Best Dave Fritzsche Podcasts (2025)

1
198: Cole Ballentine - William Cole Vineyards 1:02:51

3d ago1:02:51

1:02:51

Explore the rich history and innovative future of Napa Valley winemaking in this episode with Cole Ballentine from William Cole Vineyards. As a fifth-generation winemaker, Cole discusses his family's path of changing a ghost winery into a thriving vineyard, emphasizing the blend of tradition and modernity in their craft. Learn about the strategic e…

1
197: Jack Sporer - Fresh Wine Co 1:00:37

17d ago1:00:37

1:00:37

Join us on an exploration into the realm of organic and natural winemaking with Jack Sporer, the visionary behind Fresh Wine Co. and Magnolia Wine Services. Learn how his upbringing in a family vineyard in Sonoma Valley blossomed into a passion for organic viticulture and thoughtful intervention methods. Jack discusses the challenges and successes …

1
196: Kent Callaghan - Callaghan Vineyards 46:28

1M ago46:28

46:28

Discover the untapped potential of Arizona winemaking as Kent Callaghan, a pioneer in the Sonoita Valley, shares his approach to crafting exceptional wines in a region south of Tucson. In this episode, Kent explores the distinct challenges of Arizona's high-altitude landscapes, from managing diverse grape varieties to navigating the state's unpredi…

1
195: Todd Bostock - Dos Cabezas WineWorks 1:03:15

2M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Discover the innovative world of Arizona winemaking through the eyes of Todd Bostock from Dos Cabezas WineWorks. Todd shares his entry into the winemaking industry, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of crafting wines in the Sonoita Valley's diverse climates and soils. We discuss the impact of regional diversity on grape varieties and th…

1
194: Stu Ake - The Wine Foundry 58:09

2M ago58:09

58:09

Stu Ake from The Wine Foundry joins us to discuss the art of personalized custom-crush winemaking. Stu shares his journey into winemaking, which began at Crush Pad in San Francisco. The episode covers the opportunites that The Wine Foundry provides, the logistics and creativity involved in crafting small batches of wine, emphasizing how younger gen…

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193: Noah Chichester - Wines of Galicia 56:15

2M ago56:15

56:15

In this episode, Noah Chichester, a specialist in Galician wines, guides us through the vineyards of Galicia, Spain. Raised in Potsdam, NY, Noah shares how his passion for Galician wines was sparked by his Spanish-influenced upbringing. The discussion covers the distinct grape varieties of Galicia, such as Albariño and Godello, and the unique chall…

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192: Sarah Placella - Root Applied Sciences 1:07:06

3M ago1:07:06

1:07:06

In this episode, we have the honor of having a conversation with Sarah Placella, founder of Root Applied Sciences, to explore sustainable vineyard management through innovative technologies. We discuss the role of spore traps in detecting powdery mildew, enabling grape growers to reduce chemical use while maintaining vineyard health. The episode di…

1
191: Kurtis Ogasawara - Robert Mondavi Winery 52:21

3M ago52:21

52:21

In this episode, we have a conversation with Kurtis Ogasawara, the Director of Winemaking at Robert Mondavi Winery. Kurtis shares his expertise into the challenges and successes of managing such a prestigious winery in Napa Valley. The discussion covers the winery's rich history, including the legacy of Robert Mondavi. Listeners will gain a deeper …

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190: Guillaume Maugeais - Oak Trees, Barrels, and Tanks 1:34:51

4M ago1:34:51

1:34:51

This episode features a conversation with Guillaume Maugeais, a seasoned barrel cooper and winemaker with a diverse background in the global wine industry. Guillaume shares his journey from becoming a copper in Burgundy to exploring winemaking across continents, including his experiences in Cognac, New Zealand, Australia and California. We discuss …

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189: Neza Skrt - Aiurri Winery 1:06:34

4M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

In this episode, we explore the journey of Neza Skrt, a pioneering winemaker who transitioned from biotechnology in Slovenia to leading innovative winemaking practices in La Rioja, Spain. At the forefront of the Aiurri Winery, Skrt shares her insights on blending tradition with modern techniques, emphasizing sustainable viticulture amidst the chall…

1
188: Winemaking Tools 35:35

5M ago35:35

35:35

This episode is dedicated to some cellar Q&A and a highlight covering three key winemaking tools. Listeners will learn about managing sulfur consistency, dissolved oxygen, and free SO2 levels to maintain wine quality. The episode highlights essential winemaking tools, such as the densitometer and optical sorter, which aid fermentation tracking and …

1
187: Germán di Cesare - Bodega Trivento 55:51

5M ago55:51

55:51

In this episode, Germán di Cesare from Bodega Trivento shares his journey in Argentinian winemaking, focusing on innovations like the creation of white Malbec. Growing up in Mendoza, Germán's passion for wine was influenced by local traditions and his family's vineyard roots. He discusses the unique climate challenges in Mendoza, the importance of …

1
186: Núria Artiaga - Recaredo 54:10

6M ago54:10

54:10

In this episode, we explore the innovative and traditional aspects of sparkling wine production with guest Núria Artiaga. Núria, a winemaker in Spain's Penedès region, shares her journey into the unique grape varieties and winemaking philosophies at Recaredo. The episode goes into the Spanish grapes used to make Cava, the transition to Brut Nature,…

1
185: Kelli White - Wine Confident 1:03:32

6M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

Kelli White, a renowned wine educator and author, shares her expertise on wine education and industry innovations in this episode. She discusses her journey as a sommelier at PRESS Restaurant in St. Helena and her book "Wine Confident." The conversation explores various topics, including the complexities of the wine industry, the role of sommeliers…

1
184: Matt Courtney - Arista Winery and Ferren Wines 1:07:16

7M ago1:07:16

1:07:16

In this episode, expert winemaker Matt Courtney discusses the intersection of tradition and technology in California winemaking. Matt recounts his journey from casual restaurant work to crafting high-end wines with a focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The conversation explores the Burgundian influence on California wines, the distinct characterist…

1
183: Harvest Chemistry Panels 51:06

7M ago51:06

51:06

This episode is a discussion of juice and wine chemistries focusing on harvest winemaking. Chemistries covered include the essential elements like pH, titratable acidity, Nitrogen, sugars, and ethanol. Actual chemistry panels are discussed in great detail with the goal of making these technical concepts accessible for casual winemakers and professi…

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182: Ten Years of Inside Winemaking 26:58

8M ago26:58

26:58

This episode is very special because it’s the 10-year anniversary episode of Inside Winemaking! I'm deeply grateful for the support from you — the listeners, as well as the incredible guests and generous sponsors who have been with me throughout this decade. Over the course of 182 episodes, featuring more than 175 amazing guests, we’ve had the priv…

1
181: Shawn DeMartino - Sentinel Vine Manager 1:06:30

8M ago1:06:30

1:06:30

In this episode, winemaker Shawn DeMartino shares his journey from Argentina to becoming a winemaker in Napa Valley. He discusses his experiences working with renowned mentors and the significance of hands-on learning in winemaking. Shawn also highlights his innovative work building the Sentinel Vine Manager app, a program leveraging high fidelity …

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180: Dan Person - Carboniste 1:07:51

9M ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Dan Person of Carboniste discusses the art and science of sparkling winemaking in this episode. The conversation covers technical aspects of winemaking, including sugar and CO2 pressure management in Pet-nat production, the impact of acidity and pH on wine quality, and the evolution of American sparkling wines. Dan also talks about the unique packa…

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179: Jon-Michial Carter - Carter Family Wines 1:07:32

9M ago1:07:32

1:07:32

In this episode, winemaker Jon-Michial Carter shares first-hand knowledge on building a successful boutique winery, emphasizing the importance of direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales and personal relationships with club members. Jon-Michial discusses his unique business model, which focuses on maintaining quality and personal touches by capping productio…

1
178: Peter Devison - Devison Vintners 59:50

10M ago59:50

59:50

In this episode, we have a conversation with Peter Devison, the winemaker behind Devison Vintners, as he shares how he moved from Vancouver's dining scene to becoming a winemaker in Washington. Peter discusses his winemaking education in New Zealand and the experience that led him to Washington. He explores the challenges and successes of launching…

1
177: Britt Richards - Head High Wines 1:01:23

10M ago1:01:23

1:01:23

In this episode, we discuss contemporary winemaking with insights from industry pioneer Britt Richards. Britt Richards of Head High Wines shares her inspiring journey from early influences to hands-on experiences at Fresno State and various esteemed vineyards, highlighting the balance of science and art in crafting exceptional wines. We explore the…

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176: Greg La Follette - Marchelle Wines 1:04:45

11M ago1:04:45

1:04:45

In this episode, we have a conversation with Greg La Follette of Marchelle Wines. We discuss Greg's extraordinary journey from nearly becoming a professional bagpiper and priest to becoming a celebrated winemaker renowned for his expertise in mouthfeel and Burgundian techniques. Listeners will hear the importance of patience, community support, and…

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175: James McCeney - Patz & Hall Winery 1:11:44

11M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

Join me today for a look into the world of winemaking at Patz & Hall Winery in Sonoma, where tradition harmonizes with cutting-edge technology. My conversation with Patz & Hall winemaker James McCeney offers a deep dive into the meticulous cleanliness and mental preparation required for the winemaking process. Discover how innovative techniques, su…

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174: Vincent Fritzsche - Vincent Wine Company 1:14:41

12M ago1:14:41

1:14:41

In this episode, we sit down with Vincent Fritzsche of Vincent Wine Company. Vincent shares his journey from California to Oregon, where he has built a unique one-man operation in the Willamette Valley, focusing on crafting high-quality Pinot Noir. Our conversation spans a range of topics, including the impact of mentorship and online wine communit…

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173: Guillaume Large - Resonance Wines 1:10:36

12M ago1:10:36

1:10:36

In this episode, Guillaume Large from Resonance Winery takes us on an oenological journey to discover the Willamette Valley in Oregon, where tradition and modernity. Sharing his experience from his early days in Burgundy to the making of wines in the United States, Guillaume discusses the evolution of winemaking methods and the search for balance b…

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172: Viticulture Q&A II with Fritz Westover 1:02:28

1y ago1:02:28

1:02:28

In this episode, we have a conversation with viticulture specialist Fritz Westover. He shares his knowledge of vineyard management, focusing on cane pruning and shoot management methods. We discuss the significance of fruit drop timing, approaches to prevent powdery mildew and the advantages of maintaining a sustainable vineyard floor. We also go o…

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171: Jesse Fox - Sequoia Grove Winery 1:24:41

1y ago1:24:41

1:24:41

In this episode, we journey with Jesse Fox, a former small-town chef who followed his passion all the way to becoming a master winemaker in Napa Valley. From his humble beginnings in his mother's kitchen to the hallowed educational halls of Cornell and the culinary scenes of Paris and New York, Jesse's story is one of transformation and tenacity. L…

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170: Russell Bevan – Bevan Cellars and Adversity Cellars 1:09:23

1y ago1:09:23

1:09:23

Listen in for the secrets of winemaking and the stories behind the vines in our latest episode with Rusell Bevan of Bevan Cellars and Adversity Cellars. Russell recounts his journey into the heart of the industry, proving that passion and self-education can create extraordinary success. In this episode, we discuss the meticulous processes defining …

1
169: Avery Heelan - Larkmead Vineyards 56:27

1y ago56:27

56:27

In this episode, Avery Heelan, the talented winemaker at Larkmead Vineyards, shares her personal voyage from the pharmaceutical industry to the heart of Napa Valley's viticulture scene. Listen in as she recounts the challenges and growth she experienced while transitioning to a career that aligns with her passion. Our conversation takes a worldly t…

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168: Viticulture Q&A with Fritz Westover 1:02:06

1y ago1:02:06

1:02:06

Join me as I bring back viticulturist Fritz Westover to unpack questions from our dedicated Inside Winemaking community. Listen in as we discuss the intricacies of vineyard management, sustaining vineyard health and productivity over time, and the crucial steps involved in preparing a vineyard for replanting, with a particular focus on the nuances …

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167: Josh Phelps - Grounded Wine Co 47:25

1y ago47:25

47:25

Join us as we explore the life of Josh Phelps, a seasoned player in the wine industry, from his roots in restaurant work to the strategic cultivation of his winemaking empire. Listen in as Josh recounts his time at Kimberly Jones Selections where he honed his skills in sales and faced the tough skin-building challenge of rejection, and shares how h…

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166: Shawn Johnson - Amulet Estate 56:28

1+ y ago56:28

56:28

I recently sat down with Shawn Johnson of Amulet Estate, who shared the revolution in winemaking processes brought by innovative software and fermentation techniques. His story intertwines with mine as I recall my years learning the winemaking craft from mentors like Mark Harold and the brilliant minds at Nicholson Ranch. Come with us behind the sc…

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165: Dan Limoges - Limoges Cellars 1:04:38

1+ y ago1:04:38

1:04:38

Listen in as I sit down with Dan Limoges, a winemaker and grape grower from North Georgia who has truly immersed himself in the craft. Dan shares the narrative of his transition from Iowa to the wine-laden landscapes of Georgia, where he and his wife have established Limoges Cellars. His passion for the vine-to-bottle process is evident as we talk …

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164: Fritz Westover - Westover Vineyard Advising and Virtual Viticulture Academy 1:00:59

1+ y ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Join the conversation with viticulturist Fritz Westover and discover the alchemy of grape growing in climates that challenge even the most seasoned growers. From the humble Pennsylvania plant lover to an acclaimed viticulturist, Fritz unpacks his storied journey and the problems faced by vineyards far from Napa Valley. Learn how Fritz helps vineyar…

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163: Pavle Milic – Los Milics Vineyard and Winery 1:10:51

1+ y ago1:10:51

1:10:51

In this episode, Pavle Milic takes us through a journey of his life, passions, and entrepreneurial spirit. Starting with his roots in Colombia and transition to the hospitality scene in New York, Milic has carved out a unique niche in the culinary and wine world in Arizona. The discussion navigates through the landscapes of Colombia and the burgeon…

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162: Collin Cranor and Craig Ploof - Grape Culture 1:31:25

1+ y ago1:31:25

1:31:25

Collin Cranor and Craig Ploof - Grape Culture In this episode, Colin and Craig discuss their journey from Livermore Valley to establishing their own winery in Napa Valley. They explain their focus on single-vineyard wines and the importance of site-driven winemaking. Our discussion included the role of data and technology in their winemaking proces…

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161: Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse - Birdhorse Wines 1:16:31

1+ y ago1:16:31

1:16:31

This episode features Corinne Rich and Katie Rouse, who, together comprise Birdhorse Wines. Our conversation covers their winemaking backgrounds, the creation of the Birdhorse brand, the vineyards they have partnered with, oxidative white winemaking, novel winemaking techniques, and the hustle of building a brand with full-time jobs. Birdhorse Wine…

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160: Kira Ballotta - Olivia Brion and Cantadora 1:14:17

1+ y ago1:14:17

1:14:17

This episode features Kira Ballotta, owner and winemaker for the two brands celebrating past and present trailblazing women. If a wine brand was a historical fiction novel, Olivia Brion would be the main character in that novel. Each bottle of wine tells a different “chapter” of her story. Life being somewhat more surprising than fiction, the stori…

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159: Amy Whiteford and Dave Phinney - Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard 59:42

1+ y ago59:42

59:42

This episode features Amy Whiteford and Dave Phinney in a conversation about the development of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Barbara County AVA. Both Amy and Dave have independently been on the podcast before Amy back in 2014 and 2016. Our conversation ranges from their shared work background, the reasons for…

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158: Mike Nuñez - Nuñez Vineyard Management 1:33:35

1+ y ago1:33:35

1:33:35

Mike NuÑez - NuÑez Vineyard Management This episode features Mike Nuñez, who owns and operates Nuñez Vineyard Management, a farm labor contractor and vineyard development specialist based in Napa Valley. Mike and I discuss the barn we made wine together in back in 2004, Mike’s career path, the services that his company manages, and then an in-depth…

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157: Ben Matthews - Terratorium Riesling 1:09:30

2y ago1:09:30

1:09:30

This episode features the return of Ben Matthews, who was a part of Episode 83 in 2018, and went on to found Terratorium, which is the focal point of conversation for this episode. Ben has been a long-time podcast listener and he and I met when he came out to Napa for the Deep Winemaking (wine camp) in 2017. A year later Ben came back to Napa to wo…

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156: Greg Brewer - Brewer-Clifton, Datom, and Ex Post Facto 1:08:56

2y ago1:08:56

1:08:56

Greg Brewer - Brewer-Clifton, Datom, and Ex Post facto This episode features Greg Brewer, founder and winemaker at Brewer-Clifton, which is a winery in Santa Barbara producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Our conversation runs the gamut from Greg’s background, his experience working with grapes from Santa Rita Hills, harvest and processing logistics,…

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155: Megan Gunderson - Hall Wines 1:09:37

2y ago1:09:37

1:09:37

This episode features Megan Gunderson, Vice President of Winemaking for Hall Wines. Megan oversees the production of wines for the Hall, WALT, and BACA brands. Our conversation ranges from Megan’s professional background, the stories Hall wines from Napa, the WALT wines from Oregon to Sta Rita Hills, the BACA Zinfandel wines, production logistics, …

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154: Scott McLeod - WineXRay 1:19:06

2y ago1:19:06

1:19:06

This episode features Scott McLeod, winemaker, and one of the founders of WineXRay. Our conversation covers Scott’s background building the Francis Ford Coppola brands, the development of WineXRay with his business partner Gianni Colantuoni, the color and tannin components that the WineXRay technology measures, its practical uses in a winery, the b…

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153: Clark Smith - Postmodern Winemaking and Video Course 1:36:36

2y ago1:36:36

1:36:36

This episode features Clark Smith, who is a winemaker, author, wine technology innovator, and winemaking instructor. Our conversation in this episode covers Clark’s background in winemaking, the development of Vinovation, alcohol adjustment in wines, micro-oxygenation, the enology courses he used to teach at UC Davis, making wine without SO2, his b…

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152: Matt Parish - Naked Wines and Vinture 1:11:32

2y ago1:11:32

1:11:32

This episode features Matt Parish, who is one of the top winemakers within Naked Wines. Our conversation wove through Matt’s international corporate winemaking, his work with Naked Wines as an employee and later as a winemaker, the tools and tactics Matt uses to build wines in various styles, and his current international collaborations.…

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151: Dan Petroski - Massican Wines 1:11:26

2y ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Dan Petroski - Massican Wines This episode features Dan Petroski, found, winemaker, and creative director of Massican Wines. Dan jokes that Massican is the best white wine winery in Napa Valley. Our conversation covers Dan’s background with magazines, a career in publishing, his ventures in Sicily, learning to make wine in California, Dan’s experim…

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150: Josh Widaman - Pine Ridge Vineyards 1:21:58

2y ago1:21:58

1:21:58

Josh Widaman - Pine Ridge Vineyards This episode features Josh Widaman, Estate Winemaker from Pine Ridge Vineyards in the Napa Valley. Our conversation was focused on Cabernet Sauvignon and covered, the cellar updates at Pine Ridge, their 160 acres of vines in Napa, Wine XRay, and high-brix winemaking. Pine Ridge Vineyards - Napa Valley Malene Wine…

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149: Marcus Notaro - Stag's Leap Wine Cellars 1:00:18

2y ago1:00:18

1:00:18

This episode features Marcus Notaro, Head Winemaker, at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley. This was a chance for me to ask Marcus about grapegowing and winemaking in central Washington, where he used to make wine for Col Solare focusing on vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA. Our conversation covered Marcus’ background, viticulture in Washingto…

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Dave Fritzsche Podcasts

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