In this episode, host Billy Galanko talks with Alban Debeaulieu, head winemaker at Abbott Claim, about crafting site-driven Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Oregon’s Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills AVAs. Alban shares how his Burgundian training informs his approach to expressing terroir, why 2019 and 2024 stand out as benchmark vintages, and what early signs suggest about the 2025 growing season. He also previews new high-elevation plantings and multi-clone field blends at Lily Springs, designed to deepen the estate’s expression of place, and invites listeners to experience the cellar-side tastings that define Abbott Claim’s understated authenticity.

Key Topics

• The terroir and vineyard history of Abbott Claim in Yamhill-Carlton
• Expansion to Eola-Amity Hills and the Lily Springs project
• How Burgundian philosophy shapes Oregon winemaking
• Why 2019 and 2024 are standout Oregon vintages
• Early outlook on the 2025 growing season
• High-elevation, multi-clone Pinot Noir and Chardonnay plantings
• Visiting Abbott Claim: tastings by appointment in the cellar

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Vent Wine Podcast
00:19 Welcome to Five Questions
00:44 Meet Ban Dibel of Abbott Claim
00:55 Abbott Claim Vineyards and Varieties
01:19 Unique Wines of Abbott Claim
02:07 Inspiration from Other Wine Regions
02:39 Memorable Vintages
03:31 2025 Growing Season Insights
04:47 Future Plans for Abbott Claim
05:55 Visiting Abbott Claim
06:24 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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Brenna Quigley, geologist and terroir specialist, to explore how what lies beneath the vines shapes what’s in your glass.

Brenna shares her path from UC Santa Barbara to working with mentors like Raj Parr and Seth Kunin, and with producers such as Quintessa, Flowers, and Hirsch. She explains how geology helps wineries understand vineyard character, canopy choices, and grape health. Together they discuss what terroir really means, the ongoing debate around “minerality,” and how soil chemistry, pH, and rock type, from limestone to volcanic, affect the style and texture of wine.

Key Topics:
• How geology shapes terroir, vine health, and flavor across regions
• Minerality vs. salinity and why these terms are often misunderstood
• Limestone, clay, granite, and volcanic soils and their impact on wine structure and acidity
• Vineyard mapping, soil pits, and auger cores in guiding farming and blending decisions

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast
00:23 Meet Brenna Quigley: Geologist and Terroir Specialist
04:12 Starting the Interview with Brenna Quigley
04:45 Brenna's Early Career and Experiences
13:13 Current Vineyard Projects and Techniques
27:29 Comparing Limestone and Diatomaceous Earth
28:10 Geologic Analogies and Misconceptions
28:39 Differences Between Chalk and Limestone
33:31 Understanding Minerality in Wine
37:32 Volcanic Wines and Minerality
40:02 Adapting Vineyards to Soil Types
44:21 Geologic Mapping in Monterey County
45:56 Soil Differences in Wine Regions
48:59 Exciting Vineyard Projects and Podcast

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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions, host Billy Galanko sits down with Brenna Quigley, terroir specialist and host of Roadside Terroir. Brenna brings a unique perspective to the wine world, mapping vineyards through geology, soils, and climate, and connecting those details to the deeper story of wine. In this conversation, she shares her thoughts on farming, natural wine, overlooked California regions, and a personal story that brought her back to the heart of why wine matters.

Key Topics:

• Brenna’s role as a terroir specialist and her work with Roadside Terroir
• Why farming is the most important issue facing the wine world today
• The untapped potential of Monterey County and San Luis Obispo’s Slow Coast
• Thoughts on natural wine and holding quality to a high standard
• A powerful wine moment after becoming a mother—and the bottle that reconnected her to wine

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Vent Wine Podcast
• 00:19 – Welcome to Five Questions
• 00:44 – Meet Brenna Quigley
• 00:52 – Role in the Wine Industry
• 01:17 – Most Important Issue in Wine
• 02:12 – Underrated Wine Regions
• 02:50 – Disliked Wine Trends
• 03:33 – Memorable Wine Experience
• 05:21 – 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!

Napa Valley icon Tor Kenward joins host Billy for a wide ranging conversation spanning five decades of wine, food, and culture in the Valley. Tor traces his journey from a 1970s arrival when Napa had fewer than 50 wineries through the post Judgment of Paris boom, his culinary collaborations with Julia Child, Thomas Keller, and the American Institute of Wine & Food, the founding of the School for American Chefs with Madeleine Kamman, and the creation of TOR Wines, a Burgundy minded, single vineyard model sourcing elite blocks from sites like To Kalon, Vine Hill Ranch, Martha’s Vineyard, Melanson Pritchard Hill, Hyde, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, and more.

We also dig into Tor’s updated book, Reflections of a Vintner: Stories and Seasonal Wisdom from a Lifetime in Napa Valley with forewords by Robert Parker and Thomas Keller and an afterword by Karen MacNeil, plus candid takes on climate, pricing, and Napa’s fifth season, the future.

• 1970s Napa, up close: fewer than 50 wineries, campgrounds over hotels, and meeting legends like André Tchelistcheff and Joe Heitz
• Judgment of Paris impact: how one blind tasting accelerated Napa’s global credibility and tourism
• Culinary engine of Napa: Julia Child, AIWF, Copia, and launching the School for American Chefs with Madeleine Kamman
• French Laundry era: early friendship with Thomas Keller; hospitality lessons borrowed from Europe and made Napa specific
• Building TOR Wines: why Tor chose a single vineyard Burgundy mindset over a Bordeaux style estate model
• Vineyard character, not just variety: how To Kalon vs Pritchard Hill vs Vine Hill Ranch show dramatic Cabernet diversity
• Contracts and farming voice: leasing elite blocks, co deciding canopy, crop load, and timing with family growers
• The book’s format: a vintage year told month by month January to December plus Déjà Vu, the future of Napa
• Headwinds and hope: consumption shifts, fire seasons, pricing ceilings, and why recent cool vintages can be outstanding
• Price tiers that make sense: maturing region dynamics, icon wines can command premiums while broader tiers stabilize

• Reflections of a Vintner: Stories and Seasonal Wisdom from a Lifetime in Napa Valley updated edition
• Link: https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Vintner-Tor-Kenward-ebook/dp/B0F37B1GMK

• 00:00 Introduction to the Vent Wine Podcast
• 00:23 Meet Napa Valley Legend Tor Kenward
• 03:04 The Impact of the Judgment of Paris
• 05:21 Founding Tor Wines and Napa's Evolution
• 07:48 Reflections on Napa's Culinary and Wine Scene
• 18:26 The Transition from Sweet to Dry Wines
• 23:02 Napa's Hospitality Revolution
• 26:48 Starting Tour Wines: A Family-Owned Venture
• 27:39 Focusing on Single Vineyards: A Burgundy Approach
• 29:49 Leasing Vineyard Blocks: Building Relationships
• 30:55 Production Numbers and Collaborations
• 31:44 The Unique Characteristics of Napa Valley Wines
• 36:28 Writing the Book: Honoring Napa Valley's Legacy
• 42:59 Climate Change and Napa Valley's Future
• 46:32 The Premiumization of Napa Wines
• 50:10 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 of episode of Five Questions, Tor Kenward of Tor Wines reflects on nearly 50 years in Napa Valley. From Oakville’s Beckstoffer Dr. Crane and Vine Hill Ranch to Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay, Tor shares his philosophy on single-vineyard Cabernet, the vintages that have defined his career, and the global producers who continue to inspire his palate.

For those who live and breathe wine, this conversation offers a concise yet insightful look at one of Napa’s great interpreters of terroir, and his vision for the region’s future.

Key Topics:

• Working with Napa’s benchmark vineyards: Dr. Crane, Vine Hill Ranch, Melanson, Hyde
• Why single-vineyard Cabernet and Cabernet Franc remain the core of Tor Wines
• Inspirations from Bordeaux, the Northern Rhône, and the Amalfi Coast
• Standout vintages from 1977 to 2024, both celebrated and overlooked
• Napa’s future: viticulture, community, and resisting urbanization

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Vint Wine Podcast
00:24 Welcome to Five Questions
00:49 Meet Tor Kenward
00:55 Vineyard Locations and Varieties
01:42 Introducing Tor Wines
02:20 Inspirations Beyond Napa
03:09 Memorable Vintages
04:55 Looking Ahead for Tor and Napa Valley
05:43 Conclusion and Thanks

Discover more of Tor's story in the newly updated version of his book: Reflections of a Vintner: Stories and Seasonal Wisdom from a Lifetime in Napa Valley

Link here: https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Vintner-Stories-Seasonal-Lifetime-ebook/dp/B09GDX6563?ref_=ast_author_mpb

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 sits down with Matthieu 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@sommeliermedia.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!