Ep. 2501 Jessica Dupuy interviews Kathleen Thomas | TEXSOM 2025

Welcome to Episode 2503 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews Brian Cronin MS, director of operations of A16 Restaurant in San Francisco. Key Takeaways:  How restaurants act as gateways for introducing guests to Italian wine. The evolution of Italian wine culture across the Bay Area and West Coast. New opportunities and trends shaping Italian wine in the Bay Area and West Coast. More about the guest:  Master Sommelier Brian Cronin began his wine career in Raleigh, North Carolina, after studying biology and discovering a passion for wine through restaurant work. He has served as Wine Director at top U.S. restaurants including Charlie Trotter’s, Gary Danko, and Aqua at the St. Regis, and later expanded his career into importing and retail, running his own wine shop and bar in Seattle. Known for his engaging, down-to-earth teaching style, Brian blends deep industry expertise with a passion for service.  Today, Brian is Director of Operations for A16 Restaurant Group in San Francisco, renowned for its Southern Italian cuisine and wine program. The restaurant is named after the Autostrada A16 in Italy and was founded in February 2004 by Shelley Lindgren, a sommelier turned restaurateur, Victoria Libin, a tech lawyer, and Christophe Hille the founding chef. Outside of wine, Brian devotes much of his spare time to running marathons for charity with the American Cancer Society. In 2016 he ran all the Abbott World Marathon Majors, which are Tokyo, London, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and NYC marathons for charity, one of first people in the world to accomplish this feat. In 2020 Brian completed the World Marathon Challenge, which is 7 marathons, on 7 continents, in 7 consecutive days, and has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity. Brian currently the Director of Operations for the A16 Restaurant Group, based in San Francisco. Connect:  Website: https://www.a16pizza.com/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-cronin-ms-a6518b5/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningwineguy/  More about the host: Juliana Colangelo is a leading communications and marketing professional for the beverage alcohol industry. Currently, Juliana is a Senior Brand Manager at Frederick Wildman, where she is focused on building their Italian wine portfolio. Prior to that, she led the California Division as a Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S. for over 10 years.  During her tenure at C&P, Juliana led the development of the California office, growing the agency’s domestic presence to a dedicated office of 15 people with representation of leading wine companies such as Jackson Family Wines, Far Niente, Charles Krug Winery, Foley Family Wines and more. Juliana has completed her WSET Level 3 and her eMBA in Wine Business with Sonoma State University. In 2021, Juliana was named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR in the “Rising Stars” category. In 2022, Juliana became a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julezcolang/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jules.colangelo/ Twitter: https://x.com/JulezColang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-colangelo-mba-04345539/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin!

20 Okt 26min

Welcome to episode 2502 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this special wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum Edition, Stevie Kim is in conversation with Matteo Zoppas, President of the Italian Trade Agency, at Vinitaly.USA in Chicago. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a media partner of wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum and is pleased to present this series of conversations from Vinitaly.USA in Chicago. wine2wine Vinitaly Business Forum is an international wine business event, held annually since 2014. This year the Forum was held alongside Vinitaly.USA in Chicago, taking it outside of Verona for the first time. Mr Zoppas gives his first impressions of Vinitaly.USA in Chicago, and explains the role the Italian Trade Agency plays in supporting Italian producers internationally, particularly at this critical moment for the global wine trade. He also explains what his mantra of “putting the right producers in front of the right buyers” means in practice and how the Italian Trade Agency is supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to breach the complex American market. Finally, he reveals how he balances his competing roles on the international stage. About ITA - the Italian Trade Agency: ITA - the Italian Trade Agency is the Governmental agency that supports the business development of our companies abroad and promotes the attraction of foreign investment in Italy.  With a motivated and modern organization and a widespread network of overseas offices, ITA provides information, assistance, consulting, promotion and training to Italian small and medium-sized businesses. Using the most modern multi-channel promotion and communication tools, it acts to assert the excellence of Made in Italy in the world. Connect: https://www.ice.it/en/  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

19 Okt 15min

Welcome to Episode 2500 of the Italian Wine Podcast!!! To mark this momentous milestone, Stevie Kim hosts a very special episode of the Italian Wine Podcast, bringing together hosts and producers past and present to reflect on what has worked (and what hasn’t) during the last seven eventful years of Italian wine podcasting. Amongst the esteemed roster of hosts and producers who joined Stevie for this very special (and slightly chaotic) reunion were Barbara Fitzgerald, Beatrice Motterle, Jessica Dupuy, Joy Livingston, Juliana Colangelo, Marc Millon, Margherita Andrenacci, McKenna Cassidy, Monty Waldin, Richard Hough, Roza Zharmukhambetova and, all the way from Connecticut, the legendary Steve Raye.  As always with the Italian Wine Podcast, perfection is never the objective! Instead, what follows is an honest, authentic and sometimes comical look back over the last 2500 episodes. So, on behalf of the Italian Wine Podcast Team past and present, a massive thanks for sharing the journey with us! Here’s to the next 2500! _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

18 Okt 49min

Welcome to Episode 2499 and Episode 4 of The Art of Wine Storytelling with Ryan Robinson. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an eager student, or simply a curious wine lover, The Art of Wine Storytelling takes you on a journey that bridges ancient history with modern consumer culture. Discover how wine is much more than just a drink – it’s a narrative shaped by centuries of tradition, innovation and human interaction. Ignite your imagination, deepen your appreciation for wine, and be inspired to savor not just what’s in the bottle, but the remarkable story behind each and every glass. In this episode Ryan explores why branding is so important for wine and how the concepts of synesthesia and the proust phenomenon impact our appreciation and understanding of wine.   About Ryan Robinson: Ryan Robinson is the Director of Education for Brescome-Barton Inc., and Worldwide Wines in Connecticut, an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Haven, and is the Principal at SommCentric, a beverage education and consulting agency. He is a member on the USA Wine Tasting Team, representing the United States and the World Wine Tasting Championships and holds the credentials of Advanced Sommelier-CMS; WSET Diploma and WSET Educator in Wine, Sake and Beer; Rioja Wine Educator; VIA Italian Wine Ambassador; Wine Scholar Guild Educator and Italian and Spanish Wine Specialist; and Certified Scotch Whisky. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sommryan/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sommryan/  The Art of Wine Storytelling by Professor Attilio Scienza The Art of Wine Storytelling by Professor Attilio Scienza is available now at: https://mammajumboshrimp.com/products/the-art-of-wine-storytelling  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!

17 Okt 15min

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2498 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Darya Nagornyak IWA interviews Elena Fucci. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Learning Objectives: Explore Elena Fucci’s personal journey and her path to becoming a renowned winemaker. Understand the social project she has developed with her husband and its impact on the local community. Gain insights into the diversity of Aglianico del Vulture, including its different clones and crus. More about today’s host:   Darya Nagornyak is a wine specialist and sommelier from Kazakhstan who has served as the Vice-President of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association and holds a WSET Level 3 certification. She is also associated with the Kazakhstan Wine and Sommelier Guild, working with Alma Wine Group. She is also a certified Italian Wine Ambassador. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dashkevich_ns  More about today’s guests:   Elena Fucci is a prominent Italian winemaker and the founder of Azienda Agricola Elena Fucci in the Basilicata region of Italy. She is known as the "Queen of Aglianico del Vulture" for her work reviving the Aglianico grape variety through a modern yet traditional approach. Her winery, founded in 2000, is a family-run business focused on high-quality, single-label wines, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and reflecting the unique volcanic terroir of the area.  Connect Website: https://www.elenafuccivini.com/?lang=en  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elena.fucci/  _______________________________  Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast  If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!    Follow Italian Wine Podcast for more great content – winery interviews from the Clubhouse sessions! Psssst…FYI, this show is our most popular show, find out why by tuning-in!

16 Okt 35min

Welcome to Episode 2497 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza, where Professor Attilio Scienza takes questions from the international wine community and answers them in his own inimitable way!  These episodes are generally in Italian. Today’s question comes from Noah Carrenca (part 2). Today’s question(s):  🇬🇧 Do you believe climate change will actually lead us to plant Mediterranean varieties in Germany and Riesling in southern Italy? Or is that more of a conference-stage prediction? 🇮🇹 Credi che il cambiamento climatico ci porterà davvero a piantare varietà mediterranee in Germania e Riesling nel sud Italia? O è più una previsione da palcoscenico che da convegno? More about Professor Scienza: Professor Attilio Scienza is the one who checks all the facts and regulates when we mistakenly type “Verdicchio” instead of “Vermentino.” He is a full professor at the University of Milan in the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences where he teaches courses on genetic improvements to the vine; he also teaches Viticulture in the Master’s program of the University of Turin in Asti.  He has been the lead for many national research projects in the field of physiology, agricultural techniques, and vine genetics. As the author of over 350 publications on vine and viticulture in national and international journals, you can bet he knows his stuff! To find out more about Attilio Scienza visit: https://www.vinitaly.com/formazione/vinitaly-international-academy/attilio-scienza/    If you want to learn more about Stevie Kim, the Scienza wrangler: Stevie Kim is an Italian Wine Marketing & Communication Expert, Brand Positioning Specialist, and Public Speaker based in Verona, Italy. As Managing Partner at Vinitaly, she leads key initiatives, including OperaWine, Vinitaly International Academy, wine2wine Business Forum, and 5StarWines & Wine Without Walls. A passionate Italian Wine Evangelist, she harnesses social media and education to promote Italian wine on a global scale. The Italian Wine Podcast is part of Mamma Jumbo Shrimp, a brand Stevie launched in 2020 to make wine more accessible through books, maps, videos, and the Italian Wine Travel with Stevie YouTube series. Stevie often joins Professor Scienza in his shows to lend a hand keeping our Professor in check! You can also find her taking a hit for the team when she goes “On the Road”, all over the Italian countryside, visiting wineries and interviewing producers, enjoying their best food and wine – all in the name of bringing us great Pods! Connect:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviekim222/ Website: https://www.vinitaly.com/eventi/operawine/stevie-kim/  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!   Share your love for our lovely Professor if you are a true Italian Wine Geek 🙂

15 Okt 10min

Welcome to episode 2496 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 213 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc is in conversation with Chiara Condello from the Condé and Chiara Condello wineries in Emilia-Romagna.  This episode of the Italian Wine Podcast is powered by Dialect Imports. More about the guest: The Condé winery is located in Predappio, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Founded by Francesco Condello in 2001, it is known for producing high-quality Sangiovese wines and for its commitment to organic farming, sustainability, and authentic winemaking traditions. Today, the winery is run by Chiara Condello, a rising star among Italy’s new generation of female winemakers. Born in Forlì and raised in Fiumana di Predappio near her family’s estate, Chiara studied economics at Bocconi University in Milan before returning home to join the family business. In 2015, she took over several old vineyards and established her own label, Chiara Condello. She now farms six hectares of vines using organic and biodynamic methods, focusing exclusively on Sangiovese, the native variety of Predappio, with the goal of crafting terroir-driven wines that reflect the true character of her land. Connect Website: https://www.chiaracondello.com/ https://www.conde.it/en/index.html  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiaracondello/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chiara.condello.92  More about the host: Marc Millon, a VIA Italian Wine Ambassador since 2021, is a celebrated expert in the world of wine, food, and travel, boasting nearly 40 years of experience. Born in Mexico to a diverse family—his mother hailing from Hawaii via Korea and his father, an anthropologist, from New York via Paris—Marc was introduced to a rich tapestry of flavors from an early age. Together with his talented photographer wife, Kim, Marc has authored 14 acclaimed books, including the groundbreaking illustrated series The Wine Roads of Europe, The Wine Roads of France, The Wine Roads of Italy (winner of the Premio Barbi Colombini), and The Wine Roads of Spain. His other notable works include The Wine and Food of Europe, The Food Lovers’ Companion Italy, The Food Lovers’ Companion France, and Wine: A Global History. In addition to his writing, Marc is a sought-after speaker and hosts gastronomic cultural tours to Italy and France in partnership with Martin Randall Travel, a leading specialist in cultural travel. Since 2021, he has also been the engaging host of the “Wine, Food, and Travel with Marc Millon” series on the Italian Wine Podcast. When he's not exploring the culinary landscapes of the world, Marc resides along the scenic River Exe in Devon, England. Connect: Website:  https://www.quaypress.uk   https://www.marcmillon.co.uk  https://www.vino.co.uk    https://www.quaypress.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-millon-50868624/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Marc_Millon  _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow Italian Wine Podcast on our social media channels: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast  Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast    If you feel like helping us, donate here: https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/  Until next time, Cin Cin!   Thanks for listening! This show is all about food and wine pairings, and traveling through Italy with Marc. Join him on this food, wine and cultural journey!

14 Okt 31min