Interpreting Wine Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

If you work at a winery, a producer group or region, register for book updates and be the first to hear about live events at www.interpretingwine.com/wf2026 

Brick House should be a familiar name, not just because of their stellar wines, but because Brick House founder Doug Tunnell is a two-time Interpreting Wine guest. 

With Savannah having now taken the reins of the operation there is naturally a period of adaptation. A fascinating time to reflect on what made the brand so successful in the first place and what it aspires to be going forward.

I really love what we discovered together in this episode and how the Winery Fingerprint model accurately and meaningfully captures their story.

If you know someone who would enjoy this episode please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/593

If you really enjoyed it please leave the episode an iTunes review on the same link. Thanks! 👌👌

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Savannah Mills, Winemaker at Brick House Vineyards

https://www.brickhousewines.com

Date recorded: 6 November 2025

Listen and subscribe - https://www.interpretingwine.com/593

CONTACT ME:

Email: hello@interpretingwine.com

SOCIAL LINKS:

Instagram - https://www.interpretingwine.com/instagram/

Facebook - https://www.interpretingwine.com/facebook

Youtube - https://www.interpretingwine.com/youtube

Twitter X - https://www.interpretingwine.com/twitter

Linkedin - https://www.interpretingwine.com/linkedin

Winery Fingerprint series direct links (26)

https://www.interpretingwine.com/593 - Savannah Mills, Winemaker at Brick House Vineyards

We close out the Mosaic of Wine series today in the company of Maryam Ahmed, Maryam + Company

The Mosaic of Wine intro

Maryam Ahmed Origin Story - Hospitality focus, Creating a wine brand

Culture - Storytelling development and allowing consumers to participate in the story

Expertise x Challenge - Seeking challenge and having values challenged over time

Service - Field Blends, Challenging the storytelling narrative in regions, Lodi edition

Purpose - Teaching

Contact Details and Outro

If you know someone who would enjoy this episode please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/592

If you really enjoyed it please leave the episode an iTunes review on the same link. Thanks! 👌👌

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Maryam Ahmed, Maryam + Company

https://www.maryamandcompany.com

Date recorded: 28 April 2025

Listen and subscribe - https://www.interpretingwine.com/592

CONTACT ME:

Email: hello@interpretingwine.com

SOCIAL LINKS:

Instagram - https://www.interpretingwine.com/instagram/

Facebook - https://www.interpretingwine.com/facebook

Youtube - https://www.interpretingwine.com/youtube

Twitter X - https://www.interpretingwine.com/twitter

Linkedin - https://www.interpretingwine.com/linkedin

We continue the Mosaic of Wine series today in the company of Anne McHale, Master of Wine

(00:00:08) The Mosaic of Wine intro

(00:01:30) Anne McHale Origin Story - Early experiences in wine, 

(00:08:30) Culture - Influences from first roles, Berry Brothers and Rudd

(00:24:00) Expertise - Master of Wine Programme Overview, 

(00:30:30) Challenge - Different Challenges among Masters of Wine and Diploma Students

(00:34:40) Service - Transition into Consultancy, Developing Diplomatherapy, Sources of Information, Ideation and Product Creation

(00:58:15) Purpose - Student Feedback

(01:03:30) Contact Details and Outro

If you know someone who would enjoy this episode please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/583

If you really enjoyed it please leave the episode an iTunes review on the same link. Thanks! 👌👌

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Anne McHale, Master of Wine

https://www.annemchale.com

Date recorded: 11 Mar 2025

Listen and subscribe - https://www.interpretingwine.com/583

CONTACT ME:

Email: hello@interpretingwine.com

SOCIAL LINKS:

Instagram - https://www.interpretingwine.com/instagram/

Facebook - https://www.interpretingwine.com/facebook

Youtube - https://www.interpretingwine.com/youtube

Twitter X - https://www.interpretingwine.com/twitter

Linkedin - https://www.interpretingwine.com/linkedin

We close out the series today in the company Steve Matthiasson of Matthiasson Wines

00:00:08) Episode intro

(00:01:20) Steve Matthiasson origin Story

(00:08:30) People at Matthiasson

(00:14:20) Vineyard philosophy and viticulture

(00:21:22) Viticultural adaptations to climate change

(00:30:05) Converting conventional vineyards to organic

(00:35:30) Changing flavours of his wines during climate change

(00:37:05) Winemaking at Matthiasson 

(00:39:55) Response overseas 

If you know someone who would enjoy this episode please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/493

If you really enjoyed it please leave the episode an iTunes review on the same link. Thanks! 👌👌

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson Wines

www.matthiasson.com

Date recorded: 24 Jan 2023

Listen and subscribe: www.interpretingwine.com 

CONTACT ME:

Email: hello@interpretingwine.com

Napa Valley series direct links

Emma Swain, St. Supery Estate  www.interpretingwine.com/489

Jon Ruel, Trefethen Family Vineyards www.interpretingwine.com/490

Nate Weis, Silver Oak Cellars www.interpretingwine.com/491

Ray Signorello, Signorello Estate www.interpretingwine.com/492

Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson www.interpretingwine.com/493

We continue the series today in the company Ray Signorello  of Signorello Estate

00:00:08) Episode intro

(00:01:08) Ray Signorello origin Story

(00:07:15) People at the Estate

(00:11:55) Estate Philosophy

(00:15:27) Napa Valley culture

(00:20:03) Signorello Estate virtual tour

(00:26:03) Production facilities

(00:29:00) Trim wine range deep dive

(00:36:30) Labeling transparency

(00:38:00) Premiere Napa auction

(00:41:00) Chairing the event

If you know someone who would enjoy this episode please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/492

If you really enjoyed it please leave the episode an iTunes review on the same link. Thanks! 👌👌

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Ray Signorello , Signorello Estate

www.signorelloestate.com

Date recorded: 24 Jan 2023

Listen and subscribe: www.interpretingwine.com 

CONTACT ME:

Email: hello@interpretingwine.com

Napa Valley series direct links

Emma Swain, St. Supery Estate  www.interpretingwine.com/489

Jon Ruel, Trefethen Family Vineyards www.interpretingwine.com/490

Nate Weis, Silver Oak Cellars www.interpretingwine.com/491

Ray Signorello, Signorello Estate www.interpretingwine.com/492

Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson www.interpretingwine.com/493

We continue the series today in the company Nate Weis of Silver Oak Cellars ​

00:00:08) Episode intro

(00:01:08) People at Silver Oak Cellars

(00:02:34) Nate Weis origin Story

(00:06:00) Napa Valley culture

(00:08:30) Mentors

(00:14:15) Collaboration and competition

(00:19:10) Abstinence

(00:21:50) Property virtual tour

(00:26:40) California Geology

(00:32:20) Viticulture

(00:36:50) Premiere Napa 2023

If you know someone who would enjoy this episode please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/491

If you really enjoyed it please leave the episode an iTunes review on the same link. Thanks! 👌👌

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Nate Weis, Silver Oak Cellars ​

https://silveroak.com/

Date recorded: 24 Jan 2023

Listen and subscribe: www.interpretingwine.com 

CONTACT ME:

Email: hello@interpretingwine.com

We continue the series today in the company Jon Ruel of Trefethen Family Vineyards

00:00:08) Episode intro

(00:01:08) Jon Ruel origin Story

(00:04:30) Regional history

(00:11:30) Changes in the Valley

(00:14:00) The rise of Trefethen

(00:20:30) Regional community

(00:22:05) Napa Valley virtual tour

(00:26:10) Geology of the valley

(00:32:50) Sustainability deep dive

(00:42:20) Trefethen Wines in the world

If you know someone who would enjoy this episode please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/490

If you really enjoyed it please leave the episode an iTunes review on the same link. Thanks! 👌👌

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Jon Ruel, Trefethen Family Vineyards

https://www.trefethen.com/

Date recorded: 23 Jan 2023

Listen and subscribe: www.interpretingwine.com 

CONTACT ME:

Email: hello@interpretingwine.com

Napa Valley series direct links

Emma Swain, St. Supery Estate  www.interpretingwine.com/489

Jon Ruel, Trefethen Family Vineyards www.interpretingwine.com/490

Nate Weis, Silver Oak Cellars www.interpretingwine.com/491

Ray Signorello, Signorello Estate www.interpretingwine.com/492

Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson www.interpretingwine.com/493

I'm Lawrence Francis, Host of Interpreting Wine, welcoming you to the Napa Valley Special series. Across these 5 episodes recorded in Dec 2022 and Jan 2023 we'll be exploring the Napa Valley scene through the lens of 5 very different wineries. Giving an incredibly detailed and up to date snapshot of this fascinating region, its people, land and winemaking. Make sure you subscribe to Interpreting Wine wherever your listening so you don't miss an episode.

We kick things off in the company of Emma Swain of St. Supery Estate 

00:00:08) Episode intro

(00:01:08) Emma Swain origin Story

(00:05:40) St Supery team

(00:07:30) Technology in the cellar

(00:11:00) Export markets

(00:15:55) Dollarhide Ranch virtual tour

(00:22:08) Geological influences

(00:27:20) Napa Valley Agricultural Preserve

(00:30:35) Enotourism offering

(00:35:20) Premiere Napa Valley tasting 

(00:37:30) Contact details

If you know someone who would enjoy this episode please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/489

If you really enjoyed it please leave the episode an iTunes review on the same link. Thanks! 👌👌

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Emma Swain, St. Supery Estate 

https://www.stsupery.com/

Date recorded: 21 Dec 2022

Listen and subscribe: www.interpretingwine.com 

CONTACT ME:

Email: hello@interpretingwine.com

Napa Valley series direct links

Emma Swain, St. Supery Estate  www.interpretingwine.com/489

Jon Ruel, Trefethen Family Vineyards www.interpretingwine.com/490

Nate Weis, Silver Oak Cellars www.interpretingwine.com/491

Ray Signorello, Signorello Estate www.interpretingwine.com/492

Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson www.interpretingwine.com/493

Special link for bonuses: www.interpretingwine.com/d3help

In this episode of Interpreting Wine, host Lawrence Francis and Anne McHale MW explore the eight most commonly made mistakes in the WSET Diploma D3 Theory Exam.

The October 2021 D3 Theory Exam had a pass rate of between 50 and 60%, which is quite low.

To help address this issue, Anne conducted an extensive analysis of the most recently available Examiner's reports.

Anne describes examples of mistakes taken from past papers and gives tips on how to address each of these.

Anne runs a coaching program called Diplomatherapy to support students in their preparation for the exam.

Lawrence is offering three special bonuses in partnership with Anne for those who sign up to Diploma Therapy in 2023. Visit www.interpretingwine.com/d3help to learn more.

Enjoy!

(00:00:08) Episode intro

(00:01:18) D3 Theory background

(00:04:08) Mistake #1: Not respecting the marking weightings give

(00:10:30) Mistake #2: Candidate not including learnings from D1, D2 AND D3

(00:16:05) Mistake #3: Not structuring your answers logically

(00:18:55) Mistake #4: Not including the right amount of detail in your answer

(00:22:12) Mistake #5: Inadequate knowledge of lesser-known regions

(00:25:10) Mistake #6: Not applying enough analysis in your answers

(00:30:14) Mistake #7: Not answering the question properly

(00:34:20) Mistake #8: Misspelling of key wine terms

(00:36:20) Anne McHale's Diplomatherapy Programme

(00:40:50) Interpreting Wine Diplomatherapy Offer

If you know someone who would is taking the D3 theory exam please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/488

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Anne McHale, Diploma D3 theory special episode

More info on Diplomatherapy: www.interpretingwine.com/d3help

Date recorded: 11 Jan 2023

We close out the Australia Winemaker Special series in the company Kelly Pearson of Ladygarden Wines

(00:00:08) Episode intro

(00:01:08) Kelly Pearson origin Story

(00:09:20) Lessons from larger scale winemaking

(00:15:33) Natural Wine discussion

(00:19:38) Ladygarden Wine philosophy

(00:27:33) Production details

(00:33:25) Current range

(00:40:40) Changes in wine communication

(00:42:43) Future projects

(00:44:00) Export markets

If you know someone who would enjoy this episode please share the direct link: www.interpretingwine.com/487

If you really enjoyed it please leave the episode an iTunes review on the same link. Thanks! 👌👌

Intro and outro music
The New Investors
http://newinvestors.dk/
Contact: glenn@velournet.dk

GUEST CONTACT: Kelly Pearson, Ladygarden Wines

https://ladygardenwines.com.au/

Date recorded: 10 Jan 2023

Listen and subscribe: www.interpretingwine.com 

CONTACT ME:

Email: hello@interpretingwine.com

Instagram: https://www.interpretingwine.com/instagram

Facebook: https://www.interpretingwine.com/facebook

Twitter: https://www.interpretingwine.com/twitter

Linkedin: https://www.interpretingwine.com/linkedin

Clubhouse: https://www.interpretingwine.com/clubhouse

Youtube: www.interpretingwine.com/youtube

Australia Winemaker Special series direct links

Charles Simons, Mayfield Vineyard www.interpretingwine.com/484

Meg Brodtmann MW, Rob Dolan Wines www.interpretingwine.com/485

Joel Pizzini, Pizzini Wines www.interpretingwine.com/486

Kelly Pearson, Ladygarden Wines www.interpretingwine.com/487