The Four Top: Wine News and Culture
All the wine news worth drinking to. The Four Top is a lively roundtable discussion of the wine world, its culture, and its future. Hosted by Katherine Cole and co-hosted by Martin Reyes, MW.
Episodes
August 9, 2023 • 47 mins
Here it is, folks; our episode about Roundup…but it’s so much more than that. In Ep. 126. we dive into regenerative agriculture, climate action, and the fight over how to grow grapes on a rapidly changing planet.
Rounding out our expertise this week are Dr. Jamie Goode, an award-winning wine journalist, plant biologist, and the author of I Taste Red: The Science of Tasting Wine; and Anna Brittain, the founder and executive director ...
Rounding out our expertise this week are Dr. Jamie Goode, an award-winning wine journalist, plant biologist, and the author of I Taste Red: The Science of Tasting Wine; and Anna Brittain, the founder and executive director ...
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August 2, 2023 • 61 mins
From The Court of Master Sommeliers to vineyards around the world, diversity has become a buzzword, but what does it mean in practice? In Ep. 125 (recorded live at Napa RISE), our guests help us understand how to unravel the wine industry and rework it as an inclusive, inviting space.
On the stage with us for this live recording are Philana Bouvier, the president of Demeine Estates and a San Francisco Business Times “Most Influenti...
On the stage with us for this live recording are Philana Bouvier, the president of Demeine Estates and a San Francisco Business Times “Most Influenti...
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July 26, 2023 • 51 mins
Viticulture is monoculture… but it doesn’t have to be. In Ep. 124, our guests discuss permaculture and natural farming, and so much more. In their quest to capture the past in order to change the future of winegrowing, they will go so far as to introduce genetic diversity from vine to vine.
Behind the mics this week are Nate Ready, a former Master Sommelier, and the owner and farmer behind Hiyu Wine Farm; and Randall Grahm, A.K.A. t...
Behind the mics this week are Nate Ready, a former Master Sommelier, and the owner and farmer behind Hiyu Wine Farm; and Randall Grahm, A.K.A. t...
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July 19, 2023 • 48 mins
Sustainability is a hot topic in wine, but we’re still addicted to carbon-intensive glass bottles. Our guests this week are trying to change that. We’re diving into canned wine, lightweight packaging, and how to wean ourselves off the evil that is styrofoam.
Joining us for Ep. 123 are Kristin Olszewski, founder and CEO of Nomadica Wine; and Nicolas Quillé, Chief Winemaking and Operations Officer at Crimson Wine Group and co-author ...
Joining us for Ep. 123 are Kristin Olszewski, founder and CEO of Nomadica Wine; and Nicolas Quillé, Chief Winemaking and Operations Officer at Crimson Wine Group and co-author ...
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July 12, 2023 • 48 mins
Historic droughts followed by colossal atmospheric rivers? There’s a term for that: weather whiplash. As wine regions experience the highest highs and lowest lows back-to-back, vineyards are looking for ways to adapt. Our guests on Ep. 122 discuss the future of water use in winegrowing, from gray water to dry farming.
Our aqua-experts are Dr. Peter Gleick, a leading water and climate scientist and the co-founder of the Pacific Inst...
Our aqua-experts are Dr. Peter Gleick, a leading water and climate scientist and the co-founder of the Pacific Inst...
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June 28, 2023 • 44 mins
Imagine losing out on $120,000 of energy savings just by forgetting to fill out one form. Do we have your attention? Then tune in as our guests share ways for wineries to save, from the simple (LED light bulbs) to the innovative (water batteries?).
Increasing efficiency with us on Ep. 121 are Peter Yeung, a wine business consultant and the co-host of the XChateau Wine Podcast; and Will Drayton, the Director of Technical Viticulture...
Increasing efficiency with us on Ep. 121 are Peter Yeung, a wine business consultant and the co-host of the XChateau Wine Podcast; and Will Drayton, the Director of Technical Viticulture...
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June 21, 2023 • 27 mins
Hello Wine World; we’re back! We kick off The Four Top’s sustainability season with Anna Brittain, executive director of Napa Green and Napa RISE. Anna lays out “the six pillars of sustainability,” sharing anecdotes—we call them “Anna-dotes”—to illustrate each one. Prepare to be surprised by Ep. 120.
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December 30, 2022 • 55 mins
Did the ghost of Georges Duboeuf haunt filmmaker Jason Wise this Christmas? Will NBA star-turned TV commentator Channing Frye ever be invited back to Napa? In our final episode of this wine season, we toast the new year with hot takes from two of wine’s wittiest pundits, and add a couple of our own crackpot ideas.
Making their opinions known on Ep. 119 are Channing Frye, an NBA Champion and the founder of Chosen Family Wines; and ...
Making their opinions known on Ep. 119 are Channing Frye, an NBA Champion and the founder of Chosen Family Wines; and ...
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December 23, 2022 • 25 mins
With “cuffing season” upon us, Martin and Katherine talk through their experiences and observations about personal relationships in the wine industry. Is it best to pair up with someone else who understands the wine life, or choose a life partner who hasn’t drunk the (fermented) Kool-Aid?
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December 16, 2022 • 51 mins
With unionization in the news (we see you, Amazon, Apple, and Starbucks), we learn about vinetenders who have recently organized, and revisit the long battle farmworkers have waged since being excluded from the National Labor Relations Act in 1935. Why isn’t unionization more prevalent in the wine industry? We discuss in Ep. 117.
Our guests this week are Jahdé Marley, a sommelier and the founder of By the Hand; and Miguel Lopez, the...
Our guests this week are Jahdé Marley, a sommelier and the founder of By the Hand; and Miguel Lopez, the...
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December 9, 2022 • 20 mins
Pearl clutchers be warned: In this special “Two Top” episode, Katherine and Martin gaze at The Four Top’s navel and discuss some contentious questions. Such as: What does The Four Top aim to achieve, and in what ways do we break the rules?
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December 2, 2022 • 49 mins
The Four Top is a “Three Top” this week as Martin and Katherine chat with a crypto-curious, VR-visionary wine personality. In Ep. 115, we ask what Web 3.0 is, exactly, and why wine businesses should be planning for it now.
Our seer this week is Dan Petroski, a digital futurist and the founder of Massican Winery.
Our seer this week is Dan Petroski, a digital futurist and the founder of Massican Winery.
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November 25, 2022 • 17 mins
In the first of three holiday bonus episodes, our Four Top becomes a Two Top as Martin and Katherine discuss their desire to find common ground between luxury wine collectors and commodity wine consumers. Whether your bubbles are Krug or Barefoot Moscato, don’t miss this case for kinship.
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November 18, 2022 • 51 mins
Is wine writing going the way of coal mining? Writers and critics are struggling to make a living as technology renders traditional journalism increasingly irrelevant. In Ep. 113, we seek advice on how to survive (or even thrive) as a wine writer in an increasingly challenging new-media environment.
With us for Ep. 113 are Julia Coney, the renowned wine writer, wine educator, and the founder of Black Wine Professionals; and Karen Ma...
With us for Ep. 113 are Julia Coney, the renowned wine writer, wine educator, and the founder of Black Wine Professionals; and Karen Ma...
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November 4, 2022 • 47 mins
When we hear the term “white supremacy,” we think of despicable scumbags in pointed white hoods. But white supremacist culture is lurking right under our noses in the wine world, insidious and omnipresent. In Ep. 112, we explore the subtleties of coded language and implicit bias, and our guests help us move toward making change.
Behind the mic for Ep. 112 are Tiquette Bramlett, the president of Compris Vineyard and the founder of Ou...
Behind the mic for Ep. 112 are Tiquette Bramlett, the president of Compris Vineyard and the founder of Ou...
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October 21, 2022 • 52 mins
Dancing, pranks, cooking hacks, and…wine? The oenosphere is discovering the power of TikTok, or “WineTok.” In Ep. 111, we pick up our phones and get scrolling to learn more about what TikTok has to offer the wine world, and vice versa.
With us this week are Isis Daniel (@themillennialsomm), a popular TikTok wine educator and Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker; and Amanda McCrossin (@sommvivant), an award-winning sommelier and fe...
With us this week are Isis Daniel (@themillennialsomm), a popular TikTok wine educator and Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker; and Amanda McCrossin (@sommvivant), an award-winning sommelier and fe...
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July 22, 2022 • 53 mins
We’re joined by two of the most powerful people in wine for Ep. 110, in which we visualize the wine power elite as a pyramid. Also: why you should NEVER throw out those bell bottom jeans, and a hot tip on a zombie wine.
Giving us power this week are Annette Alvarez-Peters, the former AVP/GMM of Beverage Alcohol for Costco Wholesale, and a board member of Crimson Wine Group and Wine Unify; and Erica Duecy, the Chief Content Officer a...
Giving us power this week are Annette Alvarez-Peters, the former AVP/GMM of Beverage Alcohol for Costco Wholesale, and a board member of Crimson Wine Group and Wine Unify; and Erica Duecy, the Chief Content Officer a...
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July 15, 2022 • 58 mins
Why do we use a carbon-intensive, 4,000-year-old technology to package wine? Heavy, fragile, and toxic, glass is ready for a rethink. In Ep. 109 we dig into packaging, supply chains, and the daunting task of reinventing both. Smashing glass with us this week are Melissa Saunders, a Master of Wine, a sustainable wine packaging consultant, the founder of Communal Brands, and the wine director at The Good Goods, a reusable wine bottle...
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July 8, 2022 • 43 mins
Is Philippe André the Jason Momoa of Champagne? Is Marissa Ross the David Sedaris of natural wine? Do you agree with Katherine that real winemakers wear muddy Carhartts? We may disagree on some things, but everyone in Ep. 108 agrees: Just put the damn ice cubes in your wine. Keeping us on our toes this week are Philippe André, the U.S. Ambassador at Charles Heidsieck Champagne and the Private Client Director at Folio Fine Wine Part...
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July 1, 2022 • 47 mins
Bondage, black sheep, and OPP, oh my! In Ep. 107 we talk irreverent branding, unconventional influences, and drinking wine in…the bathtub? Getting us outside of the box this week are André Mack, owner of Maison Noir Wines, Proprietor and Sommelier at Large at the & Sons Hospitality Group, and an author, sommelier, winemaker, designer, and on-screen talent for Bon Appétit’s YouTube channel; and Jean-Charles Boisset, a vintner and th...
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