Host Billy Galanko sits down with Mathieu Bordes, Managing Director and Head Winemaker at Château Lagrange, to trace the evolution of this Saint-Julien estate, from its 118-hectare contiguous vineyard and meticulous plot-by-plot vinification to four decades of stewardship under Suntory. The conversation highlights vineyard management in the face of climate change, cellar innovations such as conical tanks and rack-and-return, the philosophy behind blending, and the significance of Lagrange’s 40th-anniversary release, all underscoring why this Grand Cru Classé continues to deliver exceptional value among the Classified Growths.

Key topics

• Saint-Julien terroir and the significance of Lagrange’s contiguous 118 ha vineyard
• Historical arc: 1855 classification → decline post-war → Suntory acquisition in 1983 and reinvestment
• Vineyard evolution: higher Cabernet Sauvignon proportion, Merlot and Petit Verdot roles, density and canopy strategies
• Cellar practices: one vat per plot, stainless steel for precision, rack-and-return vs. pump-over vs. punch-down
• Blending in January with consultant Éric Boissenot and the importance of blind benchmarking
• Defining differences between the Grand Vin and Les Fiefs de Lagrange
• Market position: quality-to-price ratio and accessibility compared with peers
• The 2023 40th-anniversary “Ves” Magnum and its historical significance

Chapters & timestamps

• 00:00 — Introduction: framing Château Lagrange’s story
• 02:00 — Terroir and estate overview
• 06:10 — Historical context & Suntory’s role
• 12:40 — Vineyard management & climate adaptations
• 19:15 — Cellar philosophy & fermentation detail
• 26:30 — Blending process & Éric Boissenot’s input
• 31:55 — First vs. second wine: profiles & oak regimes
• 37:20 — Value proposition & global markets
• 43:10 — 40th-anniversary “Ves” Magnum release
• 47:30 — Visiting Château Lagrange
• 50:10 — Closing reflections

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com.

Cheers!

Host Billy Galanko shares an important update about the future of the Vint Wine Podcast. After four and a half years with Vint, he is moving to a new role at Wine.com. This transition means the Weekly Wine Report will pause for now, but interviews and Five Questions episodes will continue as usual. Billy also explains potential rebranding plans and what listeners can expect in the months ahead.

Key Topics

• Final Weekly Wine Report (for now)
• Billy’s new role at Wine.com
• Podcast future and potential rebrand
• Upcoming interviews and episodes

Timestamps

• 00:19 – Weekly Wine Report announcement
• 00:43 – Leaving Vint for Wine.com
• 01:44 – What’s next for the podcast
• 02:58 – Closing notes and future episodes

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions, we sit down with Matthieu Bordes, Managing Director and Winemaker at Château LaGrange in Saint-Julien. Château LaGrange is one of Bordeaux’s most historic Left Bank estates, with a vineyard history dating back to 1607 and one of the largest contiguous blocks of vines in the Médoc.

Bordes shares insights into:

• The vineyard location and grape varieties of Château LaGrange
• The estate’s four pillars: history, authenticity, technical innovation, and uncompromising quality
• Wine regions and styles outside Bordeaux that inspire him, from the Rhône to Ridge Monte Bello
• Standout vintages that have shaped his career, including the 2009 and 2007
• The future of Château LaGrange, with a focus on sustainability, team legacy, and continuous pursuit of excellence

Whether you’re passionate about Bordeaux or simply curious about how a historic Grand Cru Classé estate balances tradition and innovation, this conversation offers a rare window into the philosophy and vision behind Château LaGrange.

📍 Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast
00:19 Welcome to Five Questions
00:44 Interview with Matthieu Bordes: Château LaGrange
00:52 Question 1: Vineyard Location and Varieties
01:20 Question 2: Introducing Château LaGrange
02:36 Question 3: Inspiring Wine Regions and Styles
03:15 Question 4: Memorable Vintages
04:33 Question 5: Future Roadmap for Château LaGrange
05:49 Conclusion and Thanks

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Erica Crawford, CEO and co-founder of Loveblock Wines in Marlborough, New Zealand. Wine lovers may recognize her name as the co-founder of Kim Crawford Wines, but with Loveblock she has taken a completely different approach - 100% estate, organically farmed, and crafted for depth, texture, and ageability.

Erica shares her remarkable journey from a background in science to pioneering New Zealand wine with her husband Kim, and now leading Loveblock into a new era of thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking. Listeners will hear about her focus on sustainability, lighter bottles, biodynamics, and how Loveblock wines set themselves apart from the quick-drinking style many associate with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Key highlights from the conversation include:

• The story of founding Kim Crawford Wines and the bold pivot to Loveblock
• Why Loveblock is dedicated to organics, biodynamics, and low-input viticulture
• How their Sauvignon Blancs are built to age for a short period rather than be consumed immediately
• The fascinating use of green tea tannins in the “Sauvignon Blanc Tee,” a natural alternative to sulfur dioxide
• Insights into Marlborough’s subregions, soils, and climate challenges
• The role of animals, cover crops, and compost in building healthier vineyards
• Why lighter bottles and sustainable packaging are crucial for the wine industry’s future

👉 If you enjoy the show, please rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it really helps more wine lovers discover the podcast.

🕒 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast
00:19 Interview with Erica Crawford Begins
00:44 Love Block Wines: A Unique Approach
01:43 Exploring the Wines of Love Block
05:56 Erica Crawford's Journey into Wine
07:42 The Story Behind Kim Crawford Wines
10:32 Organic and Sustainable Practices at Love Block
21:49 Innovations and Future of Wine Bottling
26:46 Discussing Glass Recycling Challenges
27:42 Introduction to Organic Farming Practices
28:11 Exploring Sauvignon Blanc Characteristics
30:16 Innovations in Wine Making Techniques
36:14 The Role of Green Tea Tannins in Wine
42:36 Comparing Different Vintages
43:48 Insights on Pinot Gri and Pinot Noir
50:13 Future Experiments and Conclusion

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Weekly Wine Report on the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko takes listeners from the vineyards of France to the green hills of Galicia. The 2025 French harvest volumes are taking shape, showing a modest recovery compared to last year but still trailing the five-year average. Some regions like Burgundy, Jura, and the Loire are bouncing back strongly, while others, including Alsace and Languedoc, remain under pressure. Meanwhile, Spain’s Vega Sicilia, long renowned for its reds from Ribera del Duero, has set its sights on Albariño in Rías Baixas, marking an exciting new chapter for the storied estate.

Highlights:

• The 2025 French harvest, showing recovery compared to last year but still trailing the long-term average.
• Burgundy, Jura, Loire, and Champagne rebounding strongly, while Alsace and Languedoc face setbacks.
• Early harvests across France, including record starts in Alsace and Champagne.
• Vineyard removals reshaping production in Bordeaux and Languedoc.
• Vega Sicilia’s new Albariño project in Galicia, with vineyards secured and a winery under construction.
• Plans for two wines, Deiva and Arnela, with the first release scheduled for 2027.

Whether you’re a collector, sommelier, or simply curious about where fine wine is headed, this episode offers both harvest perspective and a look at Spain’s most ambitious white wine project yet.

🎧 Follow the Vint Wine Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and if you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating and review. Every bit helps other wine lovers discover these conversations.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
01:05 – France’s 2025 harvest outlook
04:20 – Regional highlights: Burgundy, Jura, Loire, Champagne
07:10 – Early harvests and vineyard removals
10:15 – Vega Sicilia’s move into Albariño
13:30 – Deiva, Arnela, and the 2027 release
16:00 – Final thoughts

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions on the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Erica Crawford, co-founder of the famed New Zealand brand Kim Crawford and now the driving force behind Loveblock Wines in Marlborough. Known for its certified organic vineyards and holistic farming philosophy, Loveblock Wines has become one of the country’s most respected estate producers.

Erica shares her perspective on:

• The vineyards and varietals at Loveblock Wines, from Sauvignon Blanc to Riesling and Pinot Noir
• Why organic farming and sustainability are central to her winemaking vision
• Inspirations she’s drawn from regions like Napa’s Quintessa, Northern France, and Australia’s Eden Valley
• Memorable vintages in New Zealand—including both challenging and standout years
• Her hopes for the future, especially her passion for showcasing New Zealand Riesling

Whether you’re a collector, sommelier, or simply a wine lover, Erica’s insights reveal what makes Marlborough such a dynamic and inspiring region.

👉 If you enjoy the show, please follow the podcast and leave a 5-star rating—it helps other wine enthusiasts discover these conversations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast
00:24 Welcome to Five Questions
00:49 Meet Erica Crawford
00:58 Erica’s Winery and Varietals
01:45 Importance of Organic Farming
02:24 Inspirations Beyond New Zealand
02:59 Memorable Vintages
04:17 Future of Loveblock
05:15 Closing Remarks

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Krister Bengtsson, founder of Star Wine List, the global guide to great wine bars and restaurants. What began in Stockholm in 2017 has since grown into a worldwide network covering more than 45 countries, connecting wine lovers, sommeliers, and professionals to the restaurants and wine bars with the best wine lists.

Krister shares his journey from journalism in Sweden to living in Bordeaux and discovering wine culture in South Australia, and how these experiences inspired him to launch Star Wine List. We explore how the platform works, the role of ambassadors and their city-specific recommendations, and why Star Wine List has become a trusted reference point for both consumers and the wine trade.

Episode Highlights

• Krister’s journey from journalism to founding Star Wine List
• How ambassadors curate authentic recommendations around the world
• The meaning behind Red Stars and White Stars
• How the wine trade uses Star Wine List to inform their work
• How wine culture today embraces diversity in style, scale, and region

If you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it really helps others discover the show.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast
00:28 – Meet Krister Bengtsson: Founder of Star Wine List
01:10 – Understanding the Star Wine List concept
06:31 – Conversation with Krister begins
06:59 – Krister’s background and journey into wine
09:17 – The inspiration behind Star Wine List
11:51 – How the platform operates and ambassadors’ role
23:03 – Global expansion and future plans
24:42 – Growing recognition and the importance of awards
25:13 – Building a network of ambassadors
25:59 – International impact and success stories
27:10 – Types of awards and events
30:10 – Super fans and early adopters
33:06 – Maintaining objectivity in selections
37:21 – What’s next: future developments and community building
43:55 – Personal insights and wine trends inspiring Krister today
45:16 – Conclusion and final thoughts

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Weekly Wine Report on the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko blends current events with wine history to give listeners both context and discovery. From La Place de Bordeaux’s unique distribution system to the famous wines of Ancient Rome, you’ll come away with new insights into how wine connects the present with the past.

Highlights:

• A quick update on the Napa Valley Picket Fire and its impact on the 2025 harvest.
• An explainer on La Place de Bordeaux, how it works and why top estates outside Bordeaux, from Napa to Chile to Tuscany, release through it.
• Highlights from the September Beyond Bordeaux releases, including Opus One, Seña, Clos Apalta, Solaia, Penfolds Grange, Vin de Constance, and more.
• A look at famous ancient Roman wines, from Falernum and Pucinum to the enduring legacy of Malvasia.

Whether you’re a collector, sommelier, or simply curious about wine’s global reach and deep history, this episode offers timely updates and timeless stories from across the wine world.

🎧 Follow the Vint Wine Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and if you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating and review, it helps other wine lovers discover these conversations.

The Drinks Business Beyond Bordeaux Preview: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/08/how-is-la-places-hors-bordeaux-autumn-collection-shaping-up/

The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email Billy@thewinepod.com.

Cheers!