“Apples were actually a big part of our history as New York State and as a colony before that. We like to, in our own way, continue that tradition in just a small way, to showcase the wonderful things that grow in New York State.” – Yoni Rabino

Yoni Rabino and Noah Braunstein describe Neversink Spirits as a pan-New York company. From the Finger Lakes to the Catskills to the Lower Hudson Valley, the two lifelong friends source the state's most iconic orchard fruit to make a range of apple-based distillates, including brandy, eau-de-vie, an aperitif, and even a gin. Their obsession with distilling and apples communicate an unmistakable appreciation for history and craft; Yoni likens eau-de-vie to wine for its transparent expression of terroir and purity of fruit.

In this week's episode, Yoni and Noah discuss their evolution from hobbyists to professionals and tell the stories behind their bird-inspired lineup. And as the leaves turn and the sun sets sooner, they share their favorite seasonal cocktails for autumn.

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"Giving meaning to what we pour is really important because otherwise it's just liquid. And this is not only for spirits—this is more like a lifestyle. You've got to give meaning to everything that you do so it feels special, because once you have the picture of the person, once you know the name, it doesn't taste the same—it actually tastes better." – José María Dondé Rangel

For our final installment celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Skurnik's Mexico Spirits Portfolio Manager, Justin Lane Briggs, sits down with José María “Chema” Dondé Rangel, the visionary founder of Panorama Mezcal. Chema details his journey through New York hospitality, moving from a self-described "bus burro," to barbacking at The Dutch, training under Shingo Gokan at the legendary Angel's Share, and throwing underground parties in early 2010s Williamsburg to celebrate Mexican culture through mezcal.

Over glasses of Lamata, La Medida, and Gusto Histórico, Chema and Justin explore the cultural imprint of the mezcal boom on Puebla York. They discuss mezcal's rise in the NYC bar scene and the shifting market power between big celebrity-owned brands and the small, independent, hyper-artisanal producers, like those represented by Skurnik. They also discuss how Panorama Mezcal balances spirits education and appreciation with fun, as corruption, consolidation, and commodification threaten the rustic purity that made mezcal a treasured product in the first place.

Today marks the beginning of Sotol Week, an annual festival hosted by Panorama Mezcal to celebrate a lesser-known Mexican distillate from the sotol plant. You can find a map of participating establishments and a schedule of events at www.panoramamezcal.com

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“Every year, the terroir is changing, and we, ourselves, are changing. I’m sure that the Federico of 2026 is not the same Federico as 2022. It’s a way to see ourselves in time, our different vintages. It’s an incredible thing. It’s the magic of wine.” – Federico Gambetta

Every vigneron knows that the only constant is change. Federico Gambetta feels this everywhere—in the vineyard, in his wines, and in himself.

The tradition of wine in Argentina is also a story of change. In this episode, Fede explains how a period of tropical coconutty wines that he calls “Nutella wines” matured into an era of terroir wines and is now entering a new age of producer wines.

Leading this charge is the iconic Altos Las Hormigas estate in Mendoza, Argentina, where Fede was brought on as a young talent at just 31 years old. For our ongoing series celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, he and our Southern Hemisphere portfolio ambassador Des Russo taste the remarkable 'Meteora' and 'Los Amantes' Malbecs from the Jardín de Hormigas project.

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