The Story of Wine Podcast - Discover the People & Stories Behind Every Glass – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Five Questions, host Billy Galanko sits down with Geoffrey Moss, MW, marketing strategist, DTC specialist, founder of Lithica Wine Marketing, and the mind behind his own wine label, Søren Wine, to explore the ideas shaping today’s wine industry.

Geoffrey shares how he helps wineries grow direct-to-consumer channels, the climate challenges facing the Okanagan Valley, the surprising magic of Baja California wines, why “organic but not certified” claims drive him crazy, and a recent vineyard hike in the Douro that reshaped his perspective. As both a Master of Wine and a producer himself through Søren Wine, Geoffrey brings an insider’s view from both the business and cellar sides of the industry.

What You’ll Learn

• How Geoffrey Moss approaches DTC sales, digital marketing, and wine club strategy
• The two biggest issues threatening the wine industry today
• Why the Okanagan and Baja California deserve more global attention
• The problem with “organic” claims, and what he wishes wineries would do instead
• What mouse taint is (and why he never wants to taste it again)
• How a hike through Portugal’s Douro Valley vineyards reshaped his understanding of the region
• A powerful recent wine experience that renewed his optimism

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Vent Wine Podcast
00:19 – Welcome to Five Questions
00:44 – Meet Geoffrey Moss
00:53 – Geoffrey’s Role in the Wine Industry
01:28 – Key Issues in the Wine World
03:10 – Underrated Wine Regions
05:35 – Wine Trends Geoffrey Dislikes
09:02 – Memorable Wine Experiences
10:49 – Conclusion and Farewell

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!

Master of Wine Lisa Perrotti-Brown returns to the Vint Wine Podcast with a new chapter in her career. Known for her influential tenure as Editor-in-Chief of The Wine Advocate and decades of reviewing top estates across Bordeaux, Napa, Australia, and New Zealand, Lisa has long blended deep technical expertise with approachable, consumer-focused insight. 

After co-founding The Wine Independent, she’s now launched TheWinePalate.com, a modern, data-driven platform built to personalize wine discovery. Her mission: make it easier for drinkers to find wines that truly match their preferences, with clarity, transparency, and far more than just a score.

Before diving in, host Billy Galanko recaps a big wine week in Los Angeles, from a Wines of Hungary seminar with John Szabo MS to La Fête du Champagne with Peter Liem and some of Champagne’s most exciting growers and houses.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Lisa’s global wine journey shaped her approach to modern criticism
• Why traditional tasting notes and scores fall short for today’s drinkers
• How The Wine Palate’s Palate Matcher uses 25+ sensory and structural filters
• Why faults (brett, oxidation, smoke) should be searchable
• The importance of winery stories, vintage reports, and editorial context
• Lisa’s take on orange wines, climate change, and the evolution of “fine wine”
• Early thoughts on recent Napa and Bordeaux releases

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to the Vint Wine Podcast
00:23 Introducing Lisa Perrotti-Brown
01:02 Billy's Wine Adventures
01:58 Champagne Tasting Highlights
04:55 Lisa's Journey in the Wine Industry
07:09 The Wine Palate: A New Era in Wine Criticism
26:42 The Importance of Wine Filters
27:10 Meet the Wine Review Team
28:06 Exploring Orange Wines
30:14 The Role of Wine Critics
33:34 Vintage Reports and Editorials
38:13 The Future of Fine Wine
41:23 Wine Tasting Process Revealed
48:45 Recent Vintages in Bordeaux and Napa
50:52 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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of Five Questions, Billy speaks with Peter Liem, James Beard Award-winning writer and one of the world’s foremost Champagne experts. Peter discusses how climate change is reshaping the region, the rise of new subregions, his balanced take on natural wine, and even shares details from a remarkable deep-sea dive to recover 19th-century Champagne.

Episode highlights:
• The biggest issue facing the wine world today
• How warming temperatures are changing Champagne
• Emerging subregions to watch beyond the Côte des Bar
• Peter’s honest perspective on natural wine and craftsmanship
• Standout vintages from 2002 to 2019
• Diving in the Baltic Sea to recover historic Champagne
• Inside look at La Fête du Champagne 2025 in Chicago, NYC, and LA

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Vent Wine Podcast
00:19 Welcome to Five Questions
00:44 Meet Peter Liem
00:51 Peter's Role in the Wine Industry
01:08 Challenges in the Wine World
01:53 Subregions in Champagne
02:43 Wine Trends and Opinions
03:42 Memorable Vintages
04:30 Bonus Questions
05:38 Special Champagne Events
06:25 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 Podcast, hosts Billy Galanko and Brady Weller sit down with Saša Radikon, the current head of Radikon Wines and the son of the famed winemaker Stanko Radikon. The Radikon family, based in the Friuli Colli Orientali region, is celebrated for their pioneering work in the revival of traditional winemaking techniques, particularly their dedication to producing skin-contact wines, often referred to as orange wines. Saša shares insights into his family’s winemaking history, the unique terroir of the Oslavia region, and the challenges and innovations that have shaped Radikon Wines over the years. The conversation also delves into the evolution of the wine industry, the impact of climate change on viticulture, and Saša’s thoughts on the future of Radikon Wines, including exciting new projects in Slovenia.

Links & Resources:

• Radikon Wines Website
• Coravin Website - Use code Vint15 for 15% off
• Amber Revolution by Simon J. Woolf

Chapters:
01:11 Classic Petit Manning Joke
02:20 Guest Introduction: Sasha Radikon
03:24 Radikon Family History and Wine Philosophy
04:31 The Significance of Orange Wines
06:05 Radikon's Wine Production Techniques
08:06 Challenges and Innovations in Winemaking
08:44 Interview with Sasha Radikon Begins
26:28 Understanding the Terroir: Soil and Climate
27:56 Challenges of Climate Change in Vineyards
28:48 Harvesting Techniques and Temperature Management
31:15 Introduction to Orange Wines and Their Evolution
33:06 The Story Behind Slatnik and CV Wines
34:18 Exploring Different Wine Varieties
37:45 The Origin of Yakut and Its Significance
40:21 The Evolution of Radikon Wines and Market Acceptance
44:15 Future Projects and Expansion into Slovenia
47:51 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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, Brady Weller and Billy Galanko sit down with Gaia Gaja, the fifth-generation winemaker from the legendary Gaja family, renowned for their iconic Barbaresco wines. The conversation delves into the rich heritage of Gaja Wines, the evolution of winemaking practices in the family, and how the younger generation, led by Gaia and her siblings, is balancing tradition with innovation.

Gaia offers an in-depth look at the Gaja family's journey, highlighting their expansion into Tuscany and Sicily, and the introduction of Chardonnay and Cabernet varieties into their portfolio. She shares her thoughts on the impact of climate change on viticulture, the importance of preserving a sense of place in winemaking, and the challenges and opportunities of producing wines in new regions.

Chapters:

02:57 Interview with Gaia Gaja

03:21 Gaia Gaja on Family and Winemaking

04:12 Expanding the Gaja Legacy

07:29 Balancing Tradition and Innovation

13:36 The Essence of Barbaresco

22:11 Impact of Climate Change on Winemaking

26:16 The Golden Age of Barolo and Barbaresco

28:52 Vertical vs. Horizontal Wines

32:41 Influential Winemakers and Their Impact

35:26 Exploring New Regions and Varietals

44:07 The Potential of White Wines in Barolo and Barbaresco

49:56 Climate Change and Its Effects on Winemaking

51:59 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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, hosts Brady Weller and Billy Galanko sit down with renowned wine writer and author Simon J. Woolf to explore wines with a true sense of place. Simon, known for his critically acclaimed books Amber Revolution and Foot Trodden, delves into the resurgence of traditional winemaking practices and the importance of terroir in crafting wines that genuinely reflect their origins. His insights offer a fresh perspective on why authenticity in winemaking is more crucial than ever, particularly as the movement towards wines that express their terroir continues to gain momentum.

For those looking to deepen their understanding of wines that tell a story of their land and heritage, Simon’s platform, The Morning Claret, is an invaluable resource. Whether you're intrigued by the rich history of orange wine or the diverse winemaking traditions of Portugal, you can explore these topics further by reading Amber Revolution and Foot Trodden. Be sure to check out The Morning Claret and grab a copy of Amber Revolution and Foot Trodden to continue your journey into the world of authentic wines.

Links:

• The Morning Claret
• Amber Revolution
• Foot Trodden

Chapters:
01:46 Introducing Simon J. Woolf

06:52 Simon J. Woolf's Journey in Natural Wine

11:06 The Evolution of Organic and Biodynamic Farming

20:33 Portugal's Wine Renaissance

25:13 Reviving Abandoned Vineyards

29:13 Generational Shift in Wine Preferences

30:22 Challenges for Natural Wine Producers

31:32 Consumer Behavior and Wine Classification

35:33 The Morning Claret: A Resource for Wine Enthusiasts

39:08 Discovering Emerging Wine Producers

46:57 The Versatility of Orange Wine

51:57 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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, Billy Galanko and Brady Weller sit down with Frank Cornelissen, a celebrated winemaker known for his innovative techniques and dedication to expressing the unique terroir of Mount Etna. Cornelissen shares his journey from wine enthusiast to renowned winemaker, detailing how he found his perfect winemaking home on the volcanic slopes of Etna. The conversation delves into his unique winemaking philosophy, the significance of terroir, and his self-imposed Grand Cru and Premier Cru classifications. Cornelissen also discusses the challenges and triumphs of his 20-year journey and his vision for the future of Etna wines.


Episode Links:

• Frank Cornelissen’s Website
• Follow Frank Cornelissen on Instagram
• Billy on Instagram

Chapters: 
00:47 Exploring Frank Cornelissen's Wines
01:27 The Philosophy Behind Frank's Winemaking
02:06 The Unique Terroir of Aetna
04:02 Frank's Winemaking Journey
04:53 Interview with Frank Cornelissen
05:30 Discovering Aetna
14:56 Challenges and Innovations in Winemaking
26:33 Balancing Patience and Craftsmanship
29:04 Evolution of Wine Making Techniques
30:46 Understanding Vineyard Variability
33:14 The Philosophy Behind Single Vineyard Wines
38:12 Challenges and Innovations in Wine Production
48:28 Future Prospects and Legacy
53:12 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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Podcast Billy Galanko interviews southern California old-vine-winemaker, Abe Schoener. Abe is a former philosophy professor and the innovative winemaker behind the Scholium Project, for which he was known for challenging traditional winemaking methods. Although influenced by natural winemaking, Schoener does not strictly adhere to its principles and takes an open approach to the craft with a focus on old-vine fruit.

Schoener's latest venture is an urban winery near the Los Angeles River, aimed at aligning with the city's urban demographic. This project began in 2019 with minimal equipment and a focus on sourcing unique vineyards across California, particularly those with old vines.

His winemaking philosophy is flexible, using sulfur dioxide (SO2) selectively to enhance the wine's quality. Schoener's approach emphasizes a deep commitment to the vineyard and a willingness to experiment with under-appreciated sites. We hope you enjoy hearing from this SoCal wine icon and learning more about unique winemaking philosophies. 

Chapters:
02:58 Exploring Unique Wine Experiences
06:33 Interview with Abe Schoener: LA's Wine Insider
07:22 The History and Philosophy of Winemaking
08:49 Reviving Old Vineyards in Southern California
12:06 The Mystery of Lone Wolf Vineyard
22:51 The Legacy of Mission Grapes
25:16 Winemaking in Los Angeles Today
27:28 The Shift of Vineyards to Cucamonga
28:37 The Birth of Los Angeles River Wine Company
31:16 Challenges and Innovations in Winemaking
37:28 Exploring Cucamonga Vineyards
48:54 Future Prospects and Distribution
56:11 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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

In this episode of the Vint Podcast Billy Galanko and Brady Weller welcome Yves De Launay, The EVP, Americas, for Chateau Angélus, to discuss the history and offerings of the estate. Yves brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Château Angélus. He holds a degree in agricultural engineering and oenology, which provides him with a deep understanding of viticulture and winemaking. His career in the wine industry spans over two decades, during which he has held various key positions in prestigious wine estates and companies, including a notable tenure at LVMH, where he gained invaluable insights into luxury brand management and global wine markets. 

The estate's flagship wine, Angelus, is known for its unique style within the region, featuring with a high proportion of Cabernet Franc. Other wines include Hommage à Elisabeth Boucher, Carrillon, and Tempo. Yves is a wealth of knowledge about the terroir and uniqueness of Saint-Émilion, and he also gave us some fascinating insights into why Château Angélus decided to excuse itself from the regional classification system in Bordeaux. Enjoy!


Chapters:
00:37 Coravin Giveaway Announcement
00:54 Billy's Wedding and Wine Tasting Adventures
02:41 Understanding Traditional Method Sparkling Wine
08:23 Interview with Yves De Launay from Château Angélus
12:59 Yves De Launay's Background and Role
18:51 The Legacy and Expansion of Château Angélus
21:49 The Origin of the Angelus Vineyard
23:04 Exploring the Unique Wines of Angelus
25:09 The Philosophy Behind Carillon
32:41 Climate Change and Its Impact on Bordeaux Vineyards
41:24 The Decision to Leave the Saint-Émilion Classification
44:28 Future Plans and Innovations at Angelus
49:34 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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Vint Podcast

00:22 Billy's Wedding Plans

01:13 Special Wine Selections for the Wedding

03:37 Introducing VinArmor and Brian Hart

08:07 Brian Hart's Journey from Oral Surgery to Wine Accessories

15:49 Challenges and Innovations in Creating VinArmor

23:16 Designing the Ultimate Travel Wine Bag

24:12 Generation 2: Improved Features

25:09 Real-Life Wine Travel Disasters

27:38 Collaborations and Innovations

29:56 Expanding the Product Line

34:49 Wine Travel Stories and Tips

42:30 Unexpected Thermal Properties

44:24 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@sommeliermedia.com.

Cheers!