Wine Access Unfiltered

Wine Access Unfiltered

Wine Access Unfiltered—The Official Podcast and Wine Club of Wine Access—goes deep into what we really love about wine: the intimate moments, unforgettable occasions, and hilarious stories that a great bottle brings about. Hosted by former PRESS wine director and Napa Valley insider Amanda McCrossin with appearances from our team of unrivaled experts, we’re popping our favorite bottles and sharing them with you. The Wine Access Unfiltered Wine Club delivers a completely new wine education experience. Once every two months, you’ll receive four bottles. They will all be featured and discussed on the Wine Access Unfiltered podcast. That way, you can drink along with us as we tell stories, share knowledge, and answer your questions!

Episodes

July 3, 2025 52 mins
They say there "ain't no party like a Napa party" and our guests are true Napa Valley locals who know how to deliver the Napa Valley experience. We’re throwing a “virtual” summer block party and inviting our wine country friends to hang and share some “locals only” tips and tricks. Audra Chapman (Newfound Wine), Josh Phelps (Grounded Wine Co.), and Scott Dale (Wild Vine Tours) join us to dish on their favorite hidden gem wineries, ...
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Whether it’s to Burgundy, Barolo, or Barossa, wine travel delivers big-time pleasure—but can come with serious setbacks, from shipping snafus and suitcase spills to winding wine-country road nausea. Enter Amanda, whose passport’s been stamped by just about every wine-producing country on the globe. In this episode, she shares hard-earned travel hacks, favorite flight-friendly accessories, tips on how to find the best coffee, and th...
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When you hear “Riesling,” do you still think syrupy sweet? If so, you're not alone, but you're definitely missing out.  In this episode, Amanda and Wine Access experts Eduardo Dingler and Laura Koffer set the record straight on one of the world’s most versatile yet vexing grapes. They unpack Riesling’s reputation in the US, share tips on how to decode sweetness levels, and reveal where (outside Germany) you should look for great R...
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Oregon Pinot, Washington Syrah, and… heavy metal? Believe it or not, all three fit right into this episode’s deep dive into the Pacific Northwest, one of the world’s most exciting (and misunderstood) wine regions.Fresh off a National Geographic wine cruise through the Columbia and Snake Rivers, host Amanda McCrossin is joined by journalist, educator, and senior editor at JancisRobinson.com Samantha Cole-Johnson. In this enlightenin...
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What happens when one of the most legendary Champagne minds on the planet leaves a Champagne icon… to make sake? In this special bonus episode, Amanda sits down with Richard Geoffroy, former Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon, to discuss his newest—and to many, extremely unexpected—venture: IWA 5, a cutting-edge Junmai Daiginjo sake born in Japan’s Toyama Prefecture.Recorded in NYC during a rare stateside visit, this conversation with Ri...
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Midwestern tax-preparer Steve Hoffman moved his family to the South of France to live out his dream of being a French-speaking bon vivant. But when life abroad fell far short of his expectations, he found himself at a loss for what to do—until his vigneron neighbor started him on a new and uncharted path. Steve swapped his spreadsheets for soupe à l’oignon, and his outstanding memoir A Season For That—which NYT Wine Critic Eric ...
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How does a wine lover who started at the bottom shelf end up with a fine-tuned taste for fine wine? Master of Wine (and former Unfiltered Co-Host) Vanessa Conlin joins us for a candid conversation about how our palates evolve. We share our own cringe-worthy wine moments, debate the value of “flashy” vs. “ethereal” wines, and get real about why some expensive wines might fall flat for newer drinkers. You’ll also get pro tips on how...
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Helen Keplinger is one of the most sought-after winemakers in Napa Valley, but she’s taking a break to take us on a California road trip with her Vermillion wine. Vermillion, sourced from the high-elevation Sierra Foothills to the sea-sprayed vineyards of Santa Barbara, captures the diverse terroirs that make this state so special, and we pop a bottle with Helen to identify how each component plays a unique role. She fills us in on...
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Why do some wines cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars? How do global events impact your favorite bottle? Join us for a fascinating conversation with Peter Young, former McKinsey consultant and author of “Luxury Wine Marketing.” Peter’s an insider with experience at blue-chip wineries like Realm and Kosta Browne, and he sheds light on how wineries use everything from psychological triggers to the power of storytelling to driv...
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What do BBQ potato chips, perfume, and the power of Champagne growers have in common? They’re all part of the fascinating conversation we had with wine expert Julia Coney at the World of Pinot Noir event in Santa Barbara! We cover which Pinot regions we’re most excited about—outside of classic regions like Burgundy and Oregon—why Pinot Noir is the “un-gettable get” for winemakers, and the surprising convenience-store snack Julia sw...
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Ever wonder what your favorite wine expert really drinks when they’re not swirling a glass of Pinot? Hint: It might involve a shaker, not a corkscrew! In this episode, we sit down with TikTok’s Queen of Cocktails and author of “How to Be a Better Drinker,” Hannah Chamberlain (@SpiritedLA ). She’s revealing the secrets to crafting the perfect Martini (shaken vs. stirred, anyone?), how to know when to risk ordering that fancy cocktai...
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Think you know German wine? Think again. In this episode we’re shattering just about every German wine myth with Jenna Fields, the passionate force behind the German Wine Collection. Jenna’s mission to revolutionize how the world thinks about German wine began on a Post-It note (seriously), and in this episode, she breaks down why you’ll find racy, bone-dry Rieslings in the world’s finest collections and how the German-made version...
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The wine industry might thrive on exclusivity and tradition, but social media is shaking things up big time: Like it or not, wine influencers are reshaping the way we discover, enjoy, and talk about wine by sharing access, tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the wine world—and today, we’re putting the spotlight on them. Host Amanda McCrossin is joined by fellow full-time wine influencer Warner of @confidenceuncorked to discuss ...
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January 9, 2025 32 mins
We're kicking off 2025 what’s in and out for the wine world. From busting myths like “you have to store wine on its side” to showing you how to start a wine collection even if you don’t have a cellar, this episode is all about making wine more accessible in the next year. You’ll also get the scoop on why you might be seeing more affordable wines from popular regions like Napa Valley, why it’s okay to drink the “good bottle” on a ra...
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We’re closing out the year with a celebratory “favorites” episode, where Eduardo Dingler and Laura Koffer join Amanda to relive their top wine discoveries and dining experiences of 2024. Along the way, they explore the resurgence of volcanic terroirs, provide pro pairing tips (Chardonnay with tacos, anyone?), and debate the quirks of wine gadgets. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a curious wine lover, this episode is packed w...
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PJ Awe, Director of Marketing and Sales at Amorim Cork America, joins us to dive into cork’s fascinating journey from bark to bottle. As one of the most sustainable products on the planet, cork plays a bigger role than many wine drinkers might realize. We discuss why storing wine bottles on their sides might not be necessary and why cork taint (TCA) is about to be a thing of the past. Geek out with us as we uncork one of Lodi’s old...
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We’re crashing one of Oregon’s most meaningful wine events to give you exclusive access to some of the biggest stars in the wine industry. Amanda sits down with Michael Fay (Domaine Serene), Claire Carver (Big Table Farm), Thomas Savre (Lingua Franca), and Alban Debeaulieu (Abbott Claim) to discuss their rise to stardom, the surprising wines that have inspired them along the way, and why they believe Oregon is the best wine-produci...
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This isn’t the end, it’s actually just the beginning of a major revolution, according to this week’s guest—Master Sommelier (and importer/distributor) Ken Frederickson. Ken joins us to discuss how the landscape has shifted in the last 20 years and what he believes wine drinkers can look forward to in the coming decades. From a surprising union between wine and spirits to why restaurants might shift away from selling wines by the bo...
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Wine collectors love to talk about the good old days—when cult wines were going for a fraction of the price they are today and didn’t have waiting lists. How did brands like Harlan and Screaming Eagle achieve cult status? And is it still possible to achieve that today? On this episode, we’re hunting for the next big thing with the dynamic father-daughter-duo from one of the fastest-growing wine YouTube channels: “Our Pour Decisions...
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Konstantin Baum is Germany’s youngest Master of Wine and one of the most followed YouTube wine experts, but even he grapples with one of the most common problems for wine drinkers—figuring out what you like and being confident in your choices. In this episode we’re helping you discover YOUR wine palate, including a DIY project that will help you become a better taster (that even your kids might enjoy). Join us for never-before-shar...
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