Customer Trip To Piemonte November 2025
It was great to finally be back in Piemonte after a few years’ hiatus. Piemonte is probably the wine region closest to my heart, as it was here that the idea for VinConnect developed some 16 years ago and the location of the first wineries to hear about (and adopt) the idea. With a few […]
Podcast Episode #7 — Alberic Bichot, Proprietor of Maison Albert Bichot, on the Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction
In this episode, Alberic Bichot talks about the history of the famed Hospices de Beaune Wine Auction, how it all works, and how people (even individuals) can participate in buying barrels and having personalized wines made. Watch or Listen on Spotify
Podcast Episode #6 — Chiara Boschis, Proprietor of E. Pira – Chiara Boschis, on Breaking Barriers and the Barolo Revolution
In this episode, Daria interviews Chiara Boschis, a trailblazing woman winemaker in Barolo, who shares her unique journey in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Chiara discusses the evolution of the Barolo region and the challenges faced by women in the wine world. She talks about the importance of supporting farmers and fair, sustainable practices in the […]
Podcast Episode #5 — Erni Loosen, Proprietor of Dr. Loosen, on His Ürziger Würzgarten Pinot Noir and Other Crazy Projects
In this episode, Erni Loosen talks about several of his exciting new projects, including his GG Reserve program, extended barrel-aged Tradition wines, a new Urgizer Wurtzgarten Pinot Noir(!), and his first foray into Burgundy! Watch or Listen on Spotify
Podcast Episode #4 — Pepe Raventós, Proprietor of Spain’s Raventós i Blanc, on Organic and Biodynamic Winemaking
Pepe Raventós joins the VinConnect podcast to discuss organic and biodynamic winemaking, expressing a wine’s true sense of place, and how leaving the Cava appellation has enabled the estate’s sparkling wines to be accurately viewed as competing favorably with the best of Champagne. Watch or Listen on Spotify View Transcript
Customer Trip To Germany May 2024
It had been a few years since I had done wine visits in Germany. Despite traveling to Dusseldorf each spring for the annual wine trade fair ProWein, I had not had a chance to visit our partners or other individual estates since prior to Covid. With several new German winery partners added since that time, […]
Podcast Episode #3 — Laura Bianchi, Proprietor of Castello di Monsanto, on The Evolution of Chianti Classico
Laura shares some history of her family’s Castello di Monsanto estate, the bottling of Il Poggio as Chianti’s first single-vineyard wine in 1962 and how that influenced the creation of the Gran Selezione designation in 2014, her role as a pioneering woman winemaker in the region, and the impact of increasing tourism on the region. […]
Podcast Episode #2 — Marc Hochar, Proprietor of Chateau Musar, on the Unique Challenges of Winegrowing in Lebanon
Marc Hochar of Chateau Musar, Lebanon’s most renowned wine estate, shares his thoughts regarding the region’s special terroir, Musar’s approach to organic winemaking, and what makes their wines so distinctive and special to be known around the world. Watch or Listen on Spotify View Transcript
Podcast Episode #1 — Mark O’Connell, Proprietor of Domaine Clos de la Chapelle, on How An American Bought a Burgundy Estate
Mark O’Connell shares the surprising story of how he (an American) came to acquire an estate in Burgundy, and how he has built his brand into a respected mid-size producer of Premier and Grand Cru red and white Burgundy. Watch or Listen on Spotify View Transcript
Customer Trip to Spain October 2023
It had been a few years since I had the pleasure of escorting a group of VinConnect customers on a tour of one of Europe’s major wine regions. The global pandemic interrupted our plans, and while I personally have been traveling and visiting our estates in various countries over the past few years, coordinating a […]