The Wine Centric Show

Matt Weiss
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Food
  • Updated Biweekly

🎙 Bringing wine stories, tips, and expert interviews to everyday wine lovers. 🍷

  1. Paul & Emily Michael: How a British Knight Built a California Wine Dynasty

    12h ago

    Paul & Emily Michael: How a British Knight Built a California Wine Dynasty

    Paul Michael didn't plant his first vines by choice. He was seventeen years old, on a family holiday in California, when his father climbed out of a rented Cadillac in the middle of Knights Valley and announced they were coming back to plant. That was 1982. What followed is one of the great origin stories in American wine. Paul and his wife Emily join Matt Weiss to talk about the multigenerational vision behind Peter Michael Winery, the accidental tasting that started it all, how a five-year-old waking up above the fog line named one of their most celebrated wines, and what it means to build something designed to outlast you. They also reveal the four bottles Paul would open for someone who had never heard of Peter Michael — vintage specific. Write them down. Recorded at Fearrington House, Pittsboro, North Carolina. We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners:▪️Fearrington House: https://fearrington.com/ THE PREFERRED GLASS OF THE WINE CENTRIC SHOW▪️Glasvin: Use code WINECENTRIC for 10% off: https://tidd.ly/41vgdSQ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into wine culture.🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com

    49 min
  2. Raventós i Blanc: Why Pepe Raventós Left Cava Behind and What He's Building in Its Place

    Jun 17

    Raventós i Blanc: Why Pepe Raventós Left Cava Behind and What He's Building in Its Place

    Pepe Raventós is a 21st generation winemaker who walked away from the appellation his grandfather helped build. Cava had become a commodity. The name carried the wrong story. So he left. What followed was a decade-long fight to prove that Penedès — a poor, rural corner of Catalonia with more than 3,000 years of winemaking history — deserves its own appellation and a seat at the table with the greatest sparkling wines in the world. Along the way, Pepe planted the wrong grape in the wrong place, discovered an abandoned farm nearly converted to a chicken factory, and built a winery in a garage underneath his bed. He paid farmers twice the going rate. Moved his family to New York for five years. And found an almost extinct grape called Sumoll that he believes will one day rival Nebbiolo on the world stage. This is not a conversation about Cava. It's about what happens when a rebel with deep roots decides to start from scratch. We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners:▪️Fearrington House: https://fearrington.com/ THE PREFERRED GLASS OF THE WINE CENTRIC SHOW▪️Glasvin: Use code WINECENTRIC for 10% off: https://tidd.ly/41vgdSQ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into wine culture.🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pepe Raventos and His Journey04:54 Leaving the DO: A Family Decision10:33 The Philosophy of Natural Winemaking15:47 Exploring the Unique Characteristics of Charello21:19 Cultural Influences: From Penedes to New York27:11 The Economic Impact of Kava on Farmers33:50 Reviving Abandoned Vineyards and Local Communities41:03 Balancing Passion and Business in Winemaking50:01 The Future of Penedès Wines and Recommendations54:29 Wine_Centric_Show_v1 Linked Comp 05.mp4 Tags:#PepeRaventós, #RaventósIBlanc, #SpanishWine, #WineCentricShow, #Penedès, #CanSumoi, #Xarello, #Sumoll, #WinePodcast, #Sommelier, #WineInterview, #Winemaker, #NaturalWine, #SparklingWine, #CavaAlternative

    55 min
  3. Master Somm Bobby Stuckey: In Defense of Fine Dining & Friuli

    Jun 3

    Master Somm Bobby Stuckey: In Defense of Fine Dining & Friuli

    Bobby Stuckey has spent twenty years telling Americans that the most important wine region in Italy isn't Tuscany. It isn't Piedmont either. It's Friuli. As co-founder of Frasca Food and Wine and one of the most respected Master Sommeliers in the country, Stuckey has watched food journalists question whether fine dining still has a place in American culture. He has a clear answer: they don't know what they're talking about. This conversation covers the wines and producers that put Friuli on the map, the real story behind orange wine, why Merlot and Chardonnay belong in Friuli just as much as Ribolla Gialla, and what it actually takes to build a restaurant culture around a region most Americans have never heard of. One question runs through all of it: how long does a grape need to grow somewhere before it becomes part of that place? We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners:▪️Fearrington House: https://fearrington.com/▪️Glasvin: Use code WINECENTRIC for 10% off: https://tidd.ly/41vgdSQ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into wine culture.🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com

    47 min
  4. The Wine Importer Who Took On Trump and Won | Victor Owen Schwartz | Bonus Episode 45

    May 20

    The Wine Importer Who Took On Trump and Won | Victor Owen Schwartz | Bonus Episode 45

    When the most powerful man in the world imposed tariffs that threatened to put his business under, Victor Owen Schwartz did what almost no one else was willing to do. He sued. And he won. As lead plaintiff in VOS Selections v. Donald Trump, this 40-year wine importer took the fight from the Court of International Trade all the way to the Supreme Court — winning at every stop. 3-0. 7-2. 6-3. On the morning this episode was recorded, his tariff refunds hit his bank account for the first time. We get into what IEEPA tariffs actually did to an importer running on 5% margins, why Amazon blinked while Victor didn't, how a brunch he almost skipped changed everything, and what it feels like when justice stops being theoretical and shows up in your bank account. 📩 Subscribe to the biweekly Wine Centric Newsletter at winecentricshow.comWe’re grateful for the support of our episode partners:▪️Fearrington House: https://fearrington.com/▪️Glasvin: Use code WINECENTRIC for 10% off: https://tidd.ly/41vgdSQ🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into wine culture.🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com

    54 min
  5. Bruwer Raats | The Man Who Built South Africa’s Most Iconic Wine

    May 13

    Bruwer Raats | The Man Who Built South Africa’s Most Iconic Wine

    Bruwer Raats planted his flag in the Polkadraai Hills when nobody else wanted to be there. The soil was granite, the land was cheap, and the two varieties he chose — Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc — were widely considered the least exciting grapes a winemaker could possibly champion. His colleagues called him a mad hatter. That was 2000. Today, Polkadraai Hills is a declared ward on the label of one of the world's most consistently decorated wines. Matt goes deep with Bruwer on the full arc: growing up in post-apartheid South Africa and the democratic shift that shaped his entire career; training stints in Bordeaux, Napa, Germany, and Tuscany; why granite soils and a south-facing slope were worth more to him than prestige real estate in the Golden Triangle; the braai conversation with his friend and partner Mzo that gave birth to MR de Compostela — South Africa's first 50/50 black-white wine company, not by mandate but by friendship and shared ambition; and the discipline it takes to declassify your only wine in 2010 and again in 2019 because the vintage simply wasn't good enough. There's also a cars-and-wine pairing game to open, the now-legendary Ferrari traffic cop story, and Bruwer's four-bottle prescription for anyone who wants to understand South African wine. First South African guest on The Wine Centric Show. Long overdue. We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners:▪️Fearrington House: https://fearrington.com/▪️Glasvin: Use code WINECENTRIC for 10% off: https://tidd.ly/41vgdSQ 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into wine culture.🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com #BruwerRaats, #RaatsFamilyWines, #MRdeCompostela, #SouthAfricanWine, #StellenboschWine, #PolkadraaiHills, #CheninBlanc, #CabernetFranc, #CapeClassics, #WinePodcast, #WineInterview, #WineEducation, #SouthAfrica, #Pinotage, #FineWine, #OldVineProject, #WineAndFoodPairing, #TheWineCentricShow, #Stellenbosch, #WineTasting

    58 min
  6. Kevin Zraly | The Man Who Taught America to Drink Wine

    Apr 29

    Kevin Zraly | The Man Who Taught America to Drink Wine

    Fifty years ago, a 25-year-old with no money, no connections, and a lot of nerve showed up at an office on the 18th floor of the World Trade Center every single day for two and a half weeks until someone finally let him in. That someone was Barbara Kafka. The place was Windows on the World. And what Kevin Zraly built there over the next 25 years became the greatest restaurant wine program this country has ever seen.On this episode of The Wine Centric Show, Kevin joins co-host Inez Ribustello, former Assistant Cellar Master and Beverage Director at Windows on the World, for a conversation that covers all of it. How a kid from Pleasantville, New York hitchhiked to California in 1972 when there were only 24 wineries in Napa. How Joe Baum told him to build the biggest and best wine list New York had ever seen and not to worry about what it cost. How 30,000 people have passed through the Windows on the World Wine School. How his book, Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, has sold four million copies and never gone out of print.And what it felt like to dance alone on the roof of One World Trade Center on July 4th, 1976, above the fireworks, king of the world.Inez brings her own stories from the 107th floor including a Krug 1976 mistake that became a masterclass, a phone call with Kevin that changed how she leads, and a girls weekend in August 2001 that she will never forget.This one stays with you.Kevin’s autobiography, A Glass Half Full, is coming soon. His 50th anniversary celebration of the Judgment of Paris takes place May 26th at City Winery in New York City. Details at citywinery.com.Inez Ribustello’s book, Life After Windows, is available now. We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners:The preferred wine glass of Matt and the Wine centric show▪️Glasvin: Use code WINECENTRIC for 10% off: https://tidd.ly/41vgdSQ ▪️Fearrington House: https://fearrington.com/ Episode Highlights Kevin Zraly’s journey from bartender to world-renowned wine educatorThe rise and influence of Windows on the WorldHow wine education evolved in AmericaThe philosophy behind simplifying wine for everyoneMentorship, leadership, and building iconic wine programsThe lasting impact of 9/11 on the wine communityKevin’s perspective on the future of wine🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into wine culture. 🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms 🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com Chapters: 00:00 Celebrating Windows on the World: A Legacy in Wine Education 02:43 Kevin Zraly's Journey: From Bartender to Wine Educator 05:21 The Evolution of Wine Culture in America 07:49 Teaching Wine: Simplifying Complexity for Everyone 10:44 The Birth of Windows on the World: A Restaurant Icon 13:29 Building a Wine Program: The Art of Selection 16:23 Mentorship and Leadership in the Wine Industry 19:05 Navigating Challenges: Lessons from the Beverage Director 21:47 The Impact of 9/11 on Windows on the World 24:21 Legacy and Recognition: Balancing Career and Personal Life 33:35 The Legacy of Windows on the World 36:26 Innovative Concepts in Dining 39:14 Reflections on 9/11 and Its Impact 45:14 The Evolution of Windows on the World 48:53 Wine Buying Strategies and Experiences 55:20 Memorable Moments and Personal Stories 01:02:33 Looking Ahead: Celebrations and Future Events The full episode is available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at winecentricshow.com. Kevin Zraly, Windows on the World, wine education, wine history, Inez Ribustello, sommelier, wine podcast, judgment of Paris 1976, Joe Baum, Windows on the World Wine School, complete wine course, New York restaurants, World Trade Center, American wine history, wine for beginners, hospitality, iconic restaurants, Wine Centric Show

    1h 5m
  7. Cathy Corison Built Napa's Most Patient Winery. Now Grace Is Next.

    Apr 15

    Cathy Corison Built Napa's Most Patient Winery. Now Grace Is Next.

    A UC Davis professor once told Cathy Corison she would never be a winemaker in the Napa Valley. As a woman, it simply wasn't done.She didn't argue. She just went and did it anyway.Nearly five decades later, Cathy is one of Napa's most respected voices — and her daughter Grace Corison Martin has come home to build on what her mother started.Matt talks with both of them about Kronos Vineyard, planted in 1959 on St. George rootstock and never replanted — through phylloxera, through the Parker era, through every stylistic wave the valley has ridden. They cover Grace's path from a BFA in acting to Union Square Cafe to coming home during COVID and discovering she'd been a winemaker all along. And they dig into the philosophy behind 40 vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon built for the table — wines defined by restraint, benchland fruit, and yields so low they'd make any business school professor wince.This one covers a lot of ground: old vines, family succession, organic and regenerative farming, the broken three-tier system, and what it actually takes to build something meant to last. Join the the list for a Bi-weekly newsletter with loads more wine insights and Matt's picks--https://list.robly.com/subscribe?a=0878917dffaf9516eaade2d00293973f The official wine glass of the Wine Centric Show is Glasvin.Use code WINECENTRIC for 10% off at https://tidd.ly/41vgdSQWe’re grateful for the support of our episode partners: 📍 What You’ll Learn:Old vines and their impact on wine complexityBenchland terroir between Rutherford and St. HelenaKronos Vineyard and its historical significanceSustainable and organic farming practicesCabernet Sauvignon winemaking philosophy at CorisonBuilding a winery from purchased fruit to estateFamily legacy and generational transition in wineNapa Valley’s stylistic evolution and market pressuresChapters:00:00 - The Legacy of Corazon Winery02:44 - Old Vines, Great Wines05:32 - Breaking Barriers: A Woman's Journey in Winemaking08:09 - The Family Business: Succession and Passion10:40 - Finding Home: Grace's Return to Napa11:17 - Miracles of the Kronos Vineyard13:08 - The Financial Journey of Winemaking15:26 - The Evolution of Napa Valley's Wine Industry29:10 - The Mythical Roots of Wine30:30 - Balancing Winemaking and Motherhood32:27 - The Small Scale of Winemaking32:56 - The Importance of Hospitality in Wine34:21 - The Evolution of the Sommelier Community35:17 - Direct-to-Consumer Sales Strategy36:37 - Stylistic Choices in Winemaking37:24 - The Unique Characteristics of Rutherford Fruit40:13 - The Vision for Future Wines42:57 - Sustainability in Winemaking Practices45:31 - The Future of Chorus & Winery47:36 - Adapting to Climate Change in Winemaking51:59 - Exploring New Varietals54:59 - The Role of Regenerative Agriculture59:19 - A Surprise Guest Joins the Conversation01:01:43 - Exploring New Wine Varieties 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into wine culture.🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com We’re grateful for the support of our episode partners:▪️Fearrington House: https://fearrington.com/

    1h 8m
  8. Clos du Val, Carmel Greenberg — The Opposite of Extraction

    Apr 1

    Clos du Val, Carmel Greenberg — The Opposite of Extraction

    Carmel Greenberg didn't come to Clos du Val to make bigger wines. She came to make better ones.As head winemaker at one of Napa's oldest estates — and the first Israeli woman to lead a Napa Valley winery — Carmel has worked alongside some of the valley's most respected names: Cakebread, Dominus, Buccella. What she took from all of it wasn't a formula. It was a point of view.In this episode, we get into what that actually means at the winery level — how she thinks about picking, pressing, and blending; why freshness and restraint are harder to achieve than extraction; and what Clos du Val looks like when she's done with it.This is a conversation about the direction Napa is heading — and who's quietly leading it there. Chapters:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction02:15 – Carmel's path into winemaking06:40 – From UC Davis to Napa's top estates10:30 – Joining Clos du Val14:20 – Elegance vs. power — where Napa is heading20:10 – Terroir and vineyard decisions26:45 – Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet philosophy32:30 – Fermentation and barrel aging38:50 – Innovation at a historic property44:10 – The future of Clos du Val48:30 – Final thoughts & little easter egg Subscribe for more conversations with the people behind the wine.Available on YouTube and all podcast platforms.winecentricshow.comFilmed at: Saint Pierre Wine Bar, Raleigh, North 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into wine culture.🎧 Listen now on YouTube + all podcast platforms🔗 Full episode and show notes at winecentricshow.com We're grateful for the support of our episode partners:▪️ Fearrington House: https://fearrington.com/The official wine glass of the Wine Centric Show is Glasvin.Use code WINECENTRIC for 10% off at https://tidd.ly/41vgdSQWe’re grateful for the support of our episode partners:▪️Fearrington House: https://fearrington.com/This episode was filmed at Saint Pierre Wine Bar in Raleigh, NC Backend Tags:Napa Valley winemaking, Carmel Greenberg, Clos du Val winery, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc Napa, UC Davis winemaking, women in wine industry, modern Napa wine style, terroir driven wines, wine podcast, wine education, vineyard techniques, wine fermentation, barrel aging wine, wine innovation

    35 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

🎙 Bringing wine stories, tips, and expert interviews to everyday wine lovers. 🍷

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Weiss
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Matt Weiss
  • Show Website
    The Wine Centric Show

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