Inside the Bunghole...A Journey through Wine

Pam and James
  • 4.8 (18)
  • Food
  • Updated Bimonthly

A deep exploration into all things wine, with a fun, friendly approach. From grapes, vines, regions, pairings, to the importance of the correct stem ware. Raise a glass with your hosts, Pam and James as they share with you in a genuine and inviting manner. You'll get good practical information, while learning the how's and why's without the snobbery.

  1. S6E6 Bubbles, Business & Big Shoes: Remi Cohen’s Sparkling Journey at Domaine Carneros

    6d ago

    S6E6 Bubbles, Business & Big Shoes: Remi Cohen’s Sparkling Journey at Domaine Carneros

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Inside the Bunghole, the hosts welcome Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros, for a lively conversation about sparkling wine, leadership, and the evolving California wine industry. Remi shares her path from New Jersey to California, studying at UC Berkeley and UC Davis before building a career in Napa Valley viticulture, winemaking, and winery management. The discussion explores the unique terroir of the Carneros region, the legacy of legendary founding winemaker Eileen Crane, and the challenges of taking over as CEO during the height of the pandemic. Remi offers fascinating insights into traditional-method sparkling wine production, the influence of Champagne, and why California sparkling wines have earned a place alongside the world’s most respected bottles. Along the way, the conversation mixes wine education with plenty of humor, touching on everything from food pairings and vineyard sustainability to industry trends and consumer tastes. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a great glass of bubbly, this episode provides an engaging look at the passion, craftsmanship, and optimism driving one of Napa Valley’s most iconic sparkling wine producers. Cheers!  Please like, follow, subscribe and rate us!  We LOVE to hear your comments!  Reach out to us on our social media:  Facebook and Instagram @insidethebunghole Twitter @bungholepodcast Our webpage is insidethebunghole.buzzsprout.com OR email us at insidethebunghole@gmail.com

    21 min
  2. S6E5 From Law Books to Wine Barrels: Natalie Bath Gets Deep in the Bunghole

    May 4

    S6E5 From Law Books to Wine Barrels: Natalie Bath Gets Deep in the Bunghole

    Send us Fan Mail In this lively episode of Inside the Bunghole, the crew welcomes Natalie Bath of Rudd Estate, a Napa Valley native who traded LSAT prep for harvest season and never looked back. Natalie shares her unconventional path into winemaking—from pouring wine at a local French restaurant to chasing harvests across the globe—ultimately finding her calling in the cellar. Along the way, the gang uncorks plenty of laughs, including the usual cheeky banter and a few well-placed bunghole jokes.  Natalie dives into the realities of harvest life—long days, nonstop cleaning, and the kind of teamwork that turns coworkers into family. She breaks down what it really means to work your way up in the wine world, from “cellar rat” duties to becoming head winemaker at Rudd. The conversation also explores the advantages of estate-grown fruit, the art (and occasional chaos) of vineyard management, and how hands-on control can elevate wine from good to exceptional.  Things get especially interesting when the discussion turns to biodynamics, where science meets a little bit of “hippy dippy” philosophy. Natalie explains how lunar cycles, natural composting, and ecosystem balance influence the final product—while the hosts keep things grounded with humor and curiosity. The episode wraps with a look at Rudd’s wine portfolio, innovative projects, and the evolving future of Napa winemaking, all served with a generous pour of insight and irreverence. Cheers!  Please like, follow, subscribe and rate us!  We LOVE to hear your comments!  Reach out to us on our social media:  Facebook and Instagram @insidethebunghole Twitter @bungholepodcast Our webpage is insidethebunghole.buzzsprout.com OR email us at insidethebunghole@gmail.com

    33 min
  3. S6E4 Scotty is literally leaving his thumbprint on the wine making scene!

    Apr 6

    S6E4 Scotty is literally leaving his thumbprint on the wine making scene!

    Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Inside the Bunghole, we welcomed Scott Lindstrom-Dake of Thumbprint Cellars, a Sonoma County winemaker whose background in art deeply informs every bottle he creates. Scott shared his unconventional path into winemaking, which began in art school and evolved through curiosity, creativity, and a growing appreciation for wine as a form of expression. What started as a practical way to enjoy better wine on a student budget became a lifelong pursuit, with Scott ultimately transforming winemaking into an artistic medium—one rooted in balance, narrative, and personal identity, symbolized by the thumbprint label that bears his own mark. Throughout the conversation, Scott Lindstrom-Dake explored his philosophy of sourcing exceptional grapes from trusted growers across Sonoma County rather than farming himself. His portfolio spans a diverse range of varietals, including Chardonnay in both stainless steel and oak styles, old-vine Carignan, Grenache Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Zinfandel-based blends. He emphasized the importance of vineyard relationships, thoughtful harvest timing, and restraint in the cellar, allowing the fruit to lead the process. For Scott, winemaking mirrors cooking more than baking—grounded in technical understanding but guided by intuition, aesthetics, and experience. His candid, humorous, and thoughtful approach made for an engaging conversation that perfectly captured the spirit of Inside the Bunghole—where wine is both serious craft and joyful exploration. Cheers!  Please like, follow, subscribe and rate us!  We LOVE to hear your comments!  Reach out to us on our social media:  Facebook and Instagram @insidethebunghole Twitter @bungholepodcast Our webpage is insidethebunghole.buzzsprout.com OR email us at insidethebunghole@gmail.com

    32 min
  4. S6E3 Have you ever wanted your own wine label? Let's talk!

    Mar 2

    S6E3 Have you ever wanted your own wine label? Let's talk!

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Pam, James and German kick things off by introducing the concept of private label wines—what they are, how they’re made, and why they’ve become such an appealing option for restaurants, country clubs, businesses, and creatives who want a wine that reflects their own identity.  German, shares his personal journey of building his own wine brand, emphasizing creativity, collaboration with winemakers, and the importance of authenticity. Pam and James discuss the business side as well—startup volumes, margins, branding, distribution laws, and why visual identity and storytelling often matter as much as what’s in the bottle. The hosts highlight how private label wine can be both a profitable business move and a powerful marketing tool, while also acknowledging the challenges of competition, sales, and distribution. Cheers!  Please like, follow, subscribe and rate us!  We LOVE to hear your comments!  Reach out to us on our social media:  Facebook and Instagram @insidethebunghole Twitter @bungholepodcast Our webpage is insidethebunghole.buzzsprout.com OR email us at insidethebunghole@gmail.com

    24 min
  5. S6E2 Beaujolais Nouveau - a history of celebration!

    Feb 3

    S6E2 Beaujolais Nouveau - a history of celebration!

    Send us Fan Mail Hosts Pam, James and German are joined by wine expert Katie Finn, who explains the origins of Beaujolais Nouveau as a post-harvest celebration among French winemakers. The discussion covers how the wine is made using carbonic maceration—fermenting whole grapes in an oxygen-free environment—which results in a light, fruity, low-tannin wine meant to be drunk immediately rather than aged. Katie dives deeper into why Beaujolais Nouveau tastes the way it does, describing its fresh, juicy profile, subtle fizz-like texture, and high acidity, which makes it especially food-friendly. The episode concludes with encouragement for listeners to keep an open mind, try different producers, serve the wine slightly chilled, and see Beaujolais Nouveau as a joyful, communal celebration of wine, harvest, and shared experience. Cheers!  Please like, follow, subscribe and rate us!  We LOVE to hear your comments!  Reach out to us on our social media:  Facebook and Instagram @insidethebunghole Twitter @bungholepodcast Our webpage is insidethebunghole.buzzsprout.com OR email us at insidethebunghole@gmail.com

    27 min
  6. S6E1 Get buzzed! Buzzed Buddy...Now there is a remedy for that nasty hangover

    Jan 22

    S6E1 Get buzzed! Buzzed Buddy...Now there is a remedy for that nasty hangover

    Send us Fan Mail Buzzed Buddy joined us on Inside the Bunghole through its creator, Jay Nixon. Jay broke down the science behind Buzzed Buddy in a way that was approachable, candid, and refreshingly free of hype. He explained how the product supports alcohol metabolism by targeting the toxins created when we drink, rather than interfering with the buzz itself. Built around a simple three-ingredient formula—milk thistle for liver support, L-cysteine for brain protection, and dihydromyricetin (DHM) to help neutralize acetaldehyde—Buzzed Buddy reflects Jay’s philosophy of minimalism and efficacy. No “pixie dust,” no unnecessary additives, just ingredients backed by research and centuries of use. What made Jay Nixon such a compelling guest was not just his knowledge, but his perspective. The conversation naturally expanded into how modern drinkers are rethinking balance, wellness, and sustainability—especially as we age and still want to enjoy great wine, cocktails, and long tasting days. From Napa marathons to Vegas nights, Jay spoke honestly about drinking smarter, not less, and about extending our enjoyment of wine for years to come. His appearance added depth to our ongoing journey through wine, reminding us that taking care of the body is just another way of honoring the experience in the glass. Cheers!  Please like, follow, subscribe and rate us!  We LOVE to hear your comments!  Reach out to us on our social media:  Facebook and Instagram @insidethebunghole Twitter @bungholepodcast Our webpage is insidethebunghole.buzzsprout.com OR email us at insidethebunghole@gmail.com

    36 min

  7. 12/01/2025

    S5E8 Wine, Wisdom, and the Art of Doing Less — Peter Heitz of Turnbull Cellars

    Send us Fan Mail This week on Inside the Bunghole, Lance and James chat with Napa legend and resident grape whisperer Peter Heitz, the winemaker at Turnbull Wine Cellars. Heitz isn’t just any guy with a corkscrew — he’s a 14th-generation grape grower who somehow managed to turn “fine, I’ll take the job” into 18 vintages of world-class wine. He tells us how he stumbled into Turnbull, discovered the team wasn’t broken (just underloved), and turned a bunch of “okay” wines into bottles people proudly bring to their mom’s birthday dinners. Peter breaks down the art of “doing less” in winemaking — basically, how not to screw up a good grape. He compares himself to a midwife instead of a surgeon, preaches the power of letting the wine be itself, and takes some hilarious jabs at overproduced, over-oaked “stick and chip” wines. (Spoiler: if your wine needs a push-up bra, it’s not a natural beauty.) Between lazy-eye jokes, pink-eye accusations, and life lessons about teamwork and humility, the crew somehow still manages to talk about actual wine. It’s a perfect blend of humor, heart, and hangovers. From $19 million worth of dumped juice to the great “mystery grape” that turned out to be Lagrine, Peter proves that real craftsmanship isn’t about perfection — it’s about passion, patience, and knowing when to walk away from bad vino. So pour a glass, lean in, and prepare to toast to doing less, loving your team, and letting the grapes (and jokes) breathe. Cheers!  Please like, follow, subscribe and rate us!  We LOVE to hear your comments!  Reach out to us on our social media:  Facebook and Instagram @insidethebunghole Twitter @bungholepodcast Our webpage is insidethebunghole.buzzsprout.com OR email us at insidethebunghole@gmail.com

    44 min
  8. S5E7 From Harvard to Hospitality: Mark Stone’s Culinary Empire

    11/03/2025

    S5E7 From Harvard to Hospitality: Mark Stone’s Culinary Empire

    Send us Fan Mail In this captivating episode of Inside the Bunghole, the team sits down with Mark Stone, a seasoned restaurateur and business partner of Chef Angelo Sosa, to explore his culinary ventures across the country. From Tía Carmen in Indian Wells and Phoenix to Makoto in Vail and Knife Italian Steak in Dallas, Mark shares how his background in international finance evolved into a career in high-end hospitality. His love for wine, first sparked during his Harvard days via a student-led tasting group, continues to influence his approach to restaurant curation. His restaurants aren’t just award-winning for their food—Tía Carmen, for example, recently earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its diverse and thoughtful wine program. Mark dives deep into his philosophy around restaurant development, wine list curation, and sourcing, emphasizing sustainability and locality—from Coachella Valley produce to Santa Monica farmers’ markets and Sea of Cortez seafood. He walks listeners through the rigorous process of selecting restaurant locations, why hotels offer strategic advantages, and how travel is a key ingredient in creating authentic concepts. Whether it’s partnering with chefs to build thoughtful menus or flying to Asia for inspiration, Mark insists the process must include both creative exploration and hard business sense. He also gives listeners a taste of their luxurious dishes—like aged mole and steaks with bone marrow butter paired with bold reds. The conversation wraps with Mark’s views on wine education and service, praising his staff for delivering elevated yet approachable dining experiences. He discusses how wines are selected to match both the Southwestern cuisine and regional guest preferences, with the help of world-class sommeliers like Eduardo Dingler. He also touches on the importance of inclusivity on a wine list—featuring both premium and affordable selections. With humor, humility, and a touch of Harvard sophistication, Mark offers rare insight into how excellence in hospitality is built, sustained, and elevated. Cheers!  Please like, follow, subscribe and rate us!  We LOVE to hear your comments!  Reach out to us on our social media:  Facebook and Instagram @insidethebunghole Twitter @bungholepodcast Our webpage is insidethebunghole.buzzsprout.com OR email us at insidethebunghole@gmail.com

    39 min
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4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

A deep exploration into all things wine, with a fun, friendly approach. From grapes, vines, regions, pairings, to the importance of the correct stem ware. Raise a glass with your hosts, Pam and James as they share with you in a genuine and inviting manner. You'll get good practical information, while learning the how's and why's without the snobbery.

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