Philippe Rolet

Bodegas Caro

Philippe Rolet was born into wine in Jura. Following a passion for South American wines he eventually ended up as Estate Manager of Bodegas Caro, a partnership between the legendary Rothschild and Catena houses. Argentina didn't start producing wines until 1850 but in the years since, it has claimed it's space in the international wine market. In fact one of Caro's wines is one of the best in it's category I have ever tasted. Listen to this episode to find out about it.

Philippe Rolet, Bodegas Caro

Hugh Davies

Among aficionados California sparkling wine has always played a bit of a second fiddle to sparklers from other parts of the world.  While that is changing over the past few years with the emergence of Grower Champagne-like wines coming from the likes of Under the Wire and the cult wine Ultramarine, among others, the one exception to this notion has always been Schramsberg. Gaining prominence going back to 1972, when Nixon used the Blanc de Blanc to toast the Chinese Premier at the White House, wines from this historic estate have been served by every administration since.I met with Hugh Davies to talk about his family's commitment to sparkling wine, why they tore up their historic estate vineyard and replanted with Bordeaux varieties in the late 1990's and of course to taste some delicious wine.

Among aficionados California sparkling wine has always played a bit of a second fiddle to sparklers from other parts of the world.  While that is changing over the past few years with the emergence of Grower Champagne-like wines coming from the likes of Under the Wire and the cult wine Ultramarine, among others, the one exception to this notion has always been Schramsberg. Gaining prominence going back to 1972, when Nixon used the Blanc de Blanc to toast the Chinese Premier at the White House, wines from this historic estate have been served by every administration since. I met with Hugh Davies to talk about his family's commitment to sparkling wine, why they tore up their historic estate vineyard and replanted with Bordeaux varieties in the late 1990's and of course to taste some delicious wine.

Hugh Davies, President, Schramsberg Vineyards

Diane Flamand

Bordeaux can be expensive. At it's lower price points it can present uninspired wines. But Diane Flamand and Domaines Barons de Rothschild [Lafite] have closed the price and quality gap with their Légende line of wines. These bottles take wine drinkers around Bordeaux, from blanc and rouge wines made from grapes grown throughout the iconic wine region, to bottlings from more specific areas like Medoc and Saint-Emilion and Paulliac. These wines present fantastic value and would be a great jumping off point for your own study of Bordeaux.  I met with winemaker Diane Flamand to talk about what it's like to make these approachable, reasonably priced wines that you don't have to wait decades to drink. all while maintaining the Lafite Spirit.

Diane Flamand, Winemaker, Bordeaux Collection Wines Domaines Barons de Rothschild [Lafite]

Marie-Christine Osselin

Way back in episode 7 of The Honest Pour I interviewed Elise Losfelt of Moët &amp; Chandon. In this episode I revisit the wines from this classic Champagne house with her colleague Marie-Christine Osselin. We sat down to discuss the task of creating consistency and quality for Moët &amp; Chandon's Non-vintage Imperial from over a hundred base wines, and expressing the quality of  each vintage Champagne,  while still distinguishing the bright fresh fruity house style of Moët &amp; Chandon.

Marie-Christine Osselin, Wine Quality and Communications Manager, Osselin, Moët & Chandon

Francesco Ricasoli

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of visiting a number of producers in Chianti Classico. To hear those shows check back to episodes 61 - 67. Sadly, while there I missed the chance to visit one of the region's most iconic estates, Ricasoli at Castello Brolio in Gaiole. Fortunately, when I returned home, I had the opportunity to meet with Francesco Ricasoli. During his visit he previewed the release of Raritas, a line of three single vineyard Chianti Classico wines that are the highest most distinguished expressions of wines produced on the Brolio estate. Technically Gran Selezione wines, Francesco calls these "Cru" bottlings. We met to discuss this project and how it fits into the idea of Gran Selezione, his research from which these wines were born, and of course to taste some delicious wines

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of visiting a number of producers in Chianti Classico. To hear those shows check back to episodes 61 - 67. Sadly, while there I missed the chance to visit one of the region's most iconic estates, Ricasoli at Castello Brolio in Gaiole. Fortunately, when I returned home, I had the opportunity to meet with Francesco Ricasoli.  During his visit he previewed the release of Raritas, a line of three single vineyard Chianti Classico wines that are the highest most distinguished expressions of wines produced on the Brolio estate. Technically Gran Selezione wines, Francesco calls these "Cru" bottlings.  We met to discuss this project and how it fits into the idea of Gran Selezione, his research from which these wines were born, and of course to taste some delicious wines

Francesco Ricasoli, President and Owner, Ricasoli

Matt Crafton

Chateau Montelena

Chateau Montelena will forever hold a special place in Napa Valley wine history after famously winning Steven Spurrier's 1976 Paris tasting. In 2014 Matt Crafton was named winemaker there and today he maintains the heritage of this iconic producer. With a strong belief in sustainability Crafton is paving the way to the future while staying true to the legacy of Chateau Montelena. We sat down to discuss this and also to taste some delicious wine.

Matt Crafton, Winemaker, Chateau Montelena

Brook Bannister

Cool climate pinot noir is a widely used buzz phrase today. But in the late 80's Marty Bannister was one of the pioneers of the segment. She made these wines for over a decade when health concerns forced her to let the family label go dormant. In the early 2000's her son Brook decided to revive the brand and continue working with these cool climate wines, maintaining his mother's legacy.  So many of the stories told through wine are about, place, history, or farming. This episode is about a son's love of his mother and his dedication to making sure her place in wine history is maintained.

Brook Bannister, Bannister Wines

Paul Hobbs

After a short break we return to the U.S. following our Chianti Classico series to visit with a most thoughtful California wine maker. While many interviews are about history, culture or estate terroir, Paul Hobbs is a guy who I can geek out with about wine. And that makes me happy. Despite his impressive resume, talking with him about soil types, climate, and grape variety is something that is really exciting and makes you want to taste and enjoy his wines. What I really loved about talking with Hobbs is that his passion extends beyond California to Argentina, Spain, France, and Armenia, not because he wants to globalize his brand but  in order to hone his craft. I sat down with Paul to talk about this and of course to taste some delicious wines.

Paul Hobbs, Paul Hobbs Winery

Castello Monterinaldi

We wrap up our visit to Chianti Classico with a visit to Castello Monterinaldi in Radda. Searching for the terroir of each commune of the region has proven to be a challenge as so many microclimates and soil types exist withing each commune. However, matching clones of sangiovese to each microclimate within an estate is an important job at Castello Monterinaldi. This effort leads to some special wine. I met with Fabrizio Benedetti to discuss this and of course to taste some delicious wines.

Ep. 67 Fabrizio Benedetti, Castello Monterinaldi

Giovanni Poggiali

While some wineries take centuries to figure out which clones or massal selections work best in their vineyards, the brilliant minds of Felsina have accomplished the same in just five decades. Today, third generation winemaker Giovanni Poggiali maintains his family's commitment to producing wines that express the distinct terroir of each of Felsina's vineyards and dedication to purity of sangiovese.

Ep. 66 Giovanni Poggiali, Felsina

The Honest Pour with John Lenart is a wine podcast taking you beyond the bottle to connect you with the people who make the wines you love and the places they come from.

This is my new favorite podcast! It&#39;s not just about wine, but also about making wine, and the people behind great wine, and it is intensely interesting. If you have any interest in wine at all, this is a fun podcast you should listen to as well!

Great show!

I&#39;ve been searching for a wine podcast that is fun informative and not condescending.  John is great to listen to and you get the sense he might actually be fun to have a glass of wine with. Well done!

Great Find

Wine Podcast: The Honest Pour with John Lenart

Viña Los Vascos

Just over 30 years ago the great Bordeaux house Chateau Lafite Rothschild laid stake in the new world with its purchase of Los Vascos, in the Colchagua province in Chile. To run the business they hired Claudio Naranjo, a young financial consultant who aided them in the purchase, as the General Manager. Decades later, Naranjo still holds that position but with a much deeper understanding of, and more importantly, a passion for wine. Today, Claudio is responsible for maintaining what is referred to as "The Spirit of Lafite" here in the new world. While making some great red wines, headed by Le Dix de, Los Vascos, grand cuvee, one of the wines that most impressed from the Los Vascos portfolio is a $10 sauvignon blanc. This wine is among the best $10 wines I have ever tasted.

Ep. 58 Claudio Naranjo, General Manager, Viña Los Vascos

Jeffrey Stambor

Beaulieu Vineyard

IIn Rutherford, just north of Oakville lies the Georges De Latour vineyards. While Mr. De Latour lacked creative naming for his vineyards, he found some of Napa's greatest land for growing cabernet sauvignon. From these amazing properties the great André Tchelistcheff created some of the best wine available from Napa Valley. The weight of that history and sense of place is not lost on Jeffrey Stambor who today, as winemaker at BV, fosters that tradition of excellence. Stambor approaches winemaking at BV with the French sensibility of expressing what the land gives him rather than creating character in the winery.

Ep. 027 Jeffrey Stambor, Winemaker, Beaulieu Vineyard

Michael Cruse

In this Episode of The Honest Pour John interviews one of America's most exciting winemakers, Michael Cruse of Cruse Wine Co., and Ultramarine.

The Honest Pour Episode 005, Michael Cruse, Cruse Wine Co., and Ultramarine

In Episode 12 of The Honest Pour I interviewed Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi, owner of Frescobaldi. In this episode I interview a winemaker from one of his estates, Eleonora Marconi, winemaker at Frescobaldi's Castello di Nipozzano Estate. Built in the year 1000 as a defensive fortress, today Castello di Nipozzano houses the wine cellars. I spoke with Marconi about her dedication to making wines for this historic estate her close working relationship with the Marchese.

Ep. 030 Eleonara Marconi, Winemaker Frescobaldi Castello di Nipozzano Estate

Joe Harden

Robert Mondavi

Without the influence of Robert Mondavi Napa Valley would still be a world-class wine region, but it wouldn't be the same as it is today.  While his eponymous winery sold to a large corporation more than a decade ago, the wine making team there strives to assure that Mr. Mondavi's influence and philosophy live on today.  Joe Harden is responsible for making the Bordeaux wine varieties for Robert Mondavi Winery. A former pro basketball player, Harden grew up in Lodi, the son of wine grape growers, who sold grapes to Mondavi. Upon leaving the hard court he returned to the world of wine and landed an internship, which turned into a job as winemaker, at Robert Mondavi. Even though he's a young man, the responsibility of maintaining the tradition of Robert Mondavi does not escape Harden, and he's making some fabulous wines from Mondavi's To Kalon and other great vineyards.

Ep. 026 Joe Harden, WInemaker, Robert Mondavi Winery

Federica Mascheroni Stianti

I've traveled throughout the wine world and few places have enchanted me the way Volpaia and the people there have. The hilltop hamlet is magical. The 11th century piazza is composed of a church, a cafe and a the Castello di Volpaia tasting room which was closed when I arrived. That's it.I wander up the road another 50 or so meters to find a smaller, older piazza consisting of not much more than yet another church, a small ancient well and an iron gate. With no signs, I have no idea where to go so I throw caution to the wind and enter the gate. Sitting in the manicured garden under the warm spring Tuscan sun I meet Giovannella Stianti. Tall, grey haired and elegant Giovannella introduces herself to me and warmly welcomes me into her home. All of the walls inside the ancient building are lined with beautiful books. Gio explains that her father was a book binder and this was his work.After lunch Gio takes me on a wonderful tour of the village and winery within. The modern winery is built into the building of the 11th century with pipes running underground connecting one production area to the next. Already enchanted with both the place and Giovannella, I then sat down to record this episode with Federica Mascheroni Stianti, Gio's daughter, who now runs the family business. As charming as her mother, Federica and I talk about what makes wine from Radda unique, the controversy behind the gran selezione classification, and of course we taste some delicious wines. If you travel to Chianti Classico a visit to Castello di Volpaia is not to be missed.

I've traveled throughout the wine world and few places have enchanted me the way Volpaia and the people there have.  The hilltop hamlet is magical. The 11th century piazza is composed of a church, a cafe and a the Castello di Volpaia tasting room which was closed when I arrived. That's it. I wander up the road another 50 or so meters to find a smaller, older piazza consisting of not much more than yet another church, a small ancient well and an iron gate. With no signs, I have no idea where to go so I throw caution to the wind and enter the gate. Sitting in the manicured garden under the warm spring Tuscan sun I meet Giovannella Stianti. Tall, grey haired and elegant Giovannella introduces herself to me and warmly welcomes me into her home. All of the walls inside the ancient building are lined with beautiful books. Gio explains that her father was a book binder and this was his work. After lunch Gio takes me on a wonderful tour of the village and winery within. The modern winery is built into the building of the 11th century with pipes running underground connecting one production area to the next. Already enchanted with both the place and Giovannella, I then sat down to record this episode with Federica Mascheroni Stianti, Gio's daughter, who now runs the family business. As charming as her mother, Federica and I talk about what makes wine from Radda unique, the controversy behind the gran selezione classification, and of course we taste some delicious wines.  If you travel to Chianti Classico a visit to Castello di Volpaia is not to be missed.

Ep. 64 Federica Mascheroni Stianti, Castello di Volpaia

Jo Landron

Domaines Landron

When I started The Honest Pour there were several winemakers who I really wanted to interview.  The guest of this episode is one who I have tried to book for almost three years. The wines of Muscadet are often over cropped, too linear, and mundane, But the wines made by this episode's guest are different.  Jo Landron makes some of the most dynamic, terroir driven, and delicious wines in the western Loire's Muscadet region. Known as much for his flamboyant mustache as his wines, Landron uses both organic and biodynamic farming to express the special terroir of his vineyards. Next time you want to have some seafood, raw oysters in particular, pick up a bottle of his delicious and crazy good value wine for a match made in heaven.  You can thank me later.

Ep. 59 Jo Landron, Domaines Landron

Big, round, rich chardonnay may not always be a critical favorite, but it is certainly loved by the mass market.  While the wines of Kistler, Sonoma-Cutrer and others popularized this style in California, it wasn't until 1990 when Koerner Rombauer, working with fruit from Sangiacomo vineyard in Carneros, was able to produce this style of chardonnay at a price point friendly to the consumer. Today, K.R., Koerner's  son, runs the family winery and remains true to his father's vision of making wine his customers want to drink. I sat down with K.R., to talk about the wines made at his family's winery, his commitment to staying family owned, and of course, to taste some delicious wine.

Ep. 55 K.R. Rombauer III, Rombauer Vineyards

Andy Erickson

While working with some of Napa Valley’s most influential wine producers, in some of the best vineyard sites in all of California, Andy Erickson and his wife Annie Favia started a small project in their garage. That single barrel blossomed over the years to what has become Favia. Erickson and Favia are now producing outstanding wines from premium California growing sites in their small winery located on their historic Coombsville ranch. While these wines are hard to find, due to small production, and are on the pricier side, you can be sure that they are absolutely outstanding wines which showcase the best of the vineyards which they are grown.

Ep. 34 Andy Erickson, WInemaker, Favia

Randy Snowden

Randy Snowden's parents purchased what is today The Snowden Ranch in 1955. The 160 acre property lies on the eastern slopes of Napa Valley looking down at Rutherford and St. Helena. This unique site isn't part of either the St. Helena or Rutherford appellation, yet it produces fruit that shows some distinctive characteristics of both St. Helena and Rutherford. Everyone knows Napa wine isn't cheap. With land costs that can approach a million dollars per acre, how could it be? Yet, while many Napa wines work their way well into the 3 figure price points, relative value still exists. Perhaps there's no greater example of value from Napa than Snowden Vineyard wines.

Randy Snowden's parents purchased what is today The Snowden Ranch in 1955. The 160 acre property lies on the eastern slopes of Napa Valley looking down at Rutherford and St. Helena. This unique site isn't part of either the St. Helena or Rutherford appellation, yet it produces fruit that shows some distinctive characteristics of both St. Helena and Rutherford. Everyone knows Napa wine isn't cheap. With land costs that can approach a million dollars per acre, how could it be? Yet, while many Napa wines work their way well into the 3 figure price points, relative value still exists. Perhaps there's no greater example of value from Napa than Snowden Vineyard wines.

Ep. 033 Randy Snowden, Snowden Vineyards

Ryan Shenk

Sometimes touring Napa Valley wineries can become a bit repetitive. Cabernet, cabernet and more cabernet. Now, I love Napa cab, but a brief departure from it can offer a palate refreshing break. A great place for this break is Benessere. Founded in 1994 by John and Ellen Benish, they wanted a place to remind them of a beloved trip to Italy they had taken. So, instead of planing more cabernet, they committed to planing Italian varieties like sangiovese, aglianico and even sagrantino.  While John sadly passed away in October of 2018, his family is committed to maintaining his vision of producing wonderful wines using grape varieties from Italy. Benessere's winemaker, Matt Reid says he makes wine because "it makes me happy and I want to share that happiness." His wines convey this happiness. Beautiful Italian-like acidity, balanced by the sun-kissed fruit of Napa make for some very special wines.  I met with Ryan Shenk, DTC Sales and Hospitality Manager at Benessere to walk the vineyards of Benessere and of course, to taste some delicious wines.

Ep. 57 Ryan Shenk, Benessere Vineyards

Giovanni Manetti

In this episode I meet with Giovanni Manetti, the current President of The Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico and winemaker of Fontodi. The pride he takes in his vineyard is clear when he talks about his farming practices. You can hear the passion in his voice and it's impossible to not be captured by it. And of course you can taste it in his wines too.

Ep. 61 Giovanni Manetti, Fontodi

Erica Crawford

Erica Crawford came to the wine business through marriage.  That’s not to say that nothing about her personal background influences the wines she and her husband Kim make today. In fact, her previous career in the medical and pharmaceutical industries  largely shaped Loveblock’s commitment to  organic and sustainable farming and winemaking. Her commitment to this is so strong that the farming practiced by Loveblock is entirely closed loop. Close loop farming recycles all nutrients and organic matter back into the soil from which it grew. Through these practices Loveblock produces wines of elegance with more restrained aromatics and more complex texture than is often associated with New Zealand wines.

Ep. 54 Erica Crawford, Founder & CEO Loveblock Wines

Manuel Louzada

Manuel Louzada is a thoughtful well spoken winemaker. A fourth generation winemaker his family's commitment to quality winemaking has been passed down through the generations and today he maintains that commitment on two continents. Chasing harvests between South America and Europe his wines are distinctive and terroir driven. The wines I tasted in this episode are no longer the current releases but the tasting notes below will give you an idea of the style of wines Louzada makes and what you can expect from the current releases.

Ep. 31 Manuel Louzada, Winemaker, Propiedad de Arínzano and Achaval–Ferrer

Sara Dionisio

Passion only takes winemakers so far. On top of the desire to make great wine a lot of hard work goes into it as well. There are few people in wine who have had to work as hard as Sara Dionisio and her husband Antonio Ribeiro. After mother nature dealt the couple a catastrophic blow in 2017, they have, like a phoenix, literally risen from the ashes and today continue their pursuit of  producing delicious wines.

Ep. 60 Sara Dionisio, Antonio Lopez Ribeiro WInes

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