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In this episode of Inside the Bunghole, the hosts welcome Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros, for a lively conversation about sparkling wine, leadership, and the evolving California wine industry. Remi shares her path from New Jersey to California, studying at UC Berkeley and UC Davis before building a career in Napa Valley viticulture, winemaking, and winery management.

The discussion explores the unique terroir of the Carneros region, the legacy of legendary founding winemaker Eileen Crane, and the challenges of taking over as CEO during the height of the pandemic. Remi offers fascinating insights into traditional-method sparkling wine production, the influence of Champagne, and why California sparkling wines have earned a place alongside the world’s most respected bottles.

Along the way, the conversation mixes wine education with plenty of humor, touching on everything from food pairings and vineyard sustainability to industry trends and consumer tastes. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a great glass of bubbly, this episode provides an engaging look at the passion, craftsmanship, and optimism driving one of Napa Valley’s most iconic sparkling wine producers.

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In this lively episode of Inside the Bunghole, the crew welcomes Natalie Bath of Rudd Estate, a Napa Valley native who traded LSAT prep for harvest season and never looked back. Natalie shares her unconventional path into winemaking—from pouring wine at a local French restaurant to chasing harvests across the globe—ultimately finding her calling in the cellar. Along the way, the gang uncorks plenty of laughs, including the usual cheeky banter and a few well-placed bunghole jokes.

Natalie dives into the realities of harvest life—long days, nonstop cleaning, and the kind of teamwork that turns coworkers into family. She breaks down what it really means to work your way up in the wine world, from “cellar rat” duties to becoming head winemaker at Rudd. The conversation also explores the advantages of estate-grown fruit, the art (and occasional chaos) of vineyard management, and how hands-on control can elevate wine from good to exceptional.

Things get especially interesting when the discussion turns to biodynamics, where science meets a little bit of “hippy dippy” philosophy. Natalie explains how lunar cycles, natural composting, and ecosystem balance influence the final product—while the hosts keep things grounded with humor and curiosity. The episode wraps with a look at Rudd’s wine portfolio, innovative projects, and the evolving future of Napa winemaking, all served with a generous pour of insight and irreverence.

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On this episode of Inside the Bunghole, we welcomed Scott Lindstrom-Dake of Thumbprint Cellars, a Sonoma County winemaker whose background in art deeply informs every bottle he creates. Scott shared his unconventional path into winemaking, which began in art school and evolved through curiosity, creativity, and a growing appreciation for wine as a form of expression. What started as a practical way to enjoy better wine on a student budget became a lifelong pursuit, with Scott ultimately transforming winemaking into an artistic medium—one rooted in balance, narrative, and personal identity, symbolized by the thumbprint label that bears his own mark.

Throughout the conversation, Scott Lindstrom-Dake explored his philosophy of sourcing exceptional grapes from trusted growers across Sonoma County rather than farming himself. His portfolio spans a diverse range of varietals, including Chardonnay in both stainless steel and oak styles, old-vine Carignan, Grenache Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Zinfandel-based blends. He emphasized the importance of vineyard relationships, thoughtful harvest timing, and restraint in the cellar, allowing the fruit to lead the process. For Scott, winemaking mirrors cooking more than baking—grounded in technical understanding but guided by intuition, aesthetics, and experience.

His candid, humorous, and thoughtful approach made for an engaging conversation that perfectly captured the spirit of Inside the Bunghole—where wine is both serious craft and joyful exploration.

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