Inside Winemaking - the art and science of growing grapes and crafting wine

Inside Winemaking - the art and science of growing grapes and crafting wine

Welcome to Inside Winemaking, your go-to resource for all things winemaking, designed for those already immersed in the wine industry and anyone with a passion for the art and science of crafting the perfect bottle. Inside Winemaking was created to provide direct access to the people in charge of creating world-class wines and for listeners looking for a non-traditional, informative, and entertaining take on winemaking. Our mission is to be a comprehensive resource hub for winemaking, providing valuable content to enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. Your host Jim Duane (Napa Valley winemaker) interviews some of the top winemakers in California and beyond. Each episode features a winemaker, grape-grower, or technical wine pro and dives deep into their background and expertise. Wine newbies and expert enophiles will be entertained by winemaking stories and learn more about growing grapes and making wine. Join us on Inside Winemaking as we uncork the secrets of winemaking, share valuable insights, and create a vibrant community of wine enthusiasts and industry professionals. Subscribe now and elevate your winemaking journey!

Episodes

June 24, 2025 51 mins

In this episode, we welcome Rob Perman, Vice President of Operations at Free Flow Wines, to share the world of wine kegging. We discuss the technical aspects of wine kegging, such as sanitation, oxygen management, and logistics, and how Free Flow Wines has grown from a small operation to a leader in custom kegging services. 

Rob explains the benefits of wine on tap for restaurants, including sustainability...

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Explore the rich history and innovative future of Napa Valley winemaking in this episode with Cole Ballentine from William Cole Vineyards. As a fifth-generation winemaker, Cole discusses his family's path of changing a ghost winery into a thriving vineyard, emphasizing the blend of tradition and modernity in their craft. Learn about the strategic evolution of their brand, the importance of storytelling in wine marketin...

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May 27, 2025 60 mins

Join us on an exploration into the realm of organic and natural winemaking with Jack Sporer, the visionary behind Fresh Wine Co. and Magnolia Wine Services. Learn how his upbringing in a family vineyard in Sonoma Valley blossomed into a passion for organic viticulture and thoughtful intervention methods. Jack discusses the challenges and successes of transitioning to regenerative farming and reveals the mindset that le...

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Discover the untapped potential of Arizona winemaking as Kent Callaghan, a pioneer in the Sonoita Valley, shares his approach to crafting exceptional wines in a region south of Tucson.  In this episode, Kent explores the distinct challenges of Arizona's high-altitude landscapes, from managing diverse grape varieties to navigating the state's unpredictable climate.
 
Gain perspectives into sustainable prac...

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Discover the innovative world of Arizona winemaking through the eyes of Todd Bostock from Dos Cabezas WineWorks. Todd shares his entry into the winemaking industry, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of crafting wines in the Sonoita Valley's diverse climates and soils. We discuss the impact of regional diversity on grape varieties and the techniques being used, such as co-fermenting grape varieties and produ...

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April 15, 2025 58 mins
Stu Ake from The Wine Foundry joins us to discuss the art of personalized custom-crush winemaking. Stu shares his journey into winemaking, which began at Crush Pad in San Francisco. The episode covers the opportunites that The Wine Foundry provides, the logistics and creativity involved in crafting small batches of wine, emphasizing how younger generations are redefining wine conventions. 
 
Listeners wil...

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In this episode, Noah Chichester, a specialist in Galician wines, guides us through the vineyards of Galicia, Spain. Raised in Potsdam, NY, Noah shares how his passion for Galician wines was sparked by his Spanish-influenced upbringing. The discussion covers the distinct grape varieties of Galicia, such as Albariño and Godello, and the unique challenges winemakers face in the region's Atlantic climate. 

No...

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In this episode, we have the honor of having a conversation with Sarah Placella, founder of Root Applied Sciences, to explore sustainable vineyard management through innovative technologies. We discuss the role of spore traps in detecting powdery mildew, enabling grape growers to reduce chemical use while maintaining vineyard health. 

The episode discusses advancements in air sampling techniques, including...

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In this episode, we have a conversation with Kurtis Ogasawara, the Director of Winemaking at Robert Mondavi Winery. Kurtis shares his expertise into the challenges and successes of managing such a prestigious winery in Napa Valley. The discussion covers the winery's rich history, including the legacy of Robert Mondavi. 

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the art of blending, extended maceration,...

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This episode features a conversation with Guillaume Maugeais, a seasoned barrel cooper and winemaker with a diverse background in the global wine industry. Guillaume shares his journey from becoming a copper in Burgundy to exploring winemaking across continents, including his experiences in Cognac, New Zealand, Australia and California. We discuss the role of oak in winemaking, how Guillaume evaluates a cooper’s toasti...

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February 4, 2025 66 mins

In this episode, we explore the journey of Neza Skrt, a pioneering winemaker who transitioned from biotechnology in Slovenia to leading innovative winemaking practices in La Rioja, Spain. At the forefront of the Aiurri Winery, Skrt shares her insights on blending tradition with modern techniques, emphasizing sustainable viticulture amidst the challenges of climate change. We discuss vineyard management, the significanc...

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January 21, 2025 35 mins

This episode is dedicated to some cellar Q&A and a highlight covering three key winemaking tools. Listeners will learn about managing sulfur consistency, dissolved oxygen, and free SO2 levels to maintain wine quality. The episode highlights essential winemaking tools, such as the densitometer and optical sorter, which aid fermentation tracking and optimize grape sorting. Additionally, we discuss the FermRite fermentati...

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January 9, 2025 55 mins

In this episode, Germán di Cesare from Bodega Trivento shares his journey in Argentinian winemaking, focusing on innovations like the creation of white Malbec. Growing up in Mendoza, Germán's passion for wine was influenced by local traditions and his family's vineyard roots. He discusses the unique climate challenges in Mendoza, the importance of vineyard management, and the collaborative efforts among Argentinian win...

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December 17, 2024 54 mins

In this episode, we explore the innovative and traditional aspects of sparkling wine production with guest Núria Artiaga. Núria, a winemaker in Spain's Penedès region, shares her journey into the unique grape varieties and winemaking philosophies at Recaredo. The episode goes into the Spanish grapes used to make Cava, the transition to Brut Nature, the significance of organic agriculture, and the distinctive qualities ...

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December 4, 2024 63 mins

Kelli White, a renowned wine educator and author, shares her expertise on wine education and industry innovations in this episode. She discusses her journey as a sommelier at PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena and her book "Wine Confident." The conversation explores various topics, including the complexities of the wine industry, the role of sommeliers, sustainable vineyard practices, and the importance of accurate wine ed...

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In this episode, expert winemaker Matt Courtney discusses the intersection of tradition and technology in California winemaking. Matt recounts his journey from casual restaurant work to crafting high-end wines with a focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The conversation explores the Burgundian influence on California wines, the distinct characteristics of Sonoma County's vineyards, and the creation of the Ferren wine br...

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November 5, 2024 51 mins
This episode is a discussion of juice and wine chemistries focusing on harvest winemaking.  Chemistries covered include the essential elements like pH, titratable acidity, Nitrogen, sugars, and ethanol.  Actual chemistry panels are discussed in great detail with the goal of making these technical concepts accessible for casual winemakers and professionals. 
 
The episode also covers wine analysis and adju...

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October 23, 2024 26 mins

This episode is very special because it’s the 10-year anniversary episode of Inside Winemaking! I'm deeply grateful for the support from you — the listeners, as well as the incredible guests and generous sponsors who have been with me throughout this decade. Over the course of 182 episodes, featuring more than 175 amazing guests, we’ve had the privilege to explore the world of winemaking together.

This mil...

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In this episode, winemaker Shawn DeMartino shares his journey from Argentina to becoming a winemaker in Napa Valley. He discusses his experiences working with renowned mentors and the significance of hands-on learning in winemaking. Shawn also highlights his innovative work building the Sentinel Vine Manager app, a program leveraging high fidelity geospatial technology to monitor vineyard health and production. The epi...

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September 24, 2024 67 mins

Dan Person of Carboniste discusses the art and science of sparkling winemaking in this episode. The conversation covers technical aspects of winemaking, including sugar and CO2 pressure management in Pet-nat production, the impact of acidity and pH on wine quality, and the evolution of American sparkling wines. Dan also talks about the unique packaging and branding of Carboniste, aiming to bring a fresh perspective to ...

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