Richard Kershaw MW (Richard Kershaw Wines) for a comprehensive discussion about the Pinot Noir wines of Elgin and Hemel-en-Aarde in South Africa. We heard from them about the unique terroir in each zone, their choices of vineyard sites, clones, rootstock as well as the challenges, such as disease and pests (watch out for the Baboons!) You can hear Hannes and Richard describing their wines, with in-depth analysis and explanation as to how each component of the Terroir translate to the final result in your glass. For Pinot Noir lovers and especially for seekers of new and exciting regions, this episode is a must! The presentation can also be viewed on our youtube channel, which you can access via www.inthevineyardwith.com under the Video section, where you can also find Richard Kershaw’s presentation.

Episode 38 - Pinot Noir in South Africa's cool regions Elgin v Hemel-en-Aarde Zoom Meeting

 Listen to my chat with Kate McIntyre MW from Moorooduc Estate, in the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia. Kate was telling me about her parents’ decision to buy land and plant a vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula in the early 80’s. About the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir they’re making. Her way through wine and her long journey to become a master of Wine. Her inspirations from elsewhere in the world of wine and much more.

Episode 37 - Kate McIntyre MW – Moorooduc Estate- Mornington Peninsula, Australia

 In this episode (part2 of 2), Ben was able to address some question presented by some friends of the podcast and the Etna Wine School. Issues we covered: growing vines and making wines on an active volcano, the different aspects of the mountain and the micro climates, soil types, training methods... Pistachios, favourite food and wines pairings, global warming, sparkling wines of Etna and more. Press Play and enjoy!

Episode 36 - The New Wines of Mount Etna with Benjamin Spencer - Part 2

 In this episode I was talking to Benjamin Spencer about the wines of Mount Etna, in Sicily, Italy. This is part 1 of 2, you can hear Ben telling us about his love affair with Sicily and Mount Etna in particular. The grapes and vineyards of the mountain. Nerello Mascelese, Caricante and much more...

Episode 35 - The New Wines of Mount Etna with Benjamin Spencer - Part 1

 My original conversation with Anselme and Guillaume Selosse. My questions in English, answers are in French.

Episode 34 - Anselme Selosse - Domaine Jacques Selosse - ‘Version Originale’ (En Française)

 An interview (in English) with one of the world’s most original and visionary winemakers, Anselme Selosse and his son Guillaume Selosse. We discussed his early days beside his father, the decisions that led him to move to biodynamic viticulture. A fascinating description of his wines from individual plots (lieu-dits) and his view of retirement.

Episode 33 - Anselme Selosse - Domaine Jacques Selosse

 In this conversation I was talking with Cedric Mousse, from the Champagne of Mousse Fils in the village of Cuisles in the Vallee de la Marne. Mousse is a Meunier specialist with incredible terroir driven Champagne ( and a beautiful Ratafia too!) that has followers the world over.

Episode 32 - Cedric Mousse from Champagne Mousse Fils

 One of the rising stars of Champagne, Jean-Marc Sélèque was talking to me about his vineyards and wines, his Polish origins, convincing his family that investing in the vineyards and a new winery are justifiable long term decisions, the uniqueness of the Coteaux Sud D’Epernay and what is behind his winemaking philosophy.

Episode 31 - Champagne JM Sélèque with Jean-Marc Sélèque

 In this episode, I was chatting to Arthur Larmandier about the family estate their beautifully crafted wines. You can read more about the visit and the wines on the website or via Instagram @in.the.vineyard.with www.inthevineyardwith.com www.larmandier.fr

Episode 30 – Champagne Larmandier Bernier with Arthur Larmandier

 In this episode I hosted two of the leading experts on the wines of the East Mediterranean. Demetri Walters MW and Adam Montefiore. We hear about the ancient wine routes and the fame those wines achived in the ancient world. Fast forward to the more recent history of the last 400 years and the Ottoman rule and how it affected the region. The 60’s and 70’s with East European tankers filling up on cheap wine in the port of Limasol, the association of Israeli wine with Kosher, sweet red wine, the cycle of the wine calendar in the Arab world and much more! Native/indigenous grapes. Wine styles. Opportunity for marketing and educating the world of wine on the beauty of these wines took of course, centre stage. Enjoy!

Episode 29 - The East Mediterranean With Demetri Walters MW and Adam Montefiore

 In this conversation, Justine Tesseron, of Chateâu Pontet-Canet in Pauillac, Bordeaux, is telling the story of the family’s arrival from Cognac back in 1961. The purchase of Pontet-Canet and raising it to one of the most desired Pauillac wines in the last 20 years with glowing reviews. We talked about the decision to go organic and the move to full biodynamic viticulture; the experimentation with amphora and what it meant for the wines. Lastly, Justine introduced details of their latest project, the Californian Bordeaux blend produced from vines planted by the late comedy genius Robin Williams in his Villa Sorriso, on Mount Veeder. The wine, called Pym-Rae is a honouring the vineyard’s name, chosen by Williams, after his children middle names.

Episode 28 - Justine Tesseron Château Pontet-Canet

In depth conversations with leading figures in the world of wine. On location in their wineries, bars, vineyards and tasting rooms.

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In The Vineyard With Podcast

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