Another Bottle Down – Détails, épisodes et analyse

On today's show, Jessica gets together a group of wine and beverage journalists for a roundtable discussion on the state of the wine industry.  Each journalist has an interesting and well-researched perspective on various angles of the industry that they have been reporting on throughout the year.  From declining wine sales, producers recalibrating business models, innovative ways brands have connected with consumers, eco-labeling, tariffs, and what to look for in 2026, this episode has it all.

Our panel and the relevant articles they have written on the state of the industry:

Shana Clarke (based in NYC):

https://vinepair.com/articles/what-the-wine-industry-needs-right-now/

https://daily.sevenfifty.com/insights-from-our-2025-beverage-industry-career-and-salary-report/

https://substack.com/@shanaspeakswine

Kate Dingwall (based in Toronto):

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/california-wine-production-plummets/

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/industry-news/trump-tariff-price-impacts/

Kathleen Willcox (based in New York)

https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/10/how-to-win-wine-sales-in-a-losing-market/

https://wineindustryadvisor.com/2025/10/07/next-gen-wine-win-over-the-modern-consumer-through-influence-identity-and-occasion/

https://kathleenwillcox.substack.com/

On today's show, Mark and Jessica kick off the holiday season and head out to the Texas Hill Country to check out an over-performing winery, Elisa Christopher.  They sit down with the owner/ winemaker, Elisa Jones, who is quickly making a name for herself in the Texas industry as a leader for quality sparkling wine both under her own label as well as a custom disgorging facility for other wineries.  They chat about Elisa's previous career in intelligence with the Department of Defense as well as all the challenges of setting up a dedicated in-house disgorging facility and growing Texas grapes for sparkling wine production.  Mark and Jessica are excited to continue to follow the evolution of Elisa Christopher wines and the overall sparkling segment of Texas wines.

Check out Elisa Christopher Website Here

Check out the Another Bottle Down Episode on the Texas Vintners Cup here.

On today's episode, Mark chats with Matt Crafton, head winemaker at the historic Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley.  Matt is the fifth winemaker at Montelena and has been at the helm since 2014 overseeing all aspects of winemaking, vineyard management, communication, and strategy.  Matt and Mark delve into the history of this historic estate as well as the vineyards that go into the core Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.  The conversation weaves in elements of the Napa Valley terroir, creativity in winemaking, and various challenges that face the industry in today's wine-loving world.

Pertinent links:

Matt Crafton's Bio

Chateau Montelena's Website

Napa Valley Vintners

The Restaurant in San Miguel that Mark referenced:  Naakary San Miguel de Allende

Managing Editor of StarChefs, Will Blunt, and Steven Dilley, featured Sommelier and owner of Bufalina Pizzaria, come on the show to talk about the upcoming Rising Stars awards on Dec 13th.  We talk all about the Cava and Caviar reception, the challenges of pairing wines with 18 different dishes from all the featured chefs and culinary innovators, and what it means for a national publication to be highlighting the food scene of Austin and San Antonio!  Proceeds go to the Austin Food and Wine Alliance!

Check out more info: www.starchefs.com/risingstars

Federico Lombardo di Monte Iato runs the Sicilian winery Firriato.  He comes on the show to talk about how far Sicily has from its recent history of supplying bulk wine to Northern Italy and France.  I learned a ton from Federico, from the various zones of western Sicily and even the island of Favagnana to the mountain wines of Etna.  If you can't bask in under the Sicilian Sun, may as well listen to this podcast and dream about it!

Olive and Anthony Hamilton Russell, owners of South African wineries Ashbourne, Hamilton Russell, and Southern Right, come on the show to talk about their little nook of the Cape South Region called Hemel-en-Aarde.  They are pushing the boundaries of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, understanding their vineyards and soils, and garnering attention world-wide to put South African Pinot and Chard on the map.  We also have insightful conversation around Pinotage, Sauvignon Blanc, and so much more. Check it out!

I welcome sommeliers Rania Zayyat and Chris Kelly on the show to field Thanksgiving wine questions from the Austin public and beyond.  Rania and Chris have tons of experience in top Austin restaurants and breakdown their classic turkey pairings as well as some non-traditional ones that might bring us out of our comfort zone.  How does smoking vs deep frying vs roasting a turkey change the pairing?  Check out the show for their commentary, and here are some producers and wines that they recommend:

Rania and Chris's consulting company: www.vintelwine.com

Wine recommendations we talk about: Riesling- A.J. Adam, Julian Haart, Fritz Haag, Willi Schaefer.

Gewürztraminer: Domaine Ostertag and Domaine Weinbach from Alsace

Moscato d'Asti: La Spinetta 'Bricco Quaglia'

Bugey-Cerdon: Patrick Bottex, sparkling red (delish)

Piedmont: GD Vajra Rosso & Langhe Nebbiolo, Roagna Dolcetto d'Alba

Northern Rhone: Andrea Calek 'Babiole', Franck Balthazar, Hervé Souhaut Syrah and Gamay

Texas Wines: William Chris Pét-Nat, Doug Lewis Tempranillo, Cruz de Comal, Calais Roussanne

Vin de Liquor: Macvin du Jura: Jean-François Ganevat & François Rousset-Martin

On this week's show, we talk Prosecco with Alessandro Samogin from Borgoluce in the Valdobbiadene.  He grew up on the property and his wife is now the winemaker; they grow all their food for the restaurant and estate as well as produce all their electricity on site.  What a crazy operation!  We talk about how Valdobbiadene is unique and special, how Glera is king for them, and how there is now becoming awareness of the Rive (similar to cru).  And, so much more!

Messina Hof, founded in 1977, is currently making 90 different wines from 33 varieties, wow!  Paul and Karen Bonarigo, second generation owners, come on the podcast to talk about the evolution of Texas wine, the history and future of Messina Hof, and so much more.  Check it out!

We're continuing to interview Texas winemakers who are innovating and raising the bar in celebration of October being Texas Wine Month.  Doug Lewis of Lewis Wines is certainly positioned in the vanguard and has his finger on the pulse of what is really going both in the Hill Country and the High Plains.  I always enjoy chatting with Doug, and I'm sure you're enjoy listening!