The Reluctant Somm: Wine & Hospitality Podcast

From a teenage harvest in Argentina's Calchaqui Valley to a deep immersion in Spanish wines and a dynamic partnership in California's minimal intervention scene, Jehan Hakimian's journey in the wine world is anything but conventional. This week on The Reluctant Somm, we trace Jehan's path, exploring his extensive experience in wine sales and his profound knowledge of Spain's diverse terroir. We also delve into his collaboration wit...

Discover the captivating journey of Paul Baldi, a Champagne native who honed his craft in the prestigious restaurants of Paris before making his mark in California at Atelier Crenn and The Battery. This episode dives into the exciting evolution within Champagne, the realities of the hospitality industry since the pandemic, and the complexities of wine distribution across the country. Paul also shares the story behind his own Champa...

Join Chris for a conversation with Peter Andrews, founder of Culture Wine Co. a fantastic South African import book, as they delve into the fascinating world of Chenin Blanc. In anticipation of the upcoming Hella Chenin Fest, they'll explore exceptional selections from both South Africa and the United States, highlighting Peter's expertise in sourcing distinctive wines. Peter also shares his insights on building community within th...

In this insightful episode, we sit down with the incredibly talented Chef Celtin Hendrickson of Prelude, a restaurant recently acknowledged with a Michelin "nod." Celtin takes us on his inspiring journey, starting from his early days as a dishwasher to becoming the driving force behind a unique and elevated take on Southern cuisine right here in California. Discover how childhood memories, especially those of his grandmother's grit...

From a high school gig at a local Mexican joint to working in a restaurant in Honduras while diving the depths of its reefs, Adam Robins' path to beverage director at San Francisco's State Bird Provisions, The Progress, and Anchovy Bar is anything but ordinary. We trace his journey, from Michael Mina's influence to his deep dive into German Riesling, and explore the importance of connecting directly with the producers behind the bo...

Adrian Chan's been in some serious kitchens, like Atelier Crenn and Angler, and he's got stories. We talk Michelin standards, the whole burnout thing, and why he's now moving to the front of the house to really get the full picture of hospitality.

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What do guitars and grenache have in common? More than you'd think. Today, we're joined by Jesse Hudson—musician turned wine industry newcomer—to unpack his unorthodox path into wine. Together, we challenge the idea that wine should be an elite pursuit, argue why it’s time to shake up the industry, and explore the magic of keeping an open mind (and palate)...

The Franscioni family is synonymous with the Santa Lucia Highlands. Nick Franscioni joined us this week and gave us great understanding of the history, geology, and current climates of SLH. We discussed their experimental sparkling wine, the love for Rhone grapes and their diverse agriculture (their avocados are incredible). Additionally they along with other producers in the region have been collaborating on educational trips for ...

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Andre John to the podcast as he shares his inspiring journey from Pittsburgh to Dallas, and now to his current endeavors in San Francisco. Andre discusses how he navigated pivotal changes after the pandemic, reflects on the incredible individuals who played key roles in shaping his path, and reveals his unique approach to pairing Southern Indian cuisine. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek at the ...

What does it take to build a lasting legacy in the world of wine? On this episode of The Reluctant Somm, we explore the "Ramey" approach with Claire Ramey of Ramey Wines. We delve into the generational shifts shaping the industry, the meticulous farming practices that define their wines, and the importance of teamwork and leadership in the trenches. Discover how Ramey Wines is balancing tradition with innovation, crafting exception...

This week, we spoke with Timothy Hinueber, the general manager of Roaming Goat in San Francisco, who’s redefining what it means to run a wine bar. Timothy shared his thoughts on building genuine trust with guests and creating an experience that keeps people coming back. We explored his deep appreciation for the wines of the Caucasus Mountains and the wildly deep history of the winemaking in those regions. If you’re interested in ho...

For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of selling Brian Terrizzi's exceptional wines, but it was truly special to finally sit down with him and gain a deeper understanding of the vision and dedication behind Giornata Wines and Etto Pasta. Brian and Stephy’s passion doesn’t stop there—they also run a fantastic restaurant and are set to release a cookbook soon! It was exciting to catch up on all their incredible ventures, a...

In this episode of The Reluctant Somm, we chat with Ryan Torres, a talented sommelier from Niku Steakhouse in San Francisco. Ryan shares his journey from theatre kid to wine expert, revealing how his acting background has shaped his approach to restaurant service. We also discuss the current state of San Francisco and city life, exploring how it impacts the restaurant scene and the role of hospitality in the city. Finally, Ryan sha...

Dive into an extraordinary episode featuring Dan Petroski, the trailblazing winemaker and founder of Massican. Known for crafting bright, refreshing, and accessible wines, Dan takes us deep into the philosophy behind the "Massican Lifestyle." Discover how his innovative approach is challenging conventions and ushering in a new era for the wine industry. But this episode goes far beyond wine. We explore Dan's remarkable personal jou...

The New Era of Hospitality: How We Use Restaurant Skills to Escape the Grind: Bianca Finley - The Reluctant Somm Podcast Season 3 Episode 1 We all know what it's like working a double and having to open the next day right... right?? The hospitality industry is a beautiful and fickle beast, jump in! About this episode: In this episode Bianca and I discuss what's been on our minds recently. The conversation starts with Champagne and ...

This weeks episode I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ramzi the owner and operator of Dolores Deluxe AND the host of the Forever Neighbor Podcast which focuses on all the incredible neighborhood folks that we all have the pleasure of living near. A fascinating journey running his own catering company at 15 years old, eventually making it to Eleven Madison Park, moving to Paris for culinary school, and so much more before openi...

This week I sat with my friend Derek who I met back in my Boulevard days. Aside from discussing how grateful we are for our time there we also spoke a lot on how San Francisco seems to still be trying to get its feet under it after the pandemic. We also touch on what we consider to be the heart of hospitality and how Derek picked up meditating during the pandemic and how that's brought a lot of peace to his life. It was so great to...

On this weeks episode I chat with Josh Shapiro the opening partner of Flatiron Wines and Spirits in San Francisco, a quintessential wine shop in the Bay Area. It's great to hear about the how he helped bring the New York staple to the bay. Also hearing about the remodel of what was a Japanese restaurant to build out the shop is pretty wild! There was also a beautiful bottle of wine that Josh brought with an incredible story. Listen...

Just wanted to catch up with you guys and let you know how things are going for us here at the podcast! It's very much a flow of thought and I touch on lots of different things but mostly just feeling very thankful for the fans, listeners, and the guests (of course) we've had. Looking forward to providing you guys with even more amazing conversations and exposing you to all the fantastic people that are all around us! Sending love!