Ep. 18 Monty Waldin interviews Deborah Brenner of Women of the Vine and Spirits | Italian Wine Personalities

Welcome to Episode 2448 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Juliana Colangelo interviews wine educator and content creator Pilar Brito. You can access Pilar’s previous interview with McKenna Cassidy on the Italian Wine Podcast here:  https://www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-2312-mckenna-cassidy-interviews-pilar-brito-next-generation/.  Key Takeaways: Building authentic online communities that foster real-life connections Understanding what the next generation seeks in wine experiences and events How Italian wineries can better resonate with younger audiences More about the guest:  Pilar Brito is a wine and social media personality who has quickly built a following of 140K followers across Instagram and YouTube. Pilar has a degree in law but decided to pivot to the wine industry, driven by her passion for wine and education. She is known for her accessible yet aspirational approach to wine education, wine collecting, and her wine and cooking videos. Her platform features a diverse range of content, including in-depth explorations of renowned wines such as Tignanello, Château d'Yquem, and Mas Doix 1902. Pilar’s approachable style and informative posts have made her a leading voice among wine influencers, and she continues to inspire her growing audience to explore and appreciate the world of wine. Connect:  Website: https://barpilarr.substack.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barpilarr/ 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!

25 Aug 26min

Welcome to Episode 2447 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this special TEXSOM 2025 episode, Stevie Kim sits down with Jessica Dupuy, host of this series. They discuss TEXSOM’s role as one of the leading conferences for beverage professionals in the US, along with Jessica’s unique perspective on the connections between wine, people, and place. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the second year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promoting the vibrant culture of Texas wine. More about TEXSOM Conference: TEXSOM was founded in 2005 as the Texas Sommelier Conference to help promote professional wine service standards, outline paths for further beverage education and certification, and raise public awareness about professional standards and certifications for sommeliers. What began as an opportunity for Texas sommeliers to learn and train evolved into an international event for beverage professionals from all tiers of the industry to network and grow. In 2014, the TEXSOM spirit of camaraderie and community expanded from an annual conference and sommelier competition to include wine awards of international scope. In conjunction with the TEXSOM Awards, the TEXSOM Retreat continues the spirit of community building and learning while offering top beverage professionals a unique opportunity to enhance engagement with the TEXSOM Awards production team, winery, distillery, and importer entrants, and the submitted wines and spirits. Key buyers from across the United States participate in mentored blind tastings, educational seminars, and training. Retreat participants are mentored in communication and writing by an editor team of noted journalists and in knowledge and skills by a cadre of Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and other wine industry subject area specialists. Connect: Website: https://texsom.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/texsom/  _______________________________ 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!

24 Aug 19min

Welcome to Episode 2446 of the Italian Wine Podcast in which Jessica Dupuy interviews Jonathan Ross MS of LEGEND Imports at TEXSOM 2025. The Italian Wine Podcast is proud to be a Media Partner of TEXSOM for the second year in a row, supporting one of the most influential wine events in North America. Join us at TEXSOM 2025 as Texas-based wine journalist Jessica Dupuy interviews top writers, journalists, sommeliers, and wine professionals at this highly influential wine event. In this special series, Jessica will delve into the experiences and insights of key attendees, exploring career paths, challenges, and the latest trends in the wine industry. This special TEXSOM series is made possible thanks to the support of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Uncork Texas Wines program, celebrating and promoting the vibrant culture of Texas wine. On the Bookshelf: How to Drink Australian by Jonathan Ross and Jane Lopes More about today’s guest: Jonathan Ross has worked across all sectors of the wine and hospitality industries. A long career in the NY restaurant world capped off by a 5yr stint as Head Sommelier at Eleven Madison Park led to 3 years on the ground in Melbourne, Australia. Jonathan and his wife Jane Lopes, both having passed the master sommelier exam, published How to Drink Australian in 2023, operate their Australian wine imports business, LEGEND, from their home in Nashville, TN where Jonathan also serves as wine director for the 12/30 Club and its sister property in Phoenix, The Global Ambassador Hotel. Connect: Website: http://legendaustralia.com  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/dj_gramenon/ https://www.instagram.com/auswinelegends/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-ross-ms-52bb0250/  More about today’s host: Jessica Dupuy covers wine, spirits, and travel from Austin, Texas. She holds a Diploma with the Wine and Spirit Educational Trust, is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Specialist of Wine and Spirits through the Society of Wine Educators. Dupuy’s work has appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Imbibe, Texas Monthly, Forbes, SevenFifty Daily, GuildSomm, VinePair, and Southern Living. She recently published, The Wines of Southwest USA in addition to six regional cookbooks. Her forthcoming book, Italianity, with co-author Andrea Lonardi MW explores and celebrates the culture of Italian wine. (Release Spring 2026). She also co-hosts podcast, Another Bottle Down. Connect: Website: https://www.jessicadupuy.com/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-norman-dupuy-86486a4/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicandupuy/#    _______________________________ 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!

23 Aug 39min

Welcome to Episode 2445 of the Italian Wine Podcast and Everybody Needs a Bit of Scienza. This is a special episode with Professor Attilio Scienza and Stevie Kim, as they pay tribute to Ampelio Bucci, the founding visionary behind Villa Bucci and instrumental in elevating the Verdicchio grape to world-class status. This episode is in Italian.   More about Ampelio Bucci: Ampelio Bucci is widely regarded as the founding father of Verdicchio, the man who transformed it from a simple regional white wine into one of Italy’s most respected and age-worthy expressions. After a successful career in Milan’s fashion industry, he returned to his family estate in the Marche during the late 1970s and early 1980s with a vision to prove that Verdicchio could rival the world’s great wines. In 1983, he began bottling under the Villa Bucci name, working with old vines rooted in limestone soils and reviving traditional methods such as fermenting and aging in large, seasoned oak barrels. His patience, insistence on late bottling, and focus on native grapes set him apart in an era when most Verdicchio was produced for quick, easy drinking. Bucci’s work quickly changed the reputation of the grape. Critics such as Antonio Galloni dubbed him the “dean of Verdicchio,” and Decanter called him one of the finest and most famous producers of the variety. His wines demonstrated that Verdicchio could be structured, elegant, and capable of remarkable longevity, placing it alongside Italy’s most prestigious appellations. Villa Bucci became a benchmark estate, its Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva viewed as a reference point for the style. In 2024, Bucci passed the torch to the Veronesi family of the Oniverse Group, who acquired Villa Bucci while keeping him on as a consultant. Today, Ampelio Bucci is remembered not just as a producer, but as the visionary who gave Verdicchio international acclaim and a place at the table of the world’s great wines. _______________________________ 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!

22 Aug 10min

Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2444 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Valentina Severinova IWA interviews Vittorio Garda of Sorpasso and Cantina della Serra Wineries in Piemonte. These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.  Key Learning Objectives:   Understand the terroir differences between the wines of Carema and Alto Piemonte. Explore the distinctions between Nebbiolo from Carema and Nebbiolo from Canavese. Learn about the styles and characteristics of white wines made from Erbaluce. More about our Co-host:  Valentina Severinova is an Italian wine ambassador based in Moscow, Russia.  Working as a sales manager of industrial packaging, 5 years ago Valentina decided to dive into wine. She has her own wine import startup project, wine tasting club and teaches Italian wine at sommelier school, works as a buyer for distributors and helps them with portfolios. She is also a wine journalist and blogger, promoting Italian wines on the Russian market. Connect: Website: https://t.me/drinkitaly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buonvino_da_valentina LinkedIn: https://ru.linkedin.com/in/valentina-severinova-4058297a Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1aMLnvV8yB/?mibextid=wwXIfr More about today’s guest:   Il Sorpasso is a small winery in Carema, a tiny appellation at the northwestern edge of Piemonte bordering Valle d’Aosta. Founded in 2012 by Vittorio Garda and Martina Ghirardo, the project began with the rental of their first vineyard. Vittorio’s passion for wine began at 16 and has shaped his entire life. With a degree in viticulture and enology and experience in several wineries, he launched Sorpasso in 2014. His vision is simple yet resolute: to continue crafting wines that honor the unique terroir of Carema, with no plans for anything else. Carema’s cultivable areas are scarce, carved directly from the mountains between 300 and 700 meters in altitude. The small terraces require all vineyard work to be done entirely by hand—tending the vines here is as much an adventure as it is a labor of love. Farming organically, Vittorio and Martina focus on native grapes such as Picotendro (a local variety of Nebbiolo), Neretto, and Ner d’Ala. Through dedication and perseverance, they’ve grown from a single plot to one hectare of vines—no small feat considering the entire Carema DOC covers just 13 hectares. Connect:  Website: https://www.sorpassocarema.it/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorpassocarema/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vittorioedoardogarda  _______________________________  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!

21 Aug 47min

Welcome to Voices and Episode 2443 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Cynthia Chaplin interviews Maria Boumpa, Wine Director and Restaurant Manager at the 2 Michelin-starred Da Terra Restaurant in London. More about the guest: Maria Boumpa is an accomplished and dynamic F&B professional specializing in wine and spirits, with over 12 years of hospitality experience across the UK, Greece, and Denmark, including roles in luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. She currently serves as Wine Director and Restaurant Manager at the two Michelin-starred Da Terra Restaurant in London. Maria is pursuing the WSET Diploma in Wines and has already achieved the Court of Master Sommeliers Advanced Certificate with top honours, aiming to become a Master Sommelier.  In 2024, she placed third in the UK Sommelier of the Year competition by IWSC, was runner-up in the UK Ruinart Sommelier Challenge, won the Innovation Award for pioneering low and non-alcoholic drinks, ranked 21st among UK sommeliers, and was named among the Top 5 Female Sommeliers in the UK by the Top 100 Sommeliers UK. In 2025, she was named UK Sommelier of the Year by IWSC, ranked second among UK sommeliers, maintained her position in the Top 5 Female Sommeliers list, and achieved the prestigious ASI Diploma Gold. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maria_boumpa/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-boumpa  More about our host:  VIA certified Italian Wine Ambassador and sommelier with FIS, Cynthia Chaplin is a professor of Italian Wine and Culture, with 20 years experience in the wine industry. Cynthia is a certified wine educator, author, international judge, and content creator. She designs and presents events for embassies, corporate and private clients, develops Italian wine collections for restaurants and private clients and works with Italian wineries to train their sales and export staff. Hosting Voices has increased her commitment to DEI in the wine sector, interviewing emerging and established wine professionals and discussing topics such as inclusivity, equity, language, sustainability and challenges facing under-represented groups and cultures as they move into careers in wine. As a certified WSET Educator, Cynthia is passionate about developing wine education for a future that will have a place at the table for anyone interested in wine. Connect: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Italian-Wines-in-English/100036868372598/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiss_my_glassx/?hl=en Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia- _______________________________  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 Aug 24min

Welcome to episode 2442 of the Italian Wine Podcast and episode 205 of Wine, Food & Travel with Marc Millon. Today Marc’s guest is Giovanni Russo, the owner of Cantina del Vesuvio and a representative of Consorzio Tutela Vini Vesuvio.   More about today’s guest: Giovanni Russo is a third-generation winemaker from the slopes of Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy. As the owner of Cantina del Vesuvio, he continues his family’s legacy of producing organic Lacryma Christi DOC wines, extra virgin olive oil, and artisanal vinegar. Deeply passionate about enotourism, Giovanni organizes immersive vineyard experiences and guided tastings that highlight the cultural and natural richness of the Vesuvian territory. He also serves as the enotourism representative for the Vesuvio Wine Consortium, promoting sustainable wine tourism throughout the region. Cantina del Vesuvio is located in the open countryside on the slopes of Mt. Vesuvius. Situated in the village of Trecase, the winery is only a few kilometers from the archaeological site of Pompeii. This position makes Cantina del Vesuvio an ideal stopping point between a visit to Pompeii and a climb to the crater of Mt. Vesuvius. Connect: Website: https://www.cantinadelvesuvio.it/ https://www.vesuvio.wine/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cantina_del_vesuvio_winery/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cantina.delvesuvio    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!

19 Aug 29min

Welcome to Episode 2441 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Barbara Fitzgerald interviews Sarah Heller MW, a US-based Master of Wine and one of the leading experts on Italian wines. As a Vinitaly International Academy Faculty Member, Sarah shares her insights into the world of wine education and the VIA certification. Key Takeaways: Sarah’s personal approach to wine education and her distinctive teaching style. How to prepare for the VIA Italian Wine Ambassador certification? Why the VIA qualification and its global network are valuable for wine professionals. Learn more about the VIA Italian Wine Ambassador Course: https://www.vinitaly.com/en/academy/vinitaly-international-academy/ More about the guest:  Sarah Heller MW is a U.S.-based Master of Wine and a leading voice in Italian wine on the global stage. She has been a faculty member of the Vinitaly International Academy since 2018, after being part of the first group of VIA Ambassadors to pass its inaugural edition in 2015. She is the Italian wine reviewer and a columnist for Club Oenologique, wine editor for Asia Tatler, a host of the television series Wine Masters, and co-designer of the award-winning Elements Collection of crystal stemware with Lucaris. Her educational video series has reached over 10 million students, and she is regularly invited to speak on Italian fine wine, Champagne, wine investment, and collecting. Sarah’s work explores wine’s cultural and sensory dimensions. Her Visual Tasting Notes and other artworks have been exhibited and published internationally. She is a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy and an Honorary Advisor to Hong Kong’s International Culinary Institute. A Yale graduate in fine art, Sarah began her wine career in New York and Hong Kong and has worked with wineries across Europe. She speaks multiple languages, including Italian, French, German, Chinese, and English. Connect: Website: www.sarahheller.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-heller-mw-96a9713  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahhellermw/  More about the host: With a career of nearly two decades in the wine industry, Barbara specializes in D2C marketing and business development. She's led roles from entry level to senior management, combining her extensive experience with data analysis, critical thinking and storytelling while driving revenue growth and brand recognition for California wineries. As a part of the 4th generation of an Italian-American family among the California wine industry pioneers, Barbara has spent her life around wine growing, production, marketing, distribution and hospitality. A Syracuse University graduate, she returned to California to gain diverse industry perspectives from a range of wineries. As an Italian Wine Ambassador, she brings her expertise to the Italian wine market, known for its authenticity and consumer demand. Barbara now runs Apri La Creative Consulting, coaching wineries in Italy and the US to strategically develop their D2C channels in line with their brand values. Together with her husband, Barbara also owns and operates a boutique wine production company, and a small import company specializing in Italian wines to the US. Connect: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbarajeanfitz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-fitzgerald-iwa/ Website: https://www.aprilacreative.com/  _______________________________ 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 Aug 43min