Tancredi Biondi-Santi – 7th Generation, Biondi-Santi Family

When I left Wall Street and went to Europe to learn about wine, I was a nobody – certainly NOT a sommelier. Still, sensing I really wanted to learn and one day make a career in wine, Franco and Jacopo Biondi-Santi welcomed me to their Il Greppo estate and even invited me to their historic recorking event.  It was a thrill for John and I to later meet the 7th generation, Tancredi, at a wine tasting in Canada. We are excited to talk Brunello with you!

Nicole Rolet – Owner, Chene Bleue

You will be delighted to meet Nicole, who meticulously restored this historic estate, and whose cellar-worthy Viognier, Grenache and Syrah-based wines wines have put the category of Super-Rhones on the map. Nicole welcomed my whole family to visit the property a few years ago, and we were enchanted by the place and the wines. Each has a story that is steeped in the history of the times when the estate was medieval priory. Watch the interview to learn more!

Francesco Baravelli – General Manager, Elvio Cogno

We are excited to meet Francesco, as we have been fans of the Elvio Cogno Barolo wines since they joined the Wilson-Daniels portfolio and got the chance to try them. If you are a fan of Barolo that balances modern fruit freshness with classic structure, scent and ageability, you will love these wines. A tip for Masters candidates: these are great wines to include in your blind tasting practice. John and several of my mentees have been able to correctly identify them in blind tasting practice exams. Cheers to that!

James Eyer – General Manager, Hyde de Villaine

Hyde de Villaine is a joint venture between the Hyde family of Napa Valley and the de Villaine family of Burgundy. The Hyde Vineyard in Carneros is truly one of America’s “Grand Crus,” enjoying cooling breezes off the San Pablo Bay that contribute to the resulting wines’ purity and balance between lavish fruit and elegant, long-lived structure. We love the Chardonnay especially, and I am excited to learn along with you about some of the other wines in the portfolio. This amazing photo is by Andy Katz.

Olivier Bernstein – Owner, Olivier Bernstein

We are excited to meet Olivier Bernstein, owner of this Burgundy negociant house that works exclusively with old vines growers in some of the region’s top premier and grand crus. Their work includes meticulously tending the vineyards so that the Pinot Noir fruit for these rare and special wines is as pure and pristine as possible – the key to producing top Burgundy.

Huge Davies – CEO/President

We adore the bubblies of the Schramsberg estate, one of Napa’s historic 19th century wineries that was a ruin when Hugh’s parents, Jack and Jamie Davies, decided to purchase and restore it into a premier sparkling wine house. Hugh and Monique Davies are neighbors and friends, and yet we have never had a chance to interview Hugh and talk about the wines with him – I guess that’s because we all have kids and are busy with Little League! Finally we get to talk wine!

Olivier Souvelain – General Manager, Chateau Gassier

The Cotes de Provence is France’s premier appellation for classic rose wines, and this estate farms the Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache and Rolle grapes organically to produce their lively, racy and spicy bottlings. With rose wine taking the American market by storm, there is a lot of so-so me-to rose out there, so if you are looking for the real deal, these are wines to check out!