TT Wine Explorer Podcast Tania Tomaszewska

This episode is a flight to Napa Valley. It’s about bucking the status quo, and how the past can help move us forward.

Tania’s guest is Billy Davies, a California wine industry “lifer” who grew up at renowned American sparkling wine house Schramsberg Vineyards (which Billy’s parents took over in 1965). Billy has been part of that historic place from the ground up - from getting his hands dirty picking grapes, digging their storied wine caves, directing sales and marketing, to being on the Schramsberg Board (where he sits today). Billy has also worked with other premium California brands, taught wine business at the university level and, in 2020, launched his own Billy D. Wines and Ramble wines.

This episode is about “Old School New”. Billy discusses how he brings his memories and experience from growing up in 1960s and 70s Napa to his new wine project. It’s about taking a ramble in time through old vines (going as far back as 1911) and rediscovering legendary grapes such as Chenin Blanc (from 80+ years vines), French Colombard and Charbono to make “wine for all”.

How do we keep wine on the table? How do we keep wine fresh and energetic, and appeal to a new generation of consumers - especially at the crossroads at which we find ourselves today?

Using grapes from Mendocino, Russian River and other Napa neighbours, Billy produces low alcohol, natural wines poured into clear, light-weight glass bottles in maverick sizes of 500ml, 750ml or 1 litre (closed with caps or sugar-cane corks) and priced under $40USD.

In light of increased drought and shifting consumer desires, Tania and Billy also discuss the future of Napa Valley - where Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, heavy glass bottles and ultra-luxe offerings have ruled since the 1980s. Maybe there will be more Carignan? Perhaps more expansion into Mendocino, Sierra Madres or the Delta? Sustainability measures will need to move to the forefront, as will a diversity of consumer experiences to help expand the table.

Wine matters. And so does the place from which it comes. It’s for living now.

In this episode of the TT Wine Explorer Podcast, we delve into the world where art meets wine.

Tania chats with Lara Tomaszewska, an expert fine art consultant, appraiser and founder of ArtRow (an online digital art marketplace).

Together, Tania and Lara explore how art and wine can serve as powerful vehicles to the world of the senses, transporting us to different places and moments - and how this can occur in the hands (and palates) of us everyday people, and outside of the framework of hierarchical connoisseurship.

Lara shares her journey into the art world, discusses her methodology of art appraisal and valuation, and offers insights into the integration of art in wineries, with a special focus on Phantom Creek Estates in British Columbia’s spectacular Southern Okanagan Valley as a specific case study.

The conversation also touches on the democratization of the art market through vehicles such as ArtRow, and how technology like blockchain and AI can bring potential new avenues for transparency, trust and consumer involvement in both the art market and wine industry.

This episode is about how we as everyday consumers, artists, wine producers and business owners can be part of both “place-making” and our own “practice” of experiencing expressions of art and wine.

This episode is a case study of how the owners of a very small winery (in a very small wine region) are blending their large multi-national corporate expertise with a winemaking hobby “run amok” to produce small lot, artisanal wines which reflect unique terroir of British Columbia’s spectacular Pacific West Coast.

Tania’s guest, Julie Powell, is co-owner of Alderlea Vineyards, located in Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley wine region.

Julie discusses how she and husband Zachary Brown first launched into the wine industry (in their garage), what they grow, how they grow it, and how Alderlea Vineyards sets business objectives and production levels to meet demand, stay manageably small (and sleep at night). Julie, Zac and vineyard dog Vino run the show and are the ones who’ll greet you at the gate when you visit Alderlea.

This episode is also about the potential future of BC ‘s “Wine Islands” and the appeal and strength of “cohesive diversity” - a paradigm in which a wide spectrum of winery business sizes and styles operating in one region can successfully co-exist and lift their collective game.

Through intentionality, a clear strategy focused on the “critical few” and sticking to your core values, a small business (no matter what the industry) can be nimble and adapt to change - all vital in our world of increased costs, shrinking profit margins, regulatory barriers, labour shortages, shifting consumer demands, and wild swings in our weather and climate landscape.

Tania goes to Vegas and lives to tell.

If you don’t gamble, don’t go to shows, and don’t visit “Celebrity Chef” restaurants, what on earth does one do in Sin City? Well A LOT as it turns out.

In this “Side Bar” episode, Tania chats with returning guest Graham MacLennan (creator and producer of the Cheftimony Podcast) about Tania’s recent trip to Las Vegas, and her experience of that crazy place through her eyes as reticent newbie turned hooked Vegas geek.

What brought on the conversion? Tania talks about her time on the Strip, seeing the Sphere, wandering through “Old Vegas”, checking out Downtown dive bars and getting into the very cool museum scene (yes - they’ve got museums!).

Tania also shares a way to escape the madness and head into nature by taking a side trip into the spectacular and awe-inspiring Red Rock Canyon, just a short drive outside of Las Vegas.

And then there’s Oscars Steakhouse at the Plaza. On-point cocktails, perfect Caesar Salad, thick griilled asparagus stalks, luxurious mac n’ cheese, roasted brussels sprouts sprinkled with parmesan, juicy rib eye on the bone perfectly grilled, salted and sliced…and much, much more. Want to see yourself in a scene from “Casino”? This is it.

There’s also Evel Pie, Letty’s tacos, BBQ food trucks, wine exploring for everyday tasters, and jumping into the mix. Your Vegas adventure need not be fancy (but your pocketbook might think it is!). It’s all about just getting out there and letting it ride.

This episode is about starting and growing a premium “brick-and-mortar” retail wine shop business in a small and highly regulated market.

Tania’s guest, John Clerides, is the founder and owner of Marquis Wine Cellars, located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Established more than 30 years ago, Marquis is one of British Columbia’s pre-eminent private bottle shops and offers local consumers more than 2000 wine selections from around the world, including select exclusive offerings unique to its market.

Tania and John discuss the regulatory and consumer landscape which existed when Marquis first opened its doors, and where and how his business has grown from there - including aspects around “in-store” experience, building relationships, bringing in exclusive wines from around the world, utilizing a digital platform, and most importantly: the seller-customer relationship.

Having travelled through many wine regions around the world, John also talks about what he finds exciting about the wine scene in Greece (as well as some practicalities around importing directly from small producers on the other side of the “Old World”).

Looking back on decades-long experience as a business owner, John also shares learnings and thoughts around being an entrepreneur. No matter how successful a business is, an owner must never rest on laurels, never get complacent. There will always be business barriers to address, and things to constantly tweak and adjust. But hey, that (and the people whom we meet along the way) are the fun things driving our passion to build and keep going, right?

This episode is a flight to both Spain and London for a discussion about how, when we look to the future of wine, we can draw from the past.

Tania’s guest, Beth Willard, is a contributing writer to Decanter Magazine (one of the world’s leading wine publications) and Co-Chair Judge of this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards. An Aussie who jumps between London and Spain, Beth has particular expertise in Spanish and Central European wines, paired with deep experience in many other facets of the global wine world.

Tania and Beth discuss aspects of the current Spanish wine scene, including how a new generation of winemakers is embracing their country’s past through the rehabilitation and nurture of 100+ year vines to respond to extreme heat and drought conditions. The role of cooperatives in the development of Spanish wine production and the power of community (“human geography” elements of terroir) will no doubt support the future crafting of fresh, interesting and sustainable modern wines.

Tania and Beth also discuss the connect (or sometimes disconnect) between the wine trade and consumers, through key drivers such as wines clubs, “direct to consumer” channels and consumer trends.

What does the everyday consumer really want? What are tasters looking for, and how might you introduce it?

This episode is also a chance to get behind the scenes of the world’s largest wine awards and hear first-hand what it’s like to taste (and judge) literally hundreds of wines and whittle down the winners which are ultimately showcased in that coveted glossy Decanter magazine.