A Dive Into the Important Role of a Technical Winemaker With Bryanna Grebe of Laffort

Bryanna Grebe's journey from an aspiring pediatric dentist to a Technical Winemaker at Laffort is a tale of unexpected passion. Growing up in Atwater, California, she initially pursued molecular biology at UC Merced, aiming to improve healthcare in her community. However, a twist of fate led her to an internship at E. & J. Gallo, where she discovered the art and science of winemaking. Today, she stands as a dedicated Technical Winemaker, working with different wineries and blending her scientific expertise with a newfound love for crafting exceptional wines.

 

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• Bryanna Grebe shares her personal journey, revealing the intricate path to becoming a technical winemaker

• Explore the nuances of technical winemaking and how it sets apart from other roles in the industry

• Bryanna offers advice to those who discover their passion for wine after pursuing other careers, reflecting on her own experience and the wisdom she'd share with her past self

• Delve into the challenges faced by winemakers, specifically in the Pét-Nat category

• Explore the fine line between letting the wine ‘make itself’ and intervention

• Bryanna shares her expertise on dealing with volatile acidity, offering insights into analyzing microbes, running necessary tests, and potential solutions

• Discuss the significance of humility in winemaking, exploring scenarios where asking for help is crucial, along with the unpredictable nature of the industry

• Uncover the unique role of technical winemakers in larger wineries, highlighting their significance in the winemaking process

• Bryanna shares her enthusiasm for winemaking, discussing whether she leans towards proactive measures or solving issues and the thrill of shaping the future of the industry

• Explore the vision for the future of the wine industry, focusing on accessibility, low-alcohol wines, and making wine a daily beverage for everyone

 

In this episode with Bryanna Grebe

Bryanna Grebe of Laffort uncovers the fascinating journey she took from considering a career in dentistry to becoming an expert in the intricate world of winemaking. Bryanna shares her insights into the diverse roles within winemaking and explains the nuances of being a technical winemaker, as compared to a generalist. 

In today’s episode of the Legends Behind the Craft podcast, Drew Thomas Hendricks is joined by Bryanna Grebe, Technical Winemaker at Laffort. We delve into the challenges of the Pét-Nat category, the balance between intervention and natural winemaking, and even explore strategies for managing Volatile Acidity in winemaking. Bryanna tells us why humility in the wine industry is important, and the value of asking for help when things go awry. She shares her excitement for the future of the industry, envisioning a more accessible and inclusive wine culture.

 

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Barrels Ahead.

Barrels Ahead is a wine and craft .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}