Manfred has been the winemaker at Querciabella since 2010. He comes to Italia via his home country of South Africa, to New Zealand, California and beyond. Based on his passion, he has clearly found a home in Chianti Classico.

Jessica and Manfred dig into the history of his winemaking path along with that of Querciabella and the new laws governing the new premium category of Gran Selezione. We can't wait to try the several Gran Selezione designated as Greve, Lamole, Radda, etc.

Links referenced in the episode:

https://www.chianticlassico.com/en/consortium/

https://querciabella.com/wine/querciabella-chianti-classico/

Chris Brundrett is co-founder and CEO of William Chris Wine Company and William Chris Vineyards. Chris and Jessica catch up on the state of the Texas industry and the origins of William Chris Vineyards.

https://www.williamchriswines.com/

This is Texas Wine Podcast with Shelly Wilfong: https://thisistexaswine.com/

The book that Mark forgot that Jessica wrote: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/shop/p/winessouthwestusa

On today's show, we have Patrick Olds, wine director of MML Hospitality based in Austin, TX. Patrick digs into the roll of a wine director as mentor and educator, as well as his passion of blind tasting. He feels that blind tasting is not just a parlor trick, but a way to understand the world of wine and the experience of the guest to a greater degree.

Links from the show:

MML Hospitality website: https://mmlhospitality.com/

Patrick on Instagram: here

Jessica's article on the Renaissance of Cava

On today's show, Jessica and Mark take a deep dive into buy and collecting wine with Brandon Kerne MS, chief of operations at the AOC Wine Group.  This is a multi-faceted organization that includes the Art of Cellaring (wine storage), AOC Selections (retail), and the Texas Wine School.  Brandon cut his teeth at the Houston institution Pappa's Bros Steakhouse, and after passing his Master Sommelier Diploma and the pandemic hitting, changed courses into the retail and collecting sphere.  He brings great perspective on a host of subjects in this discussion from the value of reading wine reviews to the vast differences of buying wine for a restaurant program vs for retail and AOC Selections.

Links for the show:

https://aocwines.com/

Wines by BK on Instagram

Referenced: Legends Portfolio

Molly Austad is wine director at one of our favorite spots in Houston: Bludorn, Navy Blue, and the upcoming Bar Bludorn.  She digs into the process of being a wine director for a multi-location restaurant group and talks about her 'guest-driven' approach.  Additionally, she breaks down why Sicily and Mt. Etna are some of her favorite wines.  Pass the pavlova please!

Bludorn Houston

Navy Blue

Molly on Instagram

On today's show, we have on Steven McDonald Master Sommelier and Executive Wine Director of Pappa's Bros. Steakhouse in Houston and Dallas.  We dig into so many topics from learning wine from a music backround, crafting a wine list and cellar that is ever-evolving, and to a couple of Steven's favorite wine regions, Piedmont and Madeira.

Some useful links from the conversation:

Pappa's Bros. Steakhouse website

Steven's video on Nebbiolo

Ian D'Agata's book on Barolo terroirs

Another Bottle Down is proud to be media sponsor for the upcoming Big Reds and Bubbles event on March 1 from 7:15-9:45 pm at the Skybox in Austin, TX.  Listeners get $20 off with code:  ABDPOD.  Visit winefoodfoundation.com for tickets.

We cap off our holiday book series (and what an incredible guest to end on!) with Ray Isle, the long time Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine magazine and Wine and Spirits editor of Travel and Leisure magazine.  Ray and Jessica talk about his recently published book, World in a Wine Glass: The Indsider's Guide to Artisinal, Sustainable, Extraordinary Wines to Drink Now. 

This our last episode of 2023, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year's to all of our listeners!

Links:

Purchase World in a Wine Glass on Book Shop

Purchase World in a Wine Glass on Amazon

Food and Wine Magazine

Travel and Leisure Magazine

As a special pre-holiday series, we’re spotlighting some of our favorite new wine books - perfect gifts for the holiday season… On today’s episode, Jessica catches up with Mark Davidson about his recent book, The Wines of Australia. 

Purchase The Wines of Australia

Born in London, raised in Sydney, Mark has over 40 years of experience in the hotel, restaurant and wine business, fifteen of those as a Sommelier. In 2001, he was named Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver Wine Festival- also won the Spirited Industry Professional award in 2014.

As a Department Head and instructor with the International Sommelier Guild he was instrumental in the on-going development of the curriculum and has taught classes in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas.

Since 2008, he has served as Head of Education Development with Wine Australia. 

Wine Australia Website