Another Bottle Down Mark Rashap and Jessica Dupuy

Chris Brundrett is co-founder and CEO of William Chris Wine Company and William Chris Vineyards.  Chris and Jessica catch up on the state of the Texas industry and the origins of William Chris Vineyards. 
https://www.williamchriswines.com/
This is Texas Wine Podcast with Shelly Wilfong: https://thisistexaswine.com/
The book that Mark forgot that Jessica wrote: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/shop/p/winessouthwestusa

On today's show, we have Patrick Olds, wine director of MML Hospitality based in Austin, TX.  Patrick digs into the roll of a wine director as mentor and educator, as well as his passion of blind tasting.  He feels that blind tasting is not just a parlor trick, but a way to understand the world of wine and the experience of the guest to a greater degree.
Links from the show:
MML Hospitality website: https://mmlhospitality.com/
Patrick on Instagram: here
Jessica's article on the Renaissance of Cava
 
 

On today's show, Jessica and Mark take a deep dive into buy and collecting wine with Brandon Kerne MS, chief of operations at the AOC Wine Group.  This is a multi-faceted organization that includes the Art of Cellaring (wine storage), AOC Selections (retail), and the Texas Wine School.  Brandon cut his teeth at the Houston institution Pappa's Bros Steakhouse, and after passing his Master Sommelier Diploma and the pandemic hitting, changed courses into the retail and collecting sphere.  He brings great perspective on a host of subjects in this discussion from the value of reading wine reviews to the vast differences of buying wine for a restaurant program vs for retail and AOC Selections.
Links for the show:
https://aocwines.com/
Wines by BK on Instagram
Referenced: Legends Portfolio

Molly Austad is wine director at one of our favorite spots in Houston: Bludorn, Navy Blue, and the upcoming Bar Bludorn.  She digs into the process of being a wine director for a multi-location restaurant group and talks about her 'guest-driven' approach.  Additionally, she breaks down why Sicily and Mt. Etna are some of her favorite wines.  Pass the pavlova please!
Bludorn Houston
Navy Blue
Molly on Instagram
 

On today's show, we have on Steven McDonald Master Sommelier and Executive Wine Director of Pappa's Bros. Steakhouse in Houston and Dallas.  We dig into so many topics from learning wine from a music backround, crafting a wine list and cellar that is ever-evolving, and to a couple of Steven's favorite wine regions, Piedmont and Madeira.
Some useful links from the conversation:
Pappa's Bros. Steakhouse website
Steven's video on Nebbiolo
Ian D'Agata's book on Barolo terroirs
 
Another Bottle Down is proud to be media sponsor for the upcoming Big Reds and Bubbles event on March 1 from 7:15-9:45 pm at the Skybox in Austin, TX.  Listeners get $20 off with code:  ABDPOD.  Visit winefoodfoundation.com for tickets.

We cap off our holiday book series (and what an incredible guest to end on!) with Ray Isle, the long time Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine magazine and Wine and Spirits editor of Travel and Leisure magazine.  Ray and Jessica talk about his recently published book, World in a Wine Glass: The Indsider's Guide to Artisinal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now. 
This our last episode of 2023, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year's to all of our listeners!
Links:
Purchase World in a Wine Glass on Book Shop
Purchase World in a Wine Glass on Amazon
Food and Wine Magazine
Travel and Leisure Magazine