Home Podcasts Inside Winemaking - the art and science of growing grapes and crafting wine
Inside Winemaking - the art and science of growing grapes and crafting wine

Inside Winemaking - the art and science of growing grapes and crafting wine

Jim Duane: Winemaker, Grape-grower, and Wine Educator 221 episodes Latest May 18, 2026

Inside Winemaking is a podcast that explores the art and science of growing grapes and crafting wine. Hosted by Napa Valley winemaker Jim Duane, it features interviews with top winemakers, grape-growers, and technical wine professionals. Each episode delves into their backgrounds and expertise, sharing stories and insights about winemaking. The podcast aims to be a comprehensive resource for both wine enthusiasts and industry professionals.

Episodes

217: Alison Rodriguez - Silverado Vineyards Jun 9, 2026 01:07:28 Recorded high above the valley floor in Silverado's Stags Leap estate, this episode with winemaker Alison Rodriguez dives into both Napa viticulture and her global winemaking journey. Alison unpacks the 2025 growing season—early bud break, late rains, and the shadow of El Niño—while describing the constant tension between picking early for safety and waiting for full ripeness in a fire-prone era.
216: Meredith Sarboraria - Livermore Valley and Valle de Guadalupe May 18, 2026 01:04:22 This episode features Livermore Valley winemaker and consultant Meredith Sarboraria for a wide-ranging conversation recorded on location in the heart of the appellation. A proud self-described "Livermoron," Meredith traces her path from tasting room work in the late 1990s to earning her Viticulture and Enology degree at Las Positas College and building her consulting business, Barrel Down Wine Ser
215: Elizabeth Vianna - Chimney Rock Winery Apr 21, 2026 01:00:25 In this episode Jim Duane sits down with Elizabeth Vianna to explore her unconventional path from pre-med student to one of Napa Valley's most respected Cabernet Sauvignon producers. Elizabeth shares how a late discovery of wine in New York City led her to University of California, Davis, and ultimately to a long-term career rooted in estate winemaking in the Stags Leap District. The conversation
214: Patrick Riggs - Jack Neal & Son Vineyard Managment Apr 6, 2026 57:17 In this episode, viticulturist Patrick Riggs dives deep into the realities of organic farming in Napa Valley. We unpack what it takes to convert vineyards from conventional to organic, from soil testing and rethinking fertilizer programs to choosing equipment for under‑vine weed control and managing more volatile, season‑driven budgets. Patrick explains how tools and machinery for cultivation have
213: James Molesworth - Wine Spectator Mar 17, 2026 01:13:11 This Jim sits down with James Molesworth, Senior Editor for The Wine Spectator, to trace James's unconventional path into wine—from a Francophile, academic household in Queens to blind-tasting Burgundy in a tiny West Village cellar, and eventually orchestrating tastings and writing for one of the most influential wine publications in the world. James reflects on formative mentors, the discipline a
212: Matteo Abreu - David Abreu Vineyard Management Feb 24, 2026 01:06:24 In this episode of Inside Winemaking, Jim Duane sits down with Matteo Abreu, fifth-generation Napa Valley farmer and part of the Abreu vineyard management family, to explore what it means to grow and farm at the highest level in one of the world's most demanding wine regions. Matteo shares his path into the family business, the realities of multi-generational vineyard management, and how Abreu app
211: Heat and Cold Stabilization of wines with Leigh Meyering from MyEnologist Jan 27, 2026 01:11:13 In this episode of Inside Winemaking, Jim Duane speaks with Leigh Meyering of MyEnologist about the practical and analytical aspects of heat and cold stability in wine. The discussion focuses on how and why protein haze and tartrate instability occur, with an emphasis on white and rosé wines. Leigh explains the principles behind heat stability testing, protein denaturation, and the use of bentonit
210: Tommaso Martignon - Seve Consulting Jan 15, 2026 01:10:31 This episode features Tommaso, a vineyard consultant whose career spans from Venice and Montalcino to Burgundy, Bordeaux, and other renowned wine regions. Tommaso discusses his background in viticulture, the technical aspects of working in different European vineyards, and how he manages various grape varieties and regional challenges. The conversation highlights real-world issues such as vineyard
209: Andrea Card - Francis Ford Coppola Winery Dec 23, 2025 54:07 In this episode, Andrea shares her unique journey to becoming the Director of Winemaking at Francis Ford Coppola Winery. Starting her career without the initial intention of entering winemaking, she found her path through roles in the laboratory, cellar, and bottling lines, developing a passion for the hands-on aspects of the craft. Andrea highlights the value of practical experience, local educat
208 Jason Moulton - Whitehall Lane Winery Dec 3, 2025 01:00:21 This episode features an in-depth discussion about winemaking at Whitehall as the team nears the end of the 2025 harvest season. The episode begins with insights into the progression of the harvest, focusing on the completion of most varietals and the ongoing work with late-harvest selections like Semillon. Our conversation runs the gamut of technical issues such as stabulation of Sauvignon blanc
207: Benjamin Leachman - Walsh Vineyards Management and Vidi Vitis Nov 12, 2025 57:35 Ben is a seasoned viticulturist and winemaker currently serving as the Director of Viticulture and Winemaker at Large at Walsh Vineyards Management, overseeing approximately 1,000 acres in Napa and Sonoma. His journey in the wine industry began in 2004 after graduating with a biochemistry degree, starting at RH Phillips and later working with Jim at Seavey Vineyard. At Walsh Vineyards Management,
206: Esther Mobley - San Francisco Chronicle Oct 1, 2025 01:03:53 Join me as I sit down with Esther Mobley, Senior Wine Critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Esther shares her fascinating journey from an English major to a wine journalist, starting with a harvest internship in Napa Valley and subsequently working in Mendoza, Argentina. Her career path led her through Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator before landing at the Chronicle in 2015, where she has sinc

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