Napa Valley Insider Podcast

In episode forty-two of the Napa Valley Insider podcast, Andrew catches up with Chuck Matto—better known as Chuck’s Flavor Train.

Chuck opens up about his journey from growing up in Browns Valley to becoming a beloved barbecue influencer, private chef, and soon-to-be cookbook author. He shares how a backyard passion turned into a full-time career, what it means to stay authentic in the world of brand sponsorships, and how food becam...

In episode forty-one of the Napa Valley Insider podcast, Andrew sits down with Josh Phelps, the Saint Helena native behind Grounded Wine Co.

Josh shares his journey from launching his first wine brand out of a college project to building a nationally distributed wine company that’s redefining the idea of an “affordable luxury” wine. From navigating retail partnerships with Target and Whole Foods to building community through outdoo...

In episode forty of the Napa Valley Insider podcast, Andrew sits down with Fearon DeWeese and Juliana Folk, the visionary co-founders of Napa Valley StreamFest. They delve into the inspiration behind creating an immersive festival that celebrates podcasts, series, films, and social content, set to take place April 24-27, 2025, in Downtown Napa.

This episode is brought to you by Tastefuli, the go-to app for planning your Napa Valley...

In episode thirty-nine of the Napa Valley Insider podcast, Andrew sits down with Vincenzo Loseto, Chef de Cuisine at PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena. Vincenzo shares his culinary journey from fishing with family in Long Island to working in world-renowned kitchens like Eleven Madison Park—and now leading one of Napa Valley’s most celebrated restaurants. Currently starring on Bravo’s Top Chef, Vincenzo opens up about his creative pro...

In episode thirty-eight of the Napa Valley Insider podcast, Andrew sits down with Niccolo Cymbalist, CEO and founder of Clippership. Nicco shares his fascinating journey from growing up on a vineyard in Italy to working in Formula 1 and Tesla—ultimately launching a startup that’s rethinking maritime shipping from the hull up. Clippership is building fast, beautiful, wind-powered cargo vessels that aim to revolutionize transatlantic...

In episode thirty-seven of the Napa Valley Insider podcast, Andrew sits down with Noah Friedman, co-founder of Top Shelf Ventures and Uncharted. Noah shares his journey from working with Michael Loeb at a venture accelerator to launching a private equity and VC fund dedicated to the alcohol and vice industries. He dives into the challenges and opportunities in early-stage alcohol investing, the importance of velocity and retention ...

In episode thirty-six of the Napa Valley Insider podcast, Andrew sits down with Morgaen Hoxsey, fifth-generation proprietor and Sales & Marketing Director for Ghost Block Estate Wines. Morgaen shares her family's impressive Napa Valley heritage, dating back to her great-great-grandfather Joseph Pelissa's arrival from Italy in 1903, and their journey from grape growers to successful vintners. She explores how her family business...

In episode thirty-five of the Napa Valley Insider podcast, Andrew sits down with Charlie Wagner, fifth-generation Napa Valley vintner and a driving force behind the evolution of Caymus Vineyards. Charlie shares the Wagner family's rich history, from their early days homesteading in St. Helena to becoming one of the most recognized names in American wine. He discusses his role in expanding the family's winemaking legacy, his perspec...

In episode thirty-four of the Industry Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Darryl Bell, chef and owner of Stateline Road Smokehouse, Napa’s first Black-owned restaurant since the 1800s. Darryl shares his journey from growing up in Kansas City, learning to cook for his family at a young age, to honing his culinary skills in France and working under Thomas Keller before launching his own BBQ venture in Napa. He dives into his pass...

In episode thirty-three of the Industry Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Chris Hoel, CEO and founder of Harper’s Club, a premier concierge wine advisory firm. Chris shares his journey from catching the wine bug in a Midwest poker game to working at The French Laundry and ultimately curating world-class wine collections for Hollywood elites and top-tier collectors. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes world of...

In episode thirty-two of the Napa Valley Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Kara Haspel Lind, founder of Kara’s Cupcakes and Bar Lucia, two beloved staples in Napa. Kara shares her journey from the world of magazine publishing to becoming a celebrated entrepreneur in the food and wine industry. She dives into the challenges and triumphs of growing a business, navigating economic shifts, and creating spaces that bring people tog...

In episode thirty-one of the Napa Valley Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Pam Dillon, CEO and co-founder of Preferabli, to discuss a groundbreaking moment—Preferabli's acquisition of Cuvée. Pam shares her journey from Wall Street to the wine and spirits industry, how AI is transforming hospitality, and what this acquisition means for the future of personalized recommendations.

Episode Highlights:

• From Finance to Wine Tech: ...

In episode thirty of the Napa Valley Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Erick Hernandez, Deputy Fire Marshal for Napa County Fire Department. Erick shares his inspiring journey to Napa Valley, his passion for public safety, and the evolving strategies to protect the community from devastating wildfires.

Episode Highlights:

• A Firefighter’s Journey: Learn how Erick’s life experiences and mentorship shaped his path to becoming a...

In episode twenty-nine of the Napa Valley Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Chuck McMinn, owner of Vineyard 29 and a passionate advocate for community development in Napa Valley. Chuck shares insights from his Silicon Valley journey to becoming a key figure in three impactful nonprofits: the Napa Valley Vine Trail, the Rail Arts District, and the St. Helena Hospital Foundation.

Episode Highlights:

• From Tech to Terroir: Disco...

In episode twenty-eight of the Napa Valley Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Marc Hand, CEO of Hwy 29 Media, and head of the Napa Valley News Group, to discuss the essential role of local journalism in preserving Napa Valley’s stories and identity. From saving beloved community newspapers to launching bilingual initiatives, Marc shares his vision for sustaining trusted, hyperlocal news during challenging times.

Episode Highligh...

In episode twenty-seven of the Napa Valley Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Cameron Reynolds, second-generation vintner and national sales manager for Reynolds Family Winery, to explore the journey of growing up in Napa and taking on the family business. Cameron offers a rare glimpse into life behind the scenes at a boutique winery and shares insights on the challenges and triumphs of staying true to Napa’s roots.

Episode High...

In episode twenty-six of the Napa Valley Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Erin Kirschenmann, Managing Editor of Wine Business Monthly, to discuss her fascinating journey from journalism to becoming a key voice in the wine industry. Erin shares her unique insights from the intersection of media and wine, shedding light on the current state and future of the industry.

Episode Highlights:

• From Newsroom to Vineyard: Erin takes ...

In episode twenty-five of the Napa Valley Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Lindsay Hoopes, owner and CEO of Hoopes Vineyard, to discuss her inspiring journey from Napa Valley roots to leading a family-owned winery with a focus on sustainability and community impact. A passionate advocate for regenerative farming and small businesses, Lindsay shares her vision for a more inclusive and vibrant Napa Valley.

Episode Highlights:

In episode twenty-four of the Napa Valley Insider Podcast, Andrew sits down with Jess Lander, a seasoned wine reporter and storyteller with the San Francisco Chronicle, who covers Napa Valley’s dynamic wine and hospitality industry. With nearly three years at the helm of wine reporting, Jess brings a unique perspective on industry trends, ethical journalism, and her journey from Boston to Napa’s wine scene.

Episode Highlights:

• Na...