Three amateur winemakers, a doctor, a lawyer and a professor got together in 1980 and bought the land that become Thirty Bench. Winemaker Emma Garner talks with Andrea about the first plantings of Riesling grapes in 1980, and the way the soil hanging onto the water affects the tastes of grapes, which naturally affects the taste of the wine. Emma sheds some light on the origins of the myth about Riesling tasting sweet too. We also chat about the reasons why Pinot Noir is a difficult grape, and get some insights into the Cabernet Franc grape too. You’ll also discover how the shape of a wine glass can amplify the taste of the wine. It’s a fun and insightful episode, and you’ll definitely want to schedule a visit to Thirty Bench afterwards.

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded May 7, 2025

Show notes: www.thirtybench.com

Wines sampled: Sparkling Riesling, 2021 Small Lot Riesling, 2021 Small Lot Chardonnay, 2021 Small Lot Pinot Noir, 2022 Winemakers Blend, 2020 Small Lot Cabernet Franc

Hidden Bench is an organic winery and produces 100% estate wine using only grapes grown on the property. Andrea chats with winemaker Alex Baines about the process of becoming a certified organic winery and what that means for the taste and quality of the wines. We also get to taste a concrete fermented and aged Sauvignon Blanc (Beton) . The concrete gives the wine a great texture and weight and adds a unique salinity and brininess to the wine. It was Andrea’s first time tasting wine made this way and it was absolutely incredible. Alex also explains the fine art of working hard to appear invisible in the winemaking process. It’s a great conversation spotlighting fantastic wines that you are sure to enjoy.

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded May 7, 2025

Show notes: www.hiddenbench.com

Wines sampled: 2018 Natur (sparkling), 2019 Romans Block Riesling, 2022 Beton Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Chardonnay, 2021 Gamay, 2022 Pinot Noir

Judging by the name, one might think Organized Crime is an Italian Mafia winery. However, when our host Andrea Morris speaks with Owner Ania De Deluba and winemaker Greg Yemen, we discover the incredibly interesting story behind the name. It comes from a battle between two Mennonite churches, resulting in a church pipe organ being stolen and thrown into a ravine. You’ll enjoy hearing the whole story, as well as the history of the winery, and their goal to create quaffable wines. We hear the story behind the beautiful platinum award winning Sacred Series Cuve Krystyna – a wine that is a tribute to Ania’s mother. We also have a fun discussion about Pinot Noir clones, corks vs screw tops and unfiltered wines. You’ll learn a lot and I guarantee you’ll want to visit this fantastic winery with beautiful views.

Produced by Lukas Sluzar, recorded March 12, 2025

Show notes: www.organizedcrimewinery.com

Wines sampled: 2023 Riesling, 2021 Limestone Block Chardonnay, 2020 Sacred Series Cuve Krystyna, 2022 Break In Pinot Not, 2019 Sacred Series Cabernet Franc, 2022 Sacred Series Unfilter 61% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc