The Zonda Wine Podcast

Zonda Wine Services
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The Zonda Wine Podcast is where entertainment and wine meet. Hosted by industry insider Shawn Zylberberg and produced by Zonda Wine Services, this show gets to the heart of the people that shape the industry and give it richness. Thank you for listening. Salud!

  1. The Odyssey of a Wine Critic with 'Vinous' Reviewer Joaquín Hidalgo

    May 5

    The Odyssey of a Wine Critic with 'Vinous' Reviewer Joaquín Hidalgo

    In this episode, we sit down with Joaquín Hidalgo — Buenos Aires-based wine journalist, Vinous reviewer, and the first Argentinean to join the international wine critic elite. Joaquín covers Argentina, Chile, Spain, and Portugal for Antonio Galloni's world renowned publication, Vinous, and has written for La Nación, Playboy and other local newspapers. We talk about his journey from winemaker to wine critic, his ironclad rules for integrity in a crumbling system, tasting with the world's best producers, and the only wine he ever gave 100 points. Joaquín also shares his thoughts on the rapidly evolving Argentine wine scene. This interview was filmed in Buenos Aires at Romanée Wine Experience.Timestamps:0:02 — Introduction to Joaquín Hidalgo 3:18 — Origins in Mendoza and the Agricultural School 3:37 — From enologist to journalist 9:43 — First steps in wine journalism 12:07 — Integrity and independence as a critic 16:50 — The role of the critic and scores 17:32 — Tasting with producers and calibrating the palate 21:46 — Covering Spain for Vinous 27:25 — The wine that deserved 100 points 34:45 — Favorite regions in Argentina 42:30 — The Argentine DNA and the wine industry 49:00 — The rise of white wines in Argentina 52:02 — Wine consumption and the Buenos Aires market 59:21 — Pairings: the best wine for a barbecue 1:00:22 — The oldest wine and personal preferences 1:02:29 — Wines at home and favorite cocktail

    1h 10m
  2. Beyond Your Control: The Creation of Newfound Wines

    Apr 15

    Beyond Your Control: The Creation of Newfound Wines

    This episode features the founders of California's Newfound Wines, Matt & Audra Naumann, in their Napa home. The fearless husband-wife duo started the nature-led project in 2016 after discovering a 40-acre Sierra Foothills property with a bonded winery and about 16 plantable acres. With roughly 20 years experience in the wine industry at renowned wineries, they chose to build a tangible, farming-driven estate winery rather than just a label, tearing out five heavily virused acres, and enduring setbacks including extreme rainfall and a landslide. Their first estate fruit arrived in 2024, which shows the patience and persistence of these two talented winemakers and farmers. They focus on Mediterranean varieties like Grenache and Chenin Blanc, farm organically, and price most wines at $55 and under to keep them accessible for many. Enjoy this episode and go get yourself a bottle, they're fun to taste with their rugged edges and unique flavors. Buy here: https://www.newfoundwines.com/collection/available/

    51 min
  3. Follow Your Skill, Not Your Dream: Boia De's Gabriela Ospina on Finding Her Way Into Wine

    Apr 5

    Follow Your Skill, Not Your Dream: Boia De's Gabriela Ospina on Finding Her Way Into Wine

    Boia De is one of Miami’s top restaurants. Bar none. How this 27-seat restaurant wedged between a coin laundry and supermarket in a strip mall rose to the top is a testament to the vision of owners and chef-partners Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer. And of course, Gabriela Ospina, the wine director responsible for putting together an esoteric wine list filled with hidden gems waiting to be discovered and remembered. In our latest podcast episode, Gaby talks about her life leading up to Boia De, which includes a decade-long stint in San Francisco, meeting Robin Williams during her cocktail waitress days, managing a restaurant during peak COVID days, and coming into wine at her own pace. Gaby also opens up about a devastating fire that took her home and precious belongings in 2024, and how the wine community showed up to get her back on her feet. For aspiring sommeliers and restaurant lovers, this chat is for you. Gaby gets technical and breaks down how bottle pricing really works, what the industry’s ‘panic’ headlines get wrong, and why there will always be room for wine at the table.

    55 min
  4. No Investors, Pure Grit: How Jeff Mausbach Built One of Argentina's Top Wines, Mil Suelos

    Mar 20

    No Investors, Pure Grit: How Jeff Mausbach Built One of Argentina's Top Wines, Mil Suelos

    Jeff Mausbach's lift changing wine was a bottle of Giacomo Conterno. A young kid scrapping for extra cash in the busy restaurant scene of Chicago, he took one sip and got hooked. Born and raised in Nebraska then studying in Chicago, Jeff was nowhere near wine country. But when he fell in love with an Argentinean during his European travels, destiny took him to his wife's hometown of Buenos Aires, Argentina. With only his taste for fine wine and a few words of Spanish in his back pocket, he convinced legendary vintner Nicolas Catena to bring him on, kickstarting a lifelong journey in wine. In 2010, Jeff co-founded 'Mil Suelos' with award-winning viticulturist Alejandro Sejanovich and Jorge Crotta. With a handful of savings, an old vineyard purchase, and a dream of capturing Argentina's most iconic sites, they set off to produce wines of extraordinary caliber from Uco Valley, Mendoza to Jujuy's 10,000 foot vineyards. As Mil Suelos celebrates 15 years, a recent tasting of their first vintages reveals the wines' superior quality and aging potential. This is Jeff Mausbach's incredible story from the midwest to the Andes Mountains.

    41 min
  5. Bolgheri: The Wine That Captured America with Castello di Bolgheri’s Clemente Zileri Dal Verme

    Mar 12

    Bolgheri: The Wine That Captured America with Castello di Bolgheri’s Clemente Zileri Dal Verme

    What do Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Masseto, Castello di Bolgheri and Guado al Tasso have in common? They come from a small coastal wine appellation called BOLGHERI. Clemente Zileri of Castello di Bolgheri delivers a masterclass on this paradise along the Tuscan Coast, which has captured the attention of Americans for the wines' approachable flavor profile and superior aging potential. We thought that Castello di Bolgheri would be the perfect place to start. The winery houses the oldest cellar dating back to 1796. And Clemente's winemaking family dynasty goes back 1,000 years! Listen in as we break down the history of Bolgheri through the lens of the family that built it from the ground up. For more information on Bolgheri DOC, visit https://www.bolgheridoc.com/en/For more information on Castello di Bolgheri, visit https://www.castellodibolgheri.com/en

    39 min
  6. One Shot at Legacy: The Resilient Rise of Maya Dalla Valle

    Feb 23

    One Shot at Legacy: The Resilient Rise of Maya Dalla Valle

    "You'll have to drag my dead body out of here." That's Maya Dalla Valle's mentality when asked if her family's critically-acclaimed winery will still be here in 40 years. Dalla Valle Vineyards is recognized as one of Napa Valley’s top family-run estates, founded in 1986 by Naoko and her late husband Gustav Dalla Valle along the eastern hillsides of Oakville. Today, Naoko and her daughter, Maya, work together to continue the family legacy by producing sought-after Cabernet blends that are revered among industry pros and collectors alike. This episode is a deep dive into Maya's life, where she opens up about the loss of her father at age eight, gaining experience from the world's icon estates, and how the 2020 vintage tested her limits to the max.

    51 min

  7. Feb 5

    Out of Many, Único: Vega Sicilia CEO Pablo Álvarez on Legacy, Leadership, and the Modern Age

    Vega Sicilia makes heads turn among collectors, celebrities, and serious wine people. Longtime CEO Pablo Álavarez doesn't take that responsibility lightly. Vega Sicilia was founded in 1864 by ambitious winemaker Don Eloy Lecanda and was passed through several hands before Pablo's father bought the estate in 1982 and put his son in charge at age 30. For over 40 years now, Pablo has cemented a lasting legacy not only at Vega Sicilia, but other winery projects like Oremus (Tokaji, Hungary), Deiva (Rias Baixas), Macan (Rioja), Pintia (Toro), and Alion (Ribera del Duero). He is the ultimate measure of a successful leader. One filled with strong metaphors that make for great conversation. Enjoy this one and comment your favorite parts.

    49 min

  8. Jan 14

    The Tor Kenward Interview

    There is no modern day Napa Valley without Tor Kenward. Many know him as the founder and proprietor of the critically acclaimed TOR Wines, but his five decades of experience in the heart of American wine country goes much deeper. This episode is loaded with Tor's fascinating stories alongside iconic characters like Robert Parker, Robert Mondavi, Andy Beckstoffer, and Andre Tchelistcheff, all of which is in his autobiography 'Reflections of a Vintner'. Tor also shares EXCLUSIVE news on a groundbreaking documentary being released this year. Enjoy the interview!Buy 'Reflections of a Vintner' Book: https://a.co/d/j2DLustTOR Wines: https://torwines.com/

    59 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

The Zonda Wine Podcast is where entertainment and wine meet. Hosted by industry insider Shawn Zylberberg and produced by Zonda Wine Services, this show gets to the heart of the people that shape the industry and give it richness. Thank you for listening. Salud!

Information

  • Creator
    Zonda Wine Services
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Zonda Wine Services
  • Show Website
    The Zonda Wine Podcast