Beyond the Pour Podcast by California Tastings
The host shares his journey from England to California, where he discovered a passion for wine and cocktails. He started a hospitality business in 2019 and earned sommelier certifications. The podcast aims to demystify the complex world of wine and cocktails and to explore the thoughts and experiences of hospitality professionals. Each episode looks behind the scenes of a demanding industry.
Episodes
Wine Tasting on an open air Trolley
Episode 29 is super fun as we spend all day visiting wineries in Sonoma Valley which is basically the Carneros area. The trolley does a number of tours but this one was really different with a full sit down lunch at one of the wineries. I feel like I am always visiting wineries because I need to stay up to date but there are still so many I have not got to. Listening to the history and driving th
Tasting a GSM from Cotes du Rhone is like being at a day spa
In this episode, Nilu Afshar, the host of Beyond the Pour podcast chats about French wine with our guest, Henrik Poulsen. This is another episode of France in a Glass and for this episode I pick up a bottle of 2023 Gabriel Meffre, Cotes du Rhone Village, Saint Mapalis, Plan de Dieu. This is that blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. We talk about the area, how the climate affects the vines and w
A Sommelier's journey finding her palate Down Under in New Zealand
In this episode, Nilu Afshar, host of Beyond the Pour podcast gets to chat with an up and coming Sommelier in New Zealand. Her name is Samira Kakh and she completely immersed in the world of wine education and moving up the ladder of difficult exams. She talks to us about Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc and what New Zealanders want to be known for. They do not like to be called Laid back and want to be
Jason Kho, the CEO who has made an art out of getting wine permits & liquour licenses
In this episode, Nilu Afshar, the host of Beyond the Pour podcast gets to chat with Jason Kho who owns a liquour licensing business. What Jason and his team do is maneouvre around all the obstacles and paperwork you would need to get permits for wine, beer, and spirits. It is a job that none of us want to do and he does it with ease and grace. Asking him about what he sees in 2026 as problems for
Pouilly Fuisse on a French label is actually telling you "I'm a Chardonnay"
Hosted by me, Nilu Afshar the host of Beyond the Pour podcast, and my guest is Henrik Poulsen of Release Winery. We explore the elegance, structure, and global influence of Burgundy. Our goal as always is to find really great bottles from France, that are very well priced. We also want wines we can find in California. We like to compare what we see in Napa and Sonoma with what we see in France.
BEAUJOLAIS Moulin-a-Vent, a red wine that tastes like cherries and bubble gum!
In this episode, we chat through the region’s unique character, the role of the Gamay grape, and what makes Beaujolais so much more than its reputation. Together, we explore the famous Crus, highlighting what sets each one apart, with a special focus on the structure and depth of Moulin-à-Vent.
Chablis - You mean that's a Chardonnay too?
Nilu, owner of California Tastings sits down with Henrik Poulsen of Release winery.In our new series called "France in a Glass" we are hand-picking French wines that we have enjoyed in the past and tasting them together.These wines are under $50. As we taste we like to talk about the area that the grapes come from, and how the soil and weather affect the final flavors in the bottle.This conversati
Behind Napa's Vineyards: A Diner with a twist - "George and Kin's".
In this episode, I sit down with Ben Koenig IV to talk about his exciting new venture, George and Kin’s Diner—bringing a fresh diner concept to Napa, where you don’t see many spots like this. After 10 successful years running Heritage Eats with his wife Ali, Ben is taking things in a new direction while staying rooted in the same location. We dive into what inspired the shift, the challenges of ev
Unlocking The Secret Wine Door: A Hidden Gem in Paris
In Episode 21 of Season 2, I get a chance to talk to Erwan Leo, who opened a Tasting Room/Wine Shop in Paris, France, called "The Secret Wine Door" just before Covid. That did not stop him from pursuing his dreams! Online wine classes are where he started talking about France's small producers, and later back in his fun and cozy Tasting Room on the 15th Arrondissement. He only offers 2 classes a d
Derek Bromley of OHM Coffee Roasters -The Power of the Perfect Brew
In this episode, we explore Derek Bromley's passion for crafting the perfect cup, how OHM got its name, his band "Mama Said" and how his background as a sommelier has allowed him to blend wine, coffee and guitar riffs. At Ohm Coffee, every roast strikes the perfect chord between craftsmanship and creativity. Founded by guitarist and sommelier Derek Bromley, the roastery is inspired by the world of
Allo Gilinsky, Sonoma County’s Beer Concierge rings in Brews & Bites
Allo Gilinsky is a Sonoma County native and Certified Cicerone with 10 years of front-of-house hospitality experience. He has engaged people online and founded his own business, with a persona widely known as "The Craft Beer Concierge". His favorite thing about the world of beer besides the liquid itself, is the community it cultivates and stories behind the glass. He once worked at Russian River
When 3 Generations of Latina Women show Napa how Rose is made well
🌟 About Vanessa Robledo | Vintner’s Diary 🌟 Vanessa Robledo and her daughter Jocelyn Robledo were kind enough to join us on this episode of Beyond the Pour by California Tastings. Vanessa Robledo is a trailblazing winemaker and entrepreneur. The fourth of nine children of Maria and Reynaldo Robledo, Vanessa helped found and manage Robledo Family Winery in Sonoma before becoming the managing partne
The Heart Behind Kubani Wines is a family creating a wine legacy
Rajeev, the proprietor of Kubani Wines is inspired by a timeless legacy. The art of wine and all things luxurious. Starting with his humble beginnings as an entrepreneur, his journey as a father as well as his experiences while traveling the world.He loves life, specially having an appreciation for the finer things, from growing organic tomatoes, eating farm to table or learning about wine & t
Cooking Toward the Light | The Story of Chef Jeremy Cabrera
Chef Jeremy Cabrera came from humble beginnings and learned from an early age that food was equal to life itself.At the age of 14, he found himself working in a commercial kitchen and immediately he was hooked on everything gastronomy.By 21, he was working in Las Vegas as an Executive Chef. Although this was a short stint, he learned valuable lessons. A while later, he helped open Petras Greek Tav
Crafting Zero-Sugar Liqueurs at Above Board
Above Board was co-founded by Nicole Slone and her husband, Brent Slone, a San Diego couple whose personal wellness journey sparked the idea.Frustrated by the lack of flavorful, low-sugar liqueurs in the market—despite growing demand from health-conscious drinkers—they launched the brand in 2021 to fill that gap.Everyone is looking for more healthy ways to drink alcohol and sometimes choosing to d
Mel Heim: Trailblazing Distiller to Whiskey CEO
I’m thrilled to introduce someone who’s redefining what it means to be a trailblazer in Spirits — Mel Heim, the co-founder and master blender of Big Nose Kate Whiskey. Mel is one of the first female master distillers and blenders in the United States, known for her fearless innovation and deep respect for craft. With Big Nose Kate, she’s created a whiskey inspired by one of the most legendary wome
Ripple in the Kitchen: Jessie Keilt's Sonoma Groove
Welcome back to Beyond the Pour, where we explore the stories, passions, and creativity that flow into food, wine, and hospitality. For Episode 13, I’m excited to introduce today’s guest, Chef Jessie Keilt of Blue Blossom Catering.Jessie has built a reputation in Sonoma County for her thoughtful, seasonal menus that celebrate the bounty of Northern California. With roots that stretch across both B
Making Old World wine in Sonoma - Schema Wines
We are talking to a young winemaker who already has her wine in a 2 Michelin Star Restaurant. Her label is Schema and she is all about showcasing her ability to create Old World Wine from Sonoma County grapes. I can attest she is doing exactly that as I got to get my hands on a few bottles. Join us in finding out what pushes someone to follow their dream at a time when the wine industry is not thr
The Coach to the Wine Experts - Jessica Waugh
Today, we’re thrilled to have Jessica Waugh, a Las Vegas-based wine exam coach and the founder of JWaugh Education. With over 20 years in the beverage industry, Jessica’s journey took her from sommelier roles at top Vegas spots like Aureole and Gordon Ramsay Steak to becoming a powerhouse educator. She’s passed 27 high-level exams, including the Advanced Sommelier and WSET Level 3, and now uses he
The Story of Cline Family Cellars with Megan Cline
Today, I’m excited to be joined by Megan Cline, a second-generation vintner carrying forward the Cline family legacy in Sonoma. She worked in a Wine Bar one summer in Santa Barbara and got pulled into the Sommelier world and proceeded to pass her exam at 21 years of age. Megan grew up surrounded by vineyards and winery life, but it wasn’t until 2015 that she officially returned to Cline Family Cel
Japan has a New Craze; Blending Sake with Shintaro Nakagawa
Born in Osaka, Japan, and later moving to Canada during high school, SHINTARO NAKAGAWA graduated from the University of Toronto. My sake world journey began during the COVID pandemic, when restaurants were closed.With a close connection to a sake brewery and through his advertising company LEAF — which has over a decade of experience in publishing and advertising — he created a spin off and began
Michael Tremblay is a Sake Samurai and he's telling us all about it!
In this episode 8, I am thrilled to welcome Michael Tremblay, the Beverage Director at Ki Modern Japanese + Bar in Toronto, where he oversees Canada’s largest sake program. A globally recognized Sake Samurai—one of only about 100 worldwide—Michael was honored by the Japan Sake Brewers Association for his deep passion and expertise in sake, as well as his dedication to spreading Japanese culture. H
The Art of Winemaking,Denmark to Bordeaux to Napa with Henrik Poulsen
In Episode 7 of Beyond the Pour, I sit down with Henrik Poulsen, Danish-born owner and winemaker of Release Winery in Napa Valley.With over two decades of experience, Henrik blends Old World finesse with New World creativity to craft exceptional wines. From his roots in fine wine retail in Denmark to apprenticeships in Bordeaux and now pioneering boutique winemaking in Napa, his journey is one of
Jack Sporer, the King of The Natural Wine movement in Sonoma
Step into the heart of Sonoma’s natural wine movement with Jack Sporer, the force behind Fres.co Wine and Magnolia Wine Services. In this candid episode of Beyond the Pour, Jack breaks down what "natural wine" really means—from organic farming and zero-zero winemaking to building a collaborative space for the next generation of winemakers.We discuss how Jack's deep roots in Sonoma and passion for
What it takes to become a Master Sommelier by Matthew Citriglia
In this episode, I'm excited to introduce Matthew Citriglia, a Master Sommelier and Director of Education at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Florida.With over 40 years of experience in the beverage industry, Matthew’s journey began at just 14 years old, stocking shelves in his father’s store. By 22, he owned his own wine shop — and by 2002, he earned the prestigious Master Sommelier title. T
The Road to becoming the Assistant Winemaker of Napa Valley College
In this episode, I get to chat with Oscar Navarro, the assistant winemaker at Napa Valley College’s groundbreaking Viticulture and Winery Technology program.A proud alumnus of the program himself, Oscar has transformed his passion for wine into a remarkable career, helping shape the next generation of winemakers through hands-on education at the college’s teaching winery. With a story that embodie
A look inside Little Saint Restaurant with Wine Director,Laurel Livezey
In episode 3 of Beyond the Pour, I sit down with Laurel Livezey, Wine Director at Little Saint in Healdsburg, to dive into the world of wine, hospitality, and sustainability. The rise of the Non-Alcoholic Pairing Menu and so much more!With a Level 3 Award in Wine from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET), Laurel brings expertise and passion to every bottle she curates. We explore her journey
Florence to Petaluma: Sahar Gharai's Journey of Wine, Culture & Community
In Episode 2 of Beyond the Pour, we sit down with Sahar Gharai, the inspiring owner of La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge in Petaluma, California. With roots in Florence and a passion for authentic hospitality, Sahar shares how she created a timeless community wine lounge that’s thrived for over 18 years. From her advanced wine education to empowering women in wine and curating wines that tell meaningful s
The Americas' Best Sommelier 2025 ,Joris Gutierrez Garcia of Canada
Witness the pinnacle of wine expertise as top contenders battle for the title of America's Best Sommelier 2025. Follow Joris Gutierrez Garcia's journey as he uncorks his passion, precision, and knowledge to claim the crown.
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